SICK Or OVERRATED? The 25 Most Iconic METAL Lead Guitarists Ever

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[@BradleyHallGuitar]

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[@rebekahbehr517]

Seriously, join it’s really cool I recommend premium.

[@BradleyHallGuitar]

@@rebekahbehr517 thanks Rebekah!

[@Ucantcme04]

@@BradleyHallGuitar did something happen to your shorts, I can’t see them on your channel?

[@nuke8672]

@@Ucantcme04 yea I can't see them either man

[@sidplaysrock2880]

That chuck placement pained me, but the placement of both the kirks won me over

[@Lupine.]

The Muhammed in A hurt. Xiphos was the image, mang.

[@paulbaglio6295]

Eh... even 80's Kirk didn't surpass low A. See Chuck Schuldiner

[@pizzashorts887]

@@Lupine.Muhammed is the goat.

[@slulzspot7583]

I don't listen to too much Death, but it even pained me.

[@perfectman3077]

@@paulbaglio6295 young Kirk should be like C tbh

[@DethMetalGuitars]

I breathed a sigh of relief when you bumped Alexi up. He had it all man his style was so unique once he came into his own.

[@BradleyHallGuitar]

Had to be done!

[@Lupine.]

Dude had one of the most aggressive picking styles.

[@HenritheHorse]

Alexi's melodies were influenced by Jon from Dissection combined with classical.

[@GuitarsAndSoundNZ]

Was about to say the same thing!!!

[@YtuserSumone-rl6sw]

Same, except Jeff Waters should have been upped too.

[@YannickTMessiah]

Glenn Tipton is so underrated. When I think of the most iconic guitar solos, I think of Beyond the Realms of Death, Dreamer Deceiver, Freewheel Burning, Electric Eye, Painkiller, One Shot at Glory, Ram It Down, A Touch of Evil... There are few that can compete with him.

[@JudasRapidFire]

Easy S tier

[@testamented]

The solo in Enter The Storm from Baptizm Of Fire is very good.

[@Chris_Tinacan]

Glenn's ear for a good chord progression was a cut above any of the other NWOBHM guys, and it elevated Priest's songs for sure. Good examples are the solos in One Shot at Glory, Between the Hammer and the Anvil and Prisoner of your Eyes.

[@Chris_Tinacan]

Oh and I forgot the Heading Out to the Highway solo.

[@markusbanda]

Richie Faulkner is an amazing guitarist too. I can't imagine too many people being able to fill Glenn Tipton's massive shoes.

[@Brey]

1:14 Jeff Waters (Annihilator) 1:35 Muhammed Suiçmez (Necrophagist) 2:07 George Lynch (Dokken) 2:46 Andy LaRocque (King Diamond) 3:15 Jeff Loomis (Arch Enemy) 3:44 Chuck Schuldiner (Death) 4:29 Brandon Ellis (The Black Dahlia Murder) 5:02 Michael Romeo (Symphony X) 5:26 John Petrucci (Dream Theater) 6:00 Alex Skolnick (Testament) 6:29 Glenn Tipton (Judas Priest) 7:00 "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott (Pantera) 7:32 Tosin Abasi (Animals As Leaders) 8:05 Kirk Hammett (Metallica) 8:43 Herman Li (Dragonforce) 9:07 Synyster Gates (Avenged Sevenfold) 9:40 Kerry King (Slayer) 10:19 Kiko Loureiro (Megadeth) 10:32 Misha Mansoor (Periphery) 10:57 Marty Friedman (Megadeth) 11:08 Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne) 11:37 Randy Rhoads (Ozzy Osbourne) 12:01 Matt Heafy (Trivium) 12:20 Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden) 12:43 Alexi Laiho (Children Of Bodom)

[@YannMetalhead]

Thank you!

[@adamcostilla1692]

Now you have to do a Rhythm list too. Chuck would be higher on this list, right? RIGHT!!!!

[@BradleyHallGuitar]

Yeah deffo

[@TheOpethOfMastodon]

Kerry King is a damn solid rhythm player, all memes aside

[@Henry0870]

@@TheOpethOfMastodon”songwriting non-existent” Right, he wrote about half of Slayers repertoire…. Okay Jeff may have written the most Classic Slayer songs. But saying his songwriting is non-existent is like saying half of Reign in Blood is non existent…. And to me, on the solo bit, there’s not a huge difference between Jeff and Kerry. If Kerry died and Jeff was still alive, everyone would be pissing on Jeff??

[@Lupine.]

​@@Henry0870 Naw man... Kerry seems like one of those dudes who you meet at a Libertarian meeting, then find out his tribal tattoos represent Flat Earth affiliation.

[@ajs787]

Heafy would have to be too. Dude is TIGHT.

[@megaduck7965]

Adrian’s solo on Caught somewhere in time is just outrageous, conjures images of superman bursting through the clouds in a race against time or something

[@TheBfutgreg]

Adrian's solos on Somewhere in Time period are amazing

[@OcelotDAD]

Adrian owns that album. Wasted Years, fucking Stranger in a Strange land, Alexander the Great….its amazing

[@MrMetalhorse]

That solo and entire album is a masterpiece. Best maiden album and one of the greatest albums ever in rock or metal

[@TheBfutgreg]

@@OcelotDAD On Seventh Son he ain't no slouch either....thinking he was sending himself off with his two best albums so he could leave the band on a high note

[@lordcuddlebuttz3336]

i completely agree! Maiden has always been my favourite band and i love all their albums but Somewhere in Time as a whole is a masterpiece! it’s always been my favourite Maiden album, the legendary guitar tone, the songwriting, the solo’s, literally perfect, i was so happy that i got to see them play most of that album live late last year😄 it was a phenomenal show

[@michaelmiglino6512]

Adrain Smith writes the solos that I find myself singing along to. They are memorable, tasty, and always in perfect context with the songs. Adrian Smith is without a doubt one of my favorite players.

[@shadrachcrawford5979]

Most underrated guitarist of all time

[@thulsa_doom]

Very true words! Adrian is an amazing player.

[@bakalaudia5620]

Seeing Synyster Gates just above Glenn Tipton is something that will haunt me forever

[@anglicantian]

I tend to agree. Syn should be higher.

[@rodycaz8984]

@@anglicantian Not higher than Tipton.

[@TheSteinbitt]

Nah man, Tipton is a legend

[@fz6soldier182]

Syn is on another level than Glenn, should be S tier. Keep an open mind, give the younger player a listen.

[@rodycaz8984]

@@fz6soldier182 He's talented, anyone who says he isn't is either clueless or a troll... but he just ain't better than Tipton. Peak Tipton > peak Gates.

[@buttermybuns9529]

Death fans punching the air right now.

[@Richie___]

we always have been!! 😂😂

[@glassofwater7281]

Damn right I am

[@bartoszkolasa1915]

ARGHHHHHHHHH

[@elpeluca7780]

Not really. Love the late demos and the first 2 albums. They fell off hard after that

[@timscott124]

i mean ima huge death fan, but brad speaks the truth

[@GachaMetal]

Tipton’s songwriting is unsurpassed. A level unto itself.

[@YannickTMessiah]

Agree

[@dindinbre]

Him and KK were THE perfect and the best guitar duo ever, KK with his random ass, but turbo tasteful wankery and Glenn with his technicalities. The moment KK left the band, it could be noticed in their songwriting. They were perfect together, just sad how it ended.

[@YannickTMessiah]

@@dindinbre Absolutely!

[@jpr2661]

He deserves S, for sure.

[@tyronedonut8336]

​@@dindinbre Listen to One Shot at Glory, KK definitely wasnt doing "random ass" solos if you are not deaf

[@MossTheBoss]

Andy Laroque at the bottom of C tier is criminal. He has technicality coming out of his wazoo. His style is very unique and he was doing things back in the 80s that no one ever heard before.

[@manfredmar]

He also played some KILLER solos on Deaths Individual Thought Patterns. And his back and forth soloing in King Diamond is superb.

[@aegisreflector1239]

I agree, this guys list is ok. Alot of hot takes imo

[@AnthonyWabo]

Preach, brother! This was my only criticism, Andy is so slept on and is always under the radar. Legend he is! So tasteful, Black Horseman, Mansion In Darkness to name just a couple!

[@Madbutcher305]

andy is very good and his songwriting style is naturally beneficial to good solos since it has interesting modulations and harmonic choices which tend to lend themselves to more interesting lead playing

[@stephenhughes5156]

Yeh that one triggered me the most.

[@bradzillarocks]

The "engineer guy" with George Lynch is the legendary Max Norman, known for producing Ozzy, Loudness, Grim Reaper, and a little Megadeth album called "Rust In Peace" (and "Countdown" and "Youthanasia").

[@ElSleaze]

No way Georges Lynch is low C tier, he is at least a high B. Him, Eddie and Randy were the 3 musketeers of the 80's, besides most of his solos are iconic and singable with good chops.

[@OlliLindeman]

Preach. Mr. Scary has a t a s t y af solo, definitely peak 80s and imho not too shabby even by today's standards. People do sleep on that shit, tho.

[@platkoek]

George Lynch actually wrote some amazing solo's (and songs). Really tasteful, memorable and unique. He doesn't just shred and sweep all over the fretboard at 300 BPM for the whole solo, but actually plays something that sounds melodic and has some feel and emotion in it. Unlike almost half of the other guitarists on this list...... But apparently all that everyone cares about nowadays is being able to play notes really fast. And people really overhype some guitar players that are not even in the same league as George Lynch He might not be "the fastest guitar player around" (he is still f*cking fast), he is a VERY skilled guitar player, technically and songwriting wise, one of the best guitarists back in the day. Very underrated guitarist in my opinion

[@llongone2]

Agreed. Those three names need to be said together more often. I think George just gets a little more shade because his band broke later.

[@kellygraves4189]

I hope John 5 one day gets the respect he deserves. Such a great guitarist

[@oasisstudioslive]

To me he just sounds robotic, imo he would be one of the least musical guitar players on this list.

[@baalrog887]

I think it's because his solo stuff is a better example of his ability than any of his work in Rob Zombie or Manson

[@jasonnielsen5976]

He committed career suicide jumping in with Motley Crue, he's an amazing guitarist, I've seen footage of him going to random open mic nights all over the country and just tearing it up, but now he's just that guy in the Crue camp

[@monkeyballs512]

@@jasonnielsen5976that paycheck would’ve been hard for anyone to turn down

[@michaeln6142]

I think he doesn't care. He played with Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie before the Crue. They're hardly known for their lead guitarists. But I bet he got to go around and have fun.

[@sangramos]

Saying that Alex Skolnick isn’t technical despite him literally going back to school to learn jazz and start his own jazz combos, then come back to metal and STILL have some of the most memorable solos is crazy to me lol

[@trevor4533]

Haha yeah, that one left me scratching my head. Same with his comments on Lynch.

[@sangramos]

@@trevor4533 and I don’t think the necro phagist guitarist is that well known tbh lol

[@trevor4533]

@@sangramos haha yeah, that too. I remember him when he first got hooked up with Ibanez for the Xiphos guitars. Really good guitar player though, and props for being able to do vocals at the same time. He's an engineer for BMW these days...

[@sangramos]

@@trevor4533 I’ll have to check them out sometime then

[@Joe45-91]

Thought the same thing. Writing the solo for True American Hate 20+ years after what most would consider their prime is crazy.

[@Shoda0197]

the coolest part about zakk is that he knows everything from chicken picking to anything else but still decides to only play the same pentatonic licks.

[@Avliv_Satan]

At first I was like WTF, Alexi isn't in S tier? And then I got relieved when you fixed that

[@ultimaforsan899]

yeah, I was raging for a moment

[@thomasshredster4627]

Alexi was more than just a high skilled player. Brandon ellise is insane in terms of technicality and maybe even better, but laiho had that innovative side to him that Influenced an entire generation...

[@Avliv_Satan]

@@thomasshredster4627 Exactly

[@Threegreentails]

We were RIOTING in the chat lol

[@Toxyethanol]

Top of S tier if you ask me. None of those other guys were also frontmen

[@oicrusader2143]

Chuck outside S tier, L take, opinion rejected

[@BradleyHallGuitar]

Sick vocalist and rhythm guitarist but there is no way he's a better lead guitarist than the rest of the guys on this list lol

[@gingercheesecake7357]

​@@BradleyHallGuitarcry about it 😂

[@autistichades5552]

@@BradleyHallGuitarThen stop putting him in low tiers.

[@oicrusader2143]

@@BradleyHallGuitar No. Simple 'as

[@oicrusader2143]

@BradleyHallGuitar His solos are better than he likes of Jeff Waters imo. Realistically I think he is A or B tier.

[@ilovebutterstuff]

Dude, you put George Lynch in C TIER? We definitely don't have the same taste in music. Don't get me wrong, but we could never collaborate. 😲

[@willceli5977]

I’m not watching anyone after George Lynch was put in C tier

[@8523wsxc]

I know, right? That's way too high.

[@dustinwilliams7542]

@@8523wsxc😂

[@JoelER78]

@@8523wsxc haha

[@Voytek777]

Michael Romeo 🎸🔥

[@mybluguitar6051]

Romeo has some of the sickest riffs!!!!!

[@Voytek777]

@@mybluguitar6051 In my opinion Romeo should be at the top. Great riffs, solo, and a composition that allows the singer to spread his wings. Additionally, he is an incredibly humble and down-to-earth person. But like I said, this is my opinion, I'm just a fan.

[@CYON4D]

​@@Voytek777Michael Romeo is definitely one of the greatest guitarist alive. Should have been on the S tier without a doubt.

[@spudfella4937]

Romeo is an easy S tier

[@Elixium]

Prefer him to petrucci!

[@oyc7946]

GEORGE LYNCH IN C TIER?

[@Taborius1]

Didn't Zakk Wylde say at one point that he picked that style so he wouldn't be compared to Randy, Jake E. Lee, or EVH? Not sure the truth to it, but he has shown he can play outside of that box.

[@johndutton5881]

Zakk can only play other people's music ,anything he tries to write himself is an epic failure, like pride and glory or black labia society.

[@Taborius1]

@@johndutton5881 Quite the cynical take I feel. I'd actually be rather interested on your metrics for success? Seriously, not sarcasm. I don't feel I could ever qualify Pride and Glory, and Black Label Society as epic failures. Maybe you meant, when he is writing for other vocalists his music sounds better? No More Tears by example had help from Lemmy and Mike Inez, but Wylde's contribution to the writing was (understandably) very prominent.

[@johndutton5881]

@Taborius1 I had to set through a black labia society concert once,zakk the amazing songwriter he is ,played a twenty five minute rendition of eruption .It was the most awful concert I ever experienced.As for black labia society it's all the exact same song and it's all terrible. He should just stick to ripping off real musicians, you know like zakk sabbath or dime which all you brainwashed fans refer to as" honoring "his memory by capitalizing for over twenty years off of his death.Oh dime was my best friend so now I'm gonna make a living off of his music. How come zakk didn't put Pantera back together with Vinnie?Maybe because Vinnie didn't want that p.o.s capitalizing off of his brother. Oh and I call it black labia because zakk is a fake tough guy and it's a society of pussies.

[@driller7714]

@@johndutton5881Dude have you listened to black label? They put out some awesome songs. Zakk has made a ton of good music on his own.

[@johndutton5881]

@driller7714 yes I have listened to black labia society and had the misfortune to see them live.Its all just one horrible song,I couldn't tell where one song ended and the next began.If bls is so awesome and popular then why is zakk touring with Pantera instead and why did he wait for Vinnie to die to do so?

[@athanasioskostopoulos9731]

George Lynch is S+ tier. Get your head together.

[@metalfan1100]

S tier absolutely. I get why he didnt though. Just not his jam.

[@jean-francoisdavid3694]

Yup. I had problems taking this guy seriously with all the stupid shit he said from the beginning. Noting Lynch based on the “in my dreams” solo is pure ignorance. I stopped the video before I see him rating Paul Gilbert based on the “to be with you” solo.

[@JoelER78]

@@jean-francoisdavid3694 Paul Gilbert...on rock guitar? Not included here though?

[@jean-francoisdavid3694]

@@JoelER78 yup… one of the best teacher also. He did intense Rock 1 and 2 and many more. Probably the best video to progress as a guitar player. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnvcm2OqfLZnp5osi=udzmS-jV-mnUdQpz

[@jamesryder9158]

@@metalfan1100 he's not familar with his work, his solos on wicked sensation is super tasty and mind blowing, the tone in his fingers is very unique

[@raigheb9306]

Tony Iommi is so high in S tear he didn't show up on the video.

[@adama4791]

The lord of the riff, father of metal, hand of doom, Iommic leader, Anthony Iommi, presided over the creation of this list and as such looks upon it with a smile, his power cannot be contained by mere boxes

[@youruncleted]

george lynch c tier you must be joking

[@bobcs2155]

Braaaah - Alex Skolnick tech ability in the middle? This must be your first day

[@Abhishek-pb6rv]

damn right!

[@robvegas9354]

Wild card S for Nuno. Always awesome riffs and crazy solos from him with his solo stuff and Extreme

[@steele09]

Extreme is metal, but not really Metal bro

[@JacobNates]

Seeing Brandon Ellis and Michael Romeo in C caused me physical pain 🥲

[@jenssenbalseiro991]

Brandon should be s

[@birdingable]

Couldn't agree more. Snyster Gates an A. DAMN!!

[@ToonamiAftermath]

Exactly this

[@svelle37]

Synyster above Brandon.. lmao

[@GoreGrid]

Lol yeah man... this list is terrible.

[@userered]

"no way marty's above kirk" i saw someone comment, well yes! yes he is

[@megaduck7965]

Even in their heydays it’s apples and oranges . If they where boxers they wouldn’t even be in the same weight class never mind facing off .

[@StewMain6]

Lol that was an objective bad take by someone. Dave Mustaine vs Kirk is a closer comparison to Marty vs Kirk. Marty’s skills as a lead player are miles ahead of Kirk and I love Kirk’s early work especially on RTL

[@chrismeadows4216]

Most people who prefer Kirk over Marty couldn't name his solos which are amazing outside of his Fade to Black, The Call of Ktulu, Welcome Home (Sanitarium), One, The Unforgiven, and Hero of the Day solos. People who prefer Marty could mention any solo of Rust in Peace through Cryptic Writings, or his Cacophony solos and solo solos, if they're diehard. Marty hasn't ever slacked and thrown effects like wah on randomized solos rather than composed coherent motifs, and most of his solos are improvised. Marty's apparently better and more memorable, whether he's preferred or not.

[@chaseadams5037]

Marty is a million times better than Kirk, can't believe you actually said that! Metallica sucks 🤷🤤💯👎✅💪🤘

[@jenssenbalseiro991]

​@chaseadams5037 totally agreed marty is top notch legends ever and kirk is a total deception literally the worst of them all in this list just aside Kerry king

[@ibinTZY]

George lynch C tier lol….if this was riff only i would agree but lead playing Micheal Romeo and Lynch should be A tier easy…seems like you haven’t heard enough of them

[@liamg9334]

Exactly what i was thinking. Like dismissing Romeo as "just technical" is absolutely insane. Hes legit one of the most melodic players here if you actually explore SymphonyX. Then Lynch, such an iconic sound, easily the best vibrato and feel until Marty came around. Idk how you rate Adrian Smith high for his phrasing but rate Lynch C. His phrasing is equally amazing.

[@PikkaBird]

Loomis to me is definitely S-tier. I mean, his image is pretty stock and his stage presence is static, but his lead playing, finger-licking tastiness and songwriting skills easily overshadow those shortcomings. Also, Heafy at the bottom is weird considering you mercifully split Hammett up into past and present. Heafy's guitar work up to and including Shogun was inspired.

[@chrismeadows4216]

Averaging how outstanding he is and how much of a showman he is should net Jeff a very clean high A-tier. He's one of the best modern guitarists going, and he shouldn't be underestimated. Shogun-era Heafy is an easy S-tier in all regards. His playing and stage presence had been maybe the peak of 2000s metal. Present Heafy is still S-tier in terms of what he can play, because he's much more consistent with all of his old songs and the new ones, creatively, he's now B-tier, and in terms of showmanship, D-tier, because onstage he often looks like he's panicked and smiling to keep himself from crying because his voice isn't as brutal as it had been and he knows it, averaging to B-tier.

[@tiagoramalhais5493]

I think Loomis is S tier in regards to rhythm playing and Songwriting, but his leads, although he pretty much can play anything, they come across very scaley and his phrasing is not S tier.

[@chikenman320]

bonus points for the hair as well

[@RoguSpanish]

I thought he deserved an A tier, but seeing the other guitarists in B, at least he's in good company.

[@TheSteinbitt]

@@chrismeadows4216what on earth are you smoking man? Matt isn’t even the lead player in his own band.

[@throwawayinternetrp]

Jeff Waters high A, Chuck low A or high B, Kiko Loureiro easy S tier for sure

[@YtuserSumone-rl6sw]

👍

[@mjg4529]

Any man that can level on play with G govan is S teir Kiko is S teir even with dropping his guitar John petrucci is great but not s teir ,a lot of his work is repeated scales just over 20min songs

[@brianbehe6812]

Ive always considered Jeff the lead in Slayer, Kerry is just the Slayer guy

[@nemesis8626]

Yeah and Corey is the main lead player in Trivium , Matt is more the frontman who contributes afew solo's, weirs picks with those 2

[@Henry0870]

Especially in the early days it was about 50/50 in songwriting between Jeff and Kerry. They have both written good (and yes, Jeff wrote the classics) and both lesser songs (Diabolus in Musica is 92 % Jeff, but is always ranked as their least favourite album… They influenced each other when they started out in their late teens, Jeff being more of a hardcore/punk rock guy, Kerry more traditional metal. None of their (earlier) albums would have sounded the same without either of them. And yes, Kerry is a damn fine rhythm player. Even Jeff said it in an interview that Kerry does all the rhythm tracking, because he does it faster.

[@chrismeadows4216]

​@@nemesis8626, Matt actually plays more solos in Trivium than Corey. It may seem odd, but when you break it down, Matt has demoes solos, Ember to Inferno solos, most Ascendancy solos, equal The Crusade solos, a few more Shogun solos, more In Waves solos, equal Vengeance Falls and Silence in the Snow solos, Corey has more The Sin and The Sentence and What the Dead Men Say solos, and they have equal In the Court of the Dragon solos. Matt pulls as much weight as Corey without being as technical, and his solos are generally very emotional and unique. Kerry's solos are nowhere near as good as Jeff's.

[@bananaempijama]

Yeah me too lol The best songs from Slayer are written by Jeff imo

[@user-yn1sf9mq3z]

@@Henry0870 thank you for pointing out the fact about diabolus in musica in a far nicer way than i ever could. i get heated about people online always talking out both sides of their mouths when it comes to this specific topic.

[@collinfarnes8752]

I think you need to reevaluate George Lynch. His technical ability isn’t quite as high as some of these guys, but his note choices and phrasing in solos are so unique and tasty. He doesn’t really go by theory. He plays by feel, and it makes his solos very memorable. You can see this in the outro solo on So Many Tears, the main solo on Till the Livin End, and the live performance of Mr. Scary where he improvises this really cool whammy bar bit.

[@kjone5086]

damn I thought I was the only one who absolutely loves the outro solo for so many tears. However my favourite solo of his is the main heaven sent solo.

[@collinfarnes8752]

@@kjone5086 I can’t believe I forgot Heaven Sent. That arguably is his best solo.

[@toddwilliams8128]

Without Glenn Tipton, this list doesn't happen, so extra points for the "influentials". His solo in "Freewheel Burnin'" is enough for him to go into S tier for me... a song from 1984! Also, disappointing you could fit in Adrian Smith but no Dave Murray, who is on a similar level, and has some of the smoothest legato you'll ever hear.

[@kirbydouglas2371]

Lynch in C hurt me

[@shamusteakiawa]

He's overrated tbh. His solos are so boring zzz, lol

[@DenkendeMystik-ll8oi]

Michael Romeo and George Lynch a C? That's nuts!

[@pavelpolonskij6931]

George Lynch C tier? C'mon now, should be A.

[@nepmobile3583]

Loving these sit down vids, keep up the great work!

[@Medelmessaoudi]

The stage and hail to the king(despite being hated) really show how good of a guitarist Syn gates is, he just gets better every new album

[@aryanmoody]

In my opinion, in regards to songwriting (not just technical skill which 100% improves over time), I think self titled is his best work

[@Medelmessaoudi]

​@@aryanmoody, the white album is my favorite album of them, not a single bad song

[@chrismeadows4216]

As he understands more how he doesn't have to limit himself, he's doing things which other guitarists don't, and many never will be able to. In Hail to the King's and The Stage's guitar simplicities, his solos are immensely complex, unique, and engaging.

[@chrismeadows4216]

​@@aryanmoody, Syn has said many times, and I'm certain that he'd tell us if asked now, that many of his solos of Avenged Sevenfold don't fit their songs. He's referred to his Afterlife solo as "random flash", and his Almost Easy intro solo as one which "shouldn't work". Brompton Cocktail's solo isn't very structured. Scream's solo is half pentatonic minor runs. I personally feel that his best solos are on City of Evil, Nightmare, The Stage, and non-album songs. They're very melodically dynamic, effective, technical, and memorable not just because they're a part of a certain song. I'd take his Strength of the World, M.I.A., Buried Alive, Save Me, Not Ready to Die, The Stage, Fermi Paradox, and Mad Hatter solos over most of his Self-Titled solos, even Gunslinger's and Critical Acclaim's, which I love.

[@Medelmessaoudi]

​​@@chrismeadows4216 kinda weird, i asked him what's his thought about the white album, he told me he's proud of the experimentation and execution, nothing bad with it

[@KishoreShenoy1994]

Bradley putting Chuck in D tier! What an absolute Spirit Crusheeerrrr! I will never forgive him as To Forgive is to Suffer

[@umitanonymous3400]

He doesnt have to be a solo guitarist, just listen and remember the solos he wrote: such classics with full of emotion

[@Bleepbloopblappp]

I hope he provided you a moment of clarity

[@TheRealRaditz9001]

We’ll just have to bite the pain

[@iedie1125]

I have zero tolerance for people who put chuck in D

[@moomarsguitars]

Dear Mr Hall, While I enjoyed your tier list of "The 25 Most Iconic METAL Lead Guitarists Ever", I must confess I was saddened to see your hasty judgement of Jeff Waters and ask you to reconsider. Annihilator's back catalogue may not be the most consistent in the genre, the guitarwork on the first 4 albums Alice In Hell, Never Neverland, Set The World On Fire and King Of The Kill are undeniably fantastic. Some of the best riffs and lead work in the whole genre! Always fun and cheeky, he seems to fly under the radar which is a crying shame! Thankyou for your time, Concerned citizen and friend, Laurence Armitage age 33 1/3

[@alexsuperpower1]

Some of these might be more technical or whatever but George Lynch solos are just perfection, always fit in a song. Vito Brava should have been here too, one of the most unique and one of my fav players.

[@atasezgin689]

Skolnick could be higher in the A tier I think. I suggest everyone to go listen to the Testament cover of powerslave

[@los_blancos4499]

His lead tone on that song is godly

[@ggh_-ts6pn]

Practice what you preach is still one of the greatest metal solo ever to me

[@atasezgin689]

@@los_blancos4499 he plays it really smooth too. Perfect execution

[@decayingautarch302]

My god, that solo is insane

[@los_blancos4499]

@@ggh_-ts6pn I agree, so underrated. But all of his stuff is awesome, his phrasing on the Souls Of Black solo is just incredible too

[@amyhill9127]

You know who has my vote~ DIME!! A TRUE ORIGINAL 🤘🤘🤘

[@aaronjohnson3478]

Facts

[@jenssenbalseiro991]

There's way better guitarist than him to me he's like tier D

[@Vivi_9]

@@jenssenbalseiro991 that D stands for Dimebag

[@redacted2275]

​@@jenssenbalseiro991Edgy

[@amyhill9127]

@@jenssenbalseiro991 I don't care. I like Dime.

[@BaselKhaddam]

imagine watching this video as a megadeath fan seeing kirk in s tier and dave not even mentioned

[@madProgenitorDeity]

Very much continuing to enjoy this format Also I think you should do some shadow-work and do one for bassists

[@realdealio1]

Jason Becker?

[@skriabinfly]

Not best known as the lead player in a band. Ineligible for the list based on the given criteria.

[@jensius7098]

Kiko in low A is criminal, the guy is the definition of perfection in basically every genre

[@chrismeadows4216]

I make a case that his playing isn't as memorable or iconic as others'. It's undoubtedly beautiful and technically surpassed by very few, but to be one of the best, standing out in the most significant way is to stand out in a way of being what someone will hear in their heart, soul, and mind even when no music plays.

[@RicardoDiazHimself]

@@chrismeadows4216 not memorable? How many others on this list are playing brazilian jazz fusion in metal? One of the most easily recognizable in a blind test of this entire list.

[@chrismeadows4216]

@@RicardoDiazHimself, you're coming to that conclusion under the assumption that most people who listen to Kiko would recognize jazz guitar, guitar which could be as derivative or as distant of its other influences as being a different style entirely, influenced by Brazilian music. They'd maybe recognize that it's Brazilian-influenced, not that it's Kiko Loureiro-played, except by process of elimination, because he's the only one who they know of of many. Many guitarists play certain styles of music which aren't common, at very high proficiencies, and objectively they're as unique as possible in context of popularity, but when it comes to note choices, which defy conventions often with jazz interpretations, if there isn't melodic recognition, memorability of its uniqueness which is thought of reflexively after being heard, all of that uniqueness, all of that skill, and all of those efforts aren't matched by songwriting which will endure, only connect as it plays. You're completely out of pocket implying that Kiko's playing is more recognizable than Randy Rhoads' classical approaches, Dimebag's harmonizations, pinch harmonics, and divebombs, Zakk Wylde's hybridized chugs, chickenpicking, and abused pinch harmonics, Glenn Tipton's tones, dissonance, muting, and ghost harmonics, Synyster Gates' combinations of all of the above, sweep picking, legato, Django Reinhardt GJ-influence, current electronic influences, and adaptability, and especially Marty Friedman's playing, a convergence of blues, jazz, folk, neoclassical, avant-garde, Mediterranean, Latin, and Japanese styles of music, which Kiko absolutely knows is sacred to the metal world, hailed immensely often as the absolute best of the best.

[@TheSteinbitt]

Temple of shadows. Enough said.

[@steele09]

@@TheSteinbitt Dream Circle. Du Monde. Now enough said.

[@underdogg0]

I'm glad you adjusted Alexi at the end. He deserves S.

[@kaiserstiglitz6735]

Jeff Waters is so fkn underrated.

[@nnicogimenez2382]

dime, petrucci, rhoads, skolnick and chuck they are my inspirations, and my favorites!

[@spudfella4937]

Petrucci is the GOAT.

[@nnicogimenez2382]

yeah! i forgot to mention it!

[@perfectman3077]

Where is Marty?!?

[@heksal16]

Bro Chuck didn't have to be so low. Still a good list though.

[@paulbaglio6295]

Blasphemer

[@master_jon]

OMG! Jeff Waters. Was just thinking the other day I haven't seen you cover him ever, I think his band and himself are incredible and deserve more exposure.

[@denmalski]

Glenn Tipton, AWESOME 👍🤘, and I liked that section of Ram it Down you played, Glenn and K. K. Soloing together harmonized🤘

[@GFJDean35]

Glad you stuck Adrian in A. I'll love keys to the Lamborghini shred till I die, but songwriting, phrasing, feel, and tone at his level can't be beat.

[@alexjohnston8889]

Dave Murry? some of the tastiest guitar solos in metal, both his powerslave solo's are awesome, his futureal solo is awesome probably one of his best in my book, he doesnt write a huge amount but when he does its always great, Deja Vu and Lightning Strikes twice are some of my favourite Dave tracks..

[@TheBfutgreg]

Based on the lack of Jeff Hanneman and K.K. Downing, I assume the unspoken rule was that there would be a single guitarist per band I'm just glad that Adrian got the spotlight he deserves, he's usually overshadowed by Dave Murray imo

[@tyronedonut8336]

Maiden solos are uninspired and random ass

[@maldororfiend]

@@tyronedonut8336 Edgelord detected.

[@tyronedonut8336]

@@maldororfiend butt licker detected

[@tyronedonut8336]

@@maldororfiend Cringelord detected

[@JuanKGM]

I missed Jason Becker, Yngwie Malmsteen and Dave Murray.

[@dostwood5103]

you gotta do a rhythm guitarist ranking next. I'm curious to see what that would look like.

[@Axe_WoundTV]

Alexi's work with Impaled Nazarene elevates him even above S

[@henrywalton5967]

I didn't even know about this

[@bathory5026]

Yeah wtf, was it a guest spot or was he an actual member?

[@Axe_WoundTV]

Listen to the album Nihil, there are two solos on this record that are like "bonus content" for Alexi / COB fans

[@stevenchayer9199]

Dude thanks for the info!!! Never heard of Impaled Nazarene. Alexi Laiho (RIP) and COB, the greatest metal guitarist and metal band from the last 25 years!!! Period.

[@Axe_WoundTV]

@@stevenchayer9199 you're welcome amigo. Czech out the demos on my channel for some groundbreaking guitar work ⛓️🦈⛓️

[@a.j.leclair5426]

You should definitely make more of these ranking videos! Theres just something so satisfying about you (an amazing guitar player/musician) ranking amazing guitar players/musicians... Love it brotha

[@BradleyHallGuitar]

Cheers AJ, stoked you enjoy this stuff!

[@a.j.leclair5426]

​@@BradleyHallGuitar Cheers Beans

[@mofomartianp]

George Lynch is S tier and that's not an opinion.

[@FrankRizzo225]

Facts.

[@instrumentalist28]

Him, tracii Guns, and Warren di Martini

[@CCSiculo]

Dude never listed to Mr Scary live off Beast from the East….

[@vickrise99]

Facts

[@metalfan1100]

George Lynch was legendary. Whether it was in Dokken, Lynch Mob and other projects hes put out legendary solos on so many songs. Plus the look was god tier for the time.

[@user-eb8mi3xi5f]

Yep yep. And his vibrato and pinch harmonics are one of the kinds!

[@Account29476]

almost everyone in the chat: where is dave mustang?!???!?!??!!!!!!!!!!!

[@playdiscgolf1546]

Dave has that 5.0 V8

[@i.d.9754]

DAMMIT MAN I KNEW IT WAS A MUSTANG

[@driller7714]

Dave would be on the rhythm list for sure but his leads aren’t the greatest. Although, Kerry King was on here. 🤔

[@JoelER78]

@@driller7714 Exactly!

[@blakeprocter5818]

Would have been cool to see Hank Shermann on here somewhere. His solos in Mercyful Fate were always insane, especially when he'd be duelling with Michael Denner. That was one powerful lead duo.

[@brocktranz]

Came here to say the same thing! Andy is definitely S tier as well.

[@johnreed7006]

Hey Bradley! I was wondering; what's your thoughts on Jerry Cantrell as a guitarist? Much love from Texas!

[@ilikevideos4868]

I love Adrian Smiths solos. So tasty, so classy, always a pleasure to hear

[@Sharvictus]

Surprising that Matt was on this, Corey is the primary lead and solo player

[@chrismeadows4216]

Matt's solos are the really emotional, memorable ones. There are cases for both of them, but they have as many solos as each other, and many people connect with Matt's much more. He'd played beautifully on Rain, A Gunshot to the Head of Trepidation, Departure, Detonation, Becoming the Dragon, Entrance of the Conflagration, And Sadness Will Sear, The Crusade, Kirisute Gomen, Torn Between Scylla and Charybdis, Insurrection, Like Callisto to a Star in Heaven, He Who Spawned the Furies, Shogun, Forsake Not the Dream, The Phalanx, A Crisis of Revelation, and The Shadow of the Abattoir. They're both unbelievable lead guitarists.

[@Feercholain]

@@chrismeadows4216 Yeah i agree, and Bradley didn't make him justice in this vid...

[@chrismeadows4216]

​@@Feercholain, he really hadn't, and it's happened a few times. Matt plays so cleanly at such high speeds in the Phrygian scale and the Hirajoshi scale, which many guitarists don't make much use of, among most common scales, that he should be a no-brainer as a top-tier guitarist. He doesn't play like anyone else, no matter how influenced by them he is. Synyster Gates and he should be in S-tier with Alexi Laiho.

[@Feercholain]

@@chrismeadows4216 He has a really great style, maybe Bradley was relying too much on the fact that Matt leaves the shreddy solos to Corey and he lays back a little bit nowdays, but still can sweep pick and play his old solos all the way through. Corey on the other hand has some amazing solos too, maybe an A tier if he was on the list

[@chrismeadows4216]

@@Feercholain, his string-skip sweeps are really exciting, and he has an awesome grasp of harmonics. Corey's more proficient with them, so I totally agree. I want Corey higher than Matt objectively based on playing, though really, I don't feel as much from his solos, I only remember a few as I don't listen to them, and he definitely doesn't have stage presence which Matt has. He shouldn't be higher than Matt, based on criteria. It makes sense for Matt to be on this list, of anyone of Trivium.

[@ligmalegioner]

was about to riot and set myself on fire in front of the lead metal guitar players embassy but then he switched alexi into S at the last moment, crisis averted

[@Tarnished2023]

Hey Bradley, when doing these videos in the future can we maybe get a longer clip of each guitarist playing? Maybe like 10 seconds or so of your favorite solo by them just to form our own opinion a bit more? Would be awesome.

[@BPXFlip]

Brandon Ellis in C tier at the end is insane to me because technicality, tastiness, and song writing are all super high, but I guess the recognition/influence isn't there yet so fair enough. Gary Holt should have been on here as well though, chat dropped the ball on not even suggesting him.

[@paleksi10]

Roope latvala also has a unique and cool style you should check him out. Alexi laiho was influenced by him

[@kimmorintamaki4422]

Top 25 Finnish quitarists 😅

[@sahelanthropus4422]

I swear you saved yourself by putting Alexi on S… he was a Finnish Randy reincarnation.

[@Elixium]

Skolnick definitely S class, his jazz stuff too 😮

[@cobrasys]

Pretty solid tier list. I'd have put Marty above Dimebag and Randy at the very top of S-tier, and I've have flipped Synister Gates and Adrian Smith's placements, but otherwise, bang on with my opinions.

[@Irish_Potato_egg]

"Judas Priest doesn't really do much on stage" we just gonna ignore the time Rob rode a freaking motorcycle on stage?

[@SplitMutton]

I totally agree about the Follow the Reaper solo. It's my absolute favorite.

[@roycereinhardt3763]

Got to see Alexi with CoB in 2013 mayhem fest in Atlanta. Was cool too see them once in the states

[@diego1ddp1pastor]

Brad, you should do a best lead guitarists from lesser known bands. Maybe then we can give my guys Syu and Luca Turilli some love.

[@MsCaratel]

Zakk should be S imho. Very underrated ball roller

[@ChickenJoe-tq6xd]

I think A or high b, but he doesn’t play on dimes level or anything

[@pakijetli]

If Marty Friedman fell in a deep fat fryer he'd be called Marty Friedman

[@thomasmorris2245]

Love your Guitar playing - 😎 - Good Job -I got to meet George Lynch and have an ESP 256

[@howtoshootstraighthtss4948]

Alexi was the man, and his stage presence was fantastic. Kissing the shadow solo imo is tasty for something going that fast and being fairly technical.

[@Mastela00]

Alexi well deserved S tier. Dude inspired so many people to pick up the guitar

[@user-np6dt2cs8c]

Dime and alexi are criminally underrated. my opinion😊😊

[@user-np6dt2cs8c]

Friedman IS sic too😊

[@user-np6dt2cs8c]

Also The sepultura and death guys are awesome

[@driller7714]

Many people consider Dime the best metal guitarist ever. I don’t see how that is underrated.

[@bobblake7109]

Beanley, I love the way you put your opinion right out there, even when you might piss a bunch of people off. Great insights in this ranking for sure. Adrian Smith can also sing. I think Alex Skolnick is technically incredible, as shown by how he handled Savatage easily, live. He might be under-rated in terms of technical ability because he serves the songwriting so well. You definitely included some of my favorite lead metal guitarists, but why no Nuno?? Jeff Waters and Michael Romeo definitely got some well-deserved love. Is Van Halen not metal? Eddie might be on this list...

[@Feercholain]

Matt Heafy has some really great solos, some are kinda melodic, some are shreddy and with some sweep picking here and there. He's not on the same level as many guitarist on the list but you didn't make him justice, guy's a low B at least, IMO

[@aidanschreck5390]

Agreed especially since he mainly plays rhythm, Ik this is a video based on lead guitarists but if we’re talking all around technical and rhythmic skill he is definitely one of the best modern guitarists out there

[@MatthewGClarke]

Thank you for giving Adrian Smith his dues! My favourite guitar player 🔥

[@bpabustan]

My criteria for great metal guitarist - how many thousands of notes per picosecond - how many stacks of amps all in full volume can be used in a gig - how long is the hair - how uncopiable are the licks - how many guitars in the collection There.

[@konnan]

I guess no Dave Mustaine because you had two other Megadeth guitarists? Was kind of expecting Tony Iommi, Eddie Van Halen & Nuno Bettencourt, but maybe not the right kind of metal?

[@bjwaters]

I'm surprised you didn't include Tony Iommi, and I'd consider Kai Hansen as a major influencer as well. (I'd probably through Timo Tolkki as well, but I know he's a pretty big Malmsteen clone, so he wouldn't be very highly rated.)

[@stephenhughes5156]

Im glad he didnt include Iommi as he would probably put him in D tier and piss a lot of people off 😂

[@colin_actually]

Alexi dueling the keyboardist is peak metal

[@castingstones]

I'd love to see a part 2. So many more players to rank

[@KieranLarkey]

Andy Laroque at bottom C .Wow! His solo on " Trapped in the corner" is hands down one of the best solos in metal and his vibrato and feel is top notch.

[@monkeyballs512]

I wish you’d included Trey Azagthoth in your ranking.

[@brocktranz]

Holy fucking shit GOOD CALL!

[@segapena5033]

Children of Bodom at Slims in SF in 2004 is the best live show I've been to. Alexi's playing and vocals were so good and true to the studio albums. Other than him not using a wah pedal live for his solos, not one song was disappointing where his tone was off or he messed or he changes the solo like Iron Maiden does with Hallowed by Thy Name where Janick plays a worse version. Alexi's playing sounded better and more aggressive live.

[@redinthesky1]

Can you do a list of badass slightly lesser known guitarists ? e.g Tommy Vetterli of Coroner, Tobi and Dean of Archspire, Paul Waggoner of Btbam, Malcom Pugh of Inferi, Josh Christian of Toxik

[@anomymouse5043]

Hail for Tommy from Coroner!! Hail for BTBAM!

[@eddiestyo1537]

He will never add this guitarists in list. This list include most FAMOUS and this is the only criterion IMO

[@user-ty2br9om3i]

love the still shot of glenn fricker when you said tone, hilarious