Joel McIver: 'No-One Made A List Of Accomplished Guitarists In Heavy Metal'

In early October 2008, it was revealed that Joel McIver's twelfth book, namely "The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists", would be published globally during January 2009 via Jawbone Press. The idea was spawned by a popular American guitar magazine, which listed musicians such as Kurt Cobain and Neil Young as being amongst the greatest metal guitarists of all time, who are frankly bizarre additions by anyone's account. Deicide vocalist Glen Benton supplied a foreword to the book, which journeys through the hundred greatest metal guitarists from number one hundred all the way to number one. Spanning eighty thousand words, selection was based on the technical ability, and historical significance, of each player. The guitarists are a range of ages, the oldest being sixty-one, and the youngest a mere twenty-six. Those who dwell in the hard rock sphere have been omitted, thus meaning that the likes of Randy Rhoads, Angus Young, Joe Satriani, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Ritchie Blackmore fail to feature.

A contributor to such magazines as Total Guitar, Metal Hammer and Classic Rock, Joel McIver has published a dozen books to date. 2004 book "Justice For All: The Truth About Metallica" has been translated into nine languages, with future revised editions in the future much assured. 2008's "The Bloody Reign Of Slayer" marked another foray into the world of thrash metal, garnering further acclaim. 2009 will witness additional books from the man's pen, particularly the autobiography of erstwhile Deep Purple and Trapeze musician Glenn Hughes. Plugging "The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists", McIver was interviewed via email.

UG: Could you provide an introduction to your twelfth book 'The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists', and how the project ultimately came to fruition?

Joel McIver: I’m a geek who makes lists, and while I was driving around one day it occurred to me that no-one had really made a definitive list of the most accomplished guitarists in heavy metal. It’s been done in a kind of half-assed way by a few magazines, but the compilers usually confuse rock with metal and fail to take into account the techniques that the musicians require to do the job. It felt like a fun book to write, but one which would serve a serious purpose - and that proved to be the case on both counts.

Jawbone Press will publish the book during January 2009. How did you come to work with Jawbone, and why did you feel they were a suitable publisher for the book?

Jawbone are not only suitable for a book like this, but are the world leaders in this field. I’ve known the people there for several years, since I was a magazine editor and used to commission reviews of their books. I’m very fortunate to be working with them. The book looks killer - they’ve done a great job.

In your fellow books, you pull no punches. Do you feel some of your opinions in this book might polarise fans?

Yes, and probably annoy them. That’s not what I set out to do, but it’s an inevitable consequence of making a list such as this. I enjoy all reader feedback, though, positive and otherwise - I’ve had hundreds of emails over the years calling me every name under the sun for things that I’ve said in print. Luckily, I’ve had a greater number of comments from people who like what I’ve written. Bring it on, I say. It’s only rock 'n' roll.

"It felt like a fun book to write, but one which would serve a serious purpose."

Deicide frontman Glen Benton kindly agreed to write a foreword for the book. How did he come to be involved, and why do you feel he was an appropriate individual to write a foreword for a book of this nature?

I got to know Glen a couple of years ago after I approached him and Steve Asheim to see if they’d be interested in co-writing a Deicide autobiography, which may happen some time. I asked him to do the foreword for this book because he’s worked with some fantastic guitarists in his time, and because he has a no-bullshit approach that suits this kind of book perfectly. I wanted 'The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists' to be straight, honest and non-political, and happily that’s how it’s turned out.

What's your opinion on the usual glut of 'greatest metal guitarists' that tend to surface? Some bizarre names seem to surface, like Kurt Cobain - although he was part of one of the best selling acts of the 1990s, I've never thought he had particularly distinguished playing abilities.

You’re referring to a list of supposed "best metal guitarists" that appeared in an American guitar magazine a few years ago, which made me cringe when I read it. Kurt would have been gutted if he knew that he’d been posthumously labelled a heavy metal guitarist. Technical ability is almost irrelevant in his case - he’s known for more important things, like the small matter of wiping out half of the world’s metal bands when grunge wiped the slate clean in 1991.

Guitarists such as Angus Young and Randy Rhoads don't feature, but the likes of Tony Iommi do. How did you ultimately decide as to whether a specific guitarist qualifies or not? Were there any you debated in your mind, but eventually didn't feature in the book?

There’s hard rock and there’s heavy metal, and it’s reasonably easy to differentiate the two. I’m absolutely not a categories nerd and would be the first to admit that the best bands have a bit of everything in them, but in this case I wanted to celebrate the achievements of the metal musicians and no-one else. There were loads of amazing axemen who didn’t make it into the Top 100, even though they’re world-class musicians: assembling the final list was agony!

Do you have intentions to write a book regarding 'The 100 Greatest Hard Rock Guitarists'?

Yes, if I’m asked. That would be a lot of fun. Yngwie, Randy, Satriani or Eddie Van Halen for number one?

In arriving at your decision as to whom ranks higher, which of the following did you rate higher, and why: technical ability, or a guitarist's ability to create emotionally affecting moods within their playing?

Not really the moods, although those are important too. I used two rigorous criteria:

1) The guy’s mastery of techniques such as sweep picking, tapping, alternate and legato picking and (crucially) whether he applies them tastefully or gratuitously.

2) How influential the guy is as a pioneer. So for example, Tony Iommi is without a doubt the most influential metal guitarist of all time because he was the first out of the blocks, but because he can’t do sweeps (as he cheerfully admits) he can’t be number one. However, he’s in the top ten, of course.

In the book, does a specific guitarist feature whom you feel is woefully underrated by the media and public?

God yes. Trey Azagthoth of Morbid Angel, Chuck Schuldiner of Death, Ron Jarzombek of Watchtower and Blotted Science, Jeff Waters of Annihilator, Ihsahn and Samoth of Emperor and Mikael Ã…kerfeldt of Opeth, plus quite a few others rarely get the credit they’re due as guitarists. I wanted this book to right that wrong. They’re underrated because their music is, by and large, too extreme or not exposed enough.

"I enjoy all reader feedback, though, positive and otherwise."

In committing your opinions to paper, did any change when you thought about the topic more intensely?

Not really. I had a clear idea of what I wanted to do from the beginning. That’s happened with other books, though - for example I’ve just completed a biography of Tool and was utterly blown away by their music by the end, more than I thought I would be when I started it.

Why do you feel that guitarists become more iconic than say bassists, or drummers? Why do you feel that metal fans are particularly drawn to guitarists?

It’s the solos, and the prominent frequencies which they occupy in the mix. I love bass and drums too though - I’d like to do similar books on those instruments, that is if I don’t die of exhaustion first.

Game franchises such as 'Rock Band' and 'Guitar Hero' are now popular. Do you feel that such franchises may spawn the great guitarists of tomorrow?

Not at all. Those games are fun but they’re not for guitarists. Also, people who are really interested in learning the guitar will go straight to the real thing. I think the real strength of those games is that they will encourage the player to go out and buy a metal or rock album, which can only be a good thing.

At the moment, are there any plans to revise some of your older books to reflect current events, such as your acclaimed tome on Metallica ('Justice For All: The Truth About Metallica')?

Yes, the Metallica book is going into its third edition shortly, to reflect the 'Death Magnetic' album and tour. That book is up to about 35,000 copies in nine languages now, so I’m very pleased with it.

There's reports of you becoming a TV presenter. Thus far, what can you reveal?

Nothing right now, but if all goes to plan I’ll be presenting a metal show on one of the main satellite channels in the new year. You poor people.

Works for 2009 include Glenn Hughes autobiography, which you're helping him to co-write. What other book projects are currently slated, and how far in the development stage are all these respective works?

Glenn’s book will come out in 2009 and will be amazing, I kid you not. The Tool book comes out in April on Omnibus Press and then a biography of a major metal icon is coming out in June. No, not Dimebag. There will be press releases nearer the time. I also have a sci-fi novel brewing that I want to get out before too long, but finding the time to do all this stuff in between family, gigs, sleep and a reasonably debauched social life is tricky.

If somebody wishes to purchases an autographed copy of your new book, how may they do so?

Buy one, send it to me at my office address (see www.joelmciver.co.uk) with an SAE, and I’ll sign and return it. Or come up to me at a gig and buy me beer - that always helps.

Interview by Robert Gray
Ultimate-Guitar.Com © 2009

Comments

[deluded_reality]

Sounds awesome. Can't wait to read it

[StupidHuman]

Sounds like a great read, and I'm very glad to see that Mikael Akerfeldt will be getting some much deserved props in this book, he's definitely been a big influence on myself as far as songwriting goes.

[fLYinGV23]

Tony Iommi not being number one because he can't sweep? WHAT THE FUCK

[AmzGuitarist]

Make it

[onefadedfan]

Should be interesting

[AmzGuitarist]

Kirk hammet #1

[Black-Metal]

i dont like this guy
he wrote a biography of black sabbth, as well as a biography of slayer, and whilst his knowledge of the big metal bands (sabbath, tallica, megadeth etc etc), he bullshits his way through parts about the subgenres of metal.
he could research black, death and doom metal better before he writes about them.

TONY IOMMI FOR #1

[Abhorred One]

Can't wait to read this one.

[blommen]

AmzGuitarist wrote:

Kirk hammet #1

uuuuhhh no.

let's start at the beginning shall we? is he a technically good guitarist? no. he is stuck in the blues scale, and rapes his solos with his wah pedal. has he influenced a lot of people? sure he has, but that's due to him being a part of possibly the most overrated metal of all time, from a technical point of view.

[axejam123]

^^^ well maybe all of us dont see it from a technical point of view. maybe some of us just like his style better, and think wah pedals are cool. oh, but that would be stupid, nevermind.

[Saint Valentine]

I really hope he does the 100 top hard rock guitarist book... Some people may be pissed off by this but my vote is between Yngwie Malmsteen and Eddy Van Halen for #1.

Oh and you're soo nice blommen. Lol.

[metalme31]

Screw this guy. He came off as a prick to me. Tony Iommi not getting the number one spot because he can't sweep? No thank you.

[YoHendrix]

AmzGuitarist wrote:

Kirk hammet #1

Ermmmm NO!!!!

[dethead666]

ok **** this a-hole iommi can't do sweeps so he can't be num 1?? So what every guitarist nowadays does sweeps whoopiedee ****in doo.

[YoHendrix]

why isnt Randy Rhoads included!? pretty Sure Ozzy Osbourne is Metal....

[Sleazeball]

Not keen on this guy. In Total Guitar April 2007 he went on a 48 hour road trip on Trivium's tour and was best buds with them when the Crusade came out, giving them the 'metal's new heroes treatment' etc. then a couple months ago in TG, he compared that album to St. Anger! Okay, opinions are opinions, but... isn't that just a bit hypocritical?

[fLYinGV23]

YoHendrix wrote:

why isnt Randy Rhoads included!? pretty Sure Ozzy Osbourne is Metal....

Nah man, thats Irish folk music

But back on topic, what this guy thinks makes a good metal guitarist is pretty flawed...

[Gormanilius]

I cant wait for a hard rock book. Satrisni or Van Halen #1!!!

[guitarlad89]

fLYinGV23 wrote:

Tony Iommi not being number one because he can't sweep? WHAT THE FUCK

That's ok, sabbath isn't metal anyway, and im sick of people saying that they are. They're hard rock. THAT'S IT.

[slashrock94]

blommen wrote:

AmzGuitarist wrote:

Kirk hammet #1

uuuuhhh no.

let's start at the beginning shall we? is he a technically good guitarist? no. he is stuck in the blues scale, and rapes his solos with his wah pedal. has he influenced a lot of people? sure he has, but that's due to him being a part of possibly the most overrated metal of all time, from a technical point of view.

TBH, he is a pretty good guitarist, okay not the best, but i really doubt he shreds as fast as he can in songs because otherwise he wouldn't be able to play it live, rendering it rather pointless, #2 metal evolved from blues, you will have blues scale used #3 some of his solos are immense, and have emotion.

[dark&broken]

Why are people bitching about this being flawed, or this guy being retarded? It's not like this is meant as an authoritative, definitive list of the best in proper order.

It's not flawed, it's biased. The guy's basing it on his opinions, just like everyone else does.

Regardless of the final order, this is still gonna be a list the 100 most accomplished and influential metal guitarists, which is all it's meant to be.

[dethead666]

guitarlad89 wrote:

fLYinGV23 wrote:

Tony Iommi not being number one because he can't sweep? WHAT THE FUCK

That's ok, sabbath isn't metal anyway, and im sick of people saying that they are. They're hard rock. THAT'S IT.

You sir = the biggest retard i've met in UG

[Melodic_Rocker]

METAL!!!! nething else is 4 n00bs!!!! GRRRR!!!!

What a bunch of bullshit. I like metal, but honestly it's full of the most uncreative guitarists in history, Kirk Hammett is a perfect example. Who gives a **** how fast a guitarist can sweep? People need to focus more on creativity and innovation than focusing solely on technical skill. Nothing creative about 95% of those "shredders" out there, its boring, dull, and uncreative.

[Mullen2105]

dethead666 wrote:

guitarlad89 wrote:

fLYinGV23 wrote:

Tony Iommi not being number one because he can't sweep? WHAT THE FUCK

That's ok, sabbath isn't metal anyway, and im sick of people saying that they are. They're hard rock. THAT'S IT.You sir = the biggest retard i've met in UG

Yes they are, they created real metal, they just arent what people today would call metal.

I hope this guy doesn't make it say that jim root or like mick thompson in the top 5.

[BugrahanGedik]

Dude im totally pissed because of the fact that this guy is all: '' If ya cant do sweeps, you cant be number one''

Thats sooo full of cr4p!!

Jimi Hendrix was appointed to be the number one guitarist of all time, (in pop/rock/funk etc music that is). Why? Not because he could do sweeps, because he was a big influence and all on the next generation!

I mean look at nu-metal guitarists, they come up with beautiful riffs, and they are being treated is unjust..

[The_String_Man]

Melodic_Rocker wrote:

METAL!!!! nething else is 4 n00bs!!!! GRRRR!!!!

What a bunch of bullshit. I like metal, but honestly it's full of the most uncreative guitarists in history, Kirk Hammett is a perfect example. Who gives a **** how fast a guitarist can sweep? People need to focus more on creativity and innovation than focusing solely on technical skill. Nothing creative about 95% of those "shredders" out there, its boring, dull, and uncreative.

nah, i think 95% would be too much of a generalization.

[BugrahanGedik]

BugrahanGedik wrote:

Dude im totally pissed because of the fact that this guy is all: '' If ya cant do sweeps, you cant be number one''

Thats sooo full of cr4p!!

Jimi Hendrix was appointed to be the number one guitarist of all time, (in pop/rock/funk etc music that is). Why? Not because he could do sweeps, because he was a big influence and all on the next generation!

I mean look at nu-metal guitarists, they come up with beautiful riffs, and they are being treated is unjust..

BTW I know that technique is a big part of metal nowadays, but as the interviewer speaks up about emotion in one's playing, I think that that is a big big big part of metal!

[SacrificeMe]

this guy is retarded. if malmsteen and randy rhoads didnt have anything to do with the modern techniques that 90% of metal guitarists use, then id understand his idiocy. hes gonna factor in sweeps, but not malmsteen? suck my dick retard

[BugrahanGedik]

Mullen2105 wrote:
I hope this guy doesn't make it say that jim root or like mick thompson in the top 5.

Slipknot ftw?

[jimRH7]

This is sacrolige : - no randy rhoads, yngwie malmsteen, richie blackmore, or eddie van halen ? I mean, they practically define the phrase "heavy metal guitarist" in my eyes.

I've allways veiwed heavy metal as a genre I was into, but somehow somewhere the meaning of it's changed; Modern "metal" (for the most part) is as far from what I like as moosac or opera : it does nothing for me, my ears don't even register it as music.

I guess in the eyes of the modern music critic, I'd probably be termed a "hard rock" fan; but I call it "heavy metal"
...actually, I don't care what you call it. I heid for pidgeon-holing.

[NICKmetalP]

randy rhoads is a metal guitarist, what's up with this hard rock bullshit?

[Rock_Twist92]

I hope the guys from DragonForce are not in the top fifeteen at least, because they are full of crap. Most of their songs are alike at some point.

Someone that needs to be somewhere in that list for sure is Syu from Galneryus although he is not that influencial. I think. He is influencial to me though.

ROCK ON EVERYONE!!!

[Rock_Twist92]

I would also like to say that the criteria he is using does not make a good guitarists.

[PuckII]

This guy has his head up his ass. He excludes Malmsteen and Rhoads? Wtf sweeps need for no. 1 position? I was somewhat happy to see a book like this, even though I never really like "lists", but this guys ass-hattery turned my curiousity off.

[PedophilePriest]

A book of "opinions". So what. Opinions are like ass-holes... everybodys got one.

[Kastöm]

speed, sweeping, harmonics, even bloody hammer-ons do not constitute a good guitarist. The only thing, the single one tiny thing that makes a guitarist good is the sound of his/her playing. nothing else, and to think otherwise is a mockery to music. The only thing that matters is sound, that's the point of music.

That said, this book is just "another guys opinion", based on completely irrelevant ideas and bound to cause disagreements. Music is, has always been, and will always be a matter of taste, thus to even consider labeling someone "the best guitarist" is ludicrous.

[crocoscar]

Dave Mustaine for number one. PERIOD.

[abyss257]

Hahahahaha These comments are completely rediculous.

[metalisbest]

This is to everyone complaining about the "metal list"
As long as Toni Iommi is in the top 3 and Rhodes,
King, and Mustaine are in the top 10; the list will be worth something. I can't think of any group of people more influential to metal, who actually have lived in the metal world.

This article is very confusing, because the title says Heavy Metal, the book is a Hard Rock list, and everyone is bitching about metal. All three things are different; Hard Rock is pretty much everything, Heavy Metal is Glam, and the metal everyone is refereing to is mostly thrash and doom...

[orestisk8]

to be considered good guitarists u need both tecnique and musicianship. as tony iommi said himself hje lacks in tecnique so why the **** should he be #1? i agree he is one of the best and if it wasnt for him who knows if metal would even exist but besides that he is not the best guitarist

[orestisk8]

*i agree the guys being a bit of a prick about sweeps and stuff though

[orestisk8]

*technique, technique

[iron_maiden'er]

Well, I think Tony Iommi is a great guitarist, and a very influent, but isn't it normal that he's not conidered THE BEST heavy metal guitarist if he's not capable of sweep picking, which is a rather important technique in heavy metal? I don't understand why everyone's is so pissed about that.

[kyshack]

metalisbest wrote:

This is to everyone complaining about the "metal list"
As long as Toni Iommi is in the top 3 and Rhodes,
King, and Mustaine are in the top 10; the list will be worth something. I can't think of any group of people more influential to metal, who actually have lived in the metal world.

This article is very confusing, because the title says Heavy Metal, the book is a Hard Rock list, and everyone is bitching about metal. All three things are different; Hard Rock is pretty much everything, Heavy Metal is Glam, and the metal everyone is refereing to is mostly thrash and doom...

I think you need to re-read that buddy

[rockforever2112]

rhodes left out that kinda sucks but ok

[Deviant92]

i think gus g from firewind has the technical skills required to get him in the top 100. Firewind is underrated however...

[blasphemus666]

YoHendrix wrote:

why isnt Randy Rhoads included!? pretty Sure Ozzy Osbourne is Metal....

agreed.
this guy gives me weird vibes. vibes like this book is gunna suck...
i think the greatest metal guitarist is pretty much just an opinion. basing things on the fact that they can't sweep pick is kinda ****ed up.

[metallicaman467]

i think that as long as kirk hammet is in the top 10 ill be fine

[tearsofmyguitar]

John Petrucci. Number 1.

[Silas S Thompso]

Kirk hammet #1

Because he ripped off dave mustaines Kill em all leads, ride the lightning leads, and leper messiah and gave him no credit. Then when it was time to write music he couldn't think of anything so he had to copy hendrix (wherever I may roam solo) or he plays so much wah wah you can't hear what he's playing. Or he doesn't solo (St. anger)

Rhandy is metal also. So is Van Halen and yngwie. Marty Friedman, Dave Mustaine, John Petrucci, All the dudes from Maiden, K.K. Downing, Glenn Tipton.

[Gmurcielago14]

AmzGuitarist wrote:

Kirk hammet #1

YEAno.

[Schneemil]

Mikael Åkerfeldt Sweden power!

[ixhaze]

Funny how no one realizes that there will never be an agreement on where guitarists should place on the list. This kind of article is just asking for flaming to take place. Keep going toolbags, it's entertaining.

[a7xbass]

i kinda agree with Iommi not being number one. for example, the beatles were pioneers in rock and roll and were the most influential rock and roll band ever but that doesnt make them the most talented. however, he definately deserves top five for originality and going against the grain.

[mtllica]

I think Chuck Schuldiner needs to be at least in the top ten, effing amazing guitarist

[a7xplayer]

im excited to read this. but i think he is wrong about the guitar hero thing. i have a couple of friends that are now playing an instrument because of those games. i guess it is his opinion though

[HendrixClaptonP]

This dude sounds like an idiot, no rhoades or Malmsteen? If he has Petrucci in there, then he should also include Satch and Vai. By the sound of it it will be another second rate gossip columnesque list, I bet this guy's favourite album is Cynid Laupers greatest hits!

[diablo_man]

yeah, Iommi wrote some good songs and got it all started, but playing wise many modern metal guitarists walk all over him. points for originality and style, but in a genre where technical ability makes or breaks a bandit would make no sense for him to be first.
just because the Model T was first, doesnt mean the new Ferrari isnt better.

[Ironpriest]

The following MUST be included
K.K Downing and Glenn Tipton (Judas Priest, they basically invented the twin attack.

Iron Maiden guitarists.
Dave Mustaine (Just listened to rust in peace yesturday! whoa!)

I would also include mick mars from motley crue, he ain't bad. oh and Van Halen!

[diablo_man]

no on satriani and vai. they straight up dont play metal, that is all there is too it. if they were in a metal band i am sure they would rape most of the competition but they aren't. very few of their songs have any more of a metal sound than that of hair metal riffing. Malmsteen? he pulls some power metal, but mostly he is on his own thing. petrucci, that madman is in a metal band, loud intense drumming and crushing guitar parts, he is a metal guitarist fit to be on the list.
i swear sooner or later you guys will want Jimi hendrix to be on a "top metal guitarists" list just cause he distorted his sound and played kinda fast.

[xXBlack_PickXx]

kai ****ing hansen

[MoshPitRock]

abyss257 wrote:

Hahahahaha These comments are completely rediculous.

Uhm, like your spelling?
It's ridiculous not rediculous.
Sheesh.

[Flying Afros]

Black Sabbath is metal. I don't know what a lot of you are thinking. They invented heavy metal. Period. Tony may not play super fast and shred in the phyrgian/harmonic minor mode, but they are HEAVY. Heavy metal stems from the blues and just being plain HEAVY. I don't think it/s about technical ability. Look at Soundgarden's early stuff, Corrosion of Conformity, or Down. Those guy's are doing every technique in the book, but they can write some heavy-ass songs.

Kirk Hammett might just make it in. With this guy grading everyone on technique, Kirk isn't too technical or clean. I like his style, but it's sloppy and he uses wah a little too much sometimes. That just might keep him out of or at the end of this list.

Mick Mars of Motley Crue. They are not metal. They are hard rock. Oh yeah, glam metal isn't metal.

Criss Oliva from Savatage better be on here! I love that dude. RIP man.

And Marty Friedman. He rules.

[VLVTRVOLVR13]

kyshack wrote:

metalisbest wrote:

This is to everyone complaining about the "metal list"
As long as Toni Iommi is in the top 3 and Rhodes,
King, and Mustaine are in the top 10; the list will be worth something. I can't think of any group of people more influential to metal, who actually have lived in the metal world.

This article is very confusing, because the title says Heavy Metal, the book is a Hard Rock list, and everyone is bitching about metal. All three things are different; Hard Rock is pretty much everything, Heavy Metal is Glam, and the metal everyone is refereing to is mostly thrash and doom...
I think you need to re-read that buddy

+1 Somebody needs to go back to Gumnut College

(quote me if you get it!)

[reignofrock]

Rhoads can't be in it??? Are you serious??? This book is a travesty to the truth of rock and roll. I think he should just rename his book to encompass more than metal. Who cares about the best metal guitarist if it means taking out tonnes of others who could own half the "best" metal guitarists.... Ridiculous article.

[Beyond_Insanity]

Have any of you people ever tried sweep picking??? Anyone... It is hard to do properly. And 2nd, Toni Iommi is good... NOT "great" or "wonderful" and in my my opinion is far more overrated than metallica... and i dont particularly like metallica either... AND for all those that say Jim Root and Mick Thompson are not good guitarists... you are all saddly mistaken. (listen to the playing in the new album)

[Viking_Swede666]

I am SOOOOO buying this!

and Gus G better be number #1!!!

[Daleymo]

VLVTRVOLVR13 wrote:

kyshack wrote:

metalisbest wrote:

This is to everyone complaining about the "metal list"
As long as Toni Iommi is in the top 3 and Rhodes,
King, and Mustaine are in the top 10; the list will be worth something. I can't think of any group of people more influential to metal, who actually have lived in the metal world.

This article is very confusing, because the title says Heavy Metal, the book is a Hard Rock list, and everyone is bitching about metal. All three things are different; Hard Rock is pretty much everything, Heavy Metal is Glam, and the metal everyone is refereing to is mostly thrash and doom...
I think you need to re-read that buddy

+1 Somebody needs to go back to Gumnut College

(quote me if you get it!)

Cause he's got to go and like, learn to read and sht

[SirShredfast]

Joel McIver is a ****ing SHITHEAD

Fuck his biased opinions and his deep gay love for Cliff Burton and hatred for the "new" Metallica... **** that

Why the FUCK do people think this guy is relevant in any way? Fuck him

[TyrsFromAbove37]

Akerfeldt ftw...

[Kill'emAll13/m\]

Silas S Thompso wrote:

Kirk hammet #1

Because he ripped off dave mustaines Kill em all leads, ride the lightning leads, and leper messiah and gave him no credit. Then when it was time to write music he couldn't think of anything so he had to copy hendrix (wherever I may roam solo) or he plays so much wah wah you can't hear what he's playing. Or he doesn't solo (St. anger)

Rhandy is metal also. So is Van Halen and yngwie. Marty Friedman, Dave Mustaine, John Petrucci, All the dudes from Maiden, K.K. Downing, Glenn Tipton.

It wasn't Kirk's choice if he could solo or not in St. Anger. It was all Bob Rock. In fact Kirk was really against the whole idea.

[cuzzcovers]

Steve Vai #1 !~!~!~!~!~! lol~!

[TheTortured]

AmzGuitarist wrote:

Kirk hammet #1

you're a faggot.

chuck schuldiner #1

[TheChaz]

AmzGuitarist wrote:

Kirk hammet #1

Fail.

[We'realltoBlame]

He's holding a bass in the picture, at least I think. 0_o

[dethead666]

Beyond_Insanity wrote:

Have any of you people ever tried sweep picking??? Anyone... It is hard to do properly. And 2nd, Toni Iommi is good... NOT "great" or "wonderful" and in my my opinion is far more overrated than metallica... and i dont particularly like metallica either... AND for all those that say Jim Root and Mick Thompson are not good guitarists... you are all saddly mistaken. (listen to the playing in the new album)

NO Tony is much better then all these neoclassical ****heads and this is a biased opinion but i know how to sweep pick its not hard you dildo

[wareagle5490]

if randy is too hard rock then so is iommi.

and fyi. hammet sucks.

[punkmetalA7X91]

TheTortured wrote:

AmzGuitarist wrote:

Kirk hammet #1
you're a faggot.

chuck schuldiner #1

+1000 Chuck >>>> Kirk

[DZCunuck]

I agree with McIver. Iommi and all these old school metal guitarists may have been good and influential for their time, but by today's standards they are nowhere near guys like Rusty Cooly or Chris Broderick to name a few.

--->I.M.O.

[camc1214]

everyone is angry. funny. i think all of the guitarist talked about could care less how they rank, but not so much for the fans.

[Echoplex]

fLYinGV23 wrote:

Tony Iommi not being number one because he can't sweep? WHAT THE FUCK

I think Iommi is wayyyyy overrated in his influence. That's just my opinion, don't flame me.

[DrBlowThingsUp]

dark&broken wrote:

Why are people bitching about this being flawed, or this guy being retarded? It's not like this is meant as an authoritative, definitive list of the best in proper order.

It's not flawed, it's biased. The guy's basing it on his opinions, just like everyone else does.

Regardless of the final order, this is still gonna be a list the 100 most accomplished and influential metal guitarists, which is all it's meant to be.

finally, see the world needs more people like you i agree everyones always hatin every else on these things lol
would petrucci/dream theater count in this list?

[luyano]

no Ritchie Blackmore?
thats not fair
Blackmore is one of the most influential Hard Rock and Heavy Metal, he sweeps and hes not included?
thats not fair
i hope that Michael Angelo Batio isnt in the nº 1

[Echoplex]

DrBlowThingsUp wrote:
would petrucci/dream theater count in this list?

I think petrucci is the best guitarist ever, and he does play some heavy metal riffs (like in Home). However my view of petrucci as the greatest guitarist ever is PURELY SUBJUNCTIVE, not musical doctrine.

[blueriver]

Iommi doesn't deserve number one. He isn't even close. Go Friedman.

[Lion_Slicer]

Chuck Schuldiner is easily the most underrated musician of all time. That man is simply pure brilliance, and his talent is unrivaled in terms of combining amazing songwriting with technicality, brutality, and progressive complexity. Not to mention that he has influenced the whole death metal genre from its inception.

[DrBlowThingsUp]

im also waitin for someone to say dragonforce and just the flames come rolling in lol

[JohnnyChimpo241]

blommen wrote:

AmzGuitarist wrote:

Kirk hammet #1

uuuuhhh no.

let's start at the beginning shall we? is he a technically good guitarist? no. he is stuck in the blues scale, and rapes his solos with his wah pedal. has he influenced a lot of people? sure he has, but that's due to him being a part of possibly the most overrated metal of all time, from a technical point of view.

+1000

[JohnnyChimpo241]

Melodic_Rocker wrote:

What a bunch of bullshit. I like metal, but honestly it's full of the most uncreative guitarists in history, Kirk Hammett is a perfect example. Who gives a **** how fast a guitarist can sweep? People need to focus more on creativity and innovation than focusing solely on technical skill. Nothing creative about 95% of those "shredders" out there, its boring, dull, and uncreative.

one of the reasons dan donegan of disturbed is one of my favs. he can shred all over the place, but chooses not to most of the time. theres so much emotion in his stuff.

[atthedrive-thru]

quit complaining about tony iommi not getting the number one spot, he doesn't deserve it anyways, it's just cuz he's like one of the founders of metal everyone thinks he deserves to be number one, but guess what, he's just f*cking overrated

[crls1234]

kirk sucks

[xSUNxOFxNOTHING]

i will buy this.
please stop hating on Metallica FOR THE LOVE OF GOD.
you guys are just hating douchebags in my opinion
definitely Petrucci for #1, and he clearly stated his opinion on what makes a good guitarist in his eyes.

you guys are wasting your breath over a man's OPINION. stupid ****s

[puskus54]

i expect dime bag to be number on, does anybody expect Cris Olivia to be featured? i really hope that he will.

[DaddyTwoFoot]

...Randy Rhoads wasn't a metal guitarist?

Since when?

[puskus54]

i expect dime bag to be number one, does anybody expect Cris Olivia to be featured? i really hope that he will.

[tallica t0m]

jimRH7 wrote:

This is sacrolige : - no randy rhoads, yngwie malmsteen, richie blackmore, or eddie van halen ? I mean, they practically define the phrase "heavy metal guitarist" in my eyes.

I've allways veiwed heavy metal as a genre I was into, but somehow somewhere the meaning of it's changed; Modern "metal" (for the most part) is as far from what I like as moosac or opera : it does nothing for me, my ears don't even register it as music.

I guess in the eyes of the modern music critic, I'd probably be termed a "hard rock" fan; but I call it "heavy metal"
...actually, I don't care what you call it. I heid for pidgeon-holing.

Touche, my friend, 100%

[Metallica333]

kirk hammett is #1 without a doubt

[ShredGod George]

how the **** do Neil young and Kurt cobain make a list that Randy Rhoads and Eddie van halen dont?

[kendog1327]

somebody needs to stick that instrument he,s holding straight up his ass and tell him to shut the f,,k up,,what an idiot

[TwistedLogic]

The guy is a dick because he is biased. He knew waht he wanted to write before he even did any research on the matter. Iommi invented metal, but Blackmore was a true pioneer of metal in using classical techiquues and sparking the neo classical age of guitar playing. Do you job properly and research and then report your findings, otherwise its a pile of self indulgent rubbish.

[Eternium]

ShredGod George wrote:

how the **** do Neil young and Kurt cobain make a list that Randy Rhoads and Eddie van halen dont?

Read the damn article. He wrote the book as a response to retarded lists that have put nonmetal guitar players in a "metal" list.
Van Halen is not metal and I'm not sure if Ozzy (solo stuff) is or not. Black Sabbath is definitely the first real metal band. Iommi ftw. And Dimebag better be in the top five as well and hopefully Mikael Åkerfeldt is pretty high too.

[Ironpriest]

Mick Mars of Motley Crue. They are not metal. They are hard rock. Oh yeah, glam metal isn't metal.

meh, he was miles ahead of the other hair metal.

[zChAoTiCz]

lol his title says most accomplished guitarists, correct? ok well then why cant Tony Iommi be first on the list? Just cause he cant sweep isnt that going by skill? most of the *******s in the top 5 will be some fags from real hard death metal who all they do is sweep sure sweeping sounds cool and is decent to play but read the titl MOST ACCOMPLISHED.

[Shazazmic]

I think the author of this book might have Autism.

[DoteStudios]

This list sounds like shit and this guy is very unoriginal with his idea. Randy Rhoads is not rock, why don't you call Yngwie Malmsteen rock as well? If this guy believes Randy isn't metal than he doesn't know shit making his book sound like crap! I swear to god if Tony isn't the first on the list then I will destroy the factory publishing this dumb book. If Kirk Hammet is number one or even in the top 5 then it's official that this book sucks.

[F8iscruel]

i'm kind of mad at this guy, saying that the great guitarists of tomorrow aren't going to come from guitar hero, i mean i started to get into the guitar because of guitar hero, i studied and i'm now a fairly good guitarist cracking in on the 3 or 4 year mark. i mean that game is a great jumping point, but from there you need the motivation to become a great guitarist, i believe anyone could be the next legend... if they have the intiative that is

[Scott_Zeppelin]

Iommi for #1!

What a load of crap. Sweep picking came into metal as a new technique far after Sabbath created the decisive metal sound. Why would Iommi then change what he's doing, his legacy, his creation... and do something so he can be considered a 'real metal guitarist'? Iommi is perfect the way he is.

Shredding in Sabbath? ...No thanks.
This list? ...Can get ****ed!!

[Alpha_Wolf]

guitarlad89 wrote:

That's ok, sabbath isn't metal anyway, and im sick of people saying that they are. They're hard rock. THAT'S IT.

+ ****ing 1.

[korbhag]

Yeah right who cares about emotions in a song... I've been listening to BTBAM Colors for more than a year everyday now mostly because this album makes me shiver everytime I hear it. And then I guess that guy doesn't even know of Paul Waggoner...

[Zappanator]

John Petrucci better be number 1...but if he's not counting Randy Rhoads as a Metal guitarist he probably never even heard of Petrucci, this guy is a ****ing retard.

[wareagle5490]

korbhag wrote:

Yeah right who cares about emotions in a song... I've been listening to BTBAM Colors for more than a year everyday now mostly because this album makes me shiver everytime I hear it. And then I guess that guy doesn't even know of Paul Waggoner...

are you stupid? emotions are whats makes a song, you cant tell when the song is stupid or when it means somthing?

[fenderlover99]

guitarlad89 :
fLYinGV23 wrote:

Tony Iommi not being number one because he can't sweep? WHAT THE FUCK

That's ok, sabbath isn't metal anyway, and im sick of people saying that they are. They're hard rock. THAT'S IT.

are you kidding me? black sabbath WAS THE FIRST DAMN METAL BAND TO EXIST

[rocka120]

Daleymo wrote:

VLVTRVOLVR13 wrote:

kyshack wrote:

metalisbest wrote:

This is to everyone complaining about the "metal list"
As long as Toni Iommi is in the top 3 and Rhodes,
King, and Mustaine are in the top 10; the list will be worth something. I can't think of any group of people more influential to metal, who actually have lived in the metal world.

This article is very confusing, because the title says Heavy Metal, the book is a Hard Rock list, and everyone is bitching about metal. All three things are different; Hard Rock is pretty much everything, Heavy Metal is Glam, and the metal everyone is refereing to is mostly thrash and doom...
I think you need to re-read that buddy

+1 Somebody needs to go back to Gumnut College

(quote me if you get it!)

Cause he's got to go and like, learn to read and sht

cause he sucks d!ck!!! XD!!!!
athis is based on technical skill not emotion in the said artists playin so i do know wat crawled most of yalls ass.

[rocka120]

*typo athis = and this srry

[enselmis]

People need to get their influences straight, metal was NOT influenced by blues contrary to popular belief. Metal, was influenced by classical music, which is why randy rhoads should be on this list, he is one of the first to incorporate a classical style into rock which morphed it into metal, ritchie blackmore schould be there as well.

Oh and anybody who says anything good about dragonforce will get tossed in a fire and then flamed.

[STRYPER4EVER]

no Randy Rhoads? this is one stupid mf'r. he died at age 25 for christ sake! had he lived there would be no question world's greatest guitarist ever period.
listen to his solo's on mr. crowley before you tell me he has no technical skill. and creativity? come the hell on.

[P Burg]

Good deal on the Trey, Chuck, and Mikael mentions.

[mhb]

galder and silenoz better be in theere!

[Set-Abominae]

fLYinGV23 wrote:

Tony Iommi not being number one because he can't sweep? WHAT THE FUCK

Agreed. Metal as we know it wouldn't exist if Iommi hadn't started Sabbath. If I see Petrucci at number one over Iommi because Petrucci can play a bazillion notes a second with two fingers and his chin, I'm gonna flip. This guy sounds like a straight-up twat.

Also, why the hell get Glen Benton to write a foreword...? The guy is a complete nitwit. Decent singer, but he should never open his mouth unless it's to sing.

[MrWeenie]

metalisbest wrote:

This article is very confusing, because the title says Heavy Metal, the book is a Hard Rock list, and everyone is bitching about metal. All three things are different; Hard Rock is pretty much everything, Heavy Metal is Glam, and the metal everyone is refereing to is mostly thrash and doom...

...wrong.

[syke5]

with no randy and obviously no real picture of metallica being anywhere near numbers 1 2 or 3 i give up on metal seriously no rhoads? can we have a book on best dead guitarists?

[Ubertron]

Jeez stop hating! It's pretty clear the parameters laid down. And by ''metal" it'll more likely metal in its modern form, with a few exceptions like Sabbath.

1. He respects good songwriting and innovation
BUT
2. He also factors in technical ability etc

Hence why Iommi will be a cast iron for the top 10, but probably won't take the number 1 spot. And to be fair, ok Sabbath did it first that we know of, for all we know some insane genius could have written the first metal music in his garage that never was publicised

Wow and I'm sure his "lack of research" is so terrible that he is a paid journalist/has published books etc, obviously less knowledgeable than fanboys who argue over the Megadeth/Metallica issue for about 20 years

[SAINTJIMMY9999]

I love the guys on UG cussing this guy out because they think he didn't put _____ or _____ on the list. He didn't even name the top 10 guitarists on the list so how do you know that whatever guitar god you're thinking of didn't end up in the top 3?

The only thing he said definitively was that the guitarist from Black Sabbath is in the top 10 and not number one. For all you know he's number 2.

UG users really should learn how to read (is that too much to ask from a bunch of 12 year old sissies?)

[ShredEmAll]

Sleazeball wrote:

Not keen on this guy. In Total Guitar April 2007 he went on a 48 hour road trip on Trivium's tour and was best buds with them when the Crusade came out, giving them the 'metal's new heroes treatment' etc. then a couple months ago in TG, he compared that album to St. Anger! Okay, opinions are opinions, but... isn't that just a bit hypocritical?

Yeah.I dont like him either.Tom Iommi cant do sweeps so hes not #1? Hmm.Thats pretty stupid.Sweeping is nothing special nowadays since every overdoes it.Specially the newer "metal" bands.

[ShredEmAll]

Silas S Thompso wrote:
Because he ripped off dave mustaines Kill em all leads, ride the lightning leads, and leper messiah and gave him no credit. Then when it was time to write music he couldn't think of anything so he had to copy hendrix (wherever I may roam solo) or he plays so much wah wah you can't hear what he's playing. Or he doesn't solo (St. anger)

Ok.Im not a fanboy, but if your gonna talk, you gotta get your facts straight.He only took the first 4 bars of the solos on Kill Em All and re-wrote the rest himself.He said it himself.Same with Ride and Ktulu.Kirk and Dave have wayy different styles so you could tell Kirk changed the solos.Also, you didnt acknowledge the fact that Kirk wrote great leads for Master and Justice (the albums) by himself.And he only took the begininning lick in Roam from Hendrix.The rest of the album also had great solos.

Hmm.Well Petrucci and Friedman for the win!

[Scott_Zeppelin]

Iommi for #1!

What a load of crap. Sweep picking came into metal as a new technique far after Sabbath created the decisive metal sound. Why would Iommi then change what he's doing, his legacy, his creation... and do something so he can be considered a 'real metal guitarist'? Iommi is perfect the way he is.

Shredding in Sabbath? ...No thanks.
This list? ...Can get ****ed!!

[SleetPuppet]

I really, really, really freaking hate it when people make lists like these. It all comes down to a matter of somebody else's opinion. There is no such thing as best, just favorite. And this guy has no idea what the heck metal is. R.R., Yngwie, or EVH aren't metal?? What the heck?? I'm not saying that I'm without my own opinions, but this just seems stupid.

[deluded_reality]

Chris Poland, Marty Friedman and Dave Mustaine must be on the list.

[El_Bozo]

I hope that Luke Jaeger makes it to first 30... Don't know him? Check out band Sleep Terror.

[-esp*guitarist-]

Hmm the question I ask is how do people know that Iommi can't sweep?

[SacrificeMe]

this guy is not a dick because hes biased. making a list that isnt based purely on facts requires opinions. hes a dick because he has not a ****ing clue what he's talking about. he sure as hell doesnt know what metal is.

[slayerkills]

dethead666 wrote:

ok **** this a-hole iommi can't do sweeps so he can't be num 1?? So what every guitarist nowadays does sweeps whoopiedee ****in doo.

ummmmm..... can you?

[slayerkills]

DaddyTwoFoot wrote:

...Randy Rhoads wasn't a metal guitarist?

Since when?

Randy was ****ing amazing, but metal, no.
like those A7F fags, good yes, metal, no.

[slayerkills]

SacrificeMe wrote:

this guy is not a dick because hes biased. making a list that isnt based purely on facts requires opinions. hes a dick because he has not a ****ing clue what he's talking about. he sure as hell doesnt know what metal is.

are you sure you do?
If dimebag slapped you in the face with his cock would that be metal?
be careful, your answer may just change your life.

[slayerkills]

Melodic_Rocker wrote:

METAL!!!! nething else is 4 n00bs!!!! GRRRR!!!!

What a bunch of bullshit. I like metal, but honestly it's full of the most uncreative guitarists in history, Kirk Hammett is a perfect example. Who gives a **** how fast a guitarist can sweep? People need to focus more on creativity and innovation than focusing solely on technical skill. Nothing creative about 95% of those "shredders" out there, its boring, dull, and uncreative.

I think you are mistaking Kirk for Dave mustaine, the cock munching, boring, dull, uncreative shredding that so many praise him for.

Kirks the other guy. the guy who plays with as much heart and intensity as david gilmour and such.
hahaha... oh sir you have to be mistaken.

[total_beast631]

why is every one saying Iommi should be number, sure he is like heavy metal personified, but like the author said, one of the criterias is technical ability, so when that comes into play, you can see why he is not no.1

[Joel McIver]

Hi, this is Joel McIver, the author of the book under discussion. Loving your comments, positive and otherwise.
A couple of points to clarify:
1) Dimebag and Iommi are in the Top 10.
2) Kirk Hammett is not, and neither are the Slipknot guys.
3) Petrucci and Mustaine are very high on the list.
4) Iommi and sweep-picking: he told me himself that because he can't sweep, he doesn't consider himself to be a very technical player. His words, not mine.
5) Poland, Friedman, King and most of the other guys mentioned in the comments are in the book.
I laughed when I read the post from the guy who wants to burn down the book factory.
I don't often come here so if you want to contact me, mail [e-mail].
Thanks
Joel

[Underhand]

I will agree that sabbath are influential, and i think they are the guys that influenced the metal genre and without them it wouldnt be what it is, but they are technically not modern metal. I really hope synyster gates is featured because he has all the technical skills but is still an incredible musician with plenty of phrasing, same goes for dimebag.

[Roots_radical]

Ozzy isnt metal? :S

[Linkerman]

In the book, does a specific guitarist feature whom you feel is woefully underrated by the media and public?

God yes. (...) Mikael Åkerfeldt of Opeth (...)

+ 3,14159

Totally agree with that one. Now i wanna read the book.
And the Tool biography! Sounds awesome, too.

[virtussilex]

I'm probably going to get verbally raped by angry UG users but..

Alexi Laiho for top 5 !

[Flibo]

First I was like "WHO CARES?", but he seems to be a nice guy.

[devilex121]

Melodic_Rocker wrote:

METAL!!!! nething else is 4 n00bs!!!! GRRRR!!!!

What a bunch of bullshit. I like metal, but honestly it's full of the most uncreative guitarists in history, Kirk Hammett is a perfect example. Who gives a **** how fast a guitarist can sweep? People need to focus more on creativity and innovation than focusing solely on technical skill. Nothing creative about 95% of those "shredders" out there, its boring, dull, and uncreative.

you probably dont know Dave Mustaine and James Hetfield very well...

[devilex121]

virtussilex wrote:

I'm probably going to get verbally raped by angry UG users but..

Alexi Laiho for top 5 !

what do you mean?
i support you on that!
if anyone were to say anything bad about Laiho then they probably dont know anything about him and how he plays!

[Zappabootlicker]

obviously mr melodic_rocker isn't that much of an advanced player, see as alot of the time skill and inovation cross paths very often

[diesiraex]

diablo_man :
yeah, Iommi wrote some good songs and got it all started, but playing wise many modern metal guitarists walk all over him. points for originality and style, but in a genre where technical ability makes or breaks a bandit would make no sense for him to be first.
just because the Model T was first, doesnt mean the new Ferrari isnt better.

I kinda disagree, but hey dats my right i guess.

Except for the Model T thing, fukn genius

[Dr Funkenstein]

Joel McIver wrote:

Hi, this is Joel McIver, the author of the book under discussion. Loving your comments, positive and otherwise.
A couple of points to clarify:
1) Dimebag and Iommi are in the Top 10.
2) Kirk Hammett is not, and neither are the Slipknot guys.
3) Petrucci and Mustaine are very high on the list.
4) Iommi and sweep-picking: he told me himself that because he can't sweep, he doesn't consider himself to be a very technical player. His words, not mine.
5) Poland, Friedman, King and most of the other guys mentioned in the comments are in the book.
I laughed when I read the post from the guy who wants to burn down the book factory.
I don't often come here so if you want to contact me, mail [e-mail].
Thanks
Joel

I like megadeth but mustaine is a solo butcher. Surely he can't be that high on the list.
Petrucci for no 1

[Guns-N-Roses94]

Angus Young Number 1

kirk hammet has NO CHANCE cause Angus f***ing knows how to entertain people as no-one does

[Axegrinder#9]

wow someone's actually financing the publication of a book like this? incredible.

[Loffle Monster.]

Teh wherez Fall out boy?

[EZLN libertad]

Decibal did that, but only with like 30

[Flariduh]

Kris Norris #1

[SirShredfast]

PEOPLE

Don't even ****ing THINK of buying this book!!

Don't ****ing buy it!

Download it for free if you really want to see it, but DON'T FUCKING BUY IT

We can't support this ****ing fag.

For people saying Black Sabbath isn't metal

go listen to some real heavy Dio Sabbath shit like The Sign Of The Southern Cross, and ****ing tell me that's not ****ing DOOM

[blommen]

Dr Funkenstein wrote:

Joel McIver wrote:

Hi, this is Joel McIver, the author of the book under discussion. Loving your comments, positive and otherwise.
A couple of points to clarify:
1) Dimebag and Iommi are in the Top 10.
2) Kirk Hammett is not, and neither are the Slipknot guys.
3) Petrucci and Mustaine are very high on the list.
4) Iommi and sweep-picking: he told me himself that because he can't sweep, he doesn't consider himself to be a very technical player. His words, not mine.
5) Poland, Friedman, King and most of the other guys mentioned in the comments are in the book.
I laughed when I read the post from the guy who wants to burn down the book factory.
I don't often come here so if you want to contact me, mail [e-mail].
Thanks
Joel

I like megadeth but mustaine is a solo butcher. Surely he can't be that high on the list.
Petrucci for no 1

true dave is not a good lead player, but he is an amazing rythm guitarist and has made some of the greatest, if not the greatest thrash riffs ever

[Ali-b912]

blommen wrote:
true dave is not a good lead player, but he is an amazing rythm guitarist and has made some of the greatest, if not the greatest thrash riffs ever

I'd say Hetfield made much better thrash riffs then Mustaine. Although, that said, Mustaine is a close second without a doubt. Also, stop saying Kirk should be top 10 or whatever. In the 100 definitely, but there is alot of players better then him, which he openly admits. His best solos are damned good, however most of them are pretty average.

I hope Devin Townsend gets in there somewhere, he's done some damned good work with SYL and his own solo stuff and he's definitely Metal.

[CeeJay08]

As far as technical ability goes. No metal guitarist will ever be as high as the likes of John Petrucci, Michael Romeo, Paul Gilbert or Yngwie Malmsteen. It's an insult to music to learn Yngwie isn't being included. He CREATED (along with a few select others) a genre of music. Yngwie's technical skill is ****ing excellent. But then John Petrucci too, to say shit like "Dave Mustaine is one of the best Rhythm players ever" is a lie. People like Mustaine can't compare.

As far as INFLUENCE goes, I'd still rate Malmsteen and Gilbert as a couple of the highest, Dream Theater are a pretty "underground" band in comparison, but none the less, to hell with Tony Iommi.

It's good that Dimebag's up top too, I'm personally not really for Pantera, but **** he's a good player.

But all of this, this list, book, everyone's comments, are all down to personal opinion.

I personally believe John Petrucci is the best guitarist in history. Skill, creativity, whatever. But that's just my opinion

Note: Anyone who says Herman Li should be first- Go suck death.

[_ChewY_]

jeff loomis #1

[Flote6]

Metallica is so over rated it's not even funny, kirk sucks compared to most metal guitarists

AmzGuitarist wrote:

Kirk hammet #1

[virtussilex]

devilex121 wrote:

virtussilex wrote:

I'm probably going to get verbally raped by angry UG users but..

Alexi Laiho for top 5 !
what do you mean?
i support you on that!
if anyone were to say anything bad about Laiho then they probably dont know anything about him and how he plays!

Well judging from a lot of the comments posted, various criteria are playing a role. For instance some people think its more important to make good music than being able to execute the techniques. I think Alexi has the skill, and he uses it to the limit. another example is that a lot are complaining about Tommy not being nr 1 cause he cant sweep. Anyway cheers

[alex240993]

hey everyone ive got an advance signed copy and dave mustaine is number one so if everyone would stop spamming kirk as#1 we can all get on with our lives but this book is brilliant well worth reading for the gimmicky facts aand introducing you to some serious ****ing metal

[Set-Abominae]

Devin Townsend needs to be fairly high up on this list. He can sweep pick while singing, which would take very good right/left brain co-ordination. Mustaine is another one who needs some respect for his rhythm playing. That man can play seemingly any riff and sing over top of it.

[Force Reaver]

Joe Satriani for #1

[lordbadass666]

i thnk michale ammot from Arch enemy/ Carcass will be pretty high in the list

[Slither_Snake]

to judge a guitarist soley on technique is laughable!

[cmstrike]

Tony Iommi not being #1 is a travesty. Who the **** cares about sweeping? I sure as hell don't. He's the most influential guitarist in heavy music and that's all that should matter.

[JesterShred]

I TOTALLY agree with this guy, malmstien's not metal, neither is Rhoads, ozzy's metal, but only from sabbath, though rhoads i agree can be border line... but malmstein's a pussy, just like alot of the shredders, and that's not metal at all...

but did anyone catch the best line?? in reference to "rock Band" and "Guitar Hero" he says "those games aren't for REAL guitarists" now that's the truth...

[JesterShred]

lordbadass666 wrote:

i thnk michale ammot from Arch enemy/ Carcass will be pretty high in the list

FUCK YEAH! MICHAEL AMMOT ROCKS!

[JesterShred]

CeeJay08 wrote:

As far as technical ability goes. No metal guitarist will ever be as high as the likes of John Petrucci, Michael Romeo, Paul Gilbert or Yngwie Malmsteen. It's an insult to music to learn Yngwie isn't being included. He CREATED (along with a few select others) a genre of music. Yngwie's technical skill is ****ing excellent.

Exactly, he "CREATED" a genre of music, and since metal is a genre of music, and we all know he didn't create that, then by your own statement he can't be metal... dumbass...

[AerialOverdrive]

Kurt Cobain ftw hahaha jk
seriously, Idk...

Dimebag for #1 I hope but that prob won't happen.
Oh well, hope I didn't piss anyone of you Pete Wentz fans off. :-P

[FiveStarMotel]

Dragonforce ftw!!, kidding kidding...

[gwilikers6]

Dave Murray's probably my #1.

[EddyJ332]

cant believe EVH isnt on the list...the man created tapping jeeeeez

wud b nice to see the boys from maiden get a mention too

[CeeJay08]

JesterShred wrote:

CeeJay08 wrote:

As far as technical ability goes. No metal guitarist will ever be as high as the likes of John Petrucci, Michael Romeo, Paul Gilbert or Yngwie Malmsteen. It's an insult to music to learn Yngwie isn't being included. He CREATED (along with a few select others) a genre of music. Yngwie's technical skill is ****ing excellent.

Exactly, he "CREATED" a genre of music, and since metal is a genre of music, and we all know he didn't create that, then by your own statement he can't be metal... dumbass...

Metal isn't purely limited to one genre.

You can't compare Metallica to Dream Theater to Trivium.

Gtfo.

[CeeJay08]

In fact, for that matter, Malmsteen's genre is called "Neo-classical metal" so, gtfo.

If this shit's based on technical ability, there are few who can top him.

[EddyJ332]

think itd probably b better if this guy pissed off and let a guitarist (someone who knows wat theyre talking about) make the list

[bidyoufarewell]

muhammad suicmez #1

[STRYPER4EVER]

syke5 wrote:

with no randy and obviously no real picture of metallica being anywhere near numbers 1 2 or 3 i give up on metal seriously no rhoads? can we have a book on best dead guitarists?

no randy rhoads=one stupid mother****er

like i said if he hadn't died he'd be hands down the best guitarist in any genre ever. **** hendrix.

[TheRavager]

Seriously, Eddie Van Halen is all tapping. Besides, EDV doesn't play the genre this book is obviously geared towards. METAL. Also, There is absolutely no reason to get pissed off because your favorite guitarist isn't in a book of another man's opinions. If you want to influence peolpe otherwise, write your own book. For that is all this book is, opinions. If you make his opinions written in stone, you create a God.

[Saint Valentine]

ShredEmAll wrote:

Sleazeball wrote:

Not keen on this guy. In Total Guitar April 2007 he went on a 48 hour road trip on Trivium's tour and was best buds with them when the Crusade came out, giving them the 'metal's new heroes treatment' etc. then a couple months ago in TG, he compared that album to St. Anger! Okay, opinions are opinions, but... isn't that just a bit hypocritical?

Yeah.I dont like him either.Tom Iommi cant do sweeps so hes not #1? Hmm.Thats pretty stupid.Sweeping is nothing special nowadays since every overdoes it.Specially the newer "metal" bands.

I really do see where you're coming from. Sweeping may be a pretty difficult technical skill but it's not too difficult. I learned my first sweep sometime around August or July and I think the only reason I don't have it down is because I had to take a break from playing because I nearly ripped my pinky off. Plus everyone does it now! Where is the innovation and creativity that music is ALL about?

[Saint Valentine]

TheRavager wrote:

Seriously, Eddie Van Halen is all tapping. Besides, EDV doesn't play the genre this book is obviously geared towards. METAL. Also, There is absolutely no reason to get pissed off because your favorite guitarist isn't in a book of another man's opinions. If you want to influence peolpe otherwise, write your own book. For that is all this book is, opinions. If you make his opinions written in stone, you create a God.

I agree. My favorite guitarist, Yngwie Malmsteen, isn't gonna be in this book and you don't see me shittin' bricks...

[SlipknotZ]

Damn I hope he mentions Atr's guitarist and John Petrucci cuz DAMN if I made this list Petrucci would be #1 300 times over. ooooo and Synister Gates is sic too.

[JORDANEast]

I agree with amzguitarist. Kirk Hammett should definitely be in the top 5, if not #1.

[dethead666]

CeeJay08 wrote:

JesterShred wrote:

CeeJay08 wrote:

As far as technical ability goes. No metal guitarist will ever be as high as the likes of John Petrucci, Michael Romeo, Paul Gilbert or Yngwie Malmsteen. It's an insult to music to learn Yngwie isn't being included. He CREATED (along with a few select others) a genre of music. Yngwie's technical skill is ****ing excellent.

Exactly, he "CREATED" a genre of music, and since metal is a genre of music, and we all know he didn't create that, then by your own statement he can't be metal... dumbass...

Metal isn't purely limited to one genre.

You can't compare Metallica to Dream Theater to Trivium.

Gtfo.

yes but this is Heavy Metal which means purely heavy metal which to me has not sweeps in that genre its the doomy sound of sabbath and i actually idk who else does pure heavy metal besides them Iommi #1 screw all the haters who must've only heard the paranoid album.

[SlipknotZ]

Lol I agree with blommen too, Metallica are horrifically overrated. Hell I'd say they're number one overrated, right up with RHCP and As I lay Dying. Seriously tho I love Rhoades but he's NOT metal by any means, nor is Iommi. Furthermore I love Slipknot to bits but Mick and Jim are not that great at all. If they put Dimebag as number one I'll lose my faith in people today as well...

[SlipknotZ]

I think the real list should be thus: #1. John Petrucci(Dream Theater/Liquid Tension Experiment), #2. Luke Hoskin(Protest The Hero), #3. Oli Herbert(All That Remains), #4. Synester Gates(Avenged Sevenfold), #5. Mark morton(Lamb Of God), #6. Willie Adler(Lamb Of God), #7. Bjorn Gelotte(In Flames)
See its an opinion people get over it

[-esp*guitarist-]

peoples if your gonna compare bands like Metallica, Dream theater, Slipknot, etc... at least compare them to bands within their own sub genres. Like Metallica and Slayer or Machine Head. Also in MY OPINION Iommi deserves half this book dedicated to him and Sabbath alone.

[strat0blaster]

I'm sorry, but

Those who dwell in the hard rock sphere have been omitted, thus meaning that the likes of Randy Rhoads...

Crazy Train isn't metal? Ozzy's material wasn't metal? So this guy is saying that in his self infatuated pseudo-professional tabloid opinion, Kurt Cobain is more METAL than Randy Rhoads?

.....

That is the most epic failure I've ever seen. Ever.

[fitterhappier34]

bidyoufarewell wrote:

muhammad suicmez #1

They're saving him for the list of Gods of the entire universe.

[Obie]

meh at least this guy realizes how good mikael akerfeldt (from opeth) is

[im2late2begod]

AmzGuitarist wrote:

Kirk hammet #1

thats right bro

[im2late2begod]

TRIVIUM = #1!!!!

[Charlie4]

I am very sorry but if Tony Iommi isn't the #1 metal guitarist of ALL time and Randy Roads isn't included, this book isn't worth while.

Oh yeah, anyone who disagrees about the statement about the founding father of Metal (Iommi),
F**k you !

[ed_the_head]

total crap. let's put aside the fact that there is no guitar player who is No.1 nor shall ever be. guys from opeth or such bands are not credited too much because they are not what real guitar heroes should be.

[delizio37]

Brad Paisley should be #1 on that list...he can shred it!!

[Charlie4]

Another thing, it's quite ironic how all the techniques used in metal come from so-called "rock" guitarists.

Sweeping = Yngwie, Tapping = EVH, etc.
METAL.
PERIOD.

[maidenpriest69]

wow this book is only for narrow minded metal nazis

[Force Reaver]

Charlie4 wrote:

I am very sorry but if Tony Iommi isn't the #1 metal guitarist of ALL time and Randy Roads isn't included, this book isn't worth while.

Oh yeah, anyone who disagrees about the statement about the founding father of Metal (Iommi),
F**k you !

SlipknotZ wrote:

Lol I agree with blommen too, Metallica are horrifically overrated. Hell I'd say they're number one overrated, right up with RHCP and As I lay Dying. Seriously tho I love Rhoades but he's NOT metal by any means, nor is Iommi. Furthermore I love Slipknot to bits but Mick and Jim are not that great at all. If they put Dimebag as number one I'll lose my faith in people today as well...

WTF do the RHCP have to do with metal? and as far as being overrated thats your own opinion. But flea will go down as one of the greatest bass players of all time. And a band that can continually change their styles is impressive. The peppers have come along way since the funk/punk/metal of their older albums back in the day. And when talking about founding fathers of metal you cant give sabbath all the credit. What about Venom, Deep Purple, Motorhead, Slayer?

[TyrsFromAbove37]

Joel McIver wrote:

Hi, this is Joel McIver, the author of the book under discussion. Loving your comments, positive and otherwise.
A couple of points to clarify:
1) Dimebag and Iommi are in the Top 10.
2) Kirk Hammett is not, and neither are the Slipknot guys.
3) Petrucci and Mustaine are very high on the list.
4) Iommi and sweep-picking: he told me himself that because he can't sweep, he doesn't consider himself to be a very technical player. His words, not mine.
5) Poland, Friedman, King and most of the other guys mentioned in the comments are in the book.
I laughed when I read the post from the guy who wants to burn down the book factory.
I don't often come here so if you want to contact me, mail [e-mail].
Thanks
Joel

I think everyone needs to take a step back and think about what they're saying.

First, what exactly is this book about:

"Accomplished Guitarists in Metal"

Keywords here: Accomplished, Guitarist, Metal

While all three of these things are debatable, since we are not the author, we don't really have a say as to what exactly each of these are defined as. I believe that McIver meant for the list to include guitarists that are not only skilled at what they do, but also have made their mark in the music world, hence being accomplished.

That being said, I personally wouldn't have included people like Dimebag for example. I don't see him as "the greatest player" ever, but I DO realize that he was one of the innovators that really brought metal to the forefront of the obscure music industry, and therefore has a right to be included...

We also must take into account that such bands as Ozzy and Sabbath, who were metal "back then" may not be "as metal" now. Because of how the genre as a whole has evolved (i.e. Opeth - Akerfeldt should be top 3 imho) we need to look at how their music compares to the music of today..

Granted, McIver should perhaps pick a single genre and evaluate it for the best guitarists, but the fact that he is the author and we are not gives him the right to write whatever he wishes. He has the money to make his opinion more visible as most of us do not...

Obie wrote:

meh at least this guy realizes how good mikael akerfeldt (from opeth) is

+ 1 man, Akerfeldt has such a unique and amazing way of composing and playing, Opeth should deifintely be getting more recognition than they currently are, especially with the release of Watershed, pure genius there...

SlipknotZ wrote:

I think the real list should be thus: #1. John Petrucci(Dream Theater/Liquid Tension Experiment), #2. Luke Hoskin(Protest The Hero), #3. Oli Herbert(All That Remains), #4. Synester Gates(Avenged Sevenfold), #5. Mark morton(Lamb Of God), #6. Willie Adler(Lamb Of God), #7. Bjorn Gelotte(In Flames)
See its an opinion people get over it

I agree with you about Petrucci man, he is amazing, though I don't know if he's suited to number one...Hoskin is good, but so is every other guy in the genre (that plays lead anyway) so he's too general to be included...Herbert is VERY good, I saw ATR live with IF (ATR sucked btw) and Oli is carrying the band, he's the only reason they've made it as far as they have...Synester Gates has no business being up there...don't get me wrong, he's good, but not top 100 good...The LoG guys have their place, and it's not on this list...again they're too general in their genre placement, there are better players out there...And as far as Bjorn is concerned, Jesper's better... but they balance technical ability with showmanship very well...though I'm still not sure if they should make this list...

The one thing I'm noticing from a lot of people posting here, especially the guy whose comment I commented on; you're all listing the guys from bands that you idolize. Nothing wrong with that, but if you are a casual listener who doesn't play guitar, you don't have any business commenting here, for you don't have a measure to compare those people to...

I briefly looked over the comments and was surprised to see people like Lane, Cooley, and Loomis were not mentioned at all...these are a couple of examples that should have been mentioned in depth as candidates, maybe not for the top ten, but definitely should be on the list...

And again, people who are bitching about Rhoads not being included (for a half good reason, his playing ability is dwarfed by Petrucci...etc.), McIver doesn't consider him to be a player in the vein of metal he is evaluating with this list, so stop whining, if you like to see him on a list, go make one yourself...

Though, to follow with my own ideas for McIver to perhaps comment on, I'd definitely include:

Petrucci, Loomis, Cooley, Akerfeldt, Romeo...etc...just to name a select few that I can think of right away...

In short, Kudos on the list McIver, though we might not agree on who deserves to be in it, you are definitely helping expose more people to the best kind of music there is...

-TFA

[synpet713192]

abyss257 wrote:

Hahahahaha These comments are completely rediculous.

Yeah, basically.

He's not saying that JUST sweeps would earn someone the top place. He's saying that there needs to be a good mix of technical skill AND influence to earn the top spot. Tony Iommi may have the latter, but he sorely lacks in the former.

[camhussynec]

tony iommi started METAL why the **** isnt he number 1 ?!!!!!

[korinaflyingv]

I might get it.

[unkownman99]

man tony iommi started it so hes number one i dotn give a ****

[Eddie22]

I didn`t read all the comments but I think no one mention Iron Maiden axes (Dave Murray,Adrian Smith,Janick Gers)

p.s.sorry about the grammar

[Ginger-les-tom]

People can say what they like, but i PERSONALLY reckon Dimebag HAS to be top 10, no.1 if it were upto me but it's not.

[Theman5]

In my honest opinion, this guy comes off as a complete jerk.

[jesussowns]

dark&broken wrote:

Why are people bitching about this being flawed, or this guy being retarded? It's not like this is meant as an authoritative, definitive list of the best in proper order.

It's not flawed, it's biased. The guy's basing it on his opinions, just like everyone else does.

Regardless of the final order, this is still gonna be a list the 100 most accomplished and influential metal guitarists, which is all it's meant to be.

Seriously true man.

[WillzKORN]

There are loads of guitarists that i love that i dont think will get in the list, and personally i prefer the composition of a solo (whether it be technical or not). But whatever, just because a guitarist may not be in this book doesnt mean they arent good or arent recognized by anyone. And another point is that there will be nobody else in the world happy with this list except the people that wrote it, because everyone has different opinions, just because you might not agree doesnt mean its going to be a bad read.

[joshjosh667]

I find it entertaining to look at these comments. Just a buncha people being really mean to each other... and its wicked funny.
BTW iron Maiden is the best

[darkl64]

Satch, Young, Malmsteen and Blackmore fair enough...
BUT NO RHOADS!!??
I think I'm gonna cry.

[F8iscruel]

well i guess i can shove this in my english teachers face, she said ted nugent was death metal, and said i didnt grow up during her generation so i had no idea of debating otherwise. now i can use this to make an arguement. still mad about his statement about guitar hero though

[yoursweatersux]

darkl64 wrote:

Satch, Young, Malmsteen and Blackmore fair enough...
BUT NO RHOADS!!??
I think I'm gonna cry.

You know... you're right. I can understand most of the omissions he mentioned. But excluding Rhoads from this book is blasphemy. Listen to Mr. Crowley and tell me that's not metal... it's probably more metal than most songs Black Sabbath ever played. That's just to name a single song...

Now that I think about it, I have a gripe with excluding Malmsteen from the book, particularly since technical ability is being factored in. Black Star? Come on man, that's metal

[Seidenschnur]

Whoever wrote 'Holy Wars' should be number one. Oh...wait, that was Dave Mustaine. Let's pick him. After all, he was kicked out of Metallica for drinking too much. If anything could be considered metal, that might be it.

[joester567]

why are people bashing kirk hammett so much, seroisly metallica is probably the most influentual band of the 80's. and kirk use mastaines riffs on kill em and dave did get credit, but master of puppets was way more influentail and just better

[Shamanic Rhythm]

This is a joke. These lists are completely subjective, and usually largely end up reflecting the opinion of whoever is putting them together.

I mean, how can you whether one guitarist is 'greater' than another? This guy goes by both technical proficiency and influence. Both of those are extremely subjective. Anyone can learn the technique, the thing that separates everyone from the people who get all the glory is knowing how to use it creatively. And can you ever measure the extent of someone's creativity? Which brings me to the next point, influence. What's more influential? Having a thousand bands copy your style, or having one great guitarist go, "Hey, why don't I try that BUT with this added to it?" There's a difference between copycats and innovators. And who's greater then, the guy who embellished the style, or the guy who invented it? Without the first guy it might never have happened, but what if the second guy's way becomes more popular? These are but some of the minefield of questions that spring up.

By all means, write a book about the guys that have had a lot of praise and influence. But don't put numbers next to their names. Art is not something you can quantify. You hear me, Rolling Stone?

[tcashmoney]

YoHendrix wrote:

why isnt Randy Rhoads included!? pretty Sure Ozzy Osbourne is Metal....

damn straight
Randy Rhoads has to be the best technical and influential heavy metal guitarist ever...how is Ozzy's solo act not metal

this dumbass needs to get curbstomped...

[Cutlass_253]

I do think that Iommi does deserve a high position as he brought to the forefront a lot of things that are common in metal today, such as drop tuning and 24 fret guitars, as well as created the general sound of early metal, however being the first doesn't automatically make him the best. Its called the 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists and I can't say that I think that anyone thinks that Iommi is the "greatest" metal guitarist ever. If it were my list I'd want not only an influential guitarist, but a skilled guitarist, a creative guitarist, and an emotional guitarist, not necessarily in that order. To me, he'd would need to be all of these things, and being the most influential isn't enough.

[K!!LsWiTcH]

most of the poepl are either retarded or have no idea what theyre talking about or both. someone said kirk hammett sweeps which he doesnt. and you cant judge a guitarists skill without actually knowing exactly what he can do. most of the people that posted in here are idiots

[slipmaggot93]

at least he got the guitar hero and rock band thing straight.

[BTBAM_7]

the list is the BEST not most influential. tony iommi might have influenced the #1 guitarists but that doesnt make him the best

[GodofCheesecake]

I fully expect to see Muhammed Suicmez and Paul Waggoner near the top of that list.

[Malchius]

Technical ability isn't what matters most. Iommi should definitely be in the top 3 for creating the basic guidelines for metal. As many metal musicians have said, all metal metal riffs are Black Sabbath riffs sped up or slow down.

I feel Iommi is also underrated in his solos, he may not be using modes but his solo are some of the best I've ever heard.

Randy Rhoads and Malsteem aren't Metal!!! What blasphemy. Malsteem basically brought shredding to the forefront and shredding is now a fundamental part of metal. Rhoads was with Ozzy and that's metal anyone who disagrees should put there guitar down, burn it and go play scrabble instead.

[metalhed717]

Alex Skolnick ftw!

[overkill127]

tony iommi, kk downing, dave murray and adrian smith in top 10. There would be no metal without them. And how the hell is randy rhoads not metal? also dimebag in the top 10, maybe number 2 or even number 1. I'd also like to see some newer guitarists higher up on the list like Synyster gates and alexi laiho. Also Janick.
Maiden cant be fought!

dragonforce shouldnt even be on there

[metalhed717]

i think some people are overreacting about the whole iommi cnat sweep comment. he's a great player, but obviosly not the most advanced technically. in my opinion a great player is one who can combine technicality but still retain a lot of emotion in it, musical death by testament being a great example imho

[plaa]

ShredEmAll wrote:

Silas S Thompso wrote:
Because he ripped off dave mustaines Kill em all leads, ride the lightning leads, and leper messiah and gave him no credit. Then when it was time to write music he couldn't think of anything so he had to copy hendrix (wherever I may roam solo) or he plays so much wah wah you can't hear what he's playing. Or he doesn't solo (St. anger)

Ok.Im not a fanboy, but if your gonna talk, you gotta get your facts straight.He only took the first 4 bars of the solos on Kill Em All and re-wrote the rest himself.He said it himself.Same with Ride and Ktulu.Kirk and Dave have wayy different styles so you could tell Kirk changed the solos.Also, you didnt acknowledge the fact that Kirk wrote great leads for Master and Justice (the albums) by himself.And he only took the begininning lick in Roam from Hendrix.The rest of the album also had great solos.

Hmm.Well Petrucci and Friedman for the win!

First of all, all the Ride the lighting solos are from kirk. I have no idea where you people get the idea that Dave "wannabe metallica's lead guitarist" Mustaine would have written those solos.. Well now that i think about it, is it because of the credits? If so, you should know that you don't get credited for a solo.

BTW to you all tone def people who assumes that Kirk is just blues scale wanker, you should probably listen stuff from And justice for all..

[Brian Bucket]

Buckethead, Swkisgarr, Toki?

[dagget]

When will people realize, that marty friedman is by far the greatest metal guitarist of all time? His work with not only Megadeth but Cacophony is TREMENDOUSLY underrated. His creativity, his style, his technicality...hes a goddamn genius and everyone should acknowledge him.

[High Reclaimer]

Yeah, I go with Toki too. Best guitarist ever.

[ginger ninja102]

i wanna know who these people get to vote or if its just them saying it and expecting us to believe it

[mrcr0wley]

Yngwie Hard Rock, WTF lol

i am interested in the book

[KingGohma]

SlipknotZ wrote:
#4. Synester Gates(Avenged Sevenfold)

I died a little bit inside.

When you get to this level of playing ability, it's difficult to distinguish who's best. Petrucci would be decent but most of his really good stuff comes with DT ballads - not so metal.

There is literally nothing not metal about Randy Rhoads. If you die in a fiery aerial explosion, regardless of what musical genre you play, you are instantly metal in my book.

[KingGohma]

Shamanic Rhythm wrote:

This is a joke. These lists are completely subjective, and usually largely end up reflecting the opinion of whoever is putting them together.

I mean, how can you whether one guitarist is 'greater' than another? This guy goes by both technical proficiency and influence. Both of those are extremely subjective. Anyone can learn the technique, the thing that separates everyone from the people who get all the glory is knowing how to use it creatively. And can you ever measure the extent of someone's creativity? Which brings me to the next point, influence. What's more influential? Having a thousand bands copy your style, or having one great guitarist go, "Hey, why don't I try that BUT with this added to it?" There's a difference between copycats and innovators. And who's greater then, the guy who embellished the style, or the guy who invented it? Without the first guy it might never have happened, but what if the second guy's way becomes more popular? These are but some of the minefield of questions that spring up.

By all means, write a book about the guys that have had a lot of praise and influence. But don't put numbers next to their names. Art is not something you can quantify. You hear me, Rolling Stone?

You, good sir, are a clever bastard.

[hansarvin]

Here's a thought...who cares what someone says about guitarists? Listen to what you like, rate them yourselves. There's a lot less stupidity that way.

[beau05]

atthedrive-thru wrote:

quit complaining about tony iommi not getting the number one spot, he doesn't deserve it anyways, it's just cuz he's like one of the founders of metal everyone thinks he deserves to be number one, but guess what, he's just f*cking overrated

yeh man, lets just erase iommi from music history and see what happens, it'll be way better

*sarcasm alert*

[neojazzical]

Van Halen should be #1.

hell i dont even like the guy and i think that.

[OMMad]

he already clearly stated his rating criteria: both technique and influence. so, if iomi doesn't get number 1 based on his criteria it makes perfect sense.

but there are a lot of things i have issue with...

judging by his criteria i'd put either malmsteen or gilbert at number one (both being hugely influential and proficient in a slew of techniques)... though since malmsteen doesn't qualify there's no chance in hell gilbert does...

the fact that he's conveniently categorized rhandy and evh as "not metal" is rather disturbing...

...and Åkerfeldt and Jeff Waters are great guitarists but... i don't think they're influential enough to even earn a mention here...

...wtf...

[MonsterOfRock]

So, I learnt a few things here. Apparently, Black Sabbath is not metal. Randy Rhoads and Yngwie Malmsteen aren't metal. Clarifying further that "Neo-classical Metal" is not a genre. You kids and this self proclaimed "book writer" are serious retards.

And Kirk bashers here me out. Before you say shit, listen to some of Kirk's work. The solo on "The Thing that Should not Be" is one of the meanest, metal-est solos ever. The "Creeping Death" riff (is Kirk's) wipes the floor with any Dave Mustaine riff. Solo like "Fade to Black", "One", "Master of Puppets" are what defined heavy metal at that time.

I bet the #1 in this list is gonna be Dimebag, for popularity. So all you kids will be like "Oh, Rest in Peace bro, yadi yada". If Dime was alive, he would've sliced this writers face open for not putting Randy Rhoads in the list.

Steve Vai should win this, but hes not that popular.

[MonsterOfRock]

And stop thinking that metal is this magical musical genre where the more metal you are the less sellout you are, or thinking "oh man we gotta support metal, they arent popular, they dont make much money" n shit like that. Metal artists do a lotta tours, they make a lotta money. Metal has core audiiences, which means they'll pay to see them when they come to town.

[Bloodandfire]

blommen wrote:

AmzGuitarist wrote:

Kirk hammet #1

uuuuhhh no.

let's start at the beginning shall we? is he a technically good guitarist? no. he is stuck in the blues scale, and rapes his solos with his wah pedal. has he influenced a lot of people? sure he has, but that's due to him being a part of possibly the most overrated metal of all time, from a technical point of view.

Kirk Hammett doesn't play the ****ing blues scale, he just sticks to modes like a faggot.

Other than that, everything you said is correct. Death to hammett.

[pootoob]

Toni Iommi can't sweep pick boo hoo!

Who cares if he can't? You can't say that someone is better than someone else simply because they play at the speed of sound. It should just be based on how good their playing sounds...

Also, a lot of people seem to have lost the defintion of 'metal' because of all these extreme metal genres. As far as I'm concerned the difference between metal and rock is metal is more about the harmonys and rock is more about the melodys...

[Joey Radical]

You guys are pathetic. This guy has opinions, and so do you. Just because you think it's metal doesn't mean it actually is metal, and just because you think something isn't metal, doesn't make it non-metal. This book contains guitarist which the author definesas metal. If you don't agree with him, just don't buy the book, and let the ones who do buy it. Let it go, you pussies.

[TheNewArmy]

In my opinion, what makes a good guitarist is not sweeping, or pure technique, but the combination of riffs and sound. Guys like Dimebag, Kerry King, Scott Ian, James Hetfield have combined a good sound with some great riffs. Purists will argue, but they have written some great songs. Relatively simple and efficient riffs. Evidently, guys like Iommi, Page, Hendrix, Van Halen, Satriani and others are just great, but they're not really Metal, more Rock.

[slayaplaya]

I hate it when people make lists like this...

It would be okay to make a list of good guitarist so people can get new inspirations by reading it, but I just hate the lists that classify "this" as better than "that"

[Slither_Snake]

Yes because no one ever agrees, just a money spin. People who make books like this are knob ends.

[NuclearPanda]

1) Chuck Norris!

USE YOUR BRAINS DUMBHEADS! Chuck Norris owns every****ing John Petrucci, Dave Mustaine, Alex Laiho (or whatever his name is)
Chuck Norris owns everyone on a guitar!

[Sanitarium91]

Get over it you guys. If Iommi would've got first place it would've been basically purely for his influence, which wouldn't be fair to anyone.

And Åkerfeld doesn't get any appreciation? Come on, almost 50% of the dudes in UG suck his c***. Yeah.

Rhoads not on the list? That's too much.

Hammet doesn't deserve a spot in the list? I disagree. He has probably had almost as much influence on beginner guitarists of these later generations as Iommi. Maybe even more, though I understand that Iommi was most likely an influence to most guitarists on the list.

[F8iscruel]

MonsterOfRock wrote:

I bet the #1 in this list is gonna be Dimebag, for popularity. So all you kids will be like "Oh, Rest in Peace bro, yadi yada". If Dime was alive, he would've sliced this writers face open for not putting Randy Rhoads in the list.

actually dimebag would mess him up for not putting ace frehley on there.

[basspunk709]

metalme31 wrote:

Screw this guy. He came off as a prick to me. Tony Iommi not getting the number one spot because he can't sweep? No thank you.

thats just one reason. im sure he has more reasoning behind it. that was just an example. besides tony iommi isnt that great anyway

[Rathon]

Dimebag ftw :o

[KingGohma]

NuclearPanda wrote:

1) Chuck Norris!

USE YOUR BRAINS DUMBHEADS! Chuck Norris owns every****ing John Petrucci, Dave Mustaine, Alex Laiho (or whatever his name is)
Chuck Norris owns everyone on a guitar!

You are the worst person ever. Unless you're twelve years old you shouldn't find Chuck Norris funny.

[ShredZombie91]

I think you all should stop bashing the author of the book... He wants to create a book wich includes guitarists wich are not known by anyone like Rhandy Rhoads or Steve Vai ok? Why can't you understand?
everyone knows them and there aro so much good guitarists who don't even have fame but they are good, check out Jeff Waters of Annihhilator, Jeff Loomis of Nevermore, check out Opeth or Pain of Salvation or Muhammed Suchimez of Necrophagist. there are so many great guitarists beyond the famous ones

[VIO-LENT]

**** the goat

[siverstorm]

All you need to do is state an opinion and it sells, this guy is smart :P

[guitaringnathan]

randy rhoads should be number 1, but i guess he wont be because he's "hard rock"

screw you dude

[Firering56]

blommen wrote:

AmzGuitarist wrote:

Kirk hammet #1

uuuuhhh no.

let's start at the beginning shall we? is he a technically good guitarist? no. he is stuck in the blues scale, and rapes his solos with his wah pedal. has he influenced a lot of people? sure he has, but that's due to him being a part of possibly the most overrated metal of all time, from a technical point of view.

F u man, Metallica is a damn good band, way ****ing better than all these new subgenres of metal coming out
(Black metal , Melodic Metal and my least favorite Norweigen black metal)

[RezGuitar]

wow kurt cobain lol? i wouldnt even put him in the top 10000 guitarists of rock

of course tony iommi no 1 or atleast top 5

[RezGuitar]

also influence/originality almost as important as skill, if you arent a leader, youre probably a follower...

[BONE MARROW]

KIRK HAMMET # 1

blommen wrote:

AmzGuitarist wrote:

Kirk hammet #1

uuuuhhh no.

let's start at the beginning shall we? is he a technically good guitarist? no. he is stuck in the blues scale, and rapes his solos with his wah pedal. has he influenced a lot of people? sure he has, but that's due to him being a part of possibly the most overrated metal of all time, from a technical point of view.

[BONE MARROW]

im sure he can probally sweep
if i can do it at 15, he can do it.

fLYinGV23 wrote:

Tony Iommi not being number one because he can't sweep? WHAT THE FUCK

[MetallicaPwn3dU]

DAVE MUSTAINE IS THE #1 METAL GUITARIST....it said so in the book

[Kankuro1]

Read the book. Hated it. Gave it to my 13 year old little brother. Dave Mustaine? Da ****?

[St.Angarrr]

Amz guitarist go **** yourself.Kirk hammet is something.And can you play better than him? i wouldnt think so.He uses his pedal fine thats his deal just cause you dont like it dont bitch about it.I heard dave mustaine is No.1 (maybe) if so thats bullshit.Kerry king sucks and cant play solos worth a damn there just racket.Dime bag darrel is better then dave mustaine.He should be number one.

[St.Angarrr]

The guy that wrote this book is stupid obviously.

[trogdor12309]

AmzGuitarist wrote:

Kirk hammet #1

kirk hammett isn't even that good at guitar. hes been a big influence on alot of people, but he takes all his leads from mustaine. i'm 16 and i'm almost as good as kirk hammett.

in my opinion mustaine deserves 1st.

whats all this talk about people not being able to sweep? any professional guitarist can sweep. its easy.

[allfooie]

Mullen2105 wrote:

dethead666 wrote:

guitarlad89 wrote:

fLYinGV23 wrote:

Tony Iommi not being number one because he can't sweep? WHAT THE FUCK

That's ok, sabbath isn't metal anyway, and im sick of people saying that they are. They're hard rock. THAT'S IT.You sir = the biggest retard i've met in UG

Yes they are, they created real metal, they just arent what people today would call metal.

I hope this guy doesn't make it say that jim root or like mick thompson in the top 5.

+1

[TheOzzmanCometh]

in top 10 should be Tony Iommi, Randy Rhoads, Michael Angelo Batio, Zakk Wylde, Dave Mustaine, James Hetfield, Dimebag Darrel, John Schaeffer, Yngwie Malmsteen and Kerry King

[TheOzzmanCometh]

Wat the hell is he on wen he says Randy Rhoads is not metal he should be number 1

[Pus_Head]

Silas S Thompso wrote:

Kirk hammet #1

Because he ripped off dave mustaines Kill em all leads, ride the lightning leads, and leper messiah and gave him no credit. Then when it was time to write music he couldn't think of anything so he had to copy hendrix (wherever I may roam solo) or he plays so much wah wah you can't hear what he's playing. Or he doesn't solo (St. anger)

Rhandy is metal also. So is Van Halen and yngwie. Marty Friedman, Dave Mustaine, John Petrucci, All the dudes from Maiden, K.K. Downing, Glenn Tipton.

Dave did no leads on Ride The Lightning or Leper Messiah

He had 1 riff on the Song Ride the lightning and the 4 bars of Ktulu

trogdor12309 wrote:

AmzGuitarist wrote:

Kirk hammet #1

kirk hammett isn't even that good at guitar. hes been a big influence on alot of people, but he takes all his leads from mustaine. i'm 16 and i'm almost as good as kirk hammett.

in my opinion mustaine deserves 1st.

whats all this talk about people not being able to sweep? any professional guitarist can sweep. its easy.

If you think Kirk Hammett isnt a good guitarist and then you compare yourself to him, Arnt you saying your not a good guitarist?