Riffs of the Big 4 | Metallica, Anthrax, Megadeth, Slayer with Uncle Ben Eller

Shop Victory Amps and pedals 👉 imp.i114863.net/e4W1nD
Shop Gibson Les Paul electric guitars 👉imp.i114863.net/a1XONb
More videos like Riffs of the Big 4 | Metallica, Anthrax, Megadeth, Slayer with Uncle Ben Eller 👉 • Guitar Lessons
If you're wondering what video gear we use, check it out 👉 imp.i114863.net/GjNKbr
Sweetwater‘s Nick Bowcott and content creator Ben Eller put their favorite riffs from the Big 4 head-to-head. Hear riveting backstories and memories behind each track, as well as riff breakdowns of why Nick and Ben will defend their choices to the grave and beyond. Nick even shares his experience interviewing Metallica and Anthrax on the Master of Puppets tour. Check it out!
Follow Ben Eller on Instagram 👇
@benellerguitars
After you watch, check out Sweetwater.com today for all your music instrument and pro audio needs! 👉 imp.i114863.net/e4W1nD
#Sweetwater #VictoryAmplification #EVH5150 #GibsonLesPaul #Charvel

[@sweetwater]

Nick B. and Uncle Ben shared their favorite riffs of the Big 4. What are yours? Let us know in the comments and watch more guitar content here 👉 kzbin.info/aero/PLlczpwSXEOyb7mwMcSsjKBfesBp6co4Dx

[@jeremyswalley8625]

Take No Prisoners is fun to play!! I really like the riffs in Polaris!!

[@BenEller]

such a pleasure to hang and riff out with Nick! Thanks for watching, y'all!

[@Lance37a]

Two riff masters at work.

[@attilacsaba]

thannk you both! killer !! 😈🤘🎸... YES, MORE TESTAMENT 🤘

[@bobilly]

Disciples of the Watch gets my head banging every time

[@olafburgermann806]

Best place to hear what Metallica are doing on Eye of The Beholder is on the Justice Medley - track 8 of Live Shit Binge and Purge By far the best Metallica live album

[@MartyDadRiffs]

No shade on the mighty Bowcott, but damn! Ben your tone is simply flawless here. Andy Timmons be damned.

[@romanlanzas508]

that take no prisoners riff is insane

[@Lance37a]

Always a good time when Uncle Ben is around.

[@BenEller]

I like to have a good time all the time!

[@Lance37a]

@@BenEller yes!

[@klauswigsmith]

I see Ben and Nick playing guitar in the thumbnail; I click.

[@sqlb3rn]

"a bit sloppy but close enough for rock n roll" absolutely brilliant, it would be nice if more youtube/instagram players had this mindset when videoing mimed "playthroughs" over pre-recorded tracks.... just play it how you play it live, doesn't need to be a flawless studio track.

[@Roberto-nn6kb]

Miming is ok , its still you playing all tracks after all, imho rather overproducing is problem, but in general i get your idea and 100% agree with it

[@arustydodge2111]

“MOST EXCELLENT” Keep this coming SWEETWATER! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@luigizanellato2959]

I think "Youthanasia" is such an underrated album. So many memories as a kid listening to that awesome record!

[@1punch_man]

Phenomenal Album mate.

[@kappachino3431]

Like the riffs and dave voice there

[@poorchris]

An unlimited number of riffs that made me want to pick up guitar between these four bands.

[@mikemercer5808]

I've really been enjoying these videos you two guys have been releasing. Keep 'em coming!

[@sykodx469]

Men of culture AND taste, these two!

[@MKRISING75]

I love these videos with Nick and Uncle Ben please keep these coming they are completely awesome 🤟🏻

[@beccamach1906]

I find it amazing, and it is intended as the highest compliment, that even if Nick plays someone else’s riff, you can still tell that it is him playing. He never loses himself. Great riff choices.

[@aglees2b]

great work, I love this series. More please! Nick's playing has so much tension to it... the way he holds the guitar, his pick and frets, it all adds to the aesthetic.

[@illxs]

OMG you guys are on fire! Great video, need more of the duo!

[@HannahCope88]

Can't wait to watch this in full! 🤘🏻🔥

[@flogginga_dead_horse4022]

Yet another great video from you two!!

[@gravitationalconstant]

Nick you chose the exact two Slayer riffs that I chose!

[@keolahutchinson7687]

Such a fantastic series. Really been enjoying this

[@nateconley2345]

This was fantastic!

[@banditcosmo]

I didn't realize until recently that Nick played guitar in Grim Reaper ! Such a cool 80's metal band. Hell of a player.

[@cullenjames7542]

I freaking LOVE Be All, End All. Don't think State of Euphoria gets enough love. Excellent choice, Nick.

[@thejonathandoan]

Metal masterclass. Thanks for the sweet licks, guys!!

[@luigizanellato2959]

These are cool Ben! Nick has great tone as well, I first clicked on and was like "Holy Shit" big sound! You shred Ben as well! 🎸🎼

[@sqlb3rn]

never heard that song at 13:45 , but I just realized my old friend's band from back in the day straight up ripped off that riff note for note.

[@mattsabath]

I like the fast riff after the one you played in Wake Up Dead but it’s so hard to choose. Even Rattlehead, an easy song to play but has such high energy. Love the video.

[@frednance3988]

I saw Metallica for the 1st time @ Van Halen's Monsters of Rock Festival in 88 in LA. Blackened was the song they played live before AJ4All was released. I saw slayer at the LA Sport Arena in 1990 when SOH was released. Got to see the Firedman/Menza debut with Megadeth @ the Hollywood Palladium

[@MarbsMusic]

Damn guys! Amazing! I can remember trying to learn Wake Up Dead when it came out... playing it over and over, wonderful memories!

[@mrnobodyinvr9762]

Scotty Ian always had the most killer right hand of them all, but, you cant beat Dave Mustaines killer riffs. He just builds so much power into every riff, the need for high level technique never stops with that dude. Metal Forever \\m// \\m//

[@brandonjackson5865]

I never thought of a helicopter listening to Take No Prisoners. That’s a fast driving song for me. It builds tension and anxiety and makes me remember “ I like to go fast “ Also love Nick’s Megadeth riffs especially the slow riff Nick played second that’s Dave Mustaine’s genius of making something fairly simple sound incredibly interesting. it’s a simple riff and at a slow pace but it’s in the details the extra stank he puts in it

[@philippkaiser4986]

Oh boy, this is going to be good!

[@bobilly]

As a child of thrash, brilliant video with a couple of lovely gents. Now I'm gonna go learn some thrash riffs 🤟

[@lueyteledeluxe7457]

"Child of Thrash", let me guess... The father must be Papa Hets...and the moaning mother - Dave Mustaine - gotta be! Am I right...??!

[@AaroRissanen-pi4td]

Is Ben Eller me? The man clearly has exquisite taste.

[@mantelmann13]

I never would have thought that Ben startet with Load and ReLoad. Fortunately he developed a pretty good taste.

[@Maxtodon]

Sick riffs boys. Please top 2 Mastodon riffs per album!

[@michaeljablonski8212]

I knew Testament was gonna make it in. Love that band.

[@greenerdays]

Yes, ya got Eye Of The Beholder right.🤘😝👍

[@dougsrosen]

There is a lot more brutal and newer technical bands, but these tracks still slam. Great vid guys!

[@mufa4567]

When they're starting with Devil's Dance, you know that will be a good one!

[@kylebrady969]

About Eye of the Beholder, my interpretation from listening to the studio track and watching/listening to the very rare instances where the song was played (or part of it as the Justice Medley), Kirk is playing melody section as a separate part while James holds down the E-G-F progression. What solidifies that to me is during that whole era pre-Load/ReLoad James was showing Kirk the parts he was going to play and nothing else. The old Behind the Music: Metallica episode (the original from the 90's, not the one that went up to 2009-2010) James mentions something about how he would feel like he was breathing down Kirk's neck when he'd play something he wasn't supposed to, and I think Kirk mentions in the AJFA 30th anniversary interview how he had to ask James how to play a riff in Blackened when they began the Damaged Justice tour.

[@DJ33]

Good stuff Gents.

[@jeremyswalley8625]

I like the backwards guitar intro on Eye of the Beholder!!

[@jeremyswalley8625]

Then on the intro to Be All End All , F to open E on the big cello! Can’t forget the brilliant use of the Eventide H3000 ! Vocals used it too ! Now it’s dark !

[@TheFlacidFlamingo]

I play in a cover band, and we do Eye of the Beholder. Our guitarists split that riff between them to get the harmony. The bass plays the E G D B melody which also blends in with the riff a bit.

[@darrenstorer1526]

The intro to eye of the beholder is pretty much on the money! Em, g, that nasty stretch chord and the ending diad 2nd fret , very very palm muted... excellent video guys

[@sydneyhalliwell2513]

Great selection of riffs. My top Megadeth riffs would be from Set the World Afire

[@andydinesguitar]

Nice, takes me back to being an 80s yoof!🤘😊😛

[@juniorlupercio1470]

Good call on Devil’s Dance! I wish Attitude would get more love off that album

[@tommyservo9660]

Poison was the cure is the biggest ball buster.

[@tricore6408]

bloodline is such an underrated slayer song/rif, blew my mind how dark it is when i first started listening to metal

[@patrickprior4393]

Awesome thoroughly cool and I'm a bass player🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@marekpodworski7835]

That's the first time I've seen someone play Devils Dance, now I wanna go and learn it

[@machine-madedog5059]

I always play the "Killing Road" riff when I'm testing an amp's high gain channel, can't help it.

[@Hrledood911]

That GLP!!!! ❤❤❤❤

[@oldmanriff7633]

Uncle Ben mentioned the Gojira pick scrape - this is for another video, but AiC's "It Ain't Like That" main riff is all scrapey! Also a big HELL YES for Testament making the Big 5 and Megadeth's 90s stuff - Youthanasia & Cryptic Writings are both amazing! (Risk, not so much.)

[@jaredmckee2569]

nick is a cool cat no ego you can tell he just loves the music jamming with him would be fun because it would not turn into a contest of skills

[@siralexzepeda]

I agree Youthnasia is a great album, one of my favorites

[@jimyaich9242]

Take No Prisoners!!!!! Nice job!

[@stevenf9772]

If you listen closely to Jump In The Fire on the record, there's an extra 16th note on the descending part of the riff

[@BK-lx5mo]

‘Talli “Disposable Heroes” (entire song), Slayer “Black Magic”, Anthrax “Keep it in the Family”, Megadeth “The Conjuring” especially 2:56, oddball: “Bored” by Death Angel 🤘

[@darkstar92772]

I didn't like Load and Re-Load at all when they came out. In fact I hated them both. But I listened to them again a few years back with fresh ears and perspective and absolutely love them both.

[@04machGT]

Harvester of sorrow, MOP Mad house, Medusa Symphony of destruction, Sweating bullets Raining blood, Bitter peace Sad but true WILDCARD: Pantera: cowboys from hell 🤘🏻

[@LORDFARQUADZILLA]

If I could just pick one riff from each band I would pick. Slayer: 213 Metallica: Disposable Heroes Megadeth: Hook In Mouth Anthrax: Medusa

[@steezorteez9829]

blood line is mmm mmm **magnifique** 👌

[@666Lanza]

I wanted to see more of that Snakebyte in action

[@Arch_Stanton.]

Megadeth - The Conjuring (the whole song).

[@sweetwater]

Obey! 💀🤘

[@JesusManera]

Hell yeah. My 2 Megadeth picks would have been a particular riff from The Conjuring, and an earlier riff in Wake Up Dead. Those 2 songs just go from amazing riff to amazing riff from start to finish.

[@jaymiller8188]

What was the first riff that Ben played in the intro? Great video!!

[@kgabk]

I think it was the Megadeth "Take No Prisoners"intro riff that he plays later in the episode

[@JacksonCharvelRULE]

Eye of the Beholder is downstrokes

[@aldersmoke1]

I was gonna put a brick through my monitor if that riff from Holy Wars didn't make the cut.

[@jeremyswalley8625]

Mandatory Suicide and Ghosts of War are killer!! Or Behind The Crooked Cross!!

[@jeremyswalley8625]

Antisocial is a great riff!!

[@darrenstorer1526]

Gotta say both the charvel and the Ltd sounded crisper than a pan load of tasty bacon , like fk ye! My all time fave megadeth album is so far..so good,,, criminally overlooked , in my darkest hour and hook in mouth still slay everytime , and only mustaine can start an album with an instrumental!

[@bigassdummy46]

Did any riffs from St Anger make the cut?

[@hawg427]

Uncle Ben may not be old enough but I know Nick is, I still have not heard any new people on YT play the famous UFO song Rock Bottom.

[@jeremyswalley8625]

South Of Heaven is a great song!!

[@jeremyswalley8625]

Forgot about the C 5 on Holy Wars

[@MrTrubadurable]

I don’t hear that C in the Eye Of The Beholder-riff, just B (and of course F#)

[@davidkanengieter]

There should have been a big 5. Exodus gets criminally overlooked. They championed Bay Area Thrash.

[@donkarnage6032]

In the old days of Metallica it was always just James playing the rhythm parts. I don't think it was until the Black album that Kirk played his rhythm part on the studio track. Thats why the early albums sound so tight. I kind of wish Metallica would record another album the old way and just have Kirk to his leads and that's it. I'd hate to cut out Kirk but damn did Metallica sound good when it was just James playing the rhythm parts.

[@rayrayokmusic]

Loved all! But you missed hangar 18. I know it’s derivative from call of Cthulhu , but who cares? Bad ass.

[@patriknessboLemoran]

tasty devils dance!

[@jeffjimenez7545]

Metallica play devil's dance in S&M and 2008

[@rickysleaze]

Fucking cool you know

[@annrhoads6808]

Ur so good u work at Sweet water Right lol

[@jackclayton5620]

LEAVE THE BEST FOR LAST HEHEE 🤭 I love megadeth

[@thomasolney5458]

Not to naysay the inestimable Mr. Bowcott, but I seem to remember that Metallica played Devil's Dance at the first S&M concert. Admittedly not a typical live setting, but live nonetheless.

[@jasonsmith8792]

I play lefty but it still looks weird watching someone play Guitar left handed.

[@sqlb3rn]

It's always funny watching people try to apply musical theory to metal riffs... it's like a flat 5th but with a major 3rd when it should have a... pretty sure no one was thinking about any of that when they came up with that riff lol

[@Roberto-nn6kb]

Dosent matter if they was thinking that way(yeah, they didnt) as long as it helps understand(at least a bit) why it souns that way, its kinda fun on its own imo

[@oscarostman9341]

Jump in the fire must be Mustaines song right?

[@klauth_Yksyn]

I did an, And justice for all review on my channel, that might interest the hardest of core.

[@sqlb3rn]

people think Gojira invented harmonic rakes? lol sure, and Metallica was the first metal band.

[@Roberto-nn6kb]

In the way they do it (harmonics comes from under right thumb, not from the natural harmonics on the fretboard) propably yes

[@hawg427]

I've been binge watching Peaky Blinders and have noticed 2-3 old Black Sabbath songs. Sounds normal for the location and timeframe.

[@craigpimlott204]

Don’t forget Grim reaper ..they were on par with the other four

[@leeyoungrjae]

What's the first riff???

[@mykneeshurt8393]

THRASH 'TILL DEATH!!!

[@jeremyswalley8625]

You can tell Jump In The Fire is a Mustaine riff!!

[@jeremyswalley8625]

Actually most of Kill Em All!!

[@kylegrossi8175]

Big 6. should of included Exodus & Testament.

[@garrettboomerbender]

The Wardance riff was not mentioned and I am very upset

[@BenEller]

Haha it almost made my list!!!

[@garrettboomerbender]

@@BenEller Well that's good to know at least?

[@jarrodscott6899]

No Death Angel. Interesting. . .

[@chosenone2964]

Hey Nick, see you in my hell my friend...great song..all that hair ?