[lyconxero]

So I've been in a playing slump for a REALLLY long time because I can't find anything new to learn how to play. On top of that, I just REALLY need to hear some new metal music so if anyone knows of any good metal bands (old or new) who play in standard tuning or a derivative of standard tuning (i.e. half a step down, 1 step down, 5 steps down, etc.) then PLEASE reply with the band's name and maybe some songs that are good. I'm looking for REAL metal here like Metallica and Slayer but NOT Metallica and Slayer. I want to learn some metal music that has lots of changes and is dynamic and that will help to lift me out of my current funk.

Thanks in advance!

 

[mattsmusic]

You should check out Soilwork. They're one of my favorite newer metal bands. Good stuff!

 

[the.godfather]

There isnt too much new stuff from new bands that is in standard tuning unfortunately. Your best bet will probably be going back and learning some of the older bands stuff. But bands that you have never looked at before, or havent tried playing before. I am the same as you, I am old metal head, and love playing Slayer, Metallica and the likes.

So here is what else I would recommend (if you havent already) :-

Anthrax
Exodus - Cajun Hell, Fabulous Disaster, Toxic Waltz
Def Leppard - Pour Some Sugar on Me.....etc
Pantera (most older stuff is in drop-D tuning e.g. Walk)
Black Sabbath
Ozzy Osbourne

I know that some of these sound obvious, but so often are they over-looked by people. Especially bands like Exodus, some of their old stuff is awesome! Same with the older Anthrax stuff. Black Sabbath may seem obvious too, but they have made so many tracks, learning their stuff takes ages. Especially the stuff they recorded later-on without Ozzy on board.

Anyway, some of that should keep ya busy.

 

[lyconxero]

Thanks for the replies thusfar. I'm definitely going to look up those Exodus songs. Do you know any songs in particular from Anthrax that are good?

 

[fettouhi]

Might not metal exactly but try Artension and Vitalij Kuprij .

Regards

André

 

[ecalcagnino]

I'll second Anthrax. Scott Ian is a great rhythm player. Among the Living has some great tunnes and so does We've Come for You All actually.

Also, Testament is along the same lines but more dynamic and the Skolnick/Peterson duo was awesome. Anything from their first three albums. Souls of Black has some fun songs to play, too.

Good luck!

--------------------------------
Eric
[email protected]
www.ericsguitars.com
847-406-9706
\mm/

 

[ZJH]

Testament is awesome, man. You should really learn their stuff during the Skolnick era (all albums, ending with The Ritual). Challenging stuff, but great when you learn it. Also, you might wanna try some Symphony X, even though it's more neo-classical prog metal.

 

[Ferrous Lepidoptera]

Iced Earth
maybe Shadows Fall? (not sure they're standard tuning.)
Helloween or Gamma Ray? (maybe they're too prog-rock though.)

 

[ZJH]

If I could find Gamma Ray tabs, I would learn them. But MySongBook isn't really that great for GR tabs, PowerTabs barely has one or two, and every other tab isn't that great either.

Iced Earth's stuff is fun, however. They tune down half-steps on each string, and you can find most, if not all, of their tabs on http://www.abysslord.com/icedearth

 

[Knightmeir]

I like Hammerfall.

 

[metalguitarist7778]

korn, billytalent, system of a down, static-x, metallica, shadowsfall, killswitchengadged, alice in chains, sevendust, soilwork, taproot,cradil of filth,
cky, pantera, anthrax, audioslave, those are all good bands to play on your guitar.

 

[King Knall]

Audioslave isn't really metal, but modern rock.

Yet Tom Morello's playing is cool, listen to 'Like a Stone' (nice overuse of effects) or their more recent single, 'Be Yourself' (nice use of wah).

Hope this helps.

 

[the.godfather]

Anthrax specifics....
All their stuff is pretty damn good really. But as Eric said, anything from Among the Living is probably the best place to start. Some amazing riffage on that album from the great Scott Ian. Its a shame they dont get more of a mention/recognition really, because they are a really great band!

Also check out the album "State of Euphoria" by Anthrax. Thats got some good riffage on it too. I mean, come on, Antisocial is a classic tune!

 

[Munky7]

shadows fall has a lot in standard but most in drop . try them out anyway though, like a couple other people have said

 

[Clydefrog]

Iced Earth.

Iced freakin' Earth, as long as it is Matt Barlow era. That is how Metallica SHOULD have sounded in the 90s.

 

[Demiurge]

Nevermore! I don't get it- they're only fairly respected in the scene while they might just be one of the best metal bands of the post-thrash era. Every album, even the producer-mangled Enemies of Reality, is top notch and I think Jeff Loomis' playing (heavy-handed-but-technical riffs and incredible leads without the numbing monotony of some metal bands) would be nothing but inspiring. Their recent stuff is done on 7's but their older albums like Dreaming Neon Black (classic!) and Politics of Ecstacy are on 6s in, I believe, standard tuning.

 

[ShredHead42]

Lots of good suggestions on this thread. Also check out some (older) In Flames and some Arch Enemy.

 

[lyconxero]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. I've already checked out most of them in the past and I got out of older In Flames a few months ago because it just sounded too 80's metalish. The kind of stuff that I want to play is melodic metal the likes of Opeth but without all the little acoustic breaks and softness. 'Wreath' and 'Ghost of Perdition' are my favorite songs by them right now. I'll definitely look into this Iced Earth band as well as Testament since I've never heard anything by them before.

 

[Demiurge]

Like Opeth, but without lighter portions... but still kind of dark and ambient? One record comes to mind, Enslaved's "Isa." They don't sound like Opeth per se, but the record has alot of heavy-yet-melodic riffing, slower pacing, and alot of ambient depth. Some of the riffs are just plain weird, which to me is a plus, especially when you're trying to break out of your typical playing routines. I bought it awhile ago myself and am still 'digesting' it. It's a little bit on the blackened side (they say they're 'viking metal'- mmm-hmm) so needless to say the harsh vocals- while listenable on this one- aren't for everyone, though if you've heard Mayhem you've heard worse.

 

[toshiro]

Nevermore! I don't get it- they're only fairly respected in the scene while they might just be one of the best metal bands of the post-thrash era. Every album, even the producer-mangled Enemies of Reality, is top notch and I think Jeff Loomis' playing (heavy-handed-but-technical riffs and incredible leads without the numbing monotony of some metal bands) would be nothing but inspiring. Their recent stuff is done on 7's but their older albums like Dreaming Neon Black (classic!) and Politics of Ecstacy are on 6s in, I believe, standard tuning.

I agree with everything you've said, though I'm pretty sure they're tuned a half-step down on all the records(Eb in the past, Bb now).