Top 5 Most Difficult Guitar Riffs in Metal Every Guitarist Should Learn

Metal music is known for its heavy, fast, and intricate guitar riffs requiring a high level of skill. These guitar riffs play a crucial role in creating the genre's signature heavy sound, driving rhythm, and melodic complexity.

While many metal riffs are challenging, some are notoriously difficult and have become iconic within the genre. From complex picking patterns to lightning-fast solos, these riffs require a significant amount of technical ability, dexterity, and practice to master.

Mastering these difficult guitar riffs in metal is another challenge for guitarists; however, it’s essential to developing their skills and improving their musicianship.

Here we'll discuss the five hardest guitar riffs in metal that you may not have heard of. So grab your guitar, tune-up, and let's dive into the world of the hardest guitar riffs in metal!

What Makes a Guitar Riff Difficult? - 4 Technical Factors

A difficult guitar riff challenges a guitarist's technical abilities and musical understanding. Some technical factors that contribute to the difficulty of a guitar riff include:

1. Speed

5 Most Difficult Guitar Riffs in Metal: A Guide from Guitarist

The faster a riff is played, the more challenging it becomes for a guitarist to keep up with the tempo while maintaining accuracy and precision. Examples of metal guitar riffs that showcase speed include "Angel of Death" by Slayer and "Through the Fire and Flames" by DragonForce.

2. Complexity

The complexity of a riff can come from the use of advanced techniques, such as sweep picking, legato playing, and tapping, as well as the inclusion of irregular rhythms, dissonant chords, and unconventional scales. Metal guitar riffs showcasing complexity include "The Glass Prison" by Dream Theater and "Blackened" by Metallica.

3. Finger Dexterity

The ability to move fingers quickly and accurately across the fretboard is essential in playing difficult guitar riffs. Finger dexterity can be improved through exercises such as chromatic scales, trills, and hammer-ons/pull-offs. Examples of metal guitar riffs that showcase finger dexterity include "Eruption" by Van Halen and "Technical Difficulties" by Racer X.

4. Musical Context

The difficulty of a guitar riff can also be influenced by its musical context, including its relationship to other instruments, the song's overall structure, and the guitarist's improvisational abilities. Examples of metal guitar riffs that showcase musical context include "Master of Puppets" by Metallica and "Painkiller" by Judas Priest.

By focusing on specific techniques, playing at varying tempos, and incorporating musical context, guitarists can improve their riffing skills and overcome difficult guitar riffs with persistence, patience, and discipline.

Here are the Top 5 Most Difficult Guitar Riffs in Metal with detailed analysis, and examples, including their technical challenges and musical context. Have a look!

1. “Eruption" by Van Halen - A Groundbreaking Guitar Solo

Van Halen's "Eruption" is a guitar solo that redefined how people viewed guitar playing. The solo showcases Eddie Van Halen's masterful use of advanced techniques that helped him stand out. "Eruption" is considered one of the most difficult guitar riffs in metal due to its sheer speed, precision, and technical complexity.

Two-Handed Tapping

Eddie Van Halen popularized one of the techniques in " Eruption ": two-handed tapping. This involves using both hands to tap the strings on the fretboard, creating a fast and fluid sound.

Van Halen used this technique to produce the iconic opening notes of the solo, which still leave audiences in awe today.

Whammy Bar Tricks

Van Halen also incorporated whammy bar tricks into "Eruption." These involve manipulating the guitar's tremolo arm to create unique sounds and effects. The whammy bar tricks in "Eruption" add an extra layer of complexity to an already challenging guitar riff.

Tremolo Picking

Tremolo picking is another technique that Van Halen utilized in "Eruption." This involves rapidly picking the same note or string to produce a sustained and buzzing sound. The use of tremolo picking in "Eruption" adds an intense and exciting element to the solo.

Mastering "Eruption"

To play "Eruption," guitarists need to have exceptional finger dexterity and a good understanding of music theory and harmony. The solo's speed and technical complexity require a lot of practice and patience to master. However, the rewards are well worth it, as mastering "Eruption" can help guitarists improve their skills and push their limits.

2. “Angel of Death" by Slayer - A Fast and Furious Thrash Metal Riff

When it comes to the most challenging guitar riffs in metal, "Angel of Death" by Slayer is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with. The opening riff is an iconic sequence of palm-muted notes and fast tremolo picking that sets the tone for the rest of the song. Here's what you need to know about this fast and furious-thrash metal riff.

The Riff

The opening riff of "Angel of Death" is a fast and furious sequence of palm-muted notes and tremolo picking. Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman play the riff, and it requires excellent picking accuracy, finger strength, and a good sense of rhythm to keep up with the tempo. The riff's technical complexity and sheer speed make it one of metal's most challenging guitar riffs.

Thrash Metal Mastery

Slayer is known for their fast and aggressive style of thrash metal, and "Angel of Death" is a prime example of this. The song's intense and fast-paced riffing sets it apart from other metal genres and makes it a favorite among metalheads worldwide. To play "Angel of Death" requires a mastery of thrash metal guitar techniques and an ability to keep up with the song's blistering speed.

3. "The Glass Prison" by Dream Theater - A Complex and Progressive Metal Riff

Dream Theater's "The Glass Prison" is a progressive metal song that features a complex and challenging guitar riff. The opening riff, played by John Petrucci, is a fast and intricate sequence of notes that combines alternate picking, sweep picking, and legato techniques.

The Riff

"The Glass Prison" opening riff combines fast alternate picking, sweep picking, and legato techniques that create an intricate and complex sequence of notes. The riff requires advanced techniques, such as economy picking and sweep picking, as well as a deep understanding of music theory to play. Guitarists must have excellent finger dexterity and a good sense of timing to accurately play the riff.

Progressive Metal Mastery

Dream Theater is known for its progressive metal style, and "The Glass Prison" is a prime example of this. The song's complex and challenging guitar riffing sets it apart from other metal genres and makes it a favorite among metalheads worldwide. Playing "The Glass Prison" requires mastering progressive metal guitar techniques and a deep understanding of music theory.

4. "Technical Difficulties" by Racer X - A Shred Fest of Speed and Precision

If you're a guitar enthusiast who loves to challenge your skills and push your limits, then "Technical Difficulties" by Racer X is the perfect instrumental track for you. The song is a true shred fest of speed and precision that demands exceptional musicianship and technique.

Read full article at Guitarmetrics.