Breaking The Law by Judas Priest
Released in 1980 on the British Steel album, Breaking The Law is Judas Priest's breakout single that helped push metal into the mainstream. The song centers on a razor-sharp riff built around driving power chords and a tight, palm-muted groove, with Rob Halford's bark delivering the rebel yell. Produced by Tom Allom, the track showcases Priest's signature twin-lead texture and high-energy pace that would become a blueprint for countless metal anthems.
From the now-iconic bank-heist video to its enduring live performances, Breaking The Law cemented Judas Priest as a world-conquering force in metal. Its simple, memorable hook makes it the perfect entry point for players learning rhythm riffs, effective muting, and lead interplay between two guitars. Decades on, it remains a cultural touchstone—play it with confidence, and you'll instantly tap into the spirit of early 80s metal.
🎸 Want to know the techniques, practice tips, and lesson details? Scroll below the lesson!
What You'll Learn
In this lesson you will learn the iconic main riff built on driving power chords and palm-muted rhythm in a tight 4/4 groove, then move into the verse riff and the punchy pre-chorus. We’ll cover the chorus-chug sections, as well as the lead break that mirrors the classic twin-guitar harmony. The course focuses on accurate alternate picking, precise string muting, and dynamic control to capture the track's aggressive energy. We’ll also discuss coordinating two-guitar textures during the solo sections and highlight common pitfalls like rushing the tempo or letting muting slip.
Intermediate; prior skills that help include solid rhythm with power chords and palm muting, basic minor pentatonic scale knowledge for the lead, and comfortable alternate picking.
🎸 Techniques Used
Practice Tips
- 💡Practice the main riff slowly with a metronome, then gradually increase tempo while keeping perfect muting and clean downstrokes.
- 💡Anchor your picking hand lightly on the strings near the bridge to control noise during palm-muted sections and drive the chug with precision.
- 💡Learn the lead break and harmony lines separately, then merge them with a backing track to simulate the two-guitar texture from the recording.
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