Metal guitarists of the world
As people say that music is a universal language, it often becomes a tool for communication even when you don’t understand the other person’s words.
Among them, metal is popular worldwide.
We’ve gathered some of the most skilled guitarists in the metal scene!
Listen to metal and you might make friends all over the world (lol).
World’s Metal Guitarists (1–10)
Jaws of LifeJohn Petrucci
Dream Theater is the leading force in progressive metal, and the guitarist in the band is John Petrucci.
His impeccably precise guitar work is highly acclaimed, and his musicality extends well beyond the metal genre.
While it’s easy to focus on his flashy guitar solos, be sure to pay attention to his riff work that anchors the music’s foundation.
INFERNOMarty Friedman
Marty Friedman is a household name even in Japanese living rooms.
Originally, he was a technical guitarist from the shred-specialist label Shrapnel Records.
In recent years, he has put aside shredding and continued down a melody-focused path.
This is a fast-paced track packed with Marty’s unique charm.
JordanBuckethead
A perverse/quirky guitarist known for his work with Guns N’ Roses.
He wears a pure white mask and a Kentucky Fried Chicken bucket on his head, and will suddenly start swinging nunchucks or dancing on stage—his appearance and behavior are full of mysteries, but he’s a master of virtuosic technique.
On this track, you can enjoy his unique, bewildering sound that makes extensive use of a custom-installed kill switch and a Whammy pedal.
Rising ForceYngwie Malmsteen
Yngwie is a genius guitarist from Sweden who is said to have changed the history of the guitar.
He was a key figure in perfecting, at a very high level, the fusion of classical music and heavy metal guitar through high-speed picking, and he had a tremendous influence on later generations.
This song is one of his signature tracks from his younger days.
It still retains a raw intensity, but it shocked listeners around the world.
Lost PrayerZakk Wylde
Zakk Wylde was singled out at the young age of 20 to be Ozzy Osbourne’s guitarist.
His musical foundation lies in country and blues.
While he’s often associated with a thick tone and heavy use of harmonics, matching his rugged appearance, this song is a restrained, quiet piece.
It makes you realize he also has such a delicate side.
Tribute to RandyMichael Angelo Batio
Perhaps because of his four-neck guitar and his signature move “Angelo Rush,” Michael Angelo often has a strong novelty act image, but his technique is absolutely top-tier.
He’s a monster who effortlessly nails ultra-high-speed picking, tapping, and continuous sweep-picked phrases.
This track, included on his solo album, is a medley of Randy Rhoads’s pieces, and he shreds them to the point that the originals are barely recognizable.
Whiskey TrainJake E Lee
After the death of Randy Rhoads, the Cinderella boy who was given a big break as Ozzy Osbourne’s guitarist was Jake E.
Lee.
Even within his rough guitar work, his control of sustain and noise was remarkably good, but what you hear here is rock that’s an even bluesier take on Badlands.
It shows how wide-ranging his technical toolkit is.