Beast and the Harlot - Avenged Sevenfold

Learn "Beast and the Harlot" with Licklibrary

Avenged Sevenfold’s "Beast and the Harlot" is an explosive track packed with high-energy riffs, intricate solos, and dynamic rhythm work. This lesson from LickLibrary breaks down the song note-for-note, helping you master every technical detail. With an emphasis on shredding, alternate picking, sweep picking, and dual guitar harmonies, this lesson provides valuable insights into the playing style of Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance.

By learning this song, you’ll not only improve your technical proficiency but also gain a deeper understanding of the progressive metal-core sound that Avenged Sevenfold helped popularise. Whether you’re a fan of A7X or simply looking to expand your metal guitar technique, this lesson is a must-watch! Andy James breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

Guitar Techniques Covered in This Lesson

Galloping Rhythms

The song features fast-paced galloping rhythms, a crucial technique in metal music. These rhythm patterns require tight synchronisation between picking and fretting hands, improving your overall precision and control when playing at high speeds.

Alternate Picking

The aggressive alternate picking throughout this track is essential for achieving the speed and clarity needed for the intricate riffs. Developing this skill will help you increase efficiency and reduce strain when tackling fast passages.

Sweep Picking

Synyster Gates employs sweep picking in his blistering solos, a technique that allows for fluid, rapid arpeggios. Mastering sweep picking enhances your dexterity and coordination, making complex solos sound effortless.

Dual Guitar Harmonies

Avenged Sevenfold is well-known for their dual guitar harmonies, and "Beast and the Harlot" showcases this beautifully. Learning these harmonies will improve your ear training and fretboard awareness, making you a better overall guitarist, especially when playing in a band.

Tremolo Picking

The song’s lead sections utilise tremolo picking, a technique that involves rapid alternate picking on a single string. This is a great way to build stamina and speed, particularly for metal and shred playing.

Palm Muting

Heavy palm-muted chugs give this track its signature aggressive sound. Practicing palm muting will allow you to control dynamics effectively and create a tight, percussive rhythm essential for metal and hard rock.

Pinched Harmonics

Synyster Gates uses pinched harmonics to create those signature squealing notes. This technique helps add expressiveness and bite to your playing, allowing you to create a more distinctive and aggressive lead tone.

Legato Playing

Fluid hammer-ons and pull-offs are featured throughout the song’s fast runs. Focusing on legato techniques enhances your ability to play smooth, fast phrases while reducing unnecessary picking movements.

Tapped Harmonics

Some sections incorporate tapped harmonics, a technique that adds unique high-pitched overtones to your playing. Learning this will give you a new tool for expanding your sonic palette.

Arpeggios

The song’s lead sections often integrate arpeggios, which help outline the underlying chords in a melodic way. Mastering arpeggios will improve your theory knowledge and improvisational skills.

The Guitarists Behind "Beast and the Harlot"

The guitar work in "Beast and the Harlot" is driven by the powerhouse duo Synyster Gates (Brian Haner Jr.) and Zacky Vengeance (Zachary Baker). Synyster Gates is known for his virtuosic lead playing, blending elements of classical, jazz, and metal, while Zacky Vengeance provides a solid rhythmic foundation with his tight, percussive chording and intricate harmony lines.

Avenged Sevenfold’s guitar style is heavily influenced by Iron Maiden, Pantera, and Megadeth, incorporating harmonised leads, shredding solos, and dynamic rhythms. Learning their music offers valuable insight into modern metal guitar techniques, equipping you with skills that translate across multiple genres.

Guitar Techniques Featured in This Lesson

• Galloping Rhythms
• Alternate Picking
• Sweep Picking
• Dual Guitar Harmonies
• Tremolo Picking
• Palm Muting
• Pinched Harmonics
• Legato
• Tapped Harmonics
• Arpeggios

With this LickLibrary lesson, you’ll be able to master every intricate detail of "Beast and the Harlot", bringing your guitar skills to the next level. Ready to shred? Let’s dive in!