i–♭VII–♭VI–♭V in E Minor

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

Chord Breakdown

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

Harmonic Analysis

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

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.

Song Examples

Black Sabbath, Black Sabbath
Hallowed Be Thy Name (intro), Iron Maiden

Chord Details

Em D C 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