Characteristics of alternative metal music are heavy guitar riffs , syncopation , uncommon time signatures , and unusual techniques . Alternative metal is like regular heavy music , but it can be more experimental . Most notably , alternative metal bands are characterized by heavy guitar riffs ; typically , these riffs have a pronounced experimental edge , including unconventional lyrics , odd time signatures , more syncopation than typical metal , unusual technique , a resistance to conventional approaches to heavy music and an incorporation of a wide range of influences outside of the metal music scene .