Top 10 "Classic Heavy Metal" Guitar Riffs

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Here are 10 of my favourite "Classic Heavy Metal" Guitar Riffs. This is not an official list, just mine.
I hope some viewers have discovered some new riffs or music from watching this video.
Kit Profile: kit.com/guitarist6494
Equipment:
2015 Charvel Dimas:
- Seymour Duncan TB-4 + 59
- Ernie Ball 10-46
2015 BC Rich Mockingbird STQ:
- Seymour Duncan TB-4 + Jazz
- Ernie Ball 10-46
2009 Ibanez RG350DX:
- DiMarzio Super Distortion + DiMarzio Air Norton
- Ernie Ball 10-46
2015 Fender Squire 70’s Jazz Bass
Filmed with a Canon 80D
(Sigma 18-35mm + Canon 50mm Lenses)
- Mixed in Logic Pro X
- Mastered in Ozone 6
…If you are feeling like helping me out, next time you purchase equipment online (eg. strings, pics, cables ect.) consider doing so through my Kit profile: www.kit/guitarist6494.com
You pay the same amount however I receive a portion of the sale.
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[@wchurchill419]

Many ppl truly do not have the proper appreciation for what it takes to be a good guitarist and also be responsible for being ur own tech, sound guy, ur own studio guy...to have to lay the drum tracks, bass, keys, backing track. Learning to play the guitar is just one task. You have to know your gear upside down and inside out, methods, experimenting, trouble shooting, recording, overdubbing, double tracking, mastering, mixing, editing etc.. and that's just the the sound portion... To get it to a polished composition into video as this gentleman has done takes lots of fkin work! I mean a lot! Full time job with far too little pay. Lay off about the fkin flanger already muppets! The flanger was fine, just needed a lil more dry signal and maybe a double track with straight preamp - no verb or anything. But it was still good work and a trivial complaint. Well done sir, I appreciate you and understand the enormous learning curve, mental capacity, dedication, motivation and infinite amount of work it takes to produce studio sound with video...with 2 hands. Fk all the wanksters/haters who wish they could play as crispy as you bro 🤘and put out a final product that matches yours. Fk em, let em watch from the short bus window.

[@guitarist6494]

Thanks my friend, means a lot. I'm glad there are people out there that see it like this, the bigger picture, but even so I don't expect everyone to see it this way. I have fun making these videos (and doing exactly everything you have mentioned). I wish I got comments like this everyday haha

[@pradipgohain9425]

Very good

[@meetroushan2727]

Fu

[@JawTooth]

You just took all the fun out of playing guitar. There are ppl like me who just enjoy having a few drinks and cranking the dmn thing up. I don't give a rats a$$ about all that crap you just mentioned and I have a great time playing for myself

[@sagrilandio]

well said! I support that! greetings fom Portugal. Guitarist6494 is just doing better then all those critic wankers, honestly most of them can't even solo a pentatonic, or change between 2 chords without fret buzz!! am I wrong? maybe or not!!! common you Mr critics show us up your videos! you don't isn't it? you have nothing better to show = end of story, so go learn play and you wish you could only do nearly the same.

[@journeystarr]

The change from Holy Wars to Master of Puppets was perfect

[@bipbipletucha]

Agreed!

[@bigc0ck]

journeystarr it actually wasn’t great

[@johtomaster9229]

Couldn't agree more.

[@ronniejdio9411]

It.was incredible

[@simone3653]

But megadeth and Metallica are thrash metal not heavy

[@williamdillon6534]

this dude's hand movements look so effortless, he looks so relaxed playing even when they are faster riffs.

[@YoteThyself]

hes using alternate picking

[@sanjitsengupta572]

Most people only like and tend to concentrate on the so called "lead guitar" solo melody of metal but the most important part or the foundation and groove of any metal number is its rythm guitar chords

[@AL-wj9qe]

Sanjit Sengupta Totally. It’s actually harder to find a REALLY good rhythm guitar player.

[@Teepee514]

Finally someone said this

[@brennantaylor301]

A L this is why if you ask me James Hetfield is *at least* as good as Kirk Hammett. People think that bc James doesn't shred that he's bad at guitar

[@Austin-zg6gt]

Brennan Taylor James is well known as one of if not the best rhythm guitarists out there. I’d say his skills are more appreciated by people who actually play guitar and know what goes into the guitar work.

[@metalviking974]

Rhythm's also way more fun in my opinion. I've always been more rhythm oriented.

[@user-cs8xt6by5n]

5:14 the master of puppets down -picking is insane!

[@Darek225Army]

that is one of the easier guitar riffs though so not really

[@israppleraglobalistgroup2270]

@@Darek225Army dave mustaine himself struggles to down pick

[@INSSSTINCT]

אח יקר

[@LawrenceGrindstaff]

Potato Man yeah. When I first started I didn’t even think of trying an upstroke so I basically just downpicked everything so it wasn’t as hard to learn how to play it I guess

[@LawrenceGrindstaff]

Potato Man yeah definitely

[@davidhurtado2725]

Funny how it’s always people with no content or really poorly produce videos who criticize the shit out of people’s genuine efforts. Rock on, my man!

[@mathijsdemeayer3496]

I see some critical comments. I've been playing guitar for 1 month now and i can only dream of becomming as good as this guy. Dont be so critical people.

[@guitarist6494]

Thanks my friend, keep in mind you can’t please everyone 🤷‍♂️

[@wolfgamin4241]

Look up TheDooo best guitar player ever

[@matthewlafontaine7386]

Don't only play riffs

[@The_One_0_0]

@@wolfgamin4241 he is pretty good but not the best ever buddy there are people that are insanely good he pretty up there though

[@331foxbody]

mathijs de meayer I learned most of these songs in one month when I got my guitar it’s been over like 6 months now and I can’t play smoke on the teen spirit yet

[@jpmisterioman]

We need part II.

[@guitarist6494]

If your comment gets a lot of likes then I suppose I'll have to 😏

[@jarbasomena]

I understood that rerefence, Casagrande

[@drfre4400]

Olha só! um Brasileiro!!

[@OTalDoBladed]

BLACK SABBATH

[@drbigk9318]

"ALL THE GAIN!! ALL THE GAIN!! METALZONE!! NO MIDS!! SLAYER!!! MORE GAIN!!! Collin would've been proud.

[@kameron_ulibarri3521]

@@Tim_Ankarbranth woosh

[@matthewlafontaine7386]

@@Tim_Ankarbranth dumass? It's Dumb ass Dumb ass

[@jamesmoore5588]

Yeah.... MORE cow bell 🤘🐮🤘

[@exorcizamus2419]

0:00 I thought Wild Side by Mötley Crüe was gonna play

[@namelessperson7035]

The Enclave I’m glad I’m not the only one😂😂

[@TridentEditing]

I thought Kickstart my Heart was going to play

[@kinniecas9004]

Trident Editing same

[@michaelperry3604]

Trident Editing me too

[@jongyuemei]

lol

[@scrumdiddily6162]

It’s strange seeing someone use alternate picking as a technique when all I do is down picking since I started out playing punk. It’s always so amazing how just watching someone’s playing you can see their personality and hear it too

[@noaroos6115]

Only downpicking as a punk? I would think that as a punk you would be well practiced with your alternate picking ;). I agree with your comment though, style can say quite a lot about personality. Take finger picking vs pick for example :D

[@fred1395durst]

When i first started i used ti also only use down picking, but then learned alternate picking, not saying you should, it got easier for me tho, but imma admit back then some riffs used to sound a lot heavier, now a days i struggle to keep a moderately fast tempo while down picking And i agree completely, its always amazing to see someone play the same songs but way differently than you, like you said the picking, how they hold the pick, their mannerisms, it truly is the personality of a person shining thru

[@Kama-xp1by]

You can never have a riff playlist without Motörhead on it

[@Goody9081993]

I have no words, the quality of this upload there is no comparison... You really have to appreciate every bit of effort G6494 does to perfect these videos from the mixing to ensuring that it is a sunny day to film so the lighting is perfect, well worth the wait...

[@guitarist6494]

Hahahahahaha you absolute dawg 😂

[@zacevans1683]

That Master of Puppets tone was awesome

[@butthole9580]

The respect I have for those who write each and every part for each instrument is so high man. It’s crazy how they can come up witn this so easily.

[@dymasu-4640]

0:14 10-crazy Night - loudness 0:47 9-pain killer - judas Priest 1:10 8-mr. crawley - ozzy ousborne 2:16 7-ace of spades - motorhead 2:56 6-the Number of the beast - best band 3:50 5-raining blood - slayer 4:26 4-Holly wars - megadeath 4:53 3-best music - metallica 5:47 2-holy diver - dio 6:15 1-iron man - black sabbath

[@twosilesias7502]

Iron Maiden isn't THAT good man....

[@keiththompson1320]

I love that you included Crazy Nights! Great riff.

[@MrDannyloco]

I never thought I would actually be into something like this, regularly I prefer more classical instruments but there is something about the electric guitar that just sounds really good

[@karinaharvey658]

0:47 "oh shiiiit I know this riff anywhere"

[@tobyg1019]

This channel deserves wayyyy more subscribers. Good job dude

[@alejandroenmanuelcabreraco9780]

Congrats bro!,nice editing!!

[@gabrieleformica9566]

Only this?

[@melindanelson7111]

Loudness! One of my fav bands! I think we now have Thunder In The West! Lol

[@iamsakibsadman]

outstanding dude! that was some tight riffing \m/

[@brivlogs3593]

Flawless. Such true talent. Awesome work. Keep doing what you're doing.

[@dualtahunter4043]

Damn your master of puppets kicked ass 🤘

[@WINFIELD120]

your BC Rich is a beautiful beast

[@Madman6505]

Hell yes dude. Classics every one of them. Nice work!

[@sherrigaskin5656]

Super clean. Well played, sir. Steve

[@kohaku9995]

I started playing on drums for like 3-4 months once a week and it’s actually a dream to be as good as him on top of it he plays the guitar so fkn good too it’s amazing good work!

[@andrewwiencken4588]

Effing Loudness !!!! Just listened to that record the other day 🤘🤘🤘

[@rugermossberg9221]

Saw Loudness open for Motley Crue in the 80's...they were awesome.

[@TheKoshmaras2]

SICK JOB!! Awesome tone and playing! also quality of audio is awesome, did a great job man!

[@peterthomas3589]

Ace of spades is a Raw -Primal- and Genius Rock`n Roll Riff! Great job 6494! You have picked the essensials imo.

[@tarekgamaleldin518]

I admire the effort you put in producing your videos so professionally , top sound quality ,layering and backing tracks , you are a very talented musician ..respect .

[@ronniethefixxxer531]

Actually the Mr.Crowley Organ/Sawtooth intro is better when it's played on bass however nice vid and man that flanger on The Number Of The Beast really fitted in...

[@aidendamien]

A Loudness one? Damn, that is awesome and brought me back.

[@melindanelson7111]

Omg Rock n Roll Crazy Nights! Awesome job!

[@Unikax0]

Dude this is badass as always

[@dragan4658]

EXCELLENT PLAYING! As for the trolls that are complaining and giving thumbs down, it must suck to be living life the way you do, not being able to appreciate and accept someone elses talent.

[@joshuabenoit3744]

Love these top 10 videos! You should do some lessons on here.

[@SchnellRiff]

Loving your Charvel, always wanted one like this! Keep it up!

[@FieryLittleRaven]

You make old people like me want to learn guitar and run away with a heavy metal band. ⚡🎸⚡

[@jakefoxx7978]

I liked how Holy Diver sounded best. That guitar you played it with is freaking awesome!!!

[@528Circle]

Quality! I love that you gave props to one the original metal masters - Dio!

[@markbigelow2608]

So good to hear these riffs.

[@jimmydroid7838]

This dude makes it look easy. I ain't.

[@michaelpatrick6840]

Great list! I still remember when Loudness took the USA by storm.

[@caturdaynite7217]

Good list of tunes. Once I heard Loudness, I knew it would be good.

[@The3leggedhusky]

Thanks for playing Mr. Crowley on a mockingbird. That riff just sounds so good coming from that guitar

[@guitarist6494]

Register at the link below to be part of the Fender Play program! prf.hn/click/camref:1100l4nE7 - Ya boi is back. Sorry for the lengthy wait, a lot has been happening. - Master of Puppets and Number of the Beast we’re probably the most difficult for me to get down and play in time with the drums (I never practiced fully down picking MOP until now and I always played NOTB with alternate picking, which isn’t correct…) - I regret not adding vibrato on the first held chord in Master of Puppets haha - Before you say “OMG Dude!! Where is Cowboys from Hell?” as always, this is not a definitive list, just my Top 10. Bands like Pantera will probably appear on Vol. 2 depending how this video goes… - I often get asked about which gear I used, so included a bit of a list at the end of the video. - I hope some viewers have discovered some new riffs or music from watching this video. Kit Profile: kit.com/guitarist6494 - Alex

[@ryanlogan35]

Guitarist6494 all solid picks it’s hard to chose just 10 when there are so many great riffs

[@blakerascon7745]

Guitarist6494 I have a few suggestions for you: Top 10 Wah Pedal Solos Top 10 Pitch Shifter Pedal Solos Top 10 Delay Pedal Solos Top 10 Talk Box Solos

[@maxxv53]

1st omg is clean fretboard XD

[@zacharyosmond8043]

Hey man I really enjoy your videos do you think you could do a video on the 10 Best Rush solos ? Just a suggestion Id like to see (there's way more than 10 but still, and could you put Marathon on the list ?)

[@mk-ultraisnowwireless.6478]

Guitarist6494.. What guitar is this? And what type of amplifier?

[@RaphaelRock1]

First one, best one!!!! Loudness forever!

[@lubomirtasev6310]

That was just awesome!!!

[@connorpitcher2846]

Absolutely killed it with each song!

[@seanmckenna1643]

I feel weird hearing ace of spades sound like that.

[@mikemels316]

4:25 Megadeth Holy Wars.... The Punishment Due

[@giorgosvita7741]

What is your point??

[@mikemels316]

@@giorgosvita7741 that's my favorite riff solo

[@giorgosvita7741]

Oh ok.

[@thewomanwithnohead]

Really nice top 10, very sweet selected songs !

[@CRGRRR]

Lovely playing. Great man. Enjoyed it.

[@nitroxylic]

needs more cowbell

[@dan19630]

😂

[@starwalk333]

Lmfao

[@OpTicbloodshot]

Yes sir

[@blaxican_jv8145]

Don't fear the reaper

[@hanrattyman3343]

Everything needs more cowbell

[@rafayali7283]

Feel like the trooper or crazy train should be on this. They might be a bit cliche, but they’re iconic and overused for a reason. But all in all, great video. Love the content!

[@theriffworks9747]

Nicely done!

[@hilaryhahn]

Very attrarctive video as usual . Thumb up man !!!!

[@FeyoDeath]

SO FUCKING VERY GOOD Ultra super like man!

[@eugenechek7288]

Cool played! Is your guitar made in Mexico?

[@markkappe1995]

Can't find a single argument with your list. Well done.

[@petewelsh9978]

Fun video and some great choices. The mockingbird is killer 🤘🏻

[@rindtslotus]

Wish i could play like that.. Sounded Great to me !! Excellent job! (think some comments are just jealousy)

[@diermax]

you abused tha flange in number of the beas buen great vid m8

[@jsneed7207]

Great job, good list!

[@kateskywalker]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@davidepannone6021]

One simply does not play painkiller with alt picking! Lol jokes aside, good vid. And a little note for downpicking faster and more comfortably (given we have kinda the same way to hold a pick and pick with an open hand): try to bring your fingers closer... almost forming a fist but without forming one. Just bring the other 3 fingers closer to the index. I find that helps me a bunch with down picking and forearm "burn" (i bet you have it too after a while).

[@guitarist6494]

Funny you should say that. I was thinking about playing painkiller all downpicking, but never saw anyone else doing it on youtube so i figured you can get away with alternate picking (unlike Master Of Puppets haha)

[@aarondr594]

If you watch closely in live videos, Glenn Tipton doesn't downpick either. He uses some economy picking approach. He does so to get to a downpick on every third note and place a pinch harmonic. It takes a short time getting used to this circular picking motion but it helped me a lot in playing the riff

[@davidepannone6021]

wasn't the "joke aside" part not clear enough?

[@user-kb5gv3zv2z]

LOUDNESSはS.D.Iもヘヴィでかっこいいっす！😆

[@chupiconverge6034]

Good job dude!

[@gabriellarouche1264]

you rock dude!!! i like your intro so cool!!!

[@Paul_LaSalle]

what is the Drum machine app you are using?

[@smallbeans702]

Native Instruments Kontakt with the Abbey Road 80s Drums library

[@HollowDesert]

Classic is a bit of a stretch for some of these songs. I'd say classic for metal is pre '85. For me the ten best classic metal riffs are -Black Sabbath -The wizard -Highway Star -victim of changes -dissendent aggressor -Stained Class intro riff -sanctuary -Angel of Death (angel witch not slayer) -Holy diver -Flight of Icarus

[@guitarist6494]

Which is why I didn’t opt for any Pantera

[@zoeyjoziee8885]

Ein Walroß “Highway Star” I’m not sure about that bud

[@metalrebel7506]

Startin it off beast already I love Crazy Nights riff

[@luissanabria5861]

Your an inspiration!! Very very awesome on the axes!!!!!

[@noahreighard954]

Damn man, what setup are you running for these tones? They're incredible!

[@guitarist6494]

Guitar Rig 5 my friend. But the magic is done with EQ and Compression (and a bit of reverb) in Logic then onto Ozone for the mastering.

[@noahreighard954]

Man, they're just buttery smooth. If you don't mind me asking, what kind of preset or settings were you running in Guitar Rig 5 for the 'Dammit' riff on your 'Top 10 Punk Rock Guitar Riffs' video? I'm a huge Blink fan, and that tone absolutely NAILED it.

[@guitarist6494]

Thanks man, I honestly can't remember, it would have been either one of the Marshall amps or possibly another hi-gain amp like the Van 51 or the Uber Sonic (can't remember the names) but I never keep the same pre-amp for all 10 riffs on a video. I like to change it up occasionally, depending on the riff also.

[@sasharykalov3257]

Классно играешь,продолжай в том же духе.Приноси людям радость

[@metalheadoff]

привет

[@thomasmalone6654]

Great vid , I have always found it hard to give my top tens of thousands .

[@lawndart188s]

Great job! Love the old school for once

[@higorbispo1033]

Vendo ele toca , parece que é fácil fazer isso ai

[@khanavor71khanage92]

You do this wrong, you do that wrong. Wankers. Show us how you do it so much better. TOP EFFORT MATE

[@theodoredeverell3894]

Made this look effortless

[@BaartMaan1]

thank you for writing everything u used in the infobox

[@thiagomoura4520]

And Paranoid?

[@SuyashChaklan]

Got goosebumps the way Iron Man started ♥️

[@gsdfan8455]

Calling the stuff I grew up listening to classic makes me feel old! Nice work though and keep rocking my friend.

[@ronniejdio9411]

This dude starts out w crazy nights from loudness..HELL YES

[@mrrinkable]

OG japanese metal

[@metehan1340]

What is the drum program is he using?

[@smallbeans702]

Native Instruments Kontakt with the Abbey Road 80s Drums library

[@mohitsoni2264]

CRAZY TRAIN?????

[@vladmelnik6612]

Coool, love your video's!))

[@guitarserenadior9399]

Amazing! Well done

[@camshaftshaft2711]

Great job but you missed PANTERA dude ! I personally think they deserve to be on the top 10 list over slayer anyway lol

[@Mrp00p3rs]

Pantera over judas priest. It isn't really classic metal More hard rock than anything.

[@gromkour5341]

4:36 literally the guitar I want to get

[@haythamghareeb1]

Enjoyed this a lot. Thank you.

[@bretdread2279]

I love guitar players with absolutely no feeling to their playing! Great job bro!

[@iamdaveandhaveaniceday2651]

The first part in mr Crowley isn't a guitar riff

[@shun2837]

いきなりLoudness来てびびった日本人として嬉しい

[@CLINTTOWEL]

Top vid mate I enjoyed it 👍

[@davidchettri2654]

This was freaking amazing