MT I meant to specifically address this solo: I think a big reason why it sounds so “good” is how heavily affected it is. After the intro portion of the solo, Kirk’s using an octaver or similar effect which produces a neat sounding tone. For the conclusion portion, he switches into using a wah pedal and his tremolo arm, so that’s producing some nice sounds. Its just his note selection that really bugs me. Its almost like the solos just don’t quite fit with the rest of the song. He’s not melodic, at all.
Yes, Helmet did “Unsung”. Their new stuff isn’t as strong. Actually, I think the best part of the original lineup was the drummer but he’s moved on to other bands like Tomahawk and Battles.
I agree with most of your choices and I like all these guitarists. I don’t think Zep is a metal band (and I know I opened up the can of worms for hard rock to be included) but they are one of the best hard rock bands ever. Page’s skill and compositional abilities are unchallengable. He’s just not a metal guitarist by and large, although I suppose you could easily classify riffs like “Communication Breakdown” and “Whole Lotta Love” as metal riffs, but the majority of their stuff wasn’t quite like that.
Iommi was a metal God and the fountain from which all power chord metal riffs sprang as you say, but he couldn’t really solo with any complexity,and wasn’t all that melodic either.
Angus is another monster who also doesn’t solo well. But boy can he still bring it, even at his age!
Hetfield is a great metal guitarist, but as you allude to, he isn’t much in the solo department. If he was they could probably kick Hammet out of the band and be 1/4th richer!
I think Rhoads is your best candidate because Ozzy certainly had himself a metal band there, Rhoads played tasty riffs, had a readily identifiable sound, and due to his classical training, a great ear for melody. He’s one of my favorites too. I really liked his solos, they still don’t sound dated to me and they aren’t senseless thrashing up and down scales for speed’s sake, they fit the songs they are in.
Which obviously leads me into Mr Malmsteen. The reason I attempted to disqualify guys like him is because to a man, all these guitarists songs are vehicles for constant soloing if they are instrumental songs, and if they have lyrics, the songs, um…suck. I love Yngwie’s instrumental stuff…but he can’t hold a riff down long enough to qualify. Its like he just has no patience to really set up a rhythm and allow a tune to build to a blistering crescendo (solo), because pretty much the entire song is a solo. He does have ridiculous speed flailing his strat up and down those harmonic minor scales, though. I spent my entire teenaged years attempting to emulate raking (sweep picking) and I never was very good at it.
What are your thoughts on Nuno Bettencourt? Yes, he’s a shredder, but, like EVH, he authored some pretty danged tuneful tunes.
Also: Leslie West?
I am kind of surprised to be the first to mention John Petrucci* from Dream Theater. Though I guess he could be considered Prog Rock. But the man is insanely good.
Another stellar player, who didn’t get enough notice when he was a live was, Jon Olivia from Savatage. That guy had great tone and style. I still absolutely love his stuff.
Another monster player is Alex Skolnick from Testament.
My favorite is Rhoads, listening to him is the reason I started playing guitar. So he is at the top of my list.
Hmmm, gotta do some more thinking. Be back later…
Slee
*Though he plays a wide range of stuff.