Top 10 Clean Metallica Riffs

I play 10 of my favourite clean Metallica riffs on my Epiphone Explorer 1984.
Pickups: EMG 81/85
Strings: Ernie Ball 11-48
Pick: Dunlop Standard Tortex (1mm)
Camera: Canon 80D/Sigma 18-35mm
Amp: Roland JC 120

[@christiancox7101]

Is no one else gonna talk about how clean the transition was between Master of Puppets and Harvester of Sorrow?

[@markreyes7454]

Yeah, I noticed that one, too! Lololol.

[@ngoh2002]

Lol mediocore at best.

[@bigyessuccess4525]

Well you see, Master of Puppets is in Standard E tuning when Harvester of Sorrow is in Drop D. SO, he would have had to cut it unless there is a setting in the HeadRush which he may or may not have where you can change tunings. 🤔

[@bigyessuccess4525]

Oh, my bad I just checked on Songsterr.com (use it it's amazing!) it's the thing that should not be which is drop D he just needed to have a HeadRush to change effect settings.

[@executeinc9756]

everything here is clean

[@adamblesener2916]

I thought the title said metal riffs and I was like “damn, there a fuck ton of Metallica on here.”

[@guitarist6494]

Hahaha

[@cetzn]

😂😂😂😂

[@bogdanadzic9305]

Me2 xd

[@efrainornelas2346]

actually, that video has been already upload by him xD

[@ZorrotheArtist]

As it should be.

[@dalek-trooper6557]

When the world needed him most, he came back.

[@JAL...]

Ah nice avatar change around

[@ryanbright7496]

I've missed him

[@nickitachannel]

The god of Metallica riffs

[@rcb.6]

metallica and avatar. im at home

[@theguitarplayer6816]

Funny u said that I was actually watching avatar wen i watched this comment

[@evanrayswenson]

Sound engineer: How much chorus do you want? Metallica: Yes.

[@charlescaron5410]

🤣🤣🤣

[@charlescaron5410]

Sounds like the car meme where you see an intake with too much nitrous line and it say "how much nitrous are you running ? :YES.

[@murilooliveira6455]

I love chorus

[@andreijurca5546]

Check out a ballad version of the song Metal Militia kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6ncooJ7Ytiooc0

[@guitarist6494]

...Before you comment "WHERES FADE TO BLACK" fade to black is acoustic, not clean electric. How did I get this tone? Use the same guitar, pickups, strings, pick, amp & effects as James Hetfield If your learning guitar and want some quality tutorials, sign up for Guitartricks for free with my link: www.guitartricks.com/?a_aid=5a8cb3d6e4359

[@alexvt3363]

But nothing else matter is also acoustic)

[@colekaplan6241]

so is nothing else matters

[@wompus6570]

@@colekaplan6241 Nothing Else Matters is definitely an electric guitar

[@CodyTheBananaManGamingMusic]

I'm guessing that's also why there was no Battery?

[@liamclancey844]

@@wompus6570 no... I'm pretty sure James originally wrote it on acoustic

[@jacoblopez517]

5:53 Wow! I was expecting Fade to Black! But no, it's the single most underrated instrumental song in history. This made my day and my week!

[@juniorslash6668]

Same!!

[@blakeshimp6706]

The bass is insanely powerful in call of ktulu

[@ball2497]

@@blakeshimp6706 Always gives me goose pimples when i hear it, really love the bass on the song

[@vicsidrow7744]

They don’t play much this song as it was written by Dave Mustaine, but it’s true, what a masterpiece!

[@nishanth6403]

​@@vicsidrow7744 Mustaine wrote the riff not the song was composed by hetfield and cliff

[@Skyline.87]

Top 10 Clean Metallica Riffs 3:15 - Wait thats illegal

[@guitarist6494]

I didn't want to leave that part blank so that's why I made it black & white (justifying the distortion)

[@AgoraphobicNews]

hhahahaha made my day

[@justpapy667]

Fuck left side

[@dermilfschreck]

@@justpapy667 Fuck you and fuck right side

[@BarcaPatrick9]

Challenge on the play has been overruled The riff stands 😂

[@tpd2029]

Completely agree with the #1 Call of kthulu is a masterpiece

[@andreirus6340]

Thanks to Mustaine

[@berataydogan1546]

@@andreirus6340 I remember your pp somewhere what is that

[@tpd2029]

@@andreirus6340 true

[@kaidinameti]

dave wrote it

[@tpd2029]

@@kaidinameti yes i know i know

[@karasakizbaris]

This guitar is brighter and also cleaner than my future.

[@HollyC-ce9ib]

You have a very bright future ahead Baris

[@karasakizbaris]

@@HollyC-ce9ib aww thanks Holly! I wish you the same

[@kidstvjessicaandnathan404]

Ikr

[@egemetinoglu4800]

Deme öyle be abim :(

[@baranthecelik]

@@HollyC-ce9ib no we dont XD

[@guymandude7855]

My favorite is "To Live is to Die" the slow clean tone riff that comes in half way through the song and played alone then its played over volume swells and lead guitar is awesome.

[@DemRise1999]

The one that sounds dry?

[@luisfahrenholz9105]

I would say to live is to die instead of the thing that should not be

[@thetribalist6923]

@@luisfahrenholz9105 I’d definitely put To Live is to Die above the Day that Never Comes.

[@griffa00]

0:13 The Day That Never Comes 0:31 Master Of Puppets 0:50 Harvester Of Sorrow 1:11 Enter Sandman 1:29 The Thing That Should Not Be 1:46 Nothing Else Matters 2:47 ...And Justice For All 3:34 Welcome Home (Sanitarium) 4:22 One 5:54 The Call Of Ktulu

[@b3pp332]

Fade to black?!?!

[@astafire6810]

@@b3pp332 as the guy who made the video rightly said, thats accoustic, not clean electric. Therefore not a clean electric riff

[@jonathanmolina3529]

@@astafire6810 where did he said that? Is not in the title nor the description box

[@peytonmercer2250]

Jonathan Molina it doesn’t fucking matter a clean tone is not an acoustic tone. If you see clean tone it means the clean tone of an electric guitar.

[@PigmaStatiX156]

@@peytonmercer2250 hahaha 😄

[@eeshsinger]

this man here came back with an explorer great comeback you crazy man also great playing

[@portalgangadventures]

I guess 2020 has had something good come out if it.

[@gearViewmirror]

Robert The Guitarist Yep, 2020 has been good! I found a 2006 Epi Explorer 58' reissue, korina body and neck, for 280 bucks and it is the best playing guitar i own......and one of the cheapest, lucky me😂🤘🎸🎸🎸

[@IzukuIXLilly]

@@gearViewmirror reverb has Not been so kind, Gothic Epiphone Explorers are Very hard to find and its Rare to find A WORKING One!

[@liamoates1350]

You have nailed the hetfield tone it’s genuinely insane how accurate it is

[@krzysztof4607]

Except nothing else matters

[@gamejunk2707]

@@krzysztof4607 nothing else matters consists of acoustic and electric guitars combined.

[@Sidero29]

I will never forget, when I heard my very first Metallica riff ever. It was "...and justice for all". This moment was the start of a new era in my life.

[@christianmangan9689]

harvester of sorrows is the best, it just gives that “shits about to go down vibes” and same thing with the thing that should not be

[@notavailable7356]

and call of ktulu

[@EmrysGaming3]

Pluiskoe it is a somewhat pretty easy song to learn, it’s just the distorted intro that gets people sometimes. And James also plays it closed, instead of hitting the open g string in the second phrase, he hits the 5th fret on the D, but just letting you know and hope you have fun learning iit

[@georgeegg198]

He plays it a bit wrong in this. Gotta hit the 5th fret on the d string in it at some point.

[@Astrocreep696]

He played both of those songs wrong

[@ericguerra6576]

Shove your "vibes" up your ass!

[@kristofpelsoczi]

When The Thing started and stopped right before the heavy part that was like a cruel orgasm denial

[@R3d5ct3d]

I know right… Same with harvester of sorrow

[@don_huzan]

HAHAHAHHA

[@mrkooky9098]

And you got 69 likes

[@Happylink75]

No one this guy's comment keep it at 69

[@DruvisPriedens]

Finaly, someone is playing enter sandman clean riff correctly😂

[@yelserpsivle4443]

Right.. I am guilty of playing it wrong for years..

[@mileschow5961]

@@yelserpsivle4443 I think a lot of us have, I dont blame you

[@logancuda4624]

What would be the wrong way? I'm not sure if I'm doing it right or not.

[@spill1t]

@@logancuda4624 I suspect that it's in letting the strings ring - many folks don't do that but rather finger individual notes. I could be wrong but that was certainly how I started playing this song years ago. This is the correct way shown in the vid though and you can definitely hear it.

[@logancuda4624]

@@spill1t Oh, ok. Thank you. I play with similar fingerings and let most of the strings ring so I wasn't sure if or what I was doing wrong. I guess I was doing a sort of half and half.

[@ivanmurrieta6591]

The Sanitarium's riff sounded so fckng beautifull

[@superlucasgaming5645]

Ikr 🤘

[@vashusan1984]

Man the tone on "The Thing That Should Not Be" was absolutely incredible.

[@coolguyjulio6226]

call of ktulu being number one made my day such an underrated jem

[@Ch0yc3z]

The tone and production you managed in the distorted part of ..And Justice For All is hugely impressive.

[@sullivancurran8432]

Your tones just absolutely perfect man these rifts all hold deep places In my heart, you did them justice

[@samredmond5196]

0:48 that transition was smooth as butter

[@Goody9081993]

First to witness the return of the greatest tech to be on KZbin

[@BanLandriel]

This guy knows about life, plays metallica and has a dragon ball on his desk.

[@HollyC-ce9ib]

Yeah I know right, what a nerd

[@still-standingrunner810]

I've always appreciated the fact that you don't post footage of you messing up. You ALWAYS kill it every time you do videos.

[@guitarist6494]

Thanks my Guy! Appreciate it!

[@Skyline.87]

I love your playing... It makes me more chill and feel way better than listening to other guitarists on yt

[@donaldschuster9304]

You forgot the riff from To Live Is To Die

[@guitarist6494]

To Live Is To Die is acoustic, not clean electric

[@DamianEmilio]

@@guitarist6494 the interlude is

[@whiskeya1207]

Guitarist6494 Bruh the interlude riff isn’t. Such a shame

[@DankoHidalgo]

@@guitarist6494 ????????

[@YavuzErol]

@@guitarist6494 The interlude is electric

[@spencerberklite5118]

Cleaner than a bottle of Windex.

[@simonlaco6978]

Where is: to live is to die?

[@serdargunday]

A top ten clean guitar list where "The day that never comes" takes place is a disgrace to Metallica's music

[@kilipukki]

Its not that bad 🫠​@@serdargunday

[@renan.depieri]

11°

[@amsterdam0]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@squidweed2110]

Perfect The tone of the guitar Your playing And that guitar looks SICK EDIT: wow TNX for all the like

[@mikkelhansen3714]

Yeah how do you get that tone? No way it’s just reverb. Gotta be some pedals

[@harrisleontiou1377]

@@mikkelhansen3714 chorus and reverb Metallica clean tone is really simple

[@mikkelhansen3714]

Χαρης Λεοντιου but the chorus seems so low or is it just me

[@harrisleontiou1377]

@@mikkelhansen3714 I don't know i think it has as much chorus as it need

[@justinwhite4995]

We all know how good One and Justice are, but can I say, I like sanitarium the best, probably because the song is very close to my heart and I listen to it when I'm sad, but that clean riff is one of the greatest and most underrated of all time.

[@jadenharrington8845]

No fade to black? I'm confused.

[@Popo_-tw6nx]

Acoustic not electric

[@ЕвгенийЧайкин-р5т]

@@Popo_-tw6nx nothing else matters - acoustic enter sandman - acoustic

[@emmanuelzapatahenao7520]

@@ЕвгенийЧайкин-р5т what are you talking about? Sandman and nothing else matters have electric Guitar with a Chorus, maybe a little kinda acoustic sound from a piezo system

[@pessinieminen4341]

@@ЕвгенийЧайкин-р5т sandman is not acoustic☠️

[@The_Crooked_Path]

@@emmanuelzapatahenao7520 but that part of Nothing Else Matters is acoustic

[@andrewpappas9311]

Awesome job, dude, their clean riffs are just as badass as their heavy riffs (which is why James is one of the best riff writers in rock and metal). Also nice guitar, it definitely seems appropriate for the video

[@matthewsesa]

Im so happy man because you come back

[@guitarist6494]

I was never gone, just practicing for future videos haha

[@ednorman3421]

Ajfa intro riff might be one of the most killer riffs ever

[@kingslagathor4178]

I won’t say this is the greatest come back I have one where he came back after 7 years and he’s still a good YTer still as good as he left

[@urielfranciscofloreslozano5149]

Yesterday I just was searching for metallica riffs, this is just what I needed, perfect

[@haydenkunes9046]

that transition from Master of Puppets to Harvester of Sorrow was sooooo clean

[@ill193]

Me like

[@Swing-power]

Me too

[@mprogger5476]

Me monke

[@azh8208]

yuo like

[@franklynreyes6125]

That transition at 50 seconds is actually insane.

[@mateo5175]

Ironically one is number two... Its awesome to have you back!

[@CodyTheBananaManGamingMusic]

Underrated, this was a fantastic video

[@Atomiclily557]

I want an Explorer so bad. And a Marshall amp, because almost all the clean riffs he played sounded exactly like the song.

[@Vexnatos]

Kudos to you for actually playing the '"Enter Sandman" riff correctly

[@carlosjarquin28]

Oh my god! One of the best videos i've ever seen ❤️

[@lucassanchez2148]

You’re back!!!!!! Great video and great guitar!!!

[@jennyguitar]

Metallica is awsome🤟 Their riffs are always awsome! Great video, keep it up 🤙

[@jakeherington7237]

That transition into Harvester of Sorrow was a godsend

[@Wickedsensations2001]

Hey man I isn't know if you'll see this but your actully the reason I play guitar years ago I hated playing guitar till I saw your simple solos video which inspired me to learn solos and that the only reason I still play to this day

[@hamzaadeel1740]

Me clicks on video Video: The day that never comes Me: Fuck yeahhhhh

[@revelationssoloprojectdisc8489]

bro nailed the puppets clean tone

[@velizarzhelev6552]

This is gonna blow up I'm tellin ya

[@dualtahunter4043]

The King has returned!!🤘

[@frans9933]

Guitarist6494: *uploads* The return of the king

[@glennquagmire2724]

He’s back!!!

[@crisperbus3668]

Your technique is astounding

[@itzpoizonn1177]

I never realized how beautiful these riffs are

[@pureviolet2742]

He is back :D

[@samuelcandellet5903]

This is so pleasant to listen and watch. Great job!

[@leonidn6187]

Sound engineer: So... How much chorus? James: EET FUK

[@sirich7751]

Been listen to Metallica since 1984. Loved Ride the lightening then worked backward to Kill em all. Now I'm a 51 yr old professional and crank Metallica (and other good metal) while walking my new Lab. Those riffs never age.

[@corkomaster4837]

the call of ktulu sent some shivers down my spine

[@gandhy_TNT]

Riffs from first four Metallica albums are better than riffs from their next albums. This video is the proove.

[@guitarist6494]

First 5 albums are my favourite then it all went downhill after the black album for me.

[@dinsfire4593]

SO GOOD THIS IS LIKE A CLINIC BRUH

[@thetribalist6923]

I wouldn’t trade any of the riffs on this list, but Where the Wild Things Are has an awesome clean riff. And as much as I love the Day that Never Comes, I’d have put Bleeding Me, Unforgiven (the clean riffs are iconic), and the clean riff from To Live is to Die before it. That clean part in TLITD is one of the most hauntingly beautiful sections I’ve ever heard. Especially with the volume swells.

[@seflw9666]

omg the explorer is really beautiful

[@LuisGutierrez-ef2xd]

Good to see you again mate, nice video!

[@niloadimari5859]

Finally someone who plays enter sandman right

[@manuelalteneder9087]

I think James play's it the way with the open G string.

[@zacharytabbert6745]

ikr

[@tritthemit4168]

This isn’t how it’s played tho. its played with an open g ringing out

[@hicow6075]

@@tritthemit4168 Incorrect

[@hicow6075]

@@manuelalteneder9087 No he doesn't. Neither live or studio version

[@teenlegacyinc208]

You make playing look so easy

[@dr.stonks9911]

10. Bleeding me intro / verse 9. The day that never comes verse 8. No leaf clover intro 7. Call of it Kthulu 6. And justice for all intro 5. Unforgiven verse Kirk 4. Nothing else matters intro and verse 3. Master of puppets interlude 2. Sanitarium verse 1. To live is to die interlude You’re welcome

[@masterchat1998]

Nothing else matters before The Call of Ktulu? 🙃🙃🙃

[@j.gar66]

So. I'm sitting here enjoying this video very much and I have my headphones at a pretty good volume. As each riff passes, I'm growing more and more fond of the video. Then '... And Justice' starts playing. My favorite intro. Out of nowhere and in no other place in the video was it used... THE DISTORTED PART EAR RAPED ME.

[@tarekgamaleldin518]

Hey man , great playing as always, can’t beleive over 100 individuals decided they didn’t like it .. would like to see them play ..Im a guitar player myself and I’ve played some of these riffs and I know the effort it takes .. would love to get to your level of playing one day :) cheers and keep rocking !!

[@guitarist6494]

Thanks Tarek, appreciate the kind words! Just stay persistent and you probably will haha

[@portalgangadventures]

He is back!

[@danielloung6134]

Thats a badass guitar and tone!!!

[@tachyonicundy]

dude, you have some serious playing talent! awesome to hear how you got the tone and harmonics so spot on! cheers brotha!

[@alex20jennings]

The transition from master of puppets to harvest

[@manufaustino316]

ok that was an awesome return, glad you're back and also the transition from Master of Puppets to Harvester of Sorrow is just perfect

[@DavidNwokoye]

1:29 Metallica's most underrated song right here

[@JacksonGuitarsPlayer03]

I fuckin love THE THING THAT SHOULD NOT BE. Man you just brought me back to that after years

[@diogoserodio4148]

Before I came to this video I did say to myself that "the call of ktulu" was the first place Undoubtedly the best clean song of Metallica One of my favourite ones overall Great list dude I think that you just missed battery Amazing video

[@kentrosvlogs7496]

Im glad to see that your back

[@zvlhelme]

Is this the dude who played that dirty Charvel? welcome back!!

[@guitarist6494]

Haha yep that's ya boi

[@rajromil5]

Man that tone on justice riff was epic

[@jickerson]

Bro, i want the 84 explorer so bad but they dont carry them anymore😭😭😭i need it for all my james hetfield needs

[@austinbramer558]

Icarus IV Who doesn’t carry it. I have this exact guitar myself

[@spek2882]

Austin Bramer where can i buy one later on? i can’t find it on the Guitar Center app

[@Leinox50]

Spek it was limited edition so probably cant buy new

[@austinbramer558]

Spek literally just google it its there

[@jickerson]

Curakao my shid smells

[@miguelolvera1403]

🤘 u effin rock dude..appreciate the equipment description at the end.. soothes the ears nicely. Well done 👍

[@HollyC-ce9ib]

No swearing on my Christian channel, thanks

[@miguelolvera1403]

This is called the internet my friend 😉

[@HollyC-ce9ib]

We’re not friends Miguel. If you want to use swears that’s fine, just please not on my channel.

[@miguelolvera1403]

That's ok I don't really have friends, my only friends are my parents..I hope you know about life enough to not fall for just anything..peace not war

[@guitarist6494]

You seem like a good guy Miguel, I’ll be your friend

[@wraith5755]

When "One" isn't number one you know the world is ending :D

[@papikrabz3592]

I'm sorry but call of ktulu is just has the best riffs

[@patrickthomalla9350]

Your heavy Tone during justice sounds so brutal!

[@hiroyukichiba3135]

I find it scary how close The tone is to the OG

[@welp.5730]

Congrats on the 100k!

[@pvictormesquita]

Awesome video!!! NEXT:NIRVANA?

[@guitarist6494]

I'm hoping to do a Top 10 solos video next, i probably won't do a Nirvana video anytime soon sorry

[@Nyoshi219]

@@guitarist6494 thank you.

[@pvictormesquita]

Its okay.

[@pvictormesquita]

Keep doing a good job.

[@trucker1864]

@@guitarist6494 Thank you for not making the video of a crappy band,HEE EE AA OWW ENTERAIN US ,or An Albino,A mosquito,a ????. Just weird songs,would much rather listen to Metallica or Megadeth.

[@cristianonick]

I do not regret clicking on this video

[@Wisemanoncesaid63987]

His playing is as clean as bleach

[@mornepienaar3336]

Beautiful footage and music ! so well put together - Give me more!

[@jomesias]

Great selection, you've great taste! Could you please consider creating tabs for this?? 👍👍👍👍🤩🤩

[@asmr-naturesounds9482]

Awesome video brother!!

[@tf39500]

Duuude, idk where is the magic... In the guitar... The pickups... The amp... The pedals..., I mean, where is it?, tell me, it sounds amazing as fuck.

[@andrewbarrett1110]

10 great riffs and absolutely nailed it.

[@HollyC-ce9ib]

Thank you so much. I’ll be back shortly with Top 10 Barry Manilow heavy metal riffs

[@OleWeesnaw]

3:16 A distorted challenger approaches

[@MrAmtomato]

Such a satisfaction seeing those clean frets.