What makes a "great" metal guitarist?

[News]

News

[Stats]

Stats

[MetalMike]

I always liked the Mustaine/Friedman Megadeth guitar sound.  Solos blending into the riffs and back.  Holy Wars/The Punishment Due is great the way it transitions from riffage to that middle eastern-sounding acoustic middle to some killer solos.  When I heard Friedman had joined I was a bit nervous considering the Cacophany stuff with Jason Becker, but he really worked within the sound of the band.  Wrote some cool stuff too.

And stretching the "metal" definition a bit, Ace Frehley played some great riffs and solos on the early Kiss records.  Listen to the way he trades solos with the vocals in Let Me Go, Rock and Roll.  It's like a solo-riff.

 Aska - Avenger

[Chris Foley]

I feel that, Stefan Weinerhall is more worthy of a mention in Falconer, he writes most of their stuff
and his riffs are Immense

[Sargon the Terrible]

Definitely, and Arkadius of Suidakra.

Oh, and we can't forget Petr Hosek of Root.

[Warhammer]

I feel that, Stefan Weinerhall is more worthy of a mention in Falconer, he writes most of their stuff
and his riffs are Immense

My bad. Yes Stefan is the man. Hard to find metal like Falconer with decent vocals like that also. Every time I hear some good riffs nowadays the fecal out of throat vocals kicks in. Annoying as hell.

[Sirliftsalot48]

What about Howie Bentley of Cauldron Born?  Killer riffs and solos.   

[darigaaz]

Basically i agree with Sargon for the most. His examples where spot on.

Might i add also Mr. Andy LaRocque to his list.

A mix of Technicallity, killer riffage and overall fun and dark atmosphere together with diamond's signature vocals made/make some of the best metal around any day of the week.

while i agree with xiphos, i belive Glen Tipton is also a technical underrated guitarist.......Painkiller is a perfect example.

As for very technical guitarists who don't get in the way of the music, probably Michael Romeo of Symphony X gets my top vote

[Phoenix]

Michael Romeo is great. I love how he can switch seamlessly from heavy, grooving stuff like "Domination" to more sensitive pieces like the "Accolade" duo.

[HeathenMke]

I'm sure a lot of people who heard Hibria's debut would say their guitarists are pretty talented.  They seem to add a little something "extra special" to each song, giving every song atl east one killer solo.  I can't wait for the next one.

[Mouse]

Definitely, and Arkadius of Suidakra.

Oh, and we can't forget Petr Hosek of Root.

Fucking Root!! Man..what a band. Equihordont is just as fucking awesome.

[Sextus Loverlord]

I'm sure a lot of people who heard Hibria's debut would say their guitarists are pretty talented.  They seem to add a little something "extra special" to each song, giving every song atl east one killer solo.  I can't wait for the next one.

It's the water there. Angra, anyone? Wow.

Brazil has always had easy and hot girls and now they've got Angra and Hibria.

[Zherneboh]

I echo the sentiments of Alan Jones, Thomas Youngblood and Mark Shelton...I made a list of my favourite guitar solos a while back and the more technical fingered rarely featured.

Shelton has the spirit of Hendrix...he plays along the string astonishingly and soulfully...his solos keep me hooked even when they're longer than most songs! Favourite: 'The Prophecy'.

I really love the riffs and solos of Wojtek Lisicki...especially 'Welcome Back'...that solo is fucking immense! He has what the best guitarists have, inventiveness, memorability, excitement and individuality. The same qualities are shown by Glen Tipton...his solo work is absolutely dynamite!

Also Edward Pursino is underrated for sure...he can shred with the best, play hard rockin' blues, proggy-technically stuff, intricate Maidenesque melody...all within a single solo sometimes. The man has variety on his side...my favourites are in 'Dominion Day', 'The Lion in Winter' and 'Arms of Mercury'.

[Heat Mizer]

Creativity

[vaino]

Well, it may sound stupid, but I'd say: great metal music. Even if a guy is a great guitarist if his playing doesn't make you headbang like a mad man he isn't a good metal guitarist at all. And I mean whenever you hear him and not just one or two songs.

[Vintar]

It's simple, in a general way : The better the band/song/album the better the guitarist is.   

No, thankfully Metal is not about headbaging like a mad man, Thrash Metal could be about this. But...what can I do? It's like a Rite of Passage : the "Headbang" phase. 

If it was like this there would be no good metal guitarist in the world.

[hERICtic]

Love the solos from Alex Skolnick on the first Testament cd. He is amazing with everything he does, but on that cd he was truly incredible. Fast, melodic and very catchy.

Also love the guitar work from Kai Hansen. Man does no wrong in my book. Sure, he has better albums than others, but his guitar work still put a smile on my face.