Fast metal rhythms

Some bands (All that Remains, Killswitch Engage ect) play their rhythm tracks at blistering speeds 204 bpm+ , and they play 16th notes with perfect timing... What is the technique they use to pick this, how do you practice this, and can an instructor make a video about this? Also, how does such a full sound come out of their playing when a lot of time they are simply playing one note as the rhythm.

I think they get the full sound out of the thrashed root note riffs by double-tracking the part, getting the bass to mirror the guitar riff, recording with enormous overdriven stacks, using specialised high-gain pickups on their guitars, compressing the hell out of the recorded parts... et cetera! When you're a band like that, you want to be as loud as possible - I think it's more about turning everything up than having a full-bodied raw guitar/amp tone. The guys from Killswitch play with comparatively thin-bodied Caparison axes, and they nonetheless get that in-your-face sound.

As for the technique - I spent a few months bringing my metal rhythm skills up to scratch, and you probably don't want to hear this, but there is no shortcut to playing riffs like that - you've just got to pick your example riffs, start slow, and build them up to speed. Pick a riff for each rhythm technique you wish to work on - eg. one that's got "galloping" triplets in it, one that's got 16th-note speed picking, and any other techniques you wish to work on. For those two techniques, I used "Angel of Death" by Slayer (you don't have to actually LIKE the song :p) and "She-Wolf" by Megadeth. I'm not too familiar with the All That Remains and Killswitch Engage catalogues, but you ought to be able to find a couple of songs that fit your needs.

Just a little tip about 16th-note speed picking: if you're playing a riff like this that isn't palm-muted, you might be able to get a little more fluency by moving your hand back from the strings and picking closer to the bridge.

I've written 3 metal rhythm tutorial so far and if you watch them, you'll see that they aren't very high tempo..... wanna why ... no, it's not cause I can't play fast lol. It's because speed comes with time and practice where often complex rhythms takes more patience and coordination.

It is often harder to play a rhythm that moves from quarter notes to 16th to a fast burst of 32th then back to 8th, then to play a steady 16th note riff at high tempo.

It's simply because, like JJ says, those fast rhythm riffs can only be learn by working for a long period of time and practicing accurately and trying to get faster and faster ... no way around that. You have to train your muscle a lot more than playing complex rhythm.

So you could take ANY riff, practice it slow and accurately, then by using a metronome or any tools that will help you keep track of time, bring your tempo faster and faster.

So if you're into those bands, work on alternate picking and accuracy. It's worthless to be fast but inaccurate. Also practice being as close as possible to the strings, the less time you waste in movement, the faster you'll get. This principle also applies to your picking hand, don't move too much, move just enough to pick the note because the further away from the string you end up, the more distance you need to cover to hit the string again. So economy of movement in both hands just be a major concern.

I highly recommened Slayer and Lamb of God riffs to build up your speed and chops, not to mention endurance.

thanks for the responses

edit: is it better to hold the pick real close to the tip or farther back or just so its comfortable

Originally Posted by: mistertylersmitthanks for the responses

edit: is it better to hold the pick real close to the tip or farther back or just so its comfortable

The less pick you'll be showing, the less surface will be in contact with the string. That usually means the less resistance you'll get from the string which should make it easier to play fast. Just be careful not to have it too close because you might end up making unwanted pinched harmonics once in while.

Originally Posted by: BenoitI've written 3 metal rhythm tutorial so far and if you watch them, you'll see that they aren't very high tempo..... wanna why ... no, it's not cause I can't play fast lol. It's because speed comes with time and practice where often complex rhythms takes more patience and coordination.

It is often harder to play a rhythm that moves from quarter notes to 16th to a fast burst of 32th then back to 8th, then to play a steady 16th note riff at high tempo.

It's simply because, like JJ says, those fast rhythm riffs can only be learn by working for a long period of time and practicing accurately and trying to get faster and faster ... no way around that. You have to train your muscle a lot more than playing complex rhythm.

So you could take ANY riff, practice it slow and accurately, then by using a metronome or any tools that will help you keep track of time, bring your tempo faster and faster.

So if you're into those bands, work on alternate picking and accuracy. It's worthless to be fast but inaccurate. Also practice being as close as possible to the strings, the less time you waste in movement, the faster you'll get. This principle also applies to your picking hand, don't move too much, move just enough to pick the note because the further away from the string you end up, the more distance you need to cover to hit the string again. So economy of movement in both hands just be a major concern.

You should really check out Benoits lessons. I use this excersise for picking speed. http://www.guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=8769. Also check out his Metal Rhythm Stuff it is the coolest stuff on this site in my opinion.
It took me awhile to get the fingering and coordination down on his right hand picking excersise but if you are patient and practice it every day you will be amazed after a couple of weeks. One more piece of advice. USE A METRONOME. I have to force myself to use one but it will make all the difference. I know I am repeating some of what Benoit has already said but I thought a little Testimonial from another Newbie student might help. :rolleyes:

Originally Posted by: FingerSpasmYou should really check out Benoits lessons. I use this excersise for picking speed. http://www.guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=8769. Also check out his Metal Rhythm Stuff it is the coolest stuff on this site in my opinion.
It took me awhile to get the fingering and coordination down on his right hand picking excersise but if you are patient and practice it every day you will be amazed after a couple of weeks. One more piece of advice. USE A METRONOME. I have to force myself to use one but it will make all the difference. I know I am repeating some of what Benoit has already said but I thought a little Testimonial from another Newbie student might help. :rolleyes:

Man! I should really redo that video :o ... adding it to the list

Glad you liked the lesson FingerSpasm :)

Originally Posted by: BenoitMan! I should really redo that video :o ... adding it to the list

Glad you liked the lesson FingerSpasm :)

I have been wanting to ask you about your tone. I really like it and have not been able get a sound like that. What kind of a setup are you using. I hope you do not mind me asking. Also maybe some details on your settings. I have a GNX4 that runs into a Peavey Triple XXX tube amp. So I am thinking I should be able to get close. Thanks again for the great lessons. :)

I actually have a pretty simple setup and I'm glad to share it with anyone if it can help.

I'm recording all direct so I don't use an amp at all.

[Guitar] - [Zoom G2.1u] - [Berhinger Tubecomposer] - [mixer] - [computer Line-in]

I use the bridge pickup on my guitar.

Here's the settings of my Zoom G2.1u

comp = off
wah/EFX = BS 5 - 5 - 60
ZNR = nr 14
Drive = Pu 68 - 7 - 20
EQ = 10 - 8 - 5
ExtraEQ = CB dy - 0
MOD = off
Delay = Pd 10 - 4 - 16
reverb = rm 13 - 4 - 32
Control = volume

I use the compressor default setting on the berhinger.

I need to dig up the manual to figure out what each setting abbreviation means lol

Okay so when I record I still have my sound coming out of my Amp. How to you hear your audio when you are recording direct. Do you hear it out of your computer speakers? I have often wondered this when I hear that people do not have an amp and just record or Play direct into the computer. I always figured you would not get as good of a sound from computer speakers as you would from an amp. Although I do have a problem trying to get a good sound at low volumes from my Triple XXX. I wish they would make all tube amps so you can crank the power to the tubes to get them Overdriven but still lower the volume.

I use a Tascam 2.1 speaker set on my computer.

http://www.performingsongwriter.com/vault/tech/reviews/85_tascam.pdf

I was really impressed with the quality of sound for such a low price. Also, there were some space issue where I lived back then so I wanted a small speaker set.

Originally Posted by: BenoitI use a Tascam 2.1 speaker set on my computer.

http://www.performingsongwriter.com/vault/tech/reviews/85_tascam.pdf

I was really impressed with the quality of sound for such a low price. Also, there were some space issue where I lived back then so I wanted a small speaker set.

Thanks for the info. I travel alot. So going direct into my laptop would be nice.