[2026] Practice Songs for Metal Beginners: Learn the Basics of Metal Guitar!

Master Of PuppetsMetallica

Master Of Puppets

A classic practice piece for high-speed downpicking: Metallica’s “Master of Puppets.” This song is often played live at an even faster tempo than the studio recording, and its sense of relentless drive comes from using downstrokes only rather than alternate picking.

It requires a slightly different degree of relaxation than fast alternate picking, but first, try challenging yourself to see how far you can play it.

BatteryMetallica

Battery

For metal guitarists who want to master fast alternate picking, Metallica’s “Battery” is the classic practice piece.

To keep playing metal riffs for extended periods, you need to learn how to use your arm and relax your muscles, and for that you first have to know your limits.

The riffs in this song are perfect for developing high-speed, precise picking.

The Tangerine SongSEX MACHINEGUNS

SEX MACHINEGUNS – Mikan Song (LIVE)

I think “Mikan no Uta” is a prime example of a song that seems easy but actually contains tons of tricky phrases.

The intro has lots of off-beats and frequent up-picking.

Then in the A section, it’s surprisingly hard to cut off and ring out notes cleanly without breaking the rhythm, and it features many techniques that tend to be overlooked in metal.

It’s important to practice these parts too, not just the guitar solo.

Crazy DoctorLOUDNESS

LOUDNESS　　CRAZY DOCTOR

Here’s a signature song by Loudness, the world-famous Japanese metal band.

It might not feel off when you’re just listening, but the phrasing before the A-melody and the chorus has quite a unique rhythmic subdivision, and you’ll likely get confused when you actually try to play it.

On top of that, it’s not just simple power chords—there are arpeggios scattered throughout—making it a challenging piece.

Be sure to practice it starting at a slow tempo.

AfterlifeAvenged Sevenfold

Avenged Sevenfold – Afterlife [Official Music Video]

One essential element of metal guitar is the “twin lead,” where two guitars harmonize a solo melody.

In Avenged Sevenfold’s Afterlife, despite its modern metal song structure, a classic twin lead appears right from the intro.

Since the phrase is relatively simple, it’s perfect for two guitarists to lock in together and get the hang of it, don’t you think? The riff in the A section, with its nifty little flourishes, is another highlight.

Raining BloodSLAYER

Raining Blood

Slayer’s classic “Raining Blood” is a track whose ominous riff phrases have had a major influence on later death metal bands and more.

These anxiety-inducing phrases—fingerings that wouldn’t arise from typical pop-style melodic progressions—are characteristic of metal, so mastering them can offer valuable hints for composition.

The sudden tempo change followed by a high-speed riff is also well worth learning note-for-note.

Land of the FreeGamma Ray

Land of the Free (Remastered)

I recommend practicing metal songs that incorporate triplet-based rhythms, as they help you grasp the knack of precise alternate picking.

The song we’ll look at here is Gamma Ray’s “Land of the Free.” This track unfolds with a triplet feel on every beat throughout the entire song, and if you let your concentration slip even a little, you’ll often find the timing of the accent phrases won’t line up.

So be sure to stay mindful of your downstrokes and upstrokes as you play.