In the metal community, there’s some debate about whether or not “djent” is an actual genre or distinct style, or has any staying power as a style. [1] X Research source
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Deathcore or straight-up death metal Metalcore, pop metal, or screamo Prog metal or math rock
Generally, djent guitarists will leave the six strings tuned to standard (EADGBE), then down tune the lowest string on the guitar to the key that matches the particular song.
Depending on the amp you use, you generally want to turn down most if not all other effects, especially effects such as delay, tremolo, or reverb. Djent tone is really crisp and dry, so you want things as sharp as possible.
Use a compressor effect, as well, to help keep your signal regulated and your notes at the same amplitude. This helps to keep the djent riff at the same level of all the other notes that you’re playing in the song, and the individual notes in the riff equalized. Since it’s so percussive, this is an essential pedal in your chain.
Depending on your rig and guitar, this may be totally unnecessary and kill your tone. If you’re happy with your djent-style riffs without either of these pedals, it’s safe to leave out of your chain.
Take your picking hand and rest the space between your pinkie and your wrist on the strings, in between the bridge and neck pick-ups. Do an alternate-picking pattern on the lowest string on your guitar. You’re close to djent now.
If the concept of polyrhythms seems overly complicated, think of it as playing “off-time” riffs instead, as if you and the drummer were playing slightly different songs, but at the same tempo, but working together to create one effect.
Most djent riffs feature no more than one or two notes, so it doesn’t need to be overly complicated. Most djent riffs are on the lowest string of the guitar, unfretted.
Sweeping arpeggiated solos Poppy choruses Frequent djent breakdowns and blast beats Abrupt tempo transitions
