I–♭VI–♭VII–I in E♭ Major

Pattern: I – ♭VI – ♭VII – I Chords: E♭ – B – D♭ – E♭

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
I	E♭ (details)	major	Tonic
♭VI	B (details)	major	Submediant
♭VII	D♭ (details)	major	Subtonic
I	E♭ (details)	major	Tonic

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through E♭ (Tonic) → B (Submediant) → D♭ (Subtonic) → E♭ (Tonic).

The I–♭VI–♭VII–I progression borrows two chords from the parallel minor to create a heavy, powerful major-key riff. The ♭VI and ♭VII provide dark, chromatic contrast before the triumphant return to the major tonic. This pattern is a staple of power metal and hard rock anthems.

Song Examples

Enter Sandman, Metallica
Thunderstruck, AC/DC

Chord Details

E♭ B D♭

More Progressions in E♭ Major

I–IV–V–I I–V–vi–IV I–vi–IV–V ii–V–I I–IV–V I–♭VII–IV vi–IV–I–V I–V–vi–iii–IV–I–IV–V I–IV I–V IV–V IV–I