Becoming a metalhead

[Bardolph]

I've been getting into guitar playing lately. I'm not trying to be a local guitarist or be in a band or anything, I just want to do it for my own enjoyment. I've always enjoyed good metal style playing- the riffs, intensity, and the speed. I know that speed and cool licks don't make a good player, but they are fun and I wouldn't mind having some at my disposal. So what I'm asking is where can I look for developing some metal guitar skills (bands, sites, videos, whatever).

[Rhythmalism]

I've been doing guitar for a year myself, nothing satisfies more than ripping out a perfectly executed riff. My favorite bands to jam along with on the cd player:
Marilyn Manson: there's some 1 finger flogging in there, easy to play
Metallica: They know how to rock

Had trouble with:
System of a Down
and
Fear Factory
Both use either 7-strings or insanely low tunings. Floppy strings aren't my thing.

[Benjamin Strange]

Start with Soilwork or Meshuggah. Once you've mastered that, call me and I'll join your band.

[Wildside]

check out paul gilbert's first reh video. A guitarist I was in a band with a while back was obsessed with that, and I picked up a lot of cool ideas from it. Paul is a monster.

[Bad Brains]

Learn a bunch of Sabbath, every other band in "metal" just ripps them off.

[Mike Money]

Originally Posted by Bad Brains

Learn a bunch of Sabbath, every other band in "metal" just ripps them off.

word.


and Gwar. who are actually KISS with balls.

[Mike N]

Maiden

[kaboom133]

Originally Posted by Mike N

Maiden

Yep...

[Squidfinger]

Just don't be like all the metal kids now and totally ignore the 70's and 80's. Some GREAT metal came out of those decades. Especially the 80's.

[Tsal]

Start with some AC/DC. It's not so metal as you'd probably prefer, but it's tight. It's TIGHT. Just see the live DVDs. The other good part about AC/DC, guitarwise, is that they don't use much overdrive - you hear your mistakes, so you have to develope a good technique.

After that, move to Sabbath

[Squidfinger]

Yeah, what Tsal said. If you look rock and roll up in the dictionary it has a picture of AC/DC by it. Great, simple riffs to start off with. Then some Sabbath and maybe Led Zeppelin.

[Nickthebassist]

Originally Posted by Eskimo

I've been getting into guitar playing lately. I'm not trying to be a local guitarist or be in a band or anything, I just want to do it for my own enjoyment. I've always enjoyed good metal style playing- the riffs, intensity, and the speed. I know that speed and cool licks don't make a good player, but they are fun and I wouldn't mind having some at my disposal. So what I'm asking is where can I look for developing some metal guitar skills (bands, sites, videos, whatever).

Try slipknot, metallica, budgie, korn, and all those metal bands.. ooo black sabbath, AC/DC. ya know, the proper metal bands!

[Benjamin Strange]

Originally Posted by Nickthebassist

Try slipknot, metallica, budgie, korn, and all those metal bands.. ooo black sabbath, AC/DC. ya know, the proper metal bands!

Budgie?

[Funkize you]

Honestly my friend who is an increadible guitarist (Playing Guitar For Riverside Community College's Marching Band, Drum Corps) has been taking lessons from a Jazz teacher and that has REALLY improved his overall playing.

But I would suggest some Dream Theater, Yes, King Crimson, and STYX personally.

[Don W]

Fear Factory is great for getting your picking speed in order. If you want to get technical though. Try some Cannibal Corpse or Cryptopsy.

[Bardolph]

Wow, thanks guys. Do you know of any websites that have metal riff examples and whatnot?

[Boplicity]

Back in my metal days, I read Guitar World Magazine cover-to-cover every month. You will find riffs there and many "lessons" by top metal guitarists. Plus, the interviews with top metal guitarists are very informative. Additionally, there are transcriptions in both tab and standard notation of popular metal songs. These transcriptions also include bass lines, so they are very helpful. Back in the day, there were five transcriptions, but their web site is showing six for this month. Cool!

I just checked their web site and it looks as if Guitar World continues in much the same manner, offering valuable advice and instruction to metal enthusiasts.

Guitar magazine also has useful information and has more "snob appeal", but their main emphasis is not metal, but more jazz and other styles of guitar music. You will learn a lot in that magazine, too, but I believe you'll get more bang for your buck with Guitar World because you state you want help in becoming a metalhead. Guitar World did more for me in that regard than any other video or magazine or instruction book.

Check their web site for starters:

http://www.guitarworld.com

Disclaimer: I don't work for this magazine. I realize my comments sound like an advertisement, but I am sincere when I say the magazine was very helpful to me.

[BassGod]

Metallica
Iron Maiden
Megadeth
Black Sabbath
Death (listen to the instrumental 'Voice of the Soul'. My God it's amazing. So emotional and stuff.)
Pantera

That should keep you busy for some time. Enjoy!

Peace,
Graeme

[BassGod]

Originally Posted by Benjamin Strange

Budgie?

Weren't they the ones who did the song 'Breadfan'... the one Metallica covered?

[Brendan]

Metal?

Strapping Young Lad.