Stuck on a riff. How to break writers block

[Defyantly]

So I have had this riff that I wrote that is super similar to Periphery's Absolomb bass intro and I don't know how to work it into to anything. I'm tuned in drop C# (C#, G#, C#, F#, A#, D#). I want to work it in after an arpeggiated intro on the higher strings running 16th notes
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Only it sounds way off when I try to jump into the riff. Can anyone give me some clarification as to what to do. I'm leaning towards trying to change the riff entirely to make a new structure that flows better but I have massive writers block and my hands keep playing the same tired chugging patterns.

Also after typing out that little bit of music I now have major respect for the people who tab out songs by ear for websites like ultimateguitar and the like!

 

[Solodini]

What is it about that sounds way off to you? Does it sound too high/low overall? Is there too much separation between the pitches in the riff? Is the rhythm wrong? Does it sound like the wrong set of notes (key)? Does the riff sound like a chorus riff when the structure perhaps better suits having a verse play there?

 

[Defyantly]

I guess it feels like the tempo of the riff. The intro is at 140bpm and the "periphery" riff just doesn't work at that tempo. I might try and tempo change after the intro or maybe as a bridge into a chorus. I'm still working on the song but thank you for the reply

 

[gnoll]

How about extending the last bar of the arpeggio? Like sit on the vibrato for a bit and have the drums do some cymbal wooshing and then count in the new tempo for the riff? Sudden tempo changes don't always work great, and I find it especially difficult trying to force together two parts that are in different tempos. Mostly I'll just use them for different songs.

 

[GatherTheArsenal]

You could try playing a couple of clean chords in the same key/scale as that intro with minimum (or no) drums, no need for strumming just let the chords ring, then bring in the riff right after.

It'll give both the intro and the riff their own space without being so at odds with each other. It would also allow the riff to "mean more" as it were, since it's coming in from a calmer part, with drums it'll stand out more to the listener. And the reduction (or complete removal) of drums would also give you a chance to change the tempo since the listener just got a brief break from being conditioned at 140 bmp during the intro.

 

[Defyantly]

How about extending the last bar of the arpeggio? Like sit on the vibrato for a bit and have the drums do some cymbal wooshing and then count in the new tempo for the riff? Sudden tempo changes don't always work great, and I find it especially difficult trying to force together two parts that are in different tempos. Mostly I'll just use them for different songs.

I will try this! I already decided to change up the last bar into a sixteenth note run into a dissonant chord so that chord might be a good speed up part.