Great Guitar Solos

GUITAR SOLOS: ALICE IN CHAINS- LOVE, HATE, LOVE

Alice In Chains is the complete package type of band. Everything you’d want in a rock ‘n roll band is in Alice In Chains. The voice, lyrics, songs, melodies, riffs, rhythms, art, imagery, and the cherry on top, killer guitar solos!

There are so many great guitar solos to choose from when it comes to Jerry Cantrell. From the first album, Facelift, Jerry has had a unique and memorable style to song writing, playing and tone. One of the most sought after sounds and yet, only Jerry has it.

Facelift is such a great debut album. The magnitude of what this album created is still astounding. One of the songs that has always stood out and struck the right note is “Love, Hate, Love.” One of the most outright painful songs out there. Every note played and sung crawls under your skin. And then when it gets to the solo, the atmosphere around the part is so expressive and expansive, it has a life of its own.

What a great display of Jerry Cantrell and Alice In Chains in this song. And on a personal note, I’ve always loved hearing that the song William DuVall sang first in the room with Jerry, Sean and Mike was “Love, Hate, Love.” Just goes to show what a song this is!

Alice In Chains- Love, Hate, Love:

Alice In Chains- Love, Hate, Love (Live):

GUITAR SOLOS: IRON MAIDEN- WASTED YEARS

When you think of guitar solos there are a plethora of bands, players and songs that come to mind. There are certain bands though that really standout in that category and Iron Maiden is definitely one of them. There are certain list of songs are a plenty to choose from when it comes to iconic and memorable guitar solos. “Wasted Years” though an obvious choice, is such a classic it truly deserves its due. The build up to it is so catchy with its high note ascension. The way Steve Harris’s bass gallops with a thundering tone makes the climb even more satisfying. Then when Adrien Smith launches his stunning solo it hits a level that like Bruce Dickinson’s voice can reach it’s oh so sweet. It’s not a flashy super technical solo. Instead, what you hear is really tasteful and adds a great section to an already great song. While you’re listening to “Wasted Years,”and this great guitar solo, give the album Somewhere In Time a listen. It’s a great album (in my top 3 Iron Maiden albums of all time), and one of those game changer records. Enjoy!

Iron Maiden- Wasted Years:

Iron Maiden- Wasted Years (Live During The Book Of Souls Tour 2016):

GUITAR SOLOS: METALLICA- ALL NIGHTMARE LONG

Back in 2008, Metallica released their “return to form album, Death Magnetic. This album marked a return to their “thrashier” days as well as more epic notes. Across the ten songs and seventy five minutes, there’s always been one song that from day one, has had my attention. Ever since I heard Metallica’s “All Nightmare Long, I’ve been mildly obsessed with it. Even the music video, directed by, RoboShodo, is stellar.

“All Nightmare Long” is an absolute banger of a song as well as one of my all time favorite Metallica songs. There’s heavy intensity of this song feels like it could have come out on …And Justice For All. In a fun way too there’s a little bit of a Slayer homage to the intro part. James Hetfield sounds masterful on this song both lyrically and vocally. Lars and Robert really gel on this song too, as they hit endless thrash and groove. The real treat though is Kirk Hammett. There’s not one but TWO absolutely killer guitar solos on “All Nightmare Long.” Personally, I don’t know what one is best, though I tend to gravitate toward the second one. This is one of those songs too, that needs to be played live a lot more by Metallica.

If it’s been a minute since you’ve listened to Death Magnetic, you should fix that. It’s quite the album. Plus right smack dab in the middle is this absolute masterpiece of a Metallica song! Enjoy “All Nightmare Long.”

Metallica- All Nightmare Long (Live):

Metallica- All Nightmare Long (Music Video):