i–♭VII–♭VI–♭V

The i–♭VII–♭VI–♭V progression descends chromatically through four semitone-related chords, creating a relentless downward pull. The tritone-related ♭V adds extreme dissonance and darkness. This progression is a hallmark of doom metal and dark progressive rock.

Pattern: i – ♭VII – ♭VI – ♭V   Example in A Minor: Am – G – F – E♭

Genre: metal, rock   Difficulty: advanced

Choose a Key

A Minor Am – G – F – E♭ E Minor Em – D – C – B♭ B Minor Bm – A – G – F F♯ Minor F♯m – E – D – C C♯ Minor C♯m – B – A – G G♯ Minor G♯m – G♭ – E – D D Minor Dm – C – B♭ – A♭ G Minor Gm – F – E♭ – D♭ C Minor Cm – B♭ – A♭ – G♭ F Minor Fm – E♭ – D♭ – B B♭ Minor Bbm – A♭ – G♭ – E E♭ Minor Ebm – D♭ – B – A

Song Examples