TOP 5 Modern Shred Guitarists

[@GabAssbreaker]

Max Ostro is the single reason i got back into shred, that boy's playing is so crazy fast yet tastefull. Its like a mix between Govan and Malmsteen.

[@facemelters]

Yeah we feel the same, the playfullness in his playing is incredible. The Ron Thal thimble on the second solo as well 👌

[@leoayoroa7217]

Does he have a band put together yet? Maybe a record deal in the making?

[@opart]

the best part is that his playing seems effortless and almost humorous at the same time. It's not about complexity and mastery, but more about the musical idea.

[@MyAMJourney]

Yeah he was the best on the list imo

[@anaamee]

BUT... he needs to have a band, come on... I want to hear lots of tunes by him and some great other members

[@kimL93]

Max ostro never not making me smirk he is on another level

[@carl_anderson9315]

All those guys are absolutely amazing, but I’m interested on album releases apart from technical display on a video.

[@MetalheadNation]

One of the best lists of this kind I’ve ever seen! It’s not just guitarists who can play fast, but ones who can also play interesting lines and improvise. Max, Matteo, and Stephen are some of my favorite guitarists of all time, and I’m so glad that they made this list.

[@facemelters]

Thanks a bunch. Max and Matteo were a shock to the senses for me.

[@rodrigocastrotoledo6666]

MAX OSTRO my favorite !!!

[@supertal6074]

Matteo is the greatest - I love all these players but Matteo is on a different level. Al DiMeola said it would take 2 or 3 life times to get to his level - he's light years ahead of everyone. I just don't know how these guys get that good - it's amazing!

[@michaelnotes8707]

​@spillymcgee.2350Yes. Absolutely. Pick users do not realize how limited they are.

[@Rational_Mind]

100% agree. He’s on Alan Holdsworth level

[@singsang9460]

Does Mancuso play with other musicians? Is there a video where he does not play solo?

[@kalposavec674]

@@Rational_Mind nope

[@jeffgomez88]

​@@singsang9460 No, there's no videos of Matteo playing with others. Musically, he's on another level and nobody is able to keep up with him.

[@marioalbano3857]

Matteo Mancuso above all ! Not only superfine technique but technique that serves musicality and wonderful taste.

[@Communism.is.a.cancer]

Boring.

[@Harmonic14]

​@@Communism.is.a.canceryes you are

[@rodapa1]

Matteo Mancuso is more than technique, he possesses taste and musicality...

[@mythalelsdimension]

Good to know

[@rodapa1]

@@mythalelsdimension Why the sarcasm? I have the freedom to give my opinion based on my musical experience.

[@JoeR203]

I agree. All the others sound the same.

[@MCHiphopotamus]

@@rodapa1 Well, taste is a subjective thing... Even though I'm with you on this one, you could have phrased it better to make it sound less like a peremptory statement.

[@rodapa1]

@@MCHiphopotamus Puede ser, en mis próximas opiniones voy a tratar de formular frases que no suenen tan perentorias...

[@TeutobergForestryService]

Great video. Glad to see max and Matteo in the list. Those dudes are mind blowing

[@Imfreehowaboutu]

All these guys are incredible and my pick, Per Nilsson is not as fast or as flashy as any of them but I love his playing. Inspired by the likes of Allan Holdsworth, Vai, Malmsteen and many other greats his tone, phrasing, note choice, improvisation and use of melody combined with technically has raised the bar for lead playing in modern metal. His rhythm playing is also unique and inspiring.

[@facemelters]

Big Scar Symmetry fan 🤘

[@mdpmz6486]

per is the king

[@synhet84]

My favourite are Brandon Ellis who embodies 80's shred mastery and Rick Graham :)

[@BartholomewBarnacleFerguson]

W

[@LisaWadler-bb2nq]

I keep hoping to see Rick Graham in one of these videos.

[@viktormedina4631]

This channel has to be the best on KZbin hands down. Love this content.

[@SnarleySteve]

Matteo's improvisational abilities are incredible and it's so clean.

[@Hue_Nery]

Great picks. Max and Matteo are the only two that were in my radar but I'll have to listen to more of this Nieri guy. Great last name.

[@tonyrapa-tonyrapa]

There's no secret to any of these: talent and hours and hours of dedicated practice. As the dude said half-way through the video: holy shit! The last40 years or so, we have been blessed with guitarists taking technique and speed to the next level. I don't know if there will ever be a point where physically no more can be achieved, but at the moment, each new generation out-does the last. It's simply unbelievable at times. I just wish I had a tenth of what these guys have.

[@toivonencresto]

Guitar doesn’t need more speed or Technique, guitar need a new Revolution as it was Hendrix first, then EVH.

[@FlashRayLaser]

I'd say it won't top out until someone can alternate pick one-note-per-string arpeggios just as fast as they can tremolo pick one note, flawlessly fingerpick, master slap technique, master vibrato, master harmonics, get their ring-pinky trills as fast as their index-middle ones, and develop their tapping hand's fretting ability just as well as their fretting hand. All these things are really difficult but not impossible. It's a huge ask for one person to have that all. It's possible, though.

[@johnlemon874]

@@toivonencresto Guitar needs more raw sloppyness again if anything.

[@CGreen-zj1vl]

First runner up, -Definitely got that Lynch spider bite! -very cool!!

[@francescodomenichetti3787]

Jakub Zytecki! In less than 10 years he composed so many good songs in different styles that it's unbeliveable how good he's.

[@NessNT]

Absolutely this.

[@DanielVerberne]

Jakub's young playing on 7 string Petrucci model guitars - classic video, just unbelievable playing, touch, control, soul, intonation.

[@dexfanai1906]

Who would you listen to more? A player who plays fast OR who create and plays beautiful music..

[@hybrydsanity5857]

all amazing I like Mateo Mancuso for my ear , he just seems to be the most musical.

[@vincent7160]

Mancuso is always in the pocket no matter what style he plays! He's a real musician! Just amazing!!

[@visionalert]

Great stuff! Some of my favorites include Plini, Kiko Loureiro, Rick Graham, and Tim Miller. I saw someone else mentioned in the comments Josh Meader, another beast!

[@facemelters]

Love Kiko, especially Angra Kiko. Thanks for watching!

[@MoonWalkerTexsRanger]

Josh Meader is a monster, he totally could have joined the list!

[@TSTBand]

Wonderful the techniques and talent of each one of them, but i got to say it, Max Ostro is just in another level, that guy plays so smooth, efortless, with a lot of feeling, and a swiss army of techniques. That guy created a whole level on his own and he is unique in there so far.

[@andreasbecker1051]

Not to forget the look on his face...priceless 😂

[@dramamask]

Totally awesome!!! I am totally blown away by modern guitar players!!! You just cannot skip any part of this video!!! Just when you think guitar playing can't get any better, you see this!!! Huge respect!!!

[@facemelters]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching :)

[@dramamask]

@@facemelters Enjoyed it is an understatement! My mind is totally blown!!! Fandabbytastic!!! :)

[@facemelters]

Love it 😊

[@mr5jr]

Where’s Jason Richardson? 💀

[@crtified1001]

Shoutout to the 1990's and 2000's guitar instruction magazines, whose teachings and influence I can hear shining through in many of the common advanced techniques on show here.

[@jojojojojojojojojojojojob]

technical skills and showmanship really is on the different ends of the scale.. very rarely do people have both such as van halen..

[@scottwareham6987]

This is a superb top 5 for a new generation. Damn, they are all insanely good...

[@deformy]

Everyone has his personal taste, these are 5 monsters, but from the technical and melodic point of view, it's clear that Matteo Mancuso is the most complete, he's absolutely the number one.

[@mazterford]

Im blown away by all these incredible players!!!

[@alvich]

Solid list but Daniele Gotardo should have a spot here

[@jplove9810]

incredible talent. my only issue is where are their albums?

[@opart]

its the 20s, the idea of the album as an achievement is long outdated for this kind of music.

[@holland736]

​@@opartnope is because the general public,unlike some guitarists don't regard music as sport and want to hear songs

[@opart]

​@@holland736 The question was about "albums", not songs, right? Kids nowadays just pick up a snippet from TicToc and run with it. Also, we are talking about shredders - I don't think they are interested in "general public", its kinda a niche thing, and I'm pretty sure they understand that. Otherwise sure, for a regular person the speed and complexity is probably not all that interesting, and yeah, nothing beats great songwriting.

[@hulkhuggett]

I'm glad to see some younger people taking interest in music. I know he's not metal, but I HIGHLY recommend checking out Johnny Highland. (And he's legally blind). He's a giant breath of fresh air for guitar playing.

[@alzinn8231]

Nzinn73 Have You heard Rory Hoffman? Another blind guy, reverse strung, lap style like Jeff Healy, multi instruments. I love Johnny's playing as well. Cheers.

[@hulkhuggett]

@@alzinn8231 definitely going to check Rory out. You're the 2nd person to recommend him.

[@alzinn8231]

@@hulkhuggett Don't think you will be disappointed. So many great players, but he is amazing. Jimmy Rosenberg is another. That Mateo guy in this video is really impressive to me, playing with rest strokes on an electric at pick speeds.

[@lastdaysguitar]

Johnny puts on a great show too - nice guy!

[@ianmcevoy9936]

Cool,some awesome playing,thanks.

[@bdeprima]

I liked andre nieri a lot. Matteo of course is beyond but nieri is right there.

[@jpsautarel]

There is also this guy: Joshua Meader

[@facemelters]

Ah yes I've seen him before, the way he holds his pick is new on me, effortless like the rest of them! They've got some good ones JTC. Thanks for watching!

[@jpsautarel]

What I find surprising with this generation, is that they seem to frequently remove the frontier between jazz playing and hard rock shredding, which was more rare in the 80s/90s

[@biscobisco1882]

Fantastic jazz vocabulary and improv, but I don't see much out of Josh Meader that is quick enough to qualify as 'shred', at least not speeds that set him apart from the pack.

[@musicnutzunite]

Andy James?! 🤔🤨 Speed. Accuracy. Melody. Brilliant songwriter. Arguably has some of best modern shred metal instrumental releases. He's next level for sure. David Valdes is spectacular too. Listen to "Paradise Lost" and "Imhotep" albums. Outstanding modern neoclassical shred with groove and melody for days.

[@MsSuperBMX]

Andy james is mid compared to these guys

[@ATX0705]

@@MsSuperBMX Such a mid comment from you.

[@MsSuperBMX]

@@ATX0705 dont get me wrong. andy james is great. but he himself would NEVER compare himself to any of these guys. its like comparing a nice m5 (andy) to a lineup of f1 cars. If you watch some of his interviews you'll see that he thinks humbly of himself. He's fantastic, but by no means the best.

[@brianbergmusic5288]

Might be the heavy metal (even though he has played a few other styles). Br00t@l / Shred / Headbangin' styles are simply not as popular, even if the guitarist is mechanically gifted like Andy (I enjoy metal). This list seems to favor the players with a 'fusion' background, but understandably so imo. If you want to favor the metal flavors, you've got quite a handful of players that competently compete for the top five: John Petrucci, Per Nilsson, Paul Wardingham, Buckethead, Jeff Loomis, Jason Richardson, to name a few. I can also see some making the argument that the list presented in this video showcases guitarists that are either innovating or perfecting lesser-known techniques (such as fingerstyle or hybrid picking).

[@musicnutzunite]

Alright. Fight me. ALEXIOS ANEST is THE best "modern era" neoclassical guitarist and it isn't close. Just check out his instrumental "neoclassical symphonic metal" releases. He's truly a gifted musician and his original arrangements are right there with Vinnie Moore and Tony MacAlpine to my ears. He's touring the world with Hans Zimmer so obviously someone noticed. His compositions are just incredible. He can obviously shred but has an incredible knack for melody and restraint as well. I feel blessed to this day how the YT algorithm led me to Alexios Anest a few years ago.

[@dominusblandus]

My Pick still is Nick Johnston... a shredder... more a composer than a simple songwriter ... so good his best album starts with piano... and his insane shredding passages only occur when the mood of the song needs it to develop. And a really nice and polite guy as well. He's truly "remarkably human".

[@sandrosadhukhan]

He is listenable and a good composer, that's way better than being a shredder.

[@jimlansa7098]

@@sandrosadhukhan totally agree about nick, martin miller is also one of my favorite,he has an insane phrasing

[@braydenjones603]

Yeah, Nick is amazing. There's a video of him playing at I think the Schecter booth at NAMM a few years ago and it's maybe my favorite guitar playing on video.

[@Playmanmusic]

Max is something else. IMO.

[@eyeguyeyeguy1]

Nice list. I still think Igor Paspalj, Brandon Ellis, and Andy James shred amazing as well, more metal style though.

[@facemelters]

Getting Andy Timmons vibes from Igor Paspalj, all the good ones are with JTC! Thanks for watching!

[@overerasmus]

Igor 🤟🏻🤟🏻🤟🏻

[@ElGuapoDeSantoPoco]

Igor is amazing 🤘🤘🤘

[@antticollan3620]

Matteo all the way. Once in a century type of virtuoso. In addition to unbeatable clarity, he does have technique-linked improvisational abilities which basically no other has guitarist has ever achieved.

[@Communism.is.a.cancer]

Don't like the sound his fingers produce on the guitar. I prefere when they play with a plectrum.

[@ridofarastiawan9136]

I love Max Ostro Ideas, so Genius, the one and only to compare to Guthrie Govan

[@gratitudedude4280]

Hell yeah loved hearing tornado of souls in here.

[@davidluchenski2090]

I came here to scope who was on the list and you nailed it, all the homies are here 🔥

[@MrJcermacdoll]

Max is the most musical , most variation and crazy clean speed... just magic!!!

[@mumenrider862]

Max for the win.

[@singsang9460]

Shawn Lane is unmatched .

[@pibass63]

Le rêve de tous les guitaristes, le top niveau tout confondu, le véritable maître, celui qui entrera véritablement dans la légende de cet instrument et y laissera sa marque durablement : Matteo Mancuso !! On n'est pas dans l'imitation, ni dans la rapidité d'exécution de performances déjà bien connues, dans l'imitation d'autres artiste.. Avec Matteo, on redécouvre l'instrument et l'harmonie, c'est dieu qui se réinvente et nous laisse entrevoir le 22e siècle.

[@Numocron]

Wow this is such a great video I love it. SHRED ON!!!!!😃👍❤️🔥⚡️🎶🎸

[@kavefm7372]

BAXTY is insane aswell . he must be on top lists for sure

[@oblikua]

Great list, just missing Tosin Abasi for his exotic techniques, which in my opinion was worth a sixth place somewhere in this list.

[@johnnybates6389]

Guitar mastery at its finest soulful amazing and vitruoustic

[@elguero933]

Great finds!!!

[@thefourthwritedjentleman3643]

Holy shite - the first guy was so fluid 😮

[@facemelters]

Yeah we were shocked when we first saw Nieri, super fluid and controlled. Thanks for watching!

[@shemueltannak4799]

MATTEO'S UNIQUE!!! UNBELIEVABLE!!! INCOMPARABLE!!! INCREDIBLE!!!👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@Cestariarts]

Max is INSANE for his age, omg. The new Guthrie

[@chilepeulla]

It’s not even “for his age” he is simply insane

[@Schcarraffone]

And simply boring

[@Cestariarts]

@@Schcarraffone that's your opinion

[@robphillips8351]

Great list 👍👍

[@ericnaylorguitar]

some cool clips thanks for posting 👍

[@facemelters]

Thanks for watching 👍

[@DanielVerberne]

05:20 - I've loved this particular 'lick' by Stephen Taranto ever since he posted it on his Instagram. It's such a complex, weaving thing and I particularly love the 'double-back' in a latter part of the lick. Feels so inadequate to refer to any of this as a 'lick' since it's an epic series of arpeggios and unusual harmonies and all played with technique that I can only dream of.

[@dtfreak]

I like this list. We can also add Nick Johnston and Jack Gardiner to this.

[@Feverdream7777]

Yup, you hit all my favorites for sure.

[@toxsin2207]

My top 5 would look like this 1. Andy James 2. Angel Vivaldi 3. Guthrie Govan 4. Tim Henson 5. Oli Herbert (R.I.P)

[@andersoncraft]

Andre Nieri!!! Jazz Fusion

[@VGMrawk]

Stephen Taranto is just scary. That's not suppose to be possible. Also, maybe he's not "modern" but Ron Thal never stops amazing with his stuff.

[@marcelomelo3468]

André Nieri. Simple the best.

[@aeterna5000]

André nieri, lari Basílio, Kiko loureiro The best of the best.

[@dave_rockmetalguitarist]

I like Matteo not only because he's Italian like me 😅 but because he plays with his fingers, which in my opinion gives a warmer sound and greater expressive possibilities.

[@user-fc9iq6le2g]

Do you have anything on hector hellion? I think thats his name

[@beebala3]

Good list. Rick Graham

[@DanielVerberne]

08:03 - love this lick among so many by Matteo! For my money, he's one of the most versatile guitarists, but all on this list are incredible.

[@JakobStrand]

Nieris take on the Another Day solo was top tier. Holy crap.

[@oceanman6973]

Jason Richardson is a must for this list imo, he has the fastest hands on earth!!!

[@facemelters]

Indeed, that video of him playing Serrano by Jason Becker is 👌

[@lubranifranceso850]

Max Ostro and Mancuso they are incomparable

[@PanterAmetal100]

How low is their guitar action?

[@PhilChavanne]

Nieri impressed me by his feel and technique, loved the way he rearranged Slash’s solo. I love Mancuso’s clean and nuanced fusion jazz vibe. Ostro makes me think of Skryllex: impressive but too much of an “electronic being” for me. Taranto is technically impressive but “tumeni notes” - going where? Quayle’s last piece was his best to my ears. All a matter of personal taste.

[@biscobisco1882]

I love the fact that the only guy you criticise (Stephen) is the only one who isn't playing over a band or backing tracks in this video. Why don't you go and listen to his actual tunes rather than judge him off a poorly curated grab of his Instagram clips?

[@mentoneman]

Andre was my fave but great list!

[@thewestfaceofdhaulagiri6697]

Because I'm not sure anyone would mention him, but Marshall Harrison deserves a mention,

[@darrendavies3502]

Could I also suggest Rabea Massad? He's definitely worth a look, that guy can pretty much turn his hands to anything.

[@Wanshankupardiengdoh]

Plini too❤❤

[@douglaslopes6256]

Nieri insane!

[@shaokanzk321]

Só conhecia o André niere e o Max ostro. Boa lista.

[@johnp.johnson1541]

*Kikyo Owikawa of Mardelas* kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZWxYWpug9OtoLM *Isao Nakayama of Cerveteri* kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnOlhYucq55kmK8 *Shiren and Jinya of Unlucky Morpheus* kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIbMg5-LfLKHrbs *Naumi of Lonesome Blue* kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2iwqmmfiLV1opY *Haruka "Hal-Ca" Noma of Asterism* kzbin.info/www/bejne/gIu7f4aQdr6cf5o *Hazuki and Saki of Nemophila* kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHrKY6SgeKl-gqs *Miyako Watanabe and Midori Tatematsu of Lovebites* kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHexo55nbst-nck *Alexios Anest* kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5WTnqCBqJt6g7M *Syu of Galneryus* kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6KZfqefdrOGaZo

[@brettbunke9096]

He made me want to practice an quit all in the same moment outstanding

[@SenpaiUwwU]

In my personal opinion my top would be: Toshin Abashi Bernth Tim Henson Charlie Robbins Hichika Nito

[@Vrdavila67]

I Danille Gottardo should've gotten a spot. But this is an awesome list.👍🏽

[@facemelters]

There's too many good guitarists 😅

[@marcblum5348]

Andre Nieri was new to me. Awesome rockin' player! Thanks. Max Ostro's fluidity and phrasing always reminds me of Greg Howe. Stephen Taranto's playing not really speaks to me. Matteo Mancuso is The Man! Next generation fusion player. Tom Quayle's playing not really speaks to me.

[@biscobisco1882]

You ever think that Stephen's playing here doesn't "speak to you" because every single clip here is him playing solo in his bedroom to a metronome with zero harmonic backing, while Nieri, Max and Matteo's clips sound more 'musical' because they are playing on stage and/or with drums and backing tracks/a band behind them? Something to consider. Give Stephen's 'Permanence' EP a go, or his work with The Helix Nebula - he's a fantastic instrumental composer and extremely musical.

[@randykalish7558]

Life is not long enough. Its tough, its rough! Once my face was properly melted, I could never get enough 🎵 ❤️ 🚀

[@paulgilbert3139]

This is a very great list, all of them have a very clean technique, even in the live performance. And guess what 4 of 5 from this video is a fusion players, that shows how dedicated fusion players are, not only they master the vocabulary of jazz but has a precisive technique as metal players had.

[@djraven6864]

Matteo has a little of that Paco de Lucia fingering in there. Sounds real good. All these guys are dope. It comes down to loving guitar and having a lot of TIME TO PRACTICE! You do that and anything is possible to the all mighty GOD GIVEN BRAIN we all are born with. Peace yall got to get back to practicing 🎸✌

[@Shredberry]

Great list!

[@randykalish7558]

In the sacred sanctuary stands a group of musicians, each one called and chosen not according to human preference but by the esteem of music herself such that as they perform in their turn, each one is the best for having divulged the secret that music shows her lovers. How then could I vaunt my opinion when such a powerful figure has lodged dramatic preference of which I am in dumbstruck awe? Shred on, bebes! 🙏

[@NessNT]

Sithu Aye, Rohan Stevenson, Plini, Aaron Marshall, Rabea Massad, Jakub Zytecki for sure

[@OnlyShred]

Baxty is insane he deserves a spot on this

[@francescodamico7903]

Maybe it's better in opposite directions. Anyway from only this five my ranking is: 1 Mancuso 2 Ostro 2 Quayle 4 Nieri (didn't know) 5 Taranto

[@imranqqq7307]

Completely agree. Not on list, but - Mateus Asato. Not a shredder but could be if he wanted.

[@jimwallace2036]

Excellent list. Maybe not the shredder that these 5 are but a tasteful modern guitarist I would add would be Lari Basilio

[@facemelters]

Girls got skills! Thanks for watching!

[@incitatus634]

Much better musician than all of those in my opinion! And I'm a metal guitarist!

[@andreaspammer6542]

Amazing player Andre nieri I like him

[@JamesHartnell]

I fully agree that there was no point in putting Guthrie Govan in the list - he's not competition for these guys - when this lot get a bit more feel, soul and emotion into their playing, maybe they can try and compete with him ;)

[@lobo5320]

Guthrie Govan the veteran and the Goat for the previous gen and the next gen and many more to come....

[@RotterStudios]

I don't know what's in the water today or how these guys do these things. One thing I know is they'll never sell a lot of music. They are musicians' artists. Nothing against them, but even after playing for so many years, I just tune this stuff out. Very impressive finger gymnastics. I rarely listen to this stuff anymore. Give me a solid metal and bass with killer solid drums any day. Again, nothing against them, it's just that people can't bang their heads to this and that's what sells. I'm slowly learning this over years. I wanted to be a great shredder. No time and I just lost interest in that.

[@biscobisco1882]

Go listen to Stephen Taranto's actual music then - plenty of "solid metal and bass with killer solid drums", whatever that means... NO guitarists today will ever sell a lot of music - the public likes K-Pop and mumble rap without a guitar in sight, no "solid metal" is going to move units in today's industry. Guitar bands failing to sell is not the incredible critique you think it is.

[@drgoff11]

Rodapa, yes that's true. Mancuso is tops for melodiousness and interpretation. He is number one on this list!

[@thatsamazin-]

Max is the only one I can listen to repeatedly every day. 🤷‍♂️

[@ShadeCandle]

Never realized til now just how much Max Ostro reminds me of a young Robert Fripp. Not so much his guit-fiddling, but his appearance and general vibe.