i–♭VII–♭VI–♭V in G♯ Minor

Pattern: i – ♭VII – ♭VI – ♭V Chords: G♯m – G♭ – E – D

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
i	G♯m (details)	minor	Tonic
♭VII	G♭ (details)	major	Subtonic
♭VI	E (details)	major	Submediant
♭V	D (details)	major	Dominant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through G♯m (Tonic) → G♭ (Subtonic) → E (Submediant) → D (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

G♯m G♭ E D

More Progressions in G♯ 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