i–♭VI–♭VII–V in E Minor

Pattern: i – ♭VI – ♭VII – V Chords: Em – C – D – B

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
i	Em (details)	minor	Tonic
♭VI	C (details)	major	Submediant
♭VII	D (details)	major	Subtonic
V	B (details)	major	Dominant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through Em (Tonic) → C (Submediant) → D (Subtonic) → B (Dominant).

The i–♭VI–♭VII–V progression builds from the dark ♭VI through the ♭VII to a dominant V, creating a dramatic climb toward resolution. The stepwise ascent from ♭VI to ♭VII generates momentum while the V provides strong pull back to the tonic. This pattern is powerful in metal and hard rock.

Song Examples

Fade to Black (chorus) — Metallica
Nothing Else Matters — Metallica

Chord Details

Em C D B

More Progressions in E Minor

i–♭VII–♭VI–V i–iv–v vi–IV–I–V i–iv–i–V iv–iv–i–V i–iv–i i–iv–V vi–V–IV–III i–♭VII i–♭III–♭VII i–♭VII–IV i–♭VII–♭VI