Total Guitar magazine - powered by MusicRadar
The No.1 website for musicians
Vote for the greatest metal guitarist ever!
TG wants to know your favourite metal axemen
Matthew Parker, Wed 9 Feb 2011, 12:22 pm GMT
Tony Iommi invented the genre, Dave Murray made it gallop and James Hetfield pummelled the crap out of it, but who's the greatest metal guitarist ever?
TG wants you to decide, so in conjunction with our friends at MusicRadar, we'll be running a poll over the next fortnight (8 to 21 February). The results will be published in the new-look Total Guitar, launching on 18 March (more information).
How to vote
We've created a 20-strong shortlist, which we think represents the best names in metal guitar.
To submit your vote, just head to the MusicRadar.com home page and scroll down until you see the poll (in the right-hand middle column) and click on the name you want to win. It's as simple as that!
The nominees
Alexi Laiho (Children Of Bodom)
Daron Malakian (System Of A Down)
Dave Murray (Iron Maiden)
Dimebag Darrell (Pantera)
Fredrik Thordendal (Meshuggah)
Glenn Tipton (Judas Priest)
Gus G (Firewind, Ozzy Osbourne)
James Hetfield (Metallica)
John Petrucci (Dream Theater)
Kerry King (Slayer)
Mark Tremonti (Alter Bridge, Creed)
Marty Friedman (Megadeth)
Michael Amott (Arch Enemy)
Mick Thomson (Slipknot)
Mikael Åkerfeldt (Opeth)
Randy Rhoads (Ozzy Osbourne)
Tom Morello (Audioslave, Rage Against The Machine)
Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath, Heaven And Hell)
Yngwie Malmsteen
Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society, Ozzy Osbourne)
What, no Page?!
Although they've certainly had an influence on many metal guitarists, we've taken the liberty of ruling out a few 'giants' that we think are more appropriately classified as 'hard rock' players, eg, Slash and Jimmy Page. Please direct any complaints about the shortlist to our customer relations manager.
You Might Like:
-
total guitar »
The 20 Greatest Metal Guitarists Ever
-
total guitar »
Last chance to vote in the greatest metal guitarist poll
-
rhythm »
Total Guitar searches for greatest ever metal guitarist
Around the web:
User comments (137)
-
Where the fuck is Michael Romeo?
-
JOHN PETRUCCI is the greatest guitarist of all times and all of the guys in that nominess list are not even a competitionfor him. so is the rest of Dream Theater, everyone in this band is a god at what he does and they're all pure genius. best band ever, greatest guitarist ever. PERIOD
-
@Korgull
Somehow I've go a feeling that you've never listened to dream theater before. To even say that Petrucci doesn't deserve to be on the list is just stupid. Each member of that band is beyond talented at what they do, and they kill every band out there in terms of skill. Quit hating. -
Mikael is My Favorite Songwriter, Tony is the Influence: of Metal, Randy Roads (the Shredder, Marty Freidman is Just Amaizing, Mikael Ammot, really good melody and Feel of the guiar and his influence with his Death Metal Band Carcass, Dave murry for Writing the Best metal songs on the Planet with Steve! Fredrik Thordendal Rhythm GOD!
Rhythem Playes have always been known as the better guitarists, they generally are the ones who write and influence the lead players, most rhythm playes and Shead and play Lead anyway so this is more of an influential list! -
what about Kiko Loureiro?
Hes got The greatest skills ever! -
Oops, Chuck should be on there also.
-
I know it’s all subjective but the all time best IMO is not on the list. JP is probably the best overall rounded guitarist on the list (and one of my all time faves) but when I think of “Greatest Metal Guitarist Ever” Tipton, Murray, YJM, and Rhoads are the only ones that stand out. Iommi is a metal god. Most of the others make me think WTF? Hetfield is on the list but no Hammett, Mustaine, or Poland? Mick but no Jim? Most of the newer talent on the list shouldn’t be on an all time best list. Accept is having quite the comeback. Wolf Hoffman should be on the list (and would get my vote). Some others I think should be on the list are Kai Hansen, Michael Weikath, Michael Schenker, Matthis Jabs, Uli Roth, Adrian Smith, Blackmore, Sykes, Paul Chapman, Brian Tatler, and Alex Skolnick. But there are a few great ones listed. I’ll have to vote for Tipton. Murray very close though.
-
Where is Chuck Schuldiner from Death.. ????
-
This is mostly a CRAPPY list to choose from. Just look at all that nu-metal CRAP on that list!!! Slipnot and System of a Down are pure CRAP and definitely NOT metal. And how can a rythym guitarist be considered a candidate for greatest metal guitarist? Even after playing guitar for over 30 years James Hetfield still plays CRAPPY lead guitar!!! Here's MetallicaPuppet's top 5 winners: 1)Tony Iommi 2)Dave Murry 3)Randy Rhoads 4)Glenn Tipton 5)Marty Friedman
-
Let's be civil about Petrucci, Korgull. It's not his fault he's better than Tony Iommi, he just practiced for 6 hours a day during school, his technique is cleaner, and has more soul. His playing has more dignity and musicality, but hey, die hard old school metal fans are always welcome in a poll that's for everyone.
You need to be logged in to post a comment. Login or Register to post a comment.
Maloik
49 weeks ago.