I've been thinking about this for a good few years now. Back in the day it would have been all Angus Young, Fast Eddie and nothing else, on mature reflection and after going through all flavours of the month, for me it's Gary Moore. I think its his ability to melt your face but also his phrasing is just class, if David Gilmour ever went through a more metal/rock phase I think he would be Gary Moore. So for me its Moore.
My second favourite would be Steve Jones
Starters orders..3..2..1
Tony Iommi
Jerry Cantrell
Gergor Macintosh
Probably in that order.
In no specific order...
Chris Poland
Tommy Vetterli
Vernon Reid
Tony Iommi
They're the big dogs. I had a soft spot for all the shred lads in the late 80's, still love that stuff, so many contenders. Marty Friedman would have made the top list if he hadn't played another note after Countdown.
I think the top dog would have to be Tony Iommi for his genius and versatility. Glenn Tipton and Adrian Smith would also be up there, notably for their sense of melody.
In no particular order...
Muhammed Suiçmez.
Dave Davidson.
Chuck Schuldiner.
Jeff Loomis.
Alex Lifeson.
Andy Latimer (from Camel; he's one of the great underrated players).
Ross the Boss and the classic pairings from Priest and Maiden.
Paul Quinn and the left handed dude from Candlemass would also be up there (I really am shit with names).
Mike Scheidt (surely the biggest misnomer in metal) is absolutely incredible and that Yob sound is so unique
Mike's a genuinely incredible player. Davide Tiso from Ephel Duath/loads of other projects is also an unsung true maestro of the instrument. Neither would be "favourites" of mine personally though.
Andy LaRocque is the one that comes fastest to mind for metal if I try to think of a #1 favourite lead player. Hard to pick between Chuck, Hetfield and Mustaine for the rhythm/composition side of things. Jason Becker #1 for the virtuosos (followed by Paul Gilbert). Richie Blackmore for lead player in classic rock. Or Slash, in a totally different style.
Big fan of Mike from YOB as well.
While I love all sorts I've always personally gravitated to guitarists with a loose swagger or unique style rather than super shredders. Just as a reference to BSC's comment I'd be more of a Shermann/Denner guy than a Laroque guy (he's obviously class too, just personal taste). Early favourites were Angus, Slash and Brian Robertson (my personal favourite Lizzy guitarist!), and then Iommi when that path naturally led to Sabbath.
Obviously the Maiden/Priest/Slayer lads, Hetfield/Mustaine etc. Piggy from Voivod is in with a shout on pure originality alone, Azagthoth is up there for the same reason. Robert Fripp just a genius as well.
Brent Hinds too, sounds like a dying cat when he tries to sing but that banjo thing he has going on is class.
Mikael Akerfeldt is underrated as well, didn't realise how much lead he plays until I watched some of the Opeth live releases a while back.
Cornell/Thayil, not technically great 'players' per se, but some of that Soundgarden stuff they did particularly on BMF/Superunknown is super weird, Thayil also has a fun lead style, always sounds like he's just on the verge of fucking it but holds it down in the end.
On a sidenote regarding Slayer, people who complain about their solos do my head in.
Always liked Rich Robinson from The Black Crowes, not flash but has a nice sleazy groove to his playing. Not a fan of 'shredders'.
No order and will change next week.
Trey Azagthoth, Scott Ian, Warren DeMartini and Andreas Kisser.
Quote from: Carnage on January 28, 2025, 10:08:36 PMAlways liked Rich Robinson from The Black Crowes, not flash but has a nice sleazy groove to his playing. Not a fan of 'shredders'.
Nice. The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion + the debut are two favourites of mine. Also 'shredders' ..fucking nails down a blackboard. Hate the word and all it implies.
Same, diminishing returns after the first two.
Devin Townsend, mostly from a songwriting standpoint but he can still shred and play tastefully when he needs to, and the solo in Deep Peace is probably my favourite ever
From a more strictly metal view I'd have Jeff Loomis up near the top. Not really a big fan of instrumental albums but I keep going back to his solo stuff all the time, and his work with Nevermore speaks for itself. Just a shame he wasted so much time in Arch Enemy
And then Phil Tougas from First Fragment/Void Ceremony/Chthe'ilist
Dominic Finbow from Moss.
Quote from: Trev on January 28, 2025, 11:15:26 PMJust a shame [Loomis] wasted so much time in Arch Enemy
And then Phil Tougas from First Fragment/Void Ceremony/Chthe'ilist
Yeah, Loomis' stint with Arch Enemy is a downer for sure. Totally agree on Tougas, absolutely class player.
And since Mike from Yob has been mentioned, Okoi deserves a shout for his absolutely unique technique.
Eddie and Trey.
I'm not a fan of widdlers, most of my favourites are lads who can wring strange sounds from their guitar.
My favourites in no particular order:
Ron Asheton, Tony Iommi, Trey Azagthoth, Geordie Walker, Tony "Bones" Roberts, Bill Steer, Duane Denison, James Murphy
I think Satyr's riffcraft on the first couple of Satyricon records is second to none.
Not for technicality, but for riffs and tone I'd go with Victor Griffen
Gary Moore. No one gets near him
Iommi
Blackmore
Gaz Jennings
Dave Murray
Gaz Jennings is a good shout for his work on Forest of Equilibrium alone.
Andrew Craighean's early work remains unsurpassed too.
Dude from Skepticism obviously.
Dude from Thergothon obviously.
Euronymous obviously.
Varg obviously.
Chuck Schuldinder was huge for me growing up
Malmsteen is my favourite wanker guitarist
Hoffman bros for their pure knucklehead satanic mania
And obviously Adrian Smith/Dave Murray
in terms of black metal snorre ruchs playing and song writing influence cannot overstated. also blasphemer, amazing song writer and player, pretty much saved Mayhem
Keith Richards......
Dimebag and Friedman for metal, Nuno Bettencourt and Danny Gatton for virtuoso stuff, Johnny Marr and Prince for rhythm playing, Gary Moore and Rory Gallagher for hometown heroes.
Special shoutout to Bob Mould/D. Boon/Curt Kirkwood for rewriting the book on alternative music in the 80s.
Quote from: Mooncat on January 30, 2025, 06:24:41 PMDimebag and Friedman for metal, Nuno Bettencourt and Danny Gatton for virtuoso stuff, Johnny Marr and Prince for rhythm playing, Gary Moore and Rory Gallagher for hometown heroes.
Special shoutout to Bob Mould/D. Boon/Curt Kirkwood for rewriting the book on alternative music in the 80s.
Yes, saw Bob Mould play solo on his last tour here and I was honestly blown away with his playing, somewhat unexpectedly. Just him and the guitar so no bulshitting/hiding involved!
I feel like Billy Corgan gets seriously overlooked as well as probably one of the best ever. Always respected but I haven't seen him come up as often as he probably should.
Always thought Alex Lifeson gets pretty overlooked, Geddy and Peart always seemed to sweep up the accolades in Rush, but he's such a tasteful player
Quote from: Trev on January 30, 2025, 07:13:49 PMAlways thought Alex Lifeson gets pretty overlooked, Geddy and Peart always seemed to sweep up the accolades in Rush, but he's such a tasteful player
Think he likes the lads getting all the praise in fairness. He's great.
As I was on a bit of the newer guitar heroes earlier. Dave Davidson from Revelation and Brandon Ellis From Black Dahlia Murder. Absolute shredders the pair of 'em.
The list varies but definitely Devin Townsend - regardless how I feel about his newer material the man is a fantastic player and a great mix of technicality and feel.
Trey Spruance is also amazing but overlooked often.
Quote from: ochoill on January 31, 2025, 08:49:22 AMThe list varies but definitely Devin Townsend - regardless how I feel about his newer material the man is a fantastic player and a great mix of technicality and feel.
Trey Spruance is also amazing but overlooked often.
I enjoy the fact that Spruance playing thrash in Bungle at the moment offends all the gobshite fans.
Quote from: ochoill on January 31, 2025, 08:49:22 AMThe list varies but definitely Devin Townsend - regardless how I feel about his newer material the man is a fantastic player and a great mix of technicality and feel.
Indeed. His solo in Failure is Godly but it's frustrating he does so few of them.
Snorres influence on early mayhem has been confirmed as being massively overstated. Euronymous had the biggest hand in that 2nd wave of Black metal sound.
Favourite guitarists: Euronymous, Jack Owen, Jimmy Page, Early Hetfield was a riff machine, jimi hendrix, josh homme, ihsahn, demonaz. To name a small amount.
Too many to choose...but will list a few
Tony Iommi
Dave Murray & Adrian Smith
Randy Rhoads
Robert Smith
Jeff Hanneman & Kerry King
Glen Tipton & K.K. Downing
Alex Skolnick & Eric Peterson
Mike Clarke & Rocky George
Scott Ian & Danny Spitz
Chuck Schuldiner
Nuno...
All probably very obvious, but the guys that inspired me to pick up a guitar and make a racket.
Quote from: Iliketortles on January 31, 2025, 09:24:41 PMSnorres influence on early mayhem has been confirmed as being massively overstated. Euronymous had the biggest hand in that 2nd wave of Black metal sound.
It seems to me, from what I've read about it, that the two of them were kind of moving in a similar direction. They jammed together a bit/ a lot and probably shared ideas. I get the impression they both influenced each other equally and were armed with a similar outlook and level of creativity and ability.
On a related note, last night I saw that one of the Gjendød dudes has been a member of Thorns since 07. That bodes well for the new album if it ever emerges.
Saw that the two of them are in Aptorian Demon. Only got around to checking out the most recent ep lately. Last two tunes are slightly unnecessary but it's cool.
I gave it a listen and it was grand.
If we're keeping it strictly metal Piggy and Bill Steer for me.
James Dean Bradfield - especially on those first 4 records, he managed to wrench something different to the last album out of his Les Paul each time.
Ian MacKaye & Guy Picciotto.
Joe Strummer & Mick Jones.
Andy Gill.
Steve Jones.
Matt Pike.
A few mentioned already - Rory, Mike Scheidt from Yob, Our Lord Tony Iommi, the Bills; Corgan and Steer.
Quote from: StoutAndAle on February 04, 2025, 01:27:37 PMJames Dean Bradfield - especially on those first 4 records, he managed to wrench something different to the last album out of his Les Paul each time.
Ian MacKaye & Guy Picciotto.
Joe Strummer & Mick Jones.
Andy Gill.
Steve Jones.
Matt Pike.
A few mentioned already - Rory, Mike Scheidt from Yob, Our Lord Tony Iommi, the Bills; Corgan and Steer.
The Fugazi guys and Andy Gill are a good shout! Fugazi had such a knack for riffs.
Yep, Fugazi dudes are savage.
Denner/Sherman are huge for me.
Mappe and lars of Candlemass also.
Quite a few that stand out for me.
Rhythm-wise I'm still very much drawn to the 80s riff men like Hetfield, Mustaine, Scott Ian and Mike Clark
Lead-wise, 80s Kirk Hammett is the man. His solos then were things you'd nearly sing along with and we a huge part of the songs. The less said about him from the 90s on the better.
I also love the work from Greg Mackintosh, James Murphy and Alex Skolnick
As all-rounders and songwriters, Mark Knopfler, Jerry Cantrell, Jim Martin, the Def Leppard lads, Gorham/Robertson, Billy Duffy, Steve Stevens and Geordie Walker all get a mention. There's something unique about all these lads that makes them stand out and it's not rooted in technical ability. You just know them when you hear them and that's something that has really dropped off on recent years.
Edit - Also worth mentioning Corgan. He definitely doesn't get the credit he's due as a guitarist.
Brian May for me, mainly on those albums preceding Hot Space. The distinct style, phrasing, solos, great riffs.
Dev Townsend, Iommi, Dimebag, Gary Moore, Gilmour. Too many, really!
Back in days gone by I'd have named every shredder under the sun, to be honest...
Well if we're getting into this Fugazi area Nathan Larson and Craig Wedren out of Shudder to Think for me all the way, and I obviously have to mention the Sonic Youth boyos.Bob Mould as well.
Similarly, stick D. Boon and Mary Timoney in there.
Having a Dead Kennedys morning so gonna lash East Bay Ray onto the guitar hero list.