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|4th, 5th, and 6th Strings#C Major on the 6th String|C Maj - 6th Str}}
What really nails the above riff home is the rhythm. Notice the first block of power chords in each measure starts on the 1st beat, but every other set starts in between beats. This is quite difficult to get at first, especially when you are playing with a metronome. Your natural inclination is to hit the strings every or every other time you hear a click. Playing off the beat is called "<u>off-time" </u> or "<u>off-beat"</u>. Also, the first beat of each measure is called the "<u>down beat" </u> and usually features the strongest accent of a rhythmic cycle. We clearly see that hear, more particularly in the first measure than the second. Beats that lead up to the down beat are called "<u>up beats"</u> (which is the 4th beat in 4/4 time).
Note: "off-beat" has a couple different meanings. In 4/4, typically the 1st and 3rd beats carry the strongest accents and are called the "on beats". This makes the 2nd and 4th beats "off beats". Playing only Only playing on or accenting the 2nd and 4th beats can also be called playing "off-time" such as in ska or raggae. The riff above is not "off-beat" as a whole. It has strong accents on the down beats. But it also incorporates some off-beat elements, and makes strong use the up beat on the 4th beat to lead into each down beat.
Here's some quick practice to master playing on and off beat. Play this to a metronome and count every beat. It is more difficult than it looks. Just keep at it. Start slow. If you can't get it, go even slower.