The Four Horseman by Metallica
Released in 1983 on Metallica's debut album Kill 'Em All, The Four Horsemen helped define early thrash with its blistering riffs and furious tempo. The track's name nods to the apocalypse and the song became a rite of passage for metal guitarists, shaping the sound of 80s metal and remaining a staple in live sets and cover videos.
🎸 Want to know the techniques, practice tips, and lesson details? Scroll below the lesson!
What You'll Learn
In this lesson you'll learn the main intro riff, the verse riff, and the driving rhythm that powers the track. We'll break down the fast palm-muted power-chords, the razor-sharp alternate picking, and the tight timing that gives the groove its punch. We'll also cover common tricky spots, like maintaining clean muted accents at high speed and staying in tempo through the rapid note-for-note sections.
Advanced; prior skills that help include solid palm-muted power-chords, accurate alternate picking, and comfortable tempo control at high speeds.
🎸 Techniques Used
Practice Tips
- 💡Practice the main riff hands separately (left-hand accuracy, right-hand timing) before combining, using a metronome at a slow tempo and gradually increasing speed.
- 💡Relax your picking hand and wrist to maintain clean muting and attack; aim for precise, per-note clarity rather than sheer speed.
- 💡Break the song into small sections, lock in the rhythm with the bass line, then gradually piece them together at performance tempo.
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