A style of guitar riff used in Hardcore (punk) music that consists of a single note being chugged slowly for maximum heaviness and brutality. Different rhythms and numbers of strums are used in a repeated fashion for usually 2 to 4 bars in length. Written equilivent: JUD-JUD, JUD-JUD, JUDJUDJUDJUD, JUD-JUD, JUD-JUD ...and so forth.
Great for hardcore dancing.
Great for hardcore dancing.
by Straight Up February 20, 2004
Dude were you at August burns red's concert last night?
Yeah man, on the 3rd breakdown of back burner, i was run over in a mosh pit. but it was fucking worth it cause breakdowns are fucking sick.
Yeah man, on the 3rd breakdown of back burner, i was run over in a mosh pit. but it was fucking worth it cause breakdowns are fucking sick.
by DISRESPECTYOURSURROUNDINGS September 25, 2010
Sections of hardcore / metalcore / deathcore songs which are rhythmically appropriate for most forms of hardcore dancing (mosh), but not appropriate for two-stepping. In order to be rhythmically appropriate, the music must conform to the following requirements:
1. Tempo: Breakdowns are characterized by tempos in the 65 bpm - 70 bpm range, but also spanning from 50 bpm (double breakdown), to 90 bpm (fast breakdown / stomp breakdown).
2. Content: Breakdowns are further characterized by strong emphasis on rhythm, snares on the 2nd & 4th quarter notes, cymbals on either eighth notes or quarter notes, and kick drum patterns which accent the often staccato guitar playing. Many modifications to this formula can be made (displaced snares, melody), but these modifications tend to detract from the maximum impact of the breakdown.
Because these two requirements must be satisfied, entire songs can be breakdowns, and do not need to contain any fast parts. As well, many slow sections of songs of these genres are not breakdowns, because they do not meet the content requirements.
1. Tempo: Breakdowns are characterized by tempos in the 65 bpm - 70 bpm range, but also spanning from 50 bpm (double breakdown), to 90 bpm (fast breakdown / stomp breakdown).
2. Content: Breakdowns are further characterized by strong emphasis on rhythm, snares on the 2nd & 4th quarter notes, cymbals on either eighth notes or quarter notes, and kick drum patterns which accent the often staccato guitar playing. Many modifications to this formula can be made (displaced snares, melody), but these modifications tend to detract from the maximum impact of the breakdown.
Because these two requirements must be satisfied, entire songs can be breakdowns, and do not need to contain any fast parts. As well, many slow sections of songs of these genres are not breakdowns, because they do not meet the content requirements.
Pantera is generally recognized as the originator of the breakdown, as featured at approximately 3:52 of "Domination" off Cowboys from Hell. Today, this part of Domination would be recognized as an "old school" breakdown, and only the old timers would hardcore dance to it.
by malarky2020 October 14, 2009
The part in a song (usually associated with Hardcore, Metal, and Metalcore music genres) where the music becomes heavy and rythmic. Usually has a brutal sound to it and is the perfect music to open a pit or dance to. Breakdowns are what makes hardcore. The singer also usually sings a line or two of memorable lyrics, and then repeats them until the breakdown is over.
by From The Distance(reno, nv) May 23, 2006
Jimmy: did you hear brown tounges new song?!?
Benny: yeah! the breakdown is made up of 1's and 0's!
chug mosh breakdowns metalcore tabs slams
Benny: yeah! the breakdown is made up of 1's and 0's!
chug mosh breakdowns metalcore tabs slams
by straya m8 November 18, 2015
(n.) - a section in a piece of music where rhythmic emphasis is shifted causing the note value of the previously determined meter to be (typically) halved. used for contrast.
by bananax182 May 13, 2007
Person #1: Dude, get ready, here it comes, I hope I don't get any teeth knocked out in this one.
Person #2: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...BREAKDOWN!
Person #1: (After the BREAKDOWN!) Dude, u totally gave me a welt on my left eye.
Person #2: Sorry dude, i get kinda gaytarded while moshing sometimes.
Person #1: Its okay...its a br00tal welt anyway, it totally makes me look soooo much cooler.
Person #2: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...BREAKDOWN!
Person #1: (After the BREAKDOWN!) Dude, u totally gave me a welt on my left eye.
Person #2: Sorry dude, i get kinda gaytarded while moshing sometimes.
Person #1: Its okay...its a br00tal welt anyway, it totally makes me look soooo much cooler.
by Ms.Anthropy April 19, 2009