Angel Of Death by Slayer
Angel of Death opens Slayer's 1986 album Reign in Blood, produced by Rick Rubin. The song was primarily written by Kerry King with strong contributions from Jeff Hanneman, and its blistering, razor-fast riffs and relentless tempo helped define the sound of modern thrash metal.
Lyrically, the track portrays the infamous Nazi physician Josef Mengele, a subject that sparked controversy but underscored Slayer's willingness to address dark history in extreme metal. Musically, the track's ruthless speed, precision, and distinctive riff organization have made it a cornerstone study for aspiring players seeking speed, accuracy, and aggressive expression.
🎸 Want to know the techniques, practice tips, and lesson details? Scroll below the lesson!
What You'll Learn
In this lesson, you'll learn to master the song's iconic intro riff built on rapid tremolo-picked E power chords, then move into the brutal verse chugs, and finally the high-energy chorus. We'll cover techniques such as Tremolo Picking, Palm Muting, Alternate Picking, and Power Chords, with emphasis on timing and articulation. We'll also point out tricky parts: the extreme tempo and rapid string crossings require precision; practice with a metronome; break riffs into 4-bar phrases; gradually increase tempo.
Advanced; previous experience with fast alternate picking, strict palm muting, and power chords will help you tackle the relentless tempo and precision of this track.
🎸 Techniques Used
Practice Tips
- 💡Break the riffs into four-bar phrases and practice with a metronome starting at 60-90 BPM, then gradually increase to performance tempo.
- 💡Keep your picking hand anchored near the bridge and use tight palm muting to get the classic Slayer chug. Focus on clean articulation and even attack.
- 💡Break each section into smaller motifs and practice transitions between riff sections until smooth.
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