Riff Diary #4: P1SSED – When a Wasp Stings You Without a Reason

A riff that kicks you in the ribs

It all started with a simple idea: a fast and jumpy riff that grabs you and throws you against the wall. But that wasn’t even the ”pissed” part – that came right after. The verse kicks in like you just fell into a pit of rage. Galloping guitars, fast 16th-note runs in groups of six (starting on a syncopated beat), and then there’s the aggressive synth that’s so dirty, not even Horst Fuchs’ cleaner could fix it.

The cherry on top? Harmonic minor scale. Because nothing screams ”I’M F**KING ANGRY”* better than dramatic minor and a saw wave punch to the gut.

Breakdown? More like meltdown

It all explodes in the breakdown. Don’t expect a basic chug-fest – this one comes with philosophy. Quintuplet runs through diminished arpeggios (because why not), and nasty minor seconds with the lower note bent up a half step – technically creating a unison. But every cent in between is far from perfect.

So… what does it sound like?

Let me put it simply: It sounds like you were woken up in the middle of the night by a fire alarm, your room caught on fire, and a wasp started stinging you for no reason – and you couldn’t kill it.

Final thoughts?

”P1SSED” was born thanks to a fan request, but maybe even more thanks to the fact that I just wanted to explode in minor. It’s my debut angry metal track, and even though it’s mad for no reason – that’s exactly why it works. Sometimes that’s the best kind. Don’t overthink it – give it tempo, harmonic minor, distortion, a dirty synth – and let it scream.