“ELECTRIC CROWN” SOLO (Transcription of a solo by some dude named

[@bostrox]

In my very modest opinion: best solo in metal history. First time i heard it, i went mad and ran to buy the cd. Today, like that day, I love it.

[@Therionsylar]

Return to Serenity solo is better ;)

[@bostrox]

@@Therionsylar return to serenity is best solo but NOT only in metal history! :-D

[@Urs4]

Whole The Ritual album is masterpiece. From the "Electric Crown" solo i remembered Jeff Carlisli's solo from "Hold on loosely" another melodic player as Alex is.... Love also The H-Team.

[@jrnoslo]

If Alex plays it, it is amazing. Tough to say any one of his solos is BEST! All amazing…think you all can agree! 🤘

[@dickslickerson486]

Discussion of the best solos ever prolly will include 10 skolnick solos.

[@lisamann]

It just MAKES SENSE. See kids, you can shred and MAKE SENSE at the same time

[@samuelw1337]

😂😂

[@JPR17]

Exactly. Its called creativity. Not just running fast up and down a scale. Like exercising in the gym 😂

[@TheRealAlexSkolnick]

@@lisamann 😁🙌

[@Nesh_down_under]

Agree 👍 Alex is just legendary, looked up to his playing all my life, he definitely knows his sh*t👍

[@andresilvasophisma]

🤣

[@Vizjinst8]

I’ll never get enough of this solo. Alex, I met you years ago at Duff’s in Brooklyn. I approached to say hello. It was just after I had switched from guitar to lead vocals in my own band. You gave me some good advice at that time and were a pleasure to get to speak with. If you hadn’t already been my favorite guitar player at the time that experience would’ve sealed the deal. Thanks for graciously taking time to speak to a regular dude, thanks for that excellent memory, and thanks for all the great music.

[@TheRealAlexSkolnick]

@@Vizjinst8 👊🙌🥂🎸🙏🏼

[@dougquaid4745]

30 years on and it's still a joy to hear!

[@vicenteyf]

Childhood hero. This solo made me become a musician

[@geirholte1222]

This song was the first I heard by Testament, been a fan since.

[@QuintalandaQuarter]

Same here!! The first Testament song I ever heard.

[@miguelgayarreconde2383]

The ritual is absolutely perfect from start to finish, one of my fav albums by far....Electric Clown and Return to Serenity ( what a solo, btw ) are simply incredible, I love Testament since I was a teenager and own every single album they have released but nothing comes close to the brilliant work they did on that album IMO

[@geirholte1222]

@@miguelgayarreconde2383 Agreed 100%.

[@francescozampaglione9711]

Alone in the dark. My first song!!!

[@armandoaraujo6128]

My fav Skolnick solo along with "Return to Serenity, Practice What You Preach, Souls of Black, The Legacy, Over The Wall and Hypnosis!".

[@smn1085]

nice picks. apocalyptic city has a good one too

[@mylovesongs2429]

And First Strike Is Deadly! That arpeggio-laden solo blew me away when I first heard it in 1987 when I bought The Legacy on vinyl, and does to this day! So does Alone in the Dark!

[@HectorFerretis]

This is hands down my favorite metal solo.

[@TheRealAlexSkolnick]

@@HectorFerretis 🙌🙏🏼😊🎸

[@fernandoviamonte8659]

the best metal guitarist. Greetings from Uruguay 🤘🇺🇾♥️

[@nnnn2571]

And actually this is the best cover of this solo in youtube

[@yoteslaya7296]

casually just shreds one of the most insane testament solos

[@MBvolcom92]

Melodic, fast and badass, It's really a perfect thrash metal solo.

[@HaggenKennedy]

Jesus Christ, man, how do you create something like this? Ridiculously beautiful. You made history there.

[@miguelgayarreconde2383]

This solo along with Marty Friedman's Tornado of Souls are the best metal solos ever written, it has speed and melody, it cant get better than this

[@ricardomapelli3519]

You forget Walk..from DIMEBAG or FLOODS

[@miguelgayarreconde2383]

Dimebag was such a GOD that I cannot chose a single solo, nobody shredded like he did...Cementary Gates is probably my fav solo, but everything he did was legendary stuff.RIP

[@denmalski]

Glenn Tipton Painkiller 🤘

[@0dium.]

The Ritual as a whole is such a gem ! so melodic and dynamic yet powerful !

[@rizzamran2775]

Alex is one of the best live guitarist! He nails every solo exactly from the albums... Others are Adrian Smith and John Sykes..

[@chrishargreaves8016]

He doesn't even look at the guitar for 3/4 of the solo! He's mad good!

[@43captrexkramer]

Dude I've seen Maiden 8 times and they nail everything every time. It is obscene how precise and fantastic they are live.

[@deehogan18]

Eeeep! I'd love to be able to play this.. I have a day off from work tomorrow.. I know now how I'll spend it! Haha 🥰

[@told2stop]

Thank you!! I love that solo so much. I thought you did a lot of amazing stuff on The Ritual. Its such an underrated album.

[@mylovesongs2429]

I must say, I love The Ritual better than Practice What You Preach! Maybe better than Souls of Black! Maybe even than The Legacy, or The New Order! So many tasty tunes on that album! Alex is a fretboard technician, and soooooo underrated!

[@odd_job_007]

Love the solo on Electric Crown. I put up there with Marty's solo on Tornado of Soul!

[@rubar1025]

lol absolutely not

[@andresilvasophisma]

Lucretia also has a kickass one.

[@Walamonga1313]

​@@andresilvasophismaNgl Lucretia's is better to me

[@donmcglothlin841]

Had you said the solo on Practice What You Preach I’d be right with you Not knocking Alex at all and Electric Crown is probably my favorite Testament song (ask me next week it’ll change too many bangers you know) but that solo is hard to top. Alex I’d say consistently puts the right notes in the right place at the right time on every solo that’s why I rank him as the best guitarist alive

[@jmaziarz]

One of my all time favorites. I love how the bend at 0:46 is perfectly accentuated by a full-on eyebrow lift! 🤘

[@mauryhatcher]

I've always loved this solo, the quick runs up and down in between the melodic portions add that lovely variety and energy into the mix that keeps your ear and mind engaged throughout.

[@miguelgayarreconde2383]

That's what makes Alex playing outstanding....most of today's shredders forget about adding melody to their solos , and they sound flat and boring.The perfect blend of melody and technique is the key to remember a solo forever, and this one is a perfect example how to to properly compose a masterpiece where every single note counts

[@5150Reaper]

I don’t play guitar but this Alex fn Rocks. My big brother named (Alex) was into testament. So I stole his souls of black album. 2 weeks later electric crown video came out & begged my mom to buy it for me. I was hooked on metal from that day. Now I’m a drummer. 😂

[@lardy70s]

Unreal solo from Alex. Cracking song!

[@skimmingdeath]

This throws me back to my high school years... Oh man, how I miss listening to Testament on the way to school.

[@CycoSven69]

Such a fantastic guitar player. Criminally underrated too.

[@jamesburrough2855]

Thank you for coming back Alex!

[@brimstone81]

Hands down one of the greatest Guitar players in the history of guitar. Amazing doesn't even begin to describe his playing abilities.

[@conradmadden9107]

I love this guys playing

[@emmagómez4211]

Please play's the legacy solo! I love you skolnick. One of the best guitar players of metal in general

[@johnbrodsky5374]

This makes me smile so big. 🤘🏼

[@Realdaniellima]

I was listening to this song today and thinking what a wonderful solo. and now you show it on your channel, for me it's one of the best Testament solos

[@Ianlive9]

I LOVE this Solo since ever ! For me One of The BEST Solos ever by timing, Effects and dinamics

[@studas2011]

Wonderful solo, man.

[@anutshell2426]

This is why Alex is the best. His solos could be songs onto themselves. They're not just a random sequence of notes played very fast, but have a structure and great melody to them.

[@Dolores5000]

I love every note this cat plays ❤

[@BlackRotorEx]

Hey Alex, you are a beast on guitar, not only in metal but in jazz too. Thanks for your playing, cheers from Chile

[@moslehuddinahmed5152]

You Rock! Practice What You Preach solo is not getting old. I'm listening to that since 91/92 since I first saw it on MTV. It sounds so cool every time. I think it's one of "the best" solos in METAL HISTORY. And also Disciples of the Watch and Alone in the Dark too! Love your playing so much! :) And this BIG solo and the song is just insane! :) The way you play it makes it look so easy the descending melodies and the arrangements! So melodic! Total wow! :) And Souls of Black solo! :) ❤

[@MrJeanGibon]

You must have heard that a thousand times, but I think you are the best thrash metal soloist ever. GOOSEBUMPS !

[@sethmeyer2443]

One of my favorite Testament albums. So underrated.

[@ElectricMahatama]

Great cover man, Testment to your skills.

[@slidey1000]

This guy's good. He should be in a band 👍

[@michaelmusic7784]

lol

[@Fafa_Sauce]

Fr man, guy needs to be signed asap

[@RezaKhan2024]

When we covered this song live the solo always amazed me. Awesome work. Has to be one of the best metal solos of all time. Thanks Alex.

[@jamesshaw1602]

If this is the Big solo, True American Hate must be the ENORMOUS SOLO and clearly one of the most well constructed, diverse, interesting, technical, and well played solos ever put on record!!!

[@gearoidwalsh8606]

The speed, colourful note choices and voicing/attitude are the best I've heard.

[@melvinwillis8869]

Love this solo Alex! You are brilliant and I love everything musically that you do!

[@burroughs334]

Unbelievable. Those natural harmonics at the end are just what the doctor ordered. Beautiful

[@ElectricMahatama]

I, too, had the same prescription.

[@wolfgang8090]

Thank you for every note!!!

[@suvarnachauhan951]

The solo from cold embrace and pale king are so beautiful, wish to learn them someday.

[@Mefisto76]

Amazing! Simply amazing!

[@tfunkhou88]

I love this whole solo…but that run that starts at 1:08 takes it to a new level for me

[@robertsewell536]

Amazing !!! Nothing else to say. Just went through the entire Discography of Testament at work past couple days with my earbuds. So great to listen from start to finish. Alex and Eric you both are easily at the top of the list for metal guitarists. Thank you for all the years of fantastic releases.

[@chrisellenback6210]

This guys style and techniques rule!!! Combines all the elements, sweep, legato, sequels. Etc.

[@gustabartok]

I bought The New Order at 15 y old.. I bought it because I played and heard, right there at the store the intros for the 2 first tracks... THAT WAS AMAZING ENOUGH and I bought without a blink. Since then every Testament record was a must for me and all guitars were always great. When I heard this solo was just as exciting for me as usual but now more blues language snitching in the whole record. Yet another masterpiece by Alex! My favorite guitar player!

[@Prototheria]

I remember when this came out how much shit everyone gave you guys for "selling out." Everyone that's ever signed a record deal has had hits and misses and I gotta say... this one right here held up against the test of time. Integrating the chorus melody into the solo was pure genius. Nearly 30 years on and this shreds just as hard as the day it was released. Thanks for the uncountable hours of entertainment over the decades you and your band have brought to your fans.

[@David-ix1uv]

I really love that ascending legato section

[@Nosmirk]

I played this song with my band 30 years ago. I tried learning the solo by ear. I looked it back a while ago. Totaly nothing like this at all. Yes some of the themes in it were the same, but that great legato stuff from Alex sounds so amazing. Love youtube.

[@nicrow1369]

Beat cover of that solo I’ve ever seen😂 That and Return to Serenity were my two favourite solos on the album, and still sound great 30 yrs later👍👍

[@lancehunter7938]

The solo is brilliant! This along with Practice What You Preach and True American Hate solo are my favorite.

[@Nesh_down_under]

Man this bloke has a lot of solos that are just bloody up there 👍 legendary guitarist

[@billygonzales7675]

Skolnick one hell of a guitarist....definitely one of the greatest thrash riff and solo

[@thedangler1371]

Return to serenity is another amazing song! The ritual is the best work Testament has done in my opinion. It came out in confusing times when it comes to metal. It’s such a awesome album! When the hairs stand up on your spine during parts of the music u know it’s good. Alex’s solos and amazing playing does this to me. The Ritual and Practice what u preach!

[@thelasthardman71]

amazing..Alex is in my top three guitarists list..always so melodic, always amazing

[@necky534]

Bro I swear to god I love how skolnick just glides across the fretboard

[@alanizmarcos]

What a Birthday gift! Thank you for making my Birthday Epic! One of my favorite solos of Testament (along with "Over the Wall" of course!

[@xapojanx]

First time listen this solo ''alex scolnick climbing to everest now'' i m think.U r my best Metal guitarist ever Master.

[@luisserrano5690]

The Ritual, regardless of what many critics say, is a beautiful metal anthology. The whole album has phenomenal songs, but Electric Crown is such a gem that every single time I hear it, I can't help but single along. 🤟💥

[@pellelindbergh7483]

SICK! Thank you for posting these videos sir. I have enjoyed your work for the last 30+ years. It never gets old and I am always mesmerized.

[@Игорь-с4ъ]

First. Amazing solo Alex. One of my favorites

[@PointPanic]

Always been such a great solo, still is! Love it! I enjoy big salads too...

[@neil9901]

I used to hit a bong with this solo as a inspiration . Whole building was on fire with sony speakers killing the house

[@TheMetalWarrior1993]

I always loved how he ends it with those 4 harmonics!

[@marklavric8323]

Alex; you are simply Maestro! Whatever genre you play it’s both, beautiful and awesome! Please, just keep going😊😊😊

[@cc_1983]

The legato bits are superb - reminds me of chris Poland at times

[@zero9agent]

My favorite guitarist, my favorite band and this song is from my favorite album The Ritual. Testament4Life!

[@Boo-boo253]

One of my favourite guitarists bloody legend

[@renatobianchi3060]

I learned to play guitar reading your columns on guitar world. Very good stuff!!!! Thank you

[@deweytucker5413]

I’ve been a huge fan for years. I finally get to see them this October!!

[@tragicallymalicious1]

Those legato runs make me crazy inside.

[@DayInTheLifeOfAl]

You are a fantastic musician Mr. skolnick!

[@jrnoslo]

Alex…the tone!!! You are simply amazing! Cannot wait to see you on the road again!

[@eskilerdenbirmetalci]

you made me play solo man you are one of a kind

[@tanandtrent]

jesuuuuss what an absolute legend to metal and music.

[@krisstieghorst7415]

Well how COOL was that!!! Thanks Alex, love to watch & listen to you play! Kris( loud applause)

[@gratstagram]

One of the best guitar solos in metal right there. Chills up the spine!

[@renatobianchi3060]

I love that solo!!!!! The one on The Legacy too is very melodical.

[@thecreed6872]

Ciao Alex , ti seguo dai tempi di "The Legacy " record . Sei un signor chitarrista. Saluti dall'Italia.

[@SuperJS1974]

This solo is too good

[@schwab21121]

Always loved your guitar playing. You have inspired me to try just a little harder in mine.

[@jule77]

One of my fav solos of all time, great work

[@jjaramos]

Awesome!! Hey Alex, do one playthrough of Hypnosis!

[@waderamer2020]

Alex you are the Man bro.😊

[@bjgz]

Was just jamming this in the car and got home to see if I could find you doing the solo, and voila, here you are. Gotta love the internet (sometimes). Definitely on my top 5 fave solos list, just love the bluesy aspect and how it plays off the vocal melody. Same for Dream Deceiver. Anyway, in my opinion you're the best thrash metal guitarist, then again I'm biased having listened since the first album came out.

[@johndeanrichards4067]

He's brilliant

[@kevincarpenter3428]

Do I have to teach you to play guitar Alex!!!! Get it right next time or there will be trouble.😂

[@TemsNokdir97]

Awesome 👌

[@roneystapes]

Those pinch harmonics are some of the best in the business, so tasty and powerful! 👏🏻

[@JasonSmith-lp6wg]

Beautiful!

[@miguelbragafado]

Cheers from Portugal!! You're the best of the best!!

[@melvinwillis8869]

Alex you are such a great guitar player man! Thank you so much for this masterpiece!

[@EmreBozkurtGuitar]

Alex took lessons from Satriani as i recall. You can definately hear the smooth legato influence incorporated with modal playing. Perfect picking and awesome tone. There you have it: legend