The Top 5 Guitar Albums That MADE ME

[@BenEller]

Thanks for watching! What were the top 5 guitar albums that made YOU as a player?!

[@bongjovi4928]

Paranoid Kill 'Em All Countdown to Exctinction Fly By Night High Voltage

[@Calymos]

Man, we share a few of 'em! For me- 1. Queen's Greatest Hits 1 Way before I started learning to play guitar, I would listen to this CD for hours on end. Singing every lyric, every riff, every solo, all of it. I had no idea that I would end up playing, but this is the record that got me into music as a listener, let alone learning to play. As a kid, I ended up listening to my mom's copy of the record SO much that I ended up breaking 3 different copies. To this day, I can't listen to Don't Stop Me Now without feeling a bit uncomfortable every time that it doesn't skip during the second chorus. 2. Led Zeppelin I This is the record that made me wanna play guitar, back in 7th grade. I had a history project to work on for class, doing the music of the 70's, and my dad handed me a stack of CD's; one of which was Led Zeppelin IV. Led Zeppelin hooked me and I dropped the rest of the CD's and asked my dad for all of the Zeppelin stuff he had, so I started off chronologically, and the second the solo started in Dazed and Confused, that was it- I listened to it on repeat, asked my dad if I could try to play his guitar, and I started learning everything I could- I only had an acoustic at the time, with action so high that it kinda blows my mind that I stuck with it, haha. 3. Metallica's Master of Puppets/...And Justice for All You've already said most of my thoughts on this, but I had these two records burnt on to one CD. This got me into more distortion and more lead playing- I started learning Master of Puppets, and then when I realized that I couldn't play either solo, I moved on to learn the solo for Nothing Else Matters. That snowballed into learning and listening to a ton of metal in general. It was 100% the impetus from starting to actually try lead guitar, and really, really helped with figuring out the Led Zeppelin stuff, ironically. 4. Steve Vai's Passion and Warfare Again, you said everything on this one- it changed my life and really honed everything in for me. I had a family friend that gave me a mix CD that had For the Love of God on it, and it blew my mind; unfortunately, that family friend never put the song list on there, haha. So after getting super into Kirk Hammett, I found out that he was taught by Joe Satriani, and that led me to find Steve Vai. I think the biggest benefit was reading through all of those "Little Black Dots" articles that Steve wrote- I started recording everything that I came up with by humming or whistling it, and then I would get back home after school and learn how to play it on my guitar. It was also responsible for me sitting down to start learning music theory, cuz before I heard it, I was absolutely one of those kids that turned their nose up at it, haha. 5. Necrophagist's Epitaph My best friend is a drummer- he learned a ton of stuff that we both listened to, and eventually he found Necrophagist. He shared it with me and I hated it at first, cuz I couldn't stand the cookie monster vocals, but it completely entranced me. There's been a lot of real life shit that has slowed everything down for me guitar-wise, but sitting down to learn Stabwound has permeated everything that I play at this point. There's a ton of stuff missing, like all of the jazz and all of the fusion and flamenco and the crazy fingerpickers (ie Tommy Emmanuel), but I think these top five are the real stand-outs. So as another Ben, I gotta say, you've got great taste! Thanks for posting such great content. :)

[@horstschinkel5244]

1.Van Halen I , 2. Extreme Pornografity , 3. Yngwie Malmsteen March out , 4. DLR Eat em and smile , 5. Mr.Big Mr.Big

[@steveeckert8396]

VH1, Blizzard of Oz, Pornograffti, Tesla Mechanical Resonance, SRV Texas Flood

[@martinwray7001]

@@horstschinkel5244 great list. Mr Big were awesome on that first album and PG is a monster.

[@TrumpetsInMy4x12]

When you are 14 years old and you are hit with MOP, Peace Sells and Reign in Blood. When they are first released. There are no words to describe the awe you felt putting on those headphones and cranking it.

[@rpaasse6453]

Yep.

[@JesseLeeKing]

Your mom hit you with a mop too damn yeah it hurt me she broke it over my head

[@megatodd707]

Very true! 👍

[@silverjaw138]

Same bro

[@illiniheel67]

Volume 4....Diary....Number of the Beast...LoveDrive...and the painfully overlooked Restless and Wild...Neon Nights? Princess and the Dawn? Bueller?

[@aqmdave]

1: And Justice For All - Metallica 2: Demanufacture - Fear Factory 3: Stabbing The Drama - Soilwork 4: Far Beyond Driven - Pantera 5: Couldn't Stand The Weather - Stevie Ray Vaughn.

[@spaceburger80]

I think you and I should be besties. AJFA, Demanu, FBD… CSTW came pretty late for me, past my formative years, but what a masterpiece.

[@Murf_Workshop]

hell yeah Stabbing the Drama has to be my favorite Soilwork album too, I got into that right around the time I discovered All That Remains, As I Lay Dying, Inflames, All Shall Perish, Children of Bodom

[@ChickenSoupMusic]

Great list

[@aqmdave]

@Michael Lochlann that is a great album. Figure Number Five was the album that introduced me to Soilwork, but Stabbing the Drama is what made me love them. Lol. Saw them on the Sworn to a Great Divide tour....awesome show!

[@Leandro-my3bj]

I think my 5 are: - ride the lightening - rust in peace - VH 1 and mean street - the wall - blizzard of ozz

[@javiergambinoloureiro7472]

For me, in no especial order: - Queensryche: Operation mindcrime - Dream theater: Metropolis Part II. Scenes from a memory - Whitesnake: 1987 - Joe Satriani: Time machine - Savatage: Streets: a rock opera.

[@mvenuti1980]

Let’s hear it for Savatage!

[@500erider]

Whitesnake was one of a kind !!!!!! John Sykes' work on that record is nothing short of legendary. That Crying In The Rain solo...........OMG.

[@ianking1889]

Queensryche is amazing

[@RobberStormfire]

hehe I can see we are similar men of culture here

[@bastianogr4960]

Whitesnake's 1987 is on my list, too! Although it's recognised, it's incredibly underrated. John Sykes has such a unique, powerful, and aggressive style. To this day, I can't get enough of this album ❤

[@danieldobbs5432]

My 5 are: Dio- holy diver Trivium-shogun Audioslave- self titled Alice In Chains- facelift Avenged sevenfold-city of evil

[@97stratocaster21]

For me, my 5 are: Bridge of Sighs - Robin Trower Van Halen 2 Vulgar Display of Power - Pantera Cocked and Loaded - LA Guns Thunder In The East - Loudness

[@ww8wv1]

I thought that I was one of the only ones that thought VH 2 was a great album. Glad to see I’m not alone.

[@Scottocaster6668]

Thunder in the East, definitely 👍👍. Cowboys from hell for me. (Like your name too BTW)

[@thehamma4230]

WOW...I'm not so alone with Loudness at #1. Seen them live in concerts many times the Asian Invasion!🤘

[@doodles6200]

5 years ago my brother got an acoustic guitar, and the only rock band I knew at the time was Aerosmith. I tried to learn some guitar stuff out of boredom and the holy youtube algorithm got me to listen to appetite for destruction for the first time, and holy shit. I kept playing the album non stop, and then Use your illusion, and the whole old school rock music. Got myself an electric, and I play everyday now.

[@bghammock]

Interesting! For me, in discovery order, I'd have to say: KISS - Alive II Ozzy - Blizzard of Ozz Def Leppard - High n Dry Metallica - ...And Justice for All White Stripes - De Stijl (very much later influence)

[@thefrogking481]

Blizzard of Oz is one of mine too.

[@bobravenscraft5376]

Randy is why I play and kiss in their heyday were Badass DESTROYER is the Kiss Flag I wave.

[@collection_of_misinformation]

Mine are Boston-boston Europe-prisoners in paradise Europe-out of this world Greta van fleet-anthem of the peaceful army Van halen-one

[@johnnyalphabet]

Kee Marcello's tone and playing on Out of this World is amazing!

[@yetanotherbassdude]

Man, I am such a Dad-rocker in comparison, but this is a really cool exercise for all of us to think about. For me it was Hendrix, Clapton and Zeppelin initially, with EVH and particularly 1984 coming a little later for me, but there are so many albums and so many other artists that had an impact that trying to pick just five albums is really tough!

[@PaulWarrenMusic]

My five would probably be Foreigner 4, Journey Escape, YJM's Rising Force, Images and Words, Destroy Erase Improve.

[@dzanci1]

5 records that influenced my guitar playing the most are: - Leviathan by Mastodon - Nocturnal by TBDM - Cowboys from Hell by Pantera - Laid to Rest by Lamb of God - Still Life by Opeth

[@dixonrooster5954]

Nocturnal is their best album for guitars. Brandon is the man

[@jonathanminnis4018]

@@dixonrooster5954who is tbdm?

[@dixonrooster5954]

@@jonathanminnis4018 The Black Dahlia Murder

[@JAGValiant]

Your taste, sir, is fucking exceptional. 🙌

[@mangoherpson]

These were all eye opening for me in terms of what could be done on a guitar at different points in my journey. Metallica - ride the lightning (riffs!) Megadeth - rust in peace (solos) Opeth - Blackwater park (unique song structures and compositions) Wintersun - wintersun (more crazy solos and neverending melodies) Dissection - Storm of the lights bane (cohesive rythms and melodies at high tempos)

[@thetribalist6923]

Nice list and I’ll have to check out the last two. Really liked your explanation for what you liked about them and how they influenced you.

[@V8Spitfire]

Hell ya, love Wintersun! I’ll have to check out opeth & dissection… tho

[@kingamplify8904]

Hell yes blackwater parks riffs are so intricate and layered, really influenced me. And storm of the lights bane has some of the most evil riffs of all time really influenced by that one too

[@mangoherpson]

@@thetribalist6923 thanks, let me know he the listen goes :)

[@mangoherpson]

@@V8Spitfire opeth is generally well received and Jari mentioned this dissection album as an influence for him as well. Lmk how u find it!

[@kaylin1001]

First 5 albums that came to mind: Trivium-Ascendancy In Flames-Whoracle Testament-The Gathering Sylosis-Conclusion of an Age Threat Signal-Under Reprisal Guitar-wise these were the most influential when I was a teenager/early 20s when I played actively.

[@InnerSilence123]

whoracle what a masterpiece!

[@outlaw454070907]

In no particular order the albums that made me the guitarist I am today: Metallica - ...And Justice For All Joe Satriani - Is There Love In Space? Dream Theater - Images and Words Animals as Leaders - Animals as Leaders Periphery - Periphery II Death - Sound of Perserverance

[@outlaw454070907]

In retrospect, I forgot Trivium's Shogun and Revocation's Deathless. Huge albums for me at different points in my journey.

[@AeonOfAwareness]

Top 5 Guitar Albums over here Uncle Ben: • Van Halen: 1984 or Van Halen II (Can’t decide) • SRV: Texas Flood • Pantera: Far Beyond Driven • John Mayer: Continuum • Boston: Boston

[@Boxboxbox11]

Something about Eddie's riffs that always puts a smile on my face.

[@r.b.587]

I grew up in late 70s - early 80s. What an awesome time! VH 1st, 2nd Yngwie 1st Racer X - Street Lethal Queensryche - The Warning Fates Warning - Awaken the Guardian Metallica - Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets ..... so many more.

[@GnRmike]

A couple of the same for me: 1. Appetite for Destruction 2. Black Album-Metalica 3. Blizzard of Oz-Ozzy 4. VH 1 5. Pornographitti

[@Claimjumper55]

6 Albums that greatly influenced me; I couldn't do just 5: Rush - 2112 Metallica - Ride the Lightning Van Halen 1 Joe Satriani - Surfing with the Alien Extreme - Pornograffitti Scorpions - Blackout BTW, the 1st song I ever learned was Fade to Black from 'Guitar for the Practicing Musician' magazine. Once the song started to sound pretty good I decided to check Metallica out and buy the album.

[@eddiejr540]

Uncle Ben, you are correct sir…I have never, ever heard anyone play that swinging shuffle on “I’m the One” exactly like Eddie did…there’s just something about it that makes it truly his, and his alone…rock on my man!!

[@feebypeels2883]

1. Metallica - Kill Em All 2. Misfits - Static Age 3. Dream Theater - Metropolis Pt 2: Scenes from a Memory 4. Converge - Jane Doe 5. Fleetwood Mac - Then Play On 1984 gets a very honorable mention, that whole album still kicks my ass and one day I'll actually learn some songs off of it.

[@bred_2]

VH1 i was thunderstruck by it at the age of 12. it changed my life then there have been many more, but that record changed EVERYTHING in my life

[@tonybroken6353]

Bought Passion & Warfare the day it came out, what an amazing album, Steve really didn't need to do anything after that to have a lasting legacy.

[@fraydiethemachine7541]

My style of playing is highly influenced by Dave Mustaine,James Hetfield,Kirk Hammett and Chris Poland. So, the albums that made me are Killing is my business, The System Has Failed, Peace Sells, And Justice For all and lastly Kill Em All

[@dumboldaccount-ignore]

James hetfield should have been your first reference

[@waynecanning4122]

You sir, must be made of Steel

[@isaiahmarquez9717]

So….you only play one style? Right on. 🤙🏼

[@fraydiethemachine7541]

@@dumboldaccount-ignore Dave Mustaine is my main influence tbh

[@TotalMeltdown2]

The System Has Failed is criminally underrated. I love every song on that album

[@kylef5474]

Dude your inspirations are pretty much the exact same as mine except I got P&W right when it came out & had Vai sign it 👍🏻 I had the full album tab of passion and I used to listen to it beginning yo end following along with the tab. I didn’t even try to play it. I just read along & I have to tell you that taught me so much about the guitar that I couldn’t explain. True statements

[@martinwray7001]

Yng has become a bit controversial, but 'Marching out', is such an important record for me. The sort of intensity that I'd never heard before and Jeff Scott Soto seriously up there with Dio and the best. I saw the light, that night.

[@wm-nu1yf]

The first 4 Malmsteen albums are incredible. Trilogy was my personal fave. He's basically been playing variations of the same thing, just faster and faster, ever since the 80s and it's hard to tell a lot of the songs apart now.

[@MehYam2112]

Great songs on Marching Out. I feel like later Milkshake albums didn't focus on that as much.

[@dannyspitzer1267]

You're playing and tone sounds awesome by the way, Uncle Ben... you're an inspiration

[@frankferriolo9212]

Iron Maiden Piece of Mind, Judas Priest Screaming for Vengeance, Scorpions Blackout, Metallica's Kill 'em All, AC/DC Back in Black. These albums highly influenced me and developed my playing style. But there is many others!

[@donniebrook9900]

Our guitar influences are exactly the same just a couple of album differences due to me being a little older. Surfing and Kill Em All for example. You can see the joy in your face as you recall playing these songs when you we’re learning them 😁

[@bigstar5931]

1. Heartwork - Carcass 2. Superunknown - Soundgarden 3. Joyland - Andy McKee 4. Blood Mountain - Mastodon 5. Seventh Son of a Seventh Son - Iron Maiden

[@joedent3323]

No BADMOTORFINGER?

[@cantstartafire]

Middle aged dude so here's what I got: Led Zeppelin, Physical Graffiti Black Sabbath, Master of Reality ACDC, Back in Black Scorpions, Blackout Yngwie, Rising Force

[@GregPirker]

So many to choose from. Going with these today (but that may change tomorrow): Van Halen - Fair Warning Def Leppard - High N Dry Prince - Purple Rain Aldo Nova - S/T debut Boston - S/T debut Marc Bonilla’s EE Ticket & Greg Howe’s S/T debut are worthy of mention as well. They changed the way I heard guitar after I had honed my ears. So many nuances between the phrases. It was the space that made them stand out not the dearth of notes. Truth be told, Mike Varney and Shrapnel Records changed the availability of instrumental guitar. Add Relativity Records to the mix and you have most of the instrumental geniuses from the 80s. It was a good time to be guitarded.

[@BenEller]

Dude. Bonilla is soooooo underrated!

[@GregPirker]

Speaking of underrated guitarists, I had a Harry K. Cody moment today. That dude is beyond beyond.

[@joshwmusic6838]

My list (no particular order)... Van Halen 1 ~ Van Halen Tooth And Nail ~ Dokken Appetite For Destruction ~ Guns N' Roses Back For The Attack ~ Dokken Shout At The Devil ~ Motley Crue Although... I must say, The Beatles were the reason I even picked up a guitar in the first place which lead to me learning every chord, riff and solo to pretty much every Beatles song which helped develop my chordal knowledge and rhythm. From then I found my further love for more guitar heavy music such as those listed above, and now my playing is firmly bedded in the style of the guitar players of the 80s. That's my guitar DNA Great video Uncle Ben as always! Thank you for sharing. Keep rockin' everybody! 🤟🎸

[@Chiro75]

Went to a middle/high school run by Brothers of the Holy Cross and one of them was a total metal freak with his office walls covered in cassette holders. He’d loan a couple tapes at a time to me and curated my earliest real music experiences. 1987-1988 he turned me onto Metallica, the Ramones, Megadeth, Anthrax, all sorts of Euro stuff I don’t even remember, Iron Maiden, etc. It was formative to say the least. I found GnR at that time, Pearl Jam… good times being a high school kid during an epic time in music!

[@SteveHatzman]

The album that changed my life musically was Powerslave by Iron Maiden. I remember my mom bought me that cassette sometime in 1985 because I loved the cover art. Never heard Maiden before but since then I’ve been a metal head.

[@tonypoore440]

Yes, great album. Live After Death was big for me. I bought Dark Side of the Moon on artwork alone and fell in love with David Gilmour's guitar work, still a fave to this day.

[@NeglectedField]

Mine would have to be: Van Halen - 5150 Extreme - III Sides To Every Story (yeah I know, not Pornograffitti, but it was the first CD my family owned and it's embedded into my psyche just that little bit more) David Lee Roth - Eat 'Em And Smile Manic Street Preachers - Generation Terrorists Enslaved - Isa

[@joedent3323]

Nice Manics inclusion! They always have some tasty guitar riffs. "Motorcycle Emptiness" is great. They do grand orchestral indie rock nicely. Cheers! "LiL'JpD."

[@JonBjork]

Great list, love III sides and Eat em....Manic Street Preachers were probably one of the few I enjoyed in the early to mid 90's on MTV Europe. You a brit?

[@NeglectedField]

@@JonBjork I am, yep!

[@Johnkiernanmusic]

Love this list, man. A lot of people think I'm crazy, but Steve Vai's "Real Illusions: Reflections" was the Vai record that changed me and had the effect that "Passion and Warfare" had on you. Both records are amazing, though, and I think I was just a product of Real Illusions coming out when I was making that same decision about guitar in my life. If I was a few years older, I feel like "Passion and Warfare" would have been my Real Illusions. Keep killing it, dude!

[@17wolf359]

Not a guitar player (a drummer), but I have always appreciated awesome guitarists. My top 5 guitar albums are: Van Halen, Van Halen....Blues Saraceno, Plaid.....Metallica, Ride The Lightning.....Yngwie Malmsteen, Magnum Opus....Judas Priest, Painkiller....honorable mention.....Symphony X, Paradise Lost...

[@mr.steinhaus6014]

Great idea! Mine are: 1. Incubus Make Yourself. First album that made me pick up a guitar as an 18 year old. 2. Avenged Sevenfold Waking the Fallen - yeah yeah, but the first album that made me want to play metal! 3. Mastodon Leviathan - Hybrid, low tunings, riffs for days. 4. DT Scenes from a Memory - never wanted to play solos until I dove into these 5. Periphery 1 - at the time it was the most creative guitar playing I’d heard and still inspires me today.

[@KlounAda]

Vulgar Display of Power pushed me to start playing guitar. Rust in Peace, Countdown to Extinction and Beat It solo - my favorite too.

[@darko2103]

Love your stuff Uncle Ben!! 1) Scorpions - Love At First Sting 2) Def Leppard - Pyromania 3) Iron Maiden - Powerslave 4) Megadeth - So Far So Good So What 5) Testament - The Ritual (Return To Serenity is my favorite solo all-time)

[@discodynamite]

Great Selection ! Totally agree with you and believe it or not - I have all 5 records. I would add Al Di Meola records and the first Greg Howe album !

[@aandc2005]

The band's that made me are accept"metal heart" love those riffs tracks and guitar tone( screaming for a love bite love that intro!), vh1, (evh rules and so dose the amps!) Glenn Tipton Judas priest screaming and British steel, Rush early alums 2112, Farwell to Kings, of course moving pictures, early metallica like master and kill em all..

[@mindstorms44]

You playing battery was super accurate. Nice 5.appitite for destruction 4.countdown to extinction 3.alice in he'll 2.fear of the dark 1.bodycount copkiller. They were the albums that did it for me. Great memories of discovering quality music for the first time.Bodycounts album was a very special album that just came out of nowhere.great stuff.

[@TobyKBTY]

Of all the riffs in VH1, for some reason Little Dreamers has been ingrained in my memory more than any other. Something about its swagger, its slow, easygoing pace, but smooth notes is just so damn sweet. Simple, sweet, perfect. But of course the entire album is perfection in general.

[@andrewpappas9311]

Definitely agree with that one, it's such a killer song and one of their most underrated imo

[@danieljamesoconnor6800]

Beautiful episode right there Ben. Thanks again for sharing those mind blowing experiences into music and yourself. Really appreciated. Sincerely ✌🏻

[@KaijuAlert]

I know what you mean about Passion and Warfare. For me, this was "the one" that changed how I listened to music. I heard it and immediately knew there was something far more complex than the other guitar virtuoso stuff I'd heard up until that point. The hooks didn't immediately grab me in the way that Satch did, but after taking more time to get to know the album, it really did change my life. My top 5 is probably: 1. Steve Vai - Passion and Warefare 2. Shawn Lane - Powers of Ten 3. CAB - CAB 4. Joe Satriani - The Extremist 5. Dream Theater - Images and Words (I just block out James LaBrie's voice!)

[@recordman555]

Ben, I greatly appreciate all your videos, and I hold in high regard your opinion. That said - if you ask me - the guitarists that have held the greatest sway over me would be Brian May, Glenn Tipton, K. K. Downing, and Joe Bonamassa. Why? Because I love the use of tone(s) in guitar orchestration: the bare-bones application of 'pure' crunch' in Metal composition: and the raw power of Rock/Blues.

[@brandonbignall8441]

Tony Iommi is way up there for me.....he is THE riffmaster .....Jimmy Page with Whole Lotta Love and especially Black Dog. Van Halen of course. Early Dokken. Mr Big too many to mention.

[@APK-pn4qh]

In order of importance to me: 1. Van Halen. 2. Blizzard of Ozz. 3. Van Halen II. 4. Diary of a Madman. 5. Perpetual Burn. 6. 5150. 7. First three Dio albums with Vivian Campbell. 8. Bark at the Moon. 9. Speed Metal Symphony. 10. Back for the Attack.

[@thefrogking481]

Vivian Campbell set the stage for guitarist for the next decade, he's as important as EVH or Dimebag in my opinion.

[@APK-pn4qh]

@@thefrogking481 absolutely. Those solos on Rainbow in the Dark and We Rock and so many others were technical masterpieces. But also his scrape pick use in main song riffs was brilliant. So much nuance to his playing and so melodic.

[@doug_nu_york4853]

I agree with every single thing you said !! And even though no one would be like Eddie , you’re playing is as spot on as it gets 🤘🤘🤘

[@ligamentpull1]

Awesome episode, I agree 100% with Van Halen. It pretty much layed out the Blueprint for the rest to follow.

[@APK-pn4qh]

Fark the haters Unca Ben, you can swing, bro! Every time I hear those old EVH riffs I'm blown away by how original and different they are to everything else. God bless ya Eddie RIP. 🙏

[@joedent3323]

That "orange & blue" swirl - utilising the opposite color on the colorwheel - is really well done. Orange & Blue is beautiful, and you've done a REALLY nice dip-job on it. Well Done :) "LiL'JpD."

[@Clarkjthomas]

My five are: Poison- open up and say ah! Van Halen - Van Halen Metallica - master of puppets Guns N’ Roses - appetite for destruction Megadeth - rust in peace Others because it’s impossible to have a top 5 Poison - look what the cat dragged in Metallica - kill ‘em all Motley Crue - shout at the devil Ratt - out of the cellar Skid row - skid row - slave to the grind And so many more

[@stargazerh112]

Sounds like a lot more than 5

[@stargazerh112]

Poison?! 🤣🤣🤣 at least go with the Kotzen album

[@Clarkjthomas]

@@stargazerh112 I’m sorry but poison ain’t poison with out CC Deville people give him a bad rap but he is great

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

Poison? Smfh

[@Malletman12]

Not to mention the "W" bands... Warrant, Winger, Whitesnake...

[@rockking1295]

Loved this vid! I especially liked talking about finding those magazines to give Vai's album context. No particular order for me would have to be: Appetite for Destruction-GnR Wish You Were Here-Pink Floyd Passion and Warfare-Steve Vai Electric Sunrise-Plini Liquid Tension Experiment 2-Liquid Tension Experiment

[@allboutthemojo]

I remember when I first got interested in guitar, long before I even dreamed of trying to play there were only a handful of guitarists that got me absolutely hooked on the sound of this amazing instrument. Great video because it reminded me of the feeling I got when I first heard these guys Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, SRV , Billy Gibbons, Slash , Kirk Hammett, Tony Iomi , EVH, Steve Clarke, David Gilmore, Kim Thayil and later Adam Jones. Some of them not going to blow anyone away with technical proficiency or shred ability but I never cared for that alone, stll don't. . It was always about can the piece move me or how well it worked with a song . Just my 2 cents.

[@camarotrash]

My dad is from Paris, Tennessee, and is a huge Van Halen fan. Van Halen 1 is easily one of my earliest memories and their music is probably the first to touch my ears. I was exposed to a lot of metal at an early age before getting into Jimi Hendrix and punk rock as a teenager, but I’ll admit I’m a sucker for swirl-painted guitars.

[@BearClawAcoustic]

I have been playing since the mid-90s. I grew up listening to Van Halen and always assumed that guitar was just for people born with a special gift. then when I started listening to Nirvana and discovered the power chord, I realized that there are so many levels of guitarists. now I finally have the confidence to try all music. learning guitar is a lifelong journey!

[@evalex71]

Awesome vid. Crystal Planet is one of my favorite albums of all time

[@patrickbarnes9343]

Fantastic video ! Finally someone else who thinks Crystal Planet is Satchs best album he was really experimenting with open note stuff that he incorporated into his melodies and solos as for VAI that album is magnificent even to this day it sounds absolutely HUGE the guitars thick and fat and sustain forever My most influential album goes to YNGWIE Rising Force because he forever changed electric guitar on that album His technique and vibrato were above and beyond everyone else at that time

[@AntonSherar]

Korn - Follow The Leader/Life is Peachy/Issues Disturbed - The Sickness Opeth - Blackwater Park/Watershed/Ghost Reveries Rage Against The Machine - RATM/Evil Empire guitar wise.. lots of other albums but these are the first ones that came to mind

[@oldmanriff7633]

Man. I can't limit this to five players, let alone five albums. No matter what, I'm gonna leave huge influences of mine off. EDIT: I'm gonna leave Eddie off. He's my biggest single influence, but he's everybody's biggest influence, so I wanna give some time to some of my other big heroes. 1: Dokken: Tooth and Nail. Ed was my 1st guitar hero, and George Lynch was my 2nd. I probably put more time into learning their riffs than any other band. 2: Y&T: Black Tiger. Anyone who's into early 80s hard rock & metal and hasn't heard this album is doing themselves a disservice. Dave Meniketti is an absolute monster. 3: Anthrax: Among the Living. Scott Ian's rhythm playing influenced me like James Hetfield's influenced everyone else. 4: Prong: Cleansing. Tommy Victor's masterpiece. This album is just riff after riff after riff. Snap Your Fingers, Snap your Neck. 5: Devin Townsend: Synchestra. I play in open C now because of Dev. His solo/DTP albums from Ocean Machine through Sky Blue are what the music in my head sounds like, and the one I got into first was Synchestra.

[@bradsmith6662]

100% YES on Satriani’s Crystal Planet. I always felt like the oddball amongst Satch fans for calling that my favorite one. Surfing with the Alien, Flying In A Blue Dream and The Extremist were all stellar but Crystal Planet landed in my lap at the right time in my life. From the first note to the last, that album is a journey from start to finish. It’s a “desert island” album for me for sure!

[@TheIdiotNamedJoe]

Great video, Ben! You weren’t lying though, no one can swing like Eddie. That riff from House of Pain that starts right after the solo has been kicking my ass for some time now lol. That groove is no joke

[@EarthAltar]

House of Pain and Girl Gone Bad are two bad ass VH tunes that are usually overlooked.

[@pell5494]

I had that moment with P&W.. I bought the tab book, learnt some parts then thought I’d rather just enjoy the album rather than be frustrated over parts I couldn’t learn right or whatever. Fair play dude. You’re one of my favourite guitar guys on here btw, keep doing what you do 👍

[@BenEller]

Cheers, man, appreciate you watching!

[@hatrickswayze8303]

Love the “sacred ground” reference when it comes to certain songs and actually learning to play them.

[@tonypoore440]

I have to agree as well. I'll try to play anything, but there are certain songs by certain guitarists that I don't want to ruin by spending hours upon hours butchering until I get it halfway right, without the right tone, etc. Ben is the real deal, definitely one of my favorite guitar guys.

[@Phattypimp83]

I know I’m late to the party but this might be the best guitar tone I’ve ever heard on KZbin. Just sick sick shit. Love all the album choices btw. Awesome

[@cheenu711]

Van Halen 1 ( or fair warning/1984), Dark side of the moon (or the wall), master of reality, rust in peace, Diary of a Madman. There are many great albums but I feel like these albums in particular were defining moments for me as a guitar player.

[@zackr19]

I really enjoyed you talking about Steve the way you did I had a very similar experience 💯

[@jarupert]

Journey - Escape, Ozzy - Blizzard, VH - Fair Warning, Night Ranger - Dawn Patrol, Def Leppard - High N Dry

[@tshouse2782]

Awesome

[@jomilkman]

Damn dude, this is fantastic retrospective that makes me think about what I'd include in my own Mt. Rushmore (+1) of formative guitar albums - it's a really fun way of taking inventory of oneself as a player and thinking about what your voice is on the instrument. Your tone and playing is ridiculously spot-on, too, which is a great testament to how much your chosen albums shaped you as a player!

[@andy_stinson]

I remember my dad showing me Metallica right when the single for Hardwired dropped and being 13 years old, it absolutely blew my mind. I actually started as a bassist because of Cliff Burton, but I always had interest in playing guitar as well. About 2 years later when Slayer were on their farewell tour, there was a show in my area but the show was falsely advertised as strictly 18+ (spoilers it wasn’t and I’m pissed I had to miss it haha). The day before, Gary Holt did a guitar clinic that I went to and after being at that clinic I begged my friends older brother to let me borrow the old beat up Kramer that was in his closet and it’s been an amazing journey since :) My 5 records would def have to be Van Halen 1 Mastodon - Crack the Skye Metallica - Master of Puppets Meshuggah - Destroy Erase Improve Dream Theater - Scenes from a Memory

[@herculesrockefeller8969]

Great albums all! Mine are: Joe Pass - Virtuoso Kenny Burrell - Midnight Blue Pat Martino - Consciousness Emily Remler - Firefly Leo Kottke - Greenhouse

[@joedent3323]

Very tasteful :) "LiL'JpD."

[@Javdoc]

Led Zeppelin II (I mean come on....), VH (was like what the hell is this?), Highway to Hell (the twin guitar groove), AEnima (really opened my eyes as to what can do beyond the basic blues rock), Leviathan (the twiddly bits mixed with the br00tal)

[@Jeff_H_the_Guitarist]

Total agree with all your album selections. Although I'm (as you called it) more familiar with Surfing with the Alien. But now I get to go dive deeper into Crystal Planet. Satriani is amazing!

[@PDXguitarfreak]

Love the VH tone you got. Gotta have VH1 as #1 ☺️

[@johnmorrison9883]

Ben! Great list, I loved and forgot about Extreme II Pornograffiti. I wore that oxide off the tape and had to re-buy it on CD. I will be sure to check out that Satch record. My favorite was Flying in a Blue Dream...but those riffs from Crystal Planet. I was more influenced by songs than albums. Police -Message in a Bottle Sevendust- Praise Peter Gabriel/Jeffery Gaines - In Your Eyes ACDC - Highway to He'll The Cult - She Sells Sanctuary. Great video- thanks!

[@MrEcted]

When I was around 13 years old and found Master of Puppets, it’s all I wanted to listen to for like 6 months straight, maybe longer, and I still have never gotten tired of that album. Every single song is an absolute banger and it’s what got me into playing bass. I can listen to that entire album in my head at this point, hah.

[@ericwg73]

Great video Ben! At first, I was thinking it would be impossible to list only 5 albums that inspired me and shaped my guitar playing. But once I really started thinking about it, there were 5 which easily stood out in my mind. Ok…it’s really 6 but i just couldn’t break apart two of them. Will explain below. They are: 1) Van Halen - 1984 2) Whitesnake / Whitesnake 3) Joe Satriani - Surfing with the Alien 4) Steve Vai - Flex-Able / Passion & Warfare: I got these two albums at the exact same time and listened to them both back to back. Like you, this delivered instant evolution. Game exploded and rebuilt from ground up. 5) Pantera - Cowboys from Hell Nuno / Extreme (Pornograffiti and other albums) were hugely impactful too, but they were introduced to me much later.

[@edgarfoerster9831]

Your stuff is awesome and you seem like such a cool guy Ben. Cheers.

[@tonypoore440]

I second that, Ben is the real deal, great respect for his playing and his teachings. Uncle Ben is Guru Ben.

[@K707OR30]

You’ve totally got me revisiting Crystal Planet. Also is my favorite Satch album and was even back as a teenager for exactly the same reasons you talk about. Figured I was insane because everyone else is all about SWTA but to my surprise you threw out Crystal Planet as the best one!

[@andrewsmall4865]

My dad was traveling with a coworker and looking for something to do one night in the 90s. His coworker was into music and found out about a show that night. My dad went with him. A bald guy with sunglasses melted his face and he brought home a CD. I think that's when I realized guitar was cool. So my top 5 - G3 Scenes From a Memory Van Halen I Blackwater Park The Way of All Flesh

[@pathaden]

Ride The Lightning- Metallica Them - King Diamond 1st Yngwie & Alcatrazz Don't Break The Oath - Mercyful Fate Rainbow - Rising You should check them Ben!!!

[@MrMetalhorse]

1. Van Halen 1978 2. Rising Force 3. Speed Metal Symphony 4. A Via Musicom 5. Extreme 1

[@MrMetalhorse]

Honestly, if I allowed myself to repeat artists the list would be all Van Halen. The first 6 albums are untouchable. Eddie is the undisputed king of guitar.

[@mattmacarthur520]

Was waiting for someone to mention ah Via Musicom ! That album was really my first introduction to next level guitar playing . Never forget when my dad played it for me as a 9 year old kid sitting in our basement . Changed my life forever

[@JonBjork]

Hell yeah!

[@chrisstephenson3695]

That was awesome! All of them made it in my top 10 . I'd throw in some far beyond driven and some rust in peace but yeah all of that blew my head back. Hell yeah!

[@dannyspitzer1267]

Agree with you on Van Halen 1, Uncle Ben (I didn't finish the video yet)

[@abscence1000]

So coming across this 1. Bark at the moon Jake E.Lee 2. No rest for the wicked Zakk 3. Trilogy Yngwie Malmsteen 4. Jason Becker Perpetual Burn 5. Stevie Ray Texas Flood But anything shrapnel was always in my collection .. heck I’d love to see you cover Cacophony and Jason Becker stuff

[@JamesSmith-uc8tk]

Hearing Van Halen, Hendrix, and Metallica got me to pick up the guitar. This would've been early 90s. Shortly thereafter, I heard Summer Song by Joe Satriani and Gary Hoey's version of Hocus Pocus which blew my mind. Of course, I can barely play anything by any of those artists, but that's what go me to bug my folks about getting me a guitar.

[@billyhughes9776]

Super fun video Ben -- thanks for sharing brother. Take care.

[@mrwolfsang]

Spot on on all of the choices, but I would choose Joe Satriani's Extremist for my personal experience. EVH, Nuno, Vai, Satch, and Metallica- Growing up with these records was a blessing.

[@robertschultz7612]

Your a gifted player Ben! I don’t know anyone who has so many classic tunes mastered …… the only one you struggle with is I’m the one …… you & everyone else 😊 I agree with your list …… I get it …… for me no parole for rock & roll …… seeing YJM live put the guitar in my hand ……… along with seeing George live -early with Dokken ……… But since have moved on to jazz & classical & country as well …… & of course comping for vocal music …… Your channel is amazing …… keep up the good work !

[@barry3045]

Great list. It’s different than my list, but that’s ok. See how easy that was people ? Cheers 🍻

[@ragnarlothbrok3067]

Thank you! Such great stories, always enjoy your comedic enthusiasm and talent.

[@jsk8et]

For me it’s probably Dookie, the Black Album, Strange Beautiful Music (my modern-er Satch favorite), some Hillsong stuff that really made triads important, and…maybe Follow The Leader? Weird combo perhaps and there are tons of others, but there’s something about the sounds of the records and the way they made the guitar matter that make them stand out.

[@dorianfrank5024]

Good morning Professor Uncle Ben! I'm 61 so my albums for guitar were Zeppelin IV Deep Purple Machine Head ,Van Halen !! Many more

[@dorianfrank5024]

Ok so to tally my 5 :Led Zeppelin IV ,Deep Purple Machine Head ,Alice Cooper Schools Out, Van Halen 1,Black Sabbath Paranoid.Theres so much more

[@vethwynwetfeather]

HEY UNC! I appreciate all these videos and the quality of them. Your choices are always tasty. I love how you show off your gear in your shots. The thing that saddens me is that you don't have a place to show off that amazing grunge pedal in your classic UNC camera angle. Please UNC. Won't you think of the grunge pedal and the sadness it must feel? 🤘 #UncleBenRulez #SkankBanger

[@devinwilson7841]

I echo your sentiments on Passion and Warfare 100 percent. Definitely a game changer. Love how you pointed out how the 7th string on that record is used so sparingly, that's one of my favorite aspects of it for sure I've tried to learn some of the songs from this record, and it goes without saying that they're pretty tough haha, but getting down the gauntlet challenge of different techniques thrown at you is so rewarding (but I don't think I'll learn for the love of god either, no one will ever be able to play it like he does, no point in trying) One of my all time favorites, kitschy as it can sound at times So here's my top 5 guitar albums: 1. Steve Vai - Passion and Warfare 2. Van Halen I (just an undeniable guitar masterpiece, no list is complete without it) 3. Trilogy - Yngwie Malmsteen 4. The George Benson Cookbook - George Benson 5. Axis: Bold as Love - Hendrix Honorable mentions: Perpetual Burn - Jason Becker Couldn't Stand the Weather - SRV Virtuoso - Joe Pass ...and so many more lol Cheers Ben! 🔥