Metal Without Distortion

Imagine a world where no one ever has accidentally overdriven their guitar amps!
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#Guitar #Metal

[@doingST]

*"Playing metal without distortion for the first time"* *Metalhead guys with only acoustic guitar, every day:*

[@ayudhdasroy7090]

"First time?" 😂😂

[@shelbylover1359]

same

[@abyssmanur3965]

Me on my Nylon.

[@HansVetur861]

Just connected my acoustic to an amp with distortion

[@doingST]

@@shelbylover1359 Lol

[@pointy5911]

Playing clean or unplugged is actually a really good way to learn metal btw. It forces you to hear mistakes and not just cover them with distortion. Then we you do add distortion it sounds much cleaner.

[@spacecadet1333]

idk if i would advise learning without a amp. i suppose you could still get good but your missing out on palm muting, or anything that needs distortion to be heard

[@addieee333]

I have no idea where this idea of distortion hiding your mistakes comes from. distortion, if anything highlights them. because of the nature of the effect, distortion makes mistakes more obvious, not subdued

[@GaryIKILLYOU]

@@addieee333 Yeah agreed. Any time I spent a lot of time playing clean, I end up needing to clean up the slop when I finally get the itch to add some drive.

[@singleproppilot]

@@GaryIKILLYOU If you’re talking about letting strings ring out when they should be silent, then yeah, that’s going to sound terrible when you add gain. Mostly I find playing without distortion allows me to get the picking dynamics perfect, so that every note is struck evenly rather than some being much louder than others.

[@apocalypse3485]

Distortion actually amplifies your mistakes

[@chicoarraes]

Amazing how the blues roots come through, especially in the more melodic stuff

[@user-vf5db4gm6m]

Еще бы

[@fasol1998]

Yeah. Metal is literally based on blues and country music.

[@justindantonio257]

​@@fasol1998don't forget Jazz and modern classical music like Gustav Holsts the Planets. Also Drop D Tuning was also important to the development of Heavy Metal Music!

[@nsa6865]

fr it sounds so bluesy/country

[@ethancurry1804]

I want a bluegrass holy wars after hearing this

[@blakejustice1972]

Lemmy said Motorhead was a blues rock band, they just played it so fast no one recognized it.

[@ianf6288]

truee♠

[@kingkomodo9084]

Someone should play this downtempo then.

[@user-eu2rf9hh2z]

Whorehouse Blues is a solid proof

[@Memu_]

Me and my friends actually performed Ace of Spades at a music bar but just slowed it down and performed it like a ZZ Top song. It translates perfectly.

[@ktvindicare]

I got to see a live show where Lemmy fronted a 3 man group that just played rockabilly hits and it was amazing. Dude could play any genre of rock he wanted.

[@KurtCobain-vh2sd]

Holy wars became surf rock, so therefore it's now called Holy Waves

[@TheEmilyFravel]

Holy Waves... Punishment Dude!

[@KurtCobain-vh2sd]

@@TheEmilyFravel LMAO!!! You I somehow turned a metal song into a surf rock song, and you made that title into a metal song

[@thebetbetunderground9548]

Hi there kurt

[@corinaolivo6925]

And Ace of Spades becomes Ace of Waves

[@connorfinnegan2093]

gnarly wars

[@richardswales6371]

I just love the fact he turns the oven off as well. 😂

[@Uberpanik]

Does anyone have a VST for that?

[@ardiris2715]

Moral of the story: If it sounds like metal without distortion, it's gonna slay with distortion. (:

[@martinkuliza]

CORRECT

[@thejdmguru621]

This should become a genre in of itself. It genuinely doesn’t sound bad.

[@Atlas65]

Every guitarplayer that have played metal as a kid have played it like this. if they were playing their favourite metal songs on their acoustic, or unplugged electric guitar. Then the internet comes and paint it up as something special .. hmm interesting.

[@otto_jk]

It already exists it's Surf or Blues rock

[@johngeiger3770]

Metal without distortion is called unplugged. It was a thing in MTV back then and every Metal fans play it that way. You should listen to Godsmack acoustic album title The Other Side. Metal without distortion sounds badass.

[@l1ckra]

Sad but true sounds like a 1920s blues

[@TheDarkEternalKnight07]

Sad but Blues

[@nicolassena5536]

@@TheDarkEternalKnight07 LMAO

[@d.d.cfishing5545]

or as a western soundtrack

[@KurtCobain-vh2sd]

It could be played like that.

[@Floki_Feanor]

Really))

[@wojciechrzesiowski9026]

Metal with no distortion = Surf Rock

[@cantoelfomusic4548]

Black metal with no distorsión = Evil surf rock with to much sunblock

[@AdamHalvo]

@@cantoelfomusic4548 lmao

[@SavageGreywolf]

basically yeah. Surf guitarists can shred like hell, they just use really warm tones instead of distorted ones. Ain't no one could rock out like Dick Dale.

[@lalolalo975]

sad but true

[@gui_777_]

@@lalolalo975 It's not sad, it's great

[@KamasKirian716]

I got my Dad into metal back in the late 90s when I pointed out that metal without distortion was basically just surf music from the '60s.

[@qugorion5153]

The Ace of Spades riff sounds so sick even without distortion. Keep rocking.

[@cherrytv4572]

This is how I practice a song to make sure I have it down for confidence before jumping straight into distortion

[@Bouffondestenebres]

So do I :)

[@motodenciovlogs3676]

True👍

[@martinkuliza]

that's literally what i said As if every guitarist practicing has NOT done this to make sure they have it down properly

[@TheDarkEternalKnight07]

You know that the song is good when even without distortion sounds badass

[@quieto1722]

It's kinda cool how 'Lateralus' continue sounding heavy.

[@NieroshaiTheSable]

One thing I've always loved about Metallica is that all their stuff sounds like it'd still rock just as hard on an acoustic.

[@ami2evil]

They play acoustic sets...

[@MrTcamargo]

So cool!! Even without distortion some songs are still really heavy. You're a great player indeed

[@Ader1]

No.

[@theonetruedavid5372]

I think whether something is heavy or not mostly comes down to attitude. Take bands like The HU and Apocalyptica, who manage to sound heavy as fuck even though they're using traditional Mongolian instruments (former) and cellos (later)

[@thesausage351]

Hey man Tom Morello sounds heavy as fuck on a single coil Tele.

[@rupe53]

@@theonetruedavid5372 .... is it the attitude or maybe that some are in a minor key? (and different timing)

[@rodrigoagostini9202]

for me still sounds like metal, and the only instrument, a metal song can´t sound like metal, is an ukulele.

[@stremebeanzz9383]

Killing in the name sounds so kick ass without the distortion like damn

[@marcblum5348]

What's the difference between RHCP and RATM? Add some distortion.

[@stremebeanzz9383]

@@marcblum5348 fr though

[@heather2503]

@@marcblum5348 and politics

[@Axerocker85]

Actually Tom Morello doesn't use much distortion at all. Its a very crunchy riff. And it kicks even more ass when you play it on a single coil. Just listen to a live version.

[@braydenjohnson1063]

Fr

[@ripleyhrgiger4669]

In Flames got my head boppin'. I love it better clean! And the guitar you played In Flames on is beautiful. The lighting really accented the finish on the wood body.Thank you for taking the time to make this video!

[@GTRFREAK17]

Damn TOOL (2:50) sounds slick with a clean sound! Keen to hear you play more of them

[@dethhend]

Sounds not bad even without distortion. Well played.

[@tegoehsoediro6404]

Except toxicity

[@monzaede6416]

@@tegoehsoediro6404 true,still sounds awful.

[@Kokola-qh9wp]

That's cuz the bands put effort into writing music that sounds unique and pleasing....unlike most repetitive modern pop lmao

[@joedwyer3297]

​@@tegoehsoediro6404Daron will remember that

[@hizeguide]

what i like the most about this video is that there is no "brand-shaming". between these high end/boutique guitars is a harley benton. i like it. epiphone, squier or harley benton crafting good instruments.

[@KevinBalke]

And I like playing all of them. The setup and playability on the Harley Beton guitar is just as good as it is on the others.

[@jakubmachnik1259]

yeah I own a classic vibe 50' squire, it's garbage... I need to resend it to the dealer 2 times beacose konbs didn't work or strap button fell off

[@AceBambam]

lol never experienced a brand shaming comment section on guitar videos (except on bad guitar review videos ofcourse) on YT since the last 15 years

[@hizeguide]

@@AceBambam you are right. But look how often you won't See the headstock in other videos. That's what I thought about.

[@hizeguide]

@@jakubmachnik1259 that's s*it. I have never experienced this. My epiphone and my sqier and even my harley benton play very comfortably after ich set it up.

[@synchro505]

Really makes me appreciate all the setup and effort that goes into crafting a killer metal distortion guitar sound.

[@bloodblade5860]

Was not expecting lateralus. Very happy to have heard it. 👍 Tool always puts me in a good mood😊

[@user-ml7jg1do6s]

1.Surf but true 2.Surfel 3.Surfing in the name 4.Surfcity 5.Surfer's curse 6.Beach of spades 7.Surfkiller 8.Cloud surfed 9.Surfalus 10.Holy surf... and punishment beach

[@Connorthebozo]

Noice

[@evildiamond6247]

Undersurffed comment

[@invictor2761]

surftastic!

[@jordanmcknight815]

couldve said painsurfer

[@armondtanz]

Missed out on sum metal gems Surf in blood (slayer) Surf pigs (blk sab) Wasted Surfs (maiden) Surfetry Gates (pantera)

[@ninthaeon8106]

I believe it was Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson who said that they used to right songs on acoustic because if you could make a song rock on an acoustic, then it was easy to make it sound good when distorted (I am paraphrasing). This video kind of proves their point. These riffs still sound good when on clean guitar, so they are naturally going to sound cool when distorted and amplified.

[@geroffmilan3328]

There's also a clip of Lars Ulrich talking to Jerry Cantrell about MTV unplugged & saying something very similar, albeit describing the reverse process.

[@frikifit]

The producer of Mastodon supposedly told them the exact same thing lol

[@themetalslayer2260]

it makes the sound warmer and show how complex heavy-metal is love it

[@jgbcodemonkey]

So many of these sound like songs from the OG DOOM soundtrack! Fantastic stuff!

[@camerindrake5462]

Especially painkiller and holy wars

[@quackerjax]

As someone who practices metal a TON without my amp so I don't bother my neighbors, it's very comforting to hear that I'm playing these right when I can't be sure unless I hook up my guitar

[@rupe53]

many of these are in a minor key so if you just add the right timing, they sound pretty edgy anyway.

[@LRM12o8]

Lifehack: plug headphones into your amp 🤯

[@peroute2040]

i play this riffs everyday on my acoustic because i cannot afford electric guitar((

[@KingFilth]

Harley Benton makes great affordable guitars

[@Alex-nk8bw]

@@KingFilth was literally about to say the same. You can get a Harley Benton DIY Les Paul kit for 89 €, or buy a Les Paul copy for 179 €. Dead cheap, and surprisingly good quality. 👍

[@KevinBalke]

@Björn Oldyck can confirm!

[@dungcheff7470]

Pity you man

[@bnb3394]

@@KingFilth same here

[@calebbliss8626]

I don’t believe riffs would have ever evolved into the way metal riffs sound if distortion was never invented. Having distortion fundamentally changes the way we play guitar often times.

[@calebbliss8626]

which isn’t to say these riff don’t cool. Just that they likely wouldn’t have been written in the first place without distortion being invented.

[@chrismaddock5790]

They sound like oldschool 1950's rock'n'roll/bluesy jams............And I love it!

[@tzmcneill]

Ace of Spades sounds like Rockabilly.

[@pietroborgesparri]

Sad But True it's actually very charming

[@tomasrosenberg3430]

i actually enjoy them like this too. Good work!

[@erichildreth7562]

This sounds really great!!

[@Velikpetrov]

RATM sounds pretty much the same without distortion

[@ashx444]

real

[@Jorge_R762]

real

[@beforesoad8686]

real

[@Antimonuu]

real

[@RadekHikl]

real

[@davidtello175]

Engel without distorsion is SO FUNKY

[@nohero178]

You have such good tone coming out of that amp and recorded yourself so well that you end up sounding way better than similar videos. Nice one.

[@randombitsofreality]

Love it, great work man! Oven distortion button was great :)

[@muntazircreatesmovies123]

Ace of spades sounds like a country song.😂😂

[@pepeCastillo]

XDDDD

[@blablabla3515]

YEEEE

[@l17___321]

Especially 2:07

[@disistheway2010]

Need a Reverend Horton Heat cover of that song

[@stephenhawk8384]

You are so right. A lot of the comments were talking a surf sound, but there was a lot of country vibes as well.

[@wolfgardener9471]

Sign of a great guitar player all notes spot on great playing man👍

[@fabiorocamora]

Awesome, man! Love the video! Congrats! 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@notlisted6460]

Seamless and flawless!

[@dirtnapstor6884]

This is actually the best way to learn to play your favorite metal songs, and sound good when jamming 😉

[@brycesstuff]

That was actually a great selection of songs 👍🤘

[@tristanwilhelm9600]

Awesome man, sounds great

[@younghan3573]

I'd totally listen to these versions, in the background, at a party

[@mbarker_lng]

To me, Rage sounds like Country Western without distortion. Ace of Spades still rules, even without distortion. Ditto Megadeth :)

[@Gohn9508]

Motörhead with no distortion sounds awesome! I want a whole album

[@pR0ManiacS]

I love the tool and in flames selection still sounds awesome on clean.

[@ramonmartinez7613]

Glad to hear this!

[@sthi3396]

It still sounds heavy. I often realize, that metal players dont use much gain. It often sounds heavier distorted than it actually is.

[@EmazingGuitar]

It’s because the bass and drums actually plays a big role in the low end and the “ummff” of distortion

[@rupe53]

@@EmazingGuitar ... one of the things I did when recording bands was make the guitar player wear headphones and dial the distortion WAY down... till they realized that too much distortion actually got them lost in the mix. Listening on headphones is what the audience hears, which is not what is up on stage when you are standing in front of that amp.

[@planetphatness]

I always said Pantera needed an unplugged album.

[@alexz7537]

Very good level of playing! Attack, timing, synchronization - 👍

[@scrensaver_]

I now want full versions this is so good

[@sun_snake-0-]

Great idea! Thank you.

[@johnhaynes8033]

That cooker knob 🤣

[@rouvensoezueer]

Sounds so cool!

[@chhogellama4464]

Lovely Guitar Collection Brother 🔥

[@dulguun.s7041]

That "killing in the name of.." whisper 🤣

[@stacypollock6429]

Very cool. I generally learn a song pretty clean at first and get it right, then flip the switch. In fact, quit a few great rock guitarists learn a song on acoustic first - not just for sound but so the fingers know the position technically (unforgiving). Ya can add the gain to it after ...ya get the damn thing straight and proper! Good job. Good video

[@monkey_gamer_001]

This is really nice!

[@MatuteDrumCover]

And that's how you do what we use to call 15 years ago an "unplugged". Shows with acoustic guitars, indoors for just a few people, more intimate. Very nice vibe, another version of the same song, is kinda seeing the other side of the song. Your ears will thank you. Very nice video.

[@damnpete]

Still really good riffs even without distortion. Also helps that the timbre of your guitars are all pretty nice. Oh, and evidently well played too, of course :)

[@highspeedracer1921]

The Rammstein, Mastodon, Tool and Megadeth riffs still sound sick tho

[@stringedaz]

This was cool! I kind of dig these tunes played clean.

[@TerryMartinART]

Great playing!

[@darylc6669]

Rage against the machine sounds about the same as the original.

[@TheCompodulator]

I laughed way harder than I should have when you turned your oven down 😂😂😂

[@buck-mq3qo]

Ive been playing guitar for 30 years and my first teacher wouldn't let me use any kind of distortion/effects until I had learned proper finger placement and how to train my ear. I can honestly say I still learn how to play songs on the acoustic before I ever plug in. it makes a world of difference in learning how to play heavy music.

[@leximatic]

Now everything sounds nice. Thx a lot.

[@cfc1001001cfc]

Sounds like you're ready to establish the new sound of Nashville...go for it!

[@daffyduck1937]

Goes to show you how GREAT these songs no matter what instrument 🎸 you possess that's why these artists are genius!

[@jonpatten3414]

Still sounds amazing.....even without distortion.....thank you for showing everyone it's not just about distortion

[@BoscoChianca]

Good work man!

[@pregart001]

In a music school, rock is played similarly on the classical guitar. It sounds very similar. On the other hand, this is a very good way to practice before you start playing with distortion. The clear sound reveals inaccuracies that are less audible during distortion. However, playing distortion requires specific accuracy that cannot be practiced on pure sound.

[@rupe53]

... IMHO, too much distortion gets the guitar "lost in the mix" but dialing the gain back can bring it out front to the audience. I have had the guitar player wear headphones for a recording session, and they finally see what I mean. It's so much different that standing in front of the amp.

[@Schulstand]

This gives me the same feel as not being able to punch with full force in a dream

[@deanz9161]

Sounded great this way!!

[@mark123rus]

what i picked up from this is that good metal riffs sounds good both ways

[@muhammadfadhil9544]

Next rock without distortion please 🙏

[@youreadopted3960]

Rock without distortion is just hillbilly music

[@KevinBalke]

Rock without distortion is just... this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKe6k6N3etmLpKc

[@argonwheatbelly637]

If you can play it clean, you can play it dirty. Not always the same the other way around. Shows mastery of the song.

[@gabrielpardo844]

Sounds so clean

It all sounded unexpectedly good 👌🏼

[@BodaciousWickerman]

Cloud Connected sounds awesome!

[@brenomonforte7022]

metal turns in classic rock/grunge, amazing!

[@jesus_built_my_hotrod]

This is awesome

[@eduardoceballos9421]

Waaa beautiful selection of songs bro

[@fixedpro372]

Metal with no distortion = Groove!😍😍💫

[@N3TR]

My father plays metal on a classical guitar, so I'm kinda used to that sound.

[@yuehanbai9984]

Great playing! Even without distortion it sounds fire!

[@johnnybotello4304]

Now that was fn awesome man

[@bigbear1845]

Nice playing without distortion

[@donaldsalkovick396]

Sound good! ..... MTV did this over 20 years ago with its "unplugged" series, it was hot for a minute then died out like anything else

[@thedancingguy828]

It lasted about 10 years to be fair

[@bombalisa2724]

They should bring it back, it was awesome

[@rengingurel3744]

Now I need every songs' no distortion versions... This is great!

[@romasaff]

I didn't expect that Metal could be so good without effects) 🤘🔥

[@selfaware7617]

In Flames and Mastodon were great choices because they have clear blues influence.

[@Amorous578]

The way dude wispered "killing in the name of" ХД

[@danielcoburn9935]

Well done!

[@p0tbab0]

Very good choice of songs