About RiffRiot
The Goal of RiffRiot
Metal deserves honest coverage. Since 2022, RiffRiot has cut through the noise to deliver clear-eyed analysis of the sounds that shape our scene.
Our reviews dissect the technical craft and raw power behind each release. No fluff, just sharp analysis that digs into what makes a record hit or miss. When we rank albums, it’s based on countless hours of critical listening and debate. Through our interviews, artists drop the PR facade and get real about their craft. Our analysis pieces tackle the genre-defining moments and underground movements that keep metal evolving. We’re here to document metal’s past, present, and future – from the basement shows to the breakthrough releases. Every piece we publish aims to push the conversation forward.
Got music to share? Looking to contribute? RiffRiot’s platform is yours. Find us on social media, YouTube, or submit your work through Musosoup.
Metal runs deep. That’s why we’re here.
Meet the Team
RiffRiot Admin.
The admin of this blog, who keeps his real name in the shadows (partly due to his dangerously biased reviews and partly because he once claimed Opeth´s songs could heal past wounds), has been documenting his metal obsessions since 2023. From dissecting Scandinavian black metal to defending 15-minute unnecesary prog virtuoso melodies, his highly personal takes have somehow attracted (or pissed off) a loyal following of fellow metalheads who also believe that album rankings are never enough.
Boukmann
Boukmann got hooked on metal journalism after spending too many nights lurking in dingy venues with a beaten-up voice recorder and a perpetually dying phone. The guy who handles RiffRiot’s interviews, news, and discussions has an uncanny ability to get musicians talking about that one weird riff they wrote at 3 AM ten years ago. When he’s not transcribing interviews or hunting down obscure news from the metal underground, you’ll find him moderating heated debates about whether guitar solos are still relevant (they are) or if modern production is too clean (it is).
Akuma
Akuma keeps RiffRiot’s digital fortress running from his homemade battle station, surrounded by monitors and empty matcha cups. While his code powers the site’s seamless experience, his occasional ventures into writing reveal a mind more attuned to wavelengths than words. When not optimizing databases or fighting off server crashes, he’s probably testing new audio plugins or arguing about bit rates in the forums.