Guitar & Bass Tabs
Slaughter
About Slaughter
Slaughter burst out of Las Vegas in the late 1980s, born from the songwriting partnership of Mark Slaughter and Tim Kelly who aimed to fuse arena-sized hard rock with unforgettable melodies. Their approach combined soaring vocal lines, muscular riffs, and a tight rhythm section, laying the groundwork for melodic hard rock that could cross into mainstream rock radio.
Their 1990 debut, Stick It to Ya, delivered radio-ready anthems and MTV staples that helped define early '90s glam-infused hard rock. With hook-laden riffs and bold choruses, the album earned the band national attention and a Platinum certification in the United States.
After the breakout, Slaughter continued to tour and record through the 1990s and beyond, maintaining a devoted fanbase and influencing a new generation of players who chased big choruses, dual-guitar harmonies, and melodic aggression in rock.
🎸 Want to know what gear Slaughter used, their playing style, and fun facts? Scroll below the lessons!
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Burning Bridges
Slaughter
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Up All Night
Slaughter
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Eye To Eye
Slaughter
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Fly To The Angels
Slaughter
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Desperately
Slaughter
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Slaughter's guitar approach sits at the crossroads of crunchy hard rock and melodic hooks. The guitar lines are built on muscular power chords, palm-muted chugging, and driving eighth-note rhythms that set up massive choruses. Tim Kelly and Mark Slaughter often weave harmonized leads and bluesy pentatonic phrases through the songs, balancing bold riffs with melodic soloing. Expect expressive bends, tight alternate picking, and a voice-like quality in tone that helps the riffs soar above the rhythm section. Their sound is unmistakably arena-ready but rooted in solid groove and memorable melodies.
🎸 Gear & Equipment
Iconic gear associated with Slaughter includes humbucker-equipped guitars like Gibson Les Pauls for thick rhythm tones, often run through high-gain Marshall-style amps to deliver saturated crunch. Tim Kelly favored fast, cutting lead tones from Strat-style or Jackson/Charvel-inspired guitars through bright, high-gain heads. In the studio and on stage, classic effects such as delay and chorus were used to widen solos and create space around the vocal melodies.
Why Learn Slaughter Songs?
Learning Slaughter songs on guitar is a great way to build a rock-solid foundation: you’ll lock in tight rhythm with power chords, perfect palm muting, and clean alternate picking for precision. The eight lessons cover a spectrum of chord shapes, groove-centric riffs, and melodic soloing that reinforce timing, dynamics, and phrasing. While these tracks sit in the intermediate range, they scale well as you improve, helping you master the mechanics of catchy, arena-ready rock that still sounds fresh today.
Did You Know?
- 1Slaughter formed in Las Vegas in the late 1980s and became a national radio and MTV staple with their breakthrough debut.
- 2'Fly to the Angels' remains one of the era's most enduring power ballads and a staple on classic rock playlists.
- 3The band's name comes from frontman Mark Slaughter's surname, signaling a personal, no-frills approach to hard rock.
- 4The debut album Stick It to Ya achieved Platinum status in the United States, paving the way for their signature sound.
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