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| 10 Most Underrated/underappreciated Metal Guitarists
The top ten guitarists in metal who I believe are far underexposed and underappreciated in the metal scene today....you probably haven't heard of all these guys unless you follow the metal scene closely but rest assured these guys are all incredible in their own ways.... | | 1 | Kyle McKnight (Threat Signal)
Thrashing, incredibly complex riffs both melodically and rhythmically, intricate harmonies, some ridiculous breakdowns and some absolutely stunning guitar solos. This guy is so talented it's scary....every riff and solo is solid gold. He completely wrote Threat Signal's debut album along with former guitarist Ryan Howard.....Check out Counterbalance and When All is Said and Done both off their debut album, Under Reprisal. | | 2 | Jeff Loomis (Nevermore)
Okay, if you know your metal you already know he's incredible but you don't realize the extent of it. When Jeff was 16 he auditoned for the then-open lead guitarist spot for Megadeth. After the auditon Mustaine said the only reason he didn't give him the job right then and there was his young age. Loomis will likely stand as one of the new great shred guitar gods for his generation. Check out The River Dragon Has Come and The Final Product by Nevermore | | 3 | Buzz McGrath (Unearth)
This guy has been a driving piston in Unearth's development as a band. On III: In The Eyes of Fire we can thank Buzz for some absolutely incredible riffage and soloing which has culminated thanks to an ever-evolving sound. His soloing has always been incredible and to be honest the guy just can't write a bad song....check out Zombie Autopilot, Giles and Sanctity of Brothers by Unearth. | | 4 | Marc Rizzo (Ill Nino, Chimaira, Soulfly)
Generally his guitar playing went unnoticed in Chimaira and Ill Nino. In Soulfly however, backing Max Calavera, he's really allowed his soloing and riff (more like breakdown) writing to shine. This guy has a knack for catchy riffs and has some incredible chops. Surprisingly, he's also an INCREDIBLY skilled flamenco guitarist. Check out Frontlines and Carved Inside off of Soulfly's Dark Ages Album. For some of his flamenco playing at it's best check out Soulfly V off of the same album. | | 5 | Pin (Sikth)
He's like Fredrik Thorgensen mixed with Van Halen. He has a very unique approach to playing guitar which involves hyper-chromatic, yet catchy and brutally heavy riffs played in odd time signatures combined with lightning fast and incredibly complicated tapping leads. Sikth's songs go from creepily peaceful and melancholy to breakneck-speed panic-attack-inducingly heavy. Check out Bland Street Bloom, In This Light and Sanguine Seas of Bigotry off of Sikth's Death of a Dead Day album. | | 6 | A.J. Minette and Dean Herrera (The Human Abstract)
Both classically trained guitarists, A.J. and Dean have crafted an original and powerful sound best described as neoclassical-progressive-hardcore. Most of their riffs are two-step heaven in a mosh pit and their leads are epic, including a very Metropolis-esque (Dream Theater) interlude in Crossing the Rubicon. Many of their songs also include acoustic guitar interludes very reminiscent of baroque-era classical music. Check out Crossing the Rubicon and Vela, Together We Await the Storm along with it's acoustic instrumental overture, Desiderata. The breakdown/whole-tone scale leads in the bridge to Harbinger are also incredible. | | 7 | Steve Jones and Michael Keene (The Faceless)
You don't realize it but these guys might very well be two of the best death metal guitarists in the world right now. Their collective style includes fast tremolo picking riffs, odd-time breakdowns, very well arranged and heavily harmonized solos with some very impressive tapping leads, and catchy alternate-picking three and four string arpeggio patterns. Check out An Autopsy and Ghost of a Stranger off The Faceless' debut, Akeldama (the title track is also definitely worth checking out). | | 8 | Chris Storey and Ben Orum (All Shall Perish)
Fast, technical riffs and some of the best breakdowns in metal today. Check out There is No Business to be Done on a Dead Planet and We Hold These Truths off All Shall Perish's Price of Existence album | | 9 | Oli Herbert and Mike Martin (All That Remains)
Interestingly enough, this is a teacher/student combo. Martin used to take lessons from Oli. They both have a knack for breakdowns and very technical riffs. Oli however, really shines when he solos which clearly he has a natural affinity for. Check out The Air That I Breathe and Not Alone off of All That Remains' The Fall of Ideals Album. | | 10 | "Drew" (See You Next Tuesday)
This guy is certainly the most original guitarist on this list. His riffs are unusually atonal and lack any particular key. Some people might call his music garbage but it's incredible in it's own right if you give it a good listen. He also has great chops and even though it doesn't show, a good foundation in music theory and training. Check out 8 Dead 9 Counting the Fetus and Honey I've Never Had Sex That Wasn't Awkward off of See You Next Tuesday's debut, Parasite. | |
unretrovertigofied
10.07.07 | I did one of these lists myself a while ago and got a fair bit of stick for it, so i hope you have more luck than I did!
#2 : To a certain degree. While Jeff Loomis isn't a household name, most metal fans have caught on to how good he is now. Has his own column in GuitarWorld, which says to me he's no longer an unknown.
#3 : Good guitarist within the genre, agreed.
#4 : Has a unique sound with Ill Nino, but Soulfly is caveman metal and any half neanderthal man could play that rubbish.
#9: While people may not know the actual names of the guitarists for ATR, most people hear the song "Six" on Guitar Hero on ps2, and everyone knows them. Oli, Mike, and Buzz from Unearth are the shining lights in the NWOAHM, personally i think.
I haven't really heard much from any of the other bands, so some other members might give ya some suggestions. | iarescientists
10.07.07 | breakdown chugga chugga chugga | unretrovertigofied
10.07.07 | after much thinking, most of these guitarists are all pretty talented, if still inexperienced.
whenever I think of Under-rated metal guitarists, 3 names in particular always spring to mind:
1. Johan Hallgren from Pain Of Salvation. While he borders on a being a typical metal guitarist per se, he has a unique playing style that some metal guitarists would kill for.
2. Henrik Danhage from Evergrey
3. John 5 from Marilyn Manson/solo | ToWhatEnd
10.07.07 | The ones I'm familiar with on this list I agree with, which would be 3, 6, 7, and 9. | BallsToTheWall
10.07.07 | Mark Rizzo is a hell of a guitarist. I dont see many people on this site praise Dino Cazares either, but he's pretty sick as well. Loomis isnt underrated. McKnight is good and so is Threat Signal but, guitar wise very Meshuggahish. | Bfhurricane
10.07.07 | I met Mike Martin and got a picture with him. Hes quite the hick. I like 2, 3, 7, and 9. | Zoo
10.07.07 | The majority of this list is under-appreciated for a reason. | jrowa001
10.07.07 | i agree with 5. i hope sikth somehow find a way to replace their vocalists cuz they were so unique but if Pin continues to play the way he does they will be fine | Pebster49
10.07.07 | 5 and 8 are amazing...3,6 and 10 are pretty good as well | TheStarclassicTreatment
10.07.07 | I don;t think 2 is underrated.
4 is pretty cool from his Ill Nino work
5 is also very god
7 are beasts
and Oli from ATR is incredible/ | Bull with Gloves
10.09.07 | You guys need to check out Threat Signal I honestly think Kyle McKnight isn't just the most underrated guitarist here....he's the best too. |
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