i–♭VII–♭VI–♭V in C Minor

Pattern: i – ♭VII – ♭VI – ♭V Chords: Cm – B♭ – A♭ – G♭

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
i	Cm (details)	minor	Tonic
♭VII	B♭ (details)	major	Subtonic
♭VI	A♭ (details)	major	Submediant
♭V	G♭ (details)	major	Dominant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through Cm (Tonic) → B♭ (Subtonic) → A♭ (Submediant) → G♭ (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

Cm B♭ A♭ G♭

More Progressions in C 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