Breaking The Law – Judas Priest
Step into the world of classic heavy metal with our note-for-note guitar lesson for "Breaking The Law" by Judas Priest. This iconic track, known for its driving riffs and rebellious attitude, is the perfect vehicle for guitarists looking to sharpen core rock and metal techniques. At LickLibrary.com, we break down each section of the song with detailed instruction, ensuring you master every lick, riff, and solo exactly as it was played on the original recording. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.
The Guitarists Behind the Track
"Breaking The Law" features the dual guitar attack of Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing, two pioneers of British heavy metal guitar. Their influential playing helped define the Judas Priest sound—razor-sharp riffing, melodic soloing, and synchronised harmonies. Known for their blazing twin-lead approach, both guitarists brought unique flavours: Tipton with his classically influenced precision and Downing with a raw, aggressive edge. Their work on this track remains a masterclass in tight rhythm playing and concise, powerful leads.
Learning a song from these two legendary guitarists gives any player insight into the DNA of metal guitar playing and an opportunity to build solid foundational skills.
Riff Breakdown & Guitar Techniques
"Breaking The Law" may seem deceptively simple at first, but it’s packed with crucial rock and metal guitar techniques that every guitarist should master. Here’s a breakdown of the core techniques taught in this lesson:
Power Chords
One of the key elements of this track is the use of power chords. The opening riff is driven by these punchy, root-fifth structures, which give the song its authoritative and gritty tone.
Why learn it?
Power chords are a staple of rock and metal, and this song offers a great workout in tight, accurate chord switching and rhythmic control—fundamental for any aspiring rhythm guitarist.
Palm Muting
Tipton and Downing make clever use of palm muting throughout the song to create a chugging, percussive tone that adds rhythmic weight and clarity to the riffs.
Why learn it?
Mastering palm muting helps tighten your rhythm playing and enhances your dynamic control, which is essential for playing heavy styles with clarity and aggression.
Alternate Picking
The lead phrases and even some of the riff sections employ alternate picking, providing a great opportunity to clean up your picking technique at various speeds.
Why learn it?
Alternate picking is critical for precision and speed. Practicing this within a real song context helps develop muscle memory and coordination.
String Bending
The solo includes tasteful string bending moments that convey emotion and mimic vocal lines—hallmarks of Tipton’s melodic soloing style.
Why learn it?
Bending improves pitch control and expressive phrasing. It teaches your ear to recognize and control pitch accurately, a vital skill for lead guitarists.
Vibrato
Closely linked to bending, the solo also features vibrato, giving sustained notes extra depth and vocal-like expression.
Why learn it?
Developing a strong vibrato is essential for adding character and emotion to your solos. It helps your playing stand out and sound more musical.
Slides
There are several tasty slides within the lead passages that transition smoothly between notes and create fluidity in the solo.
Why learn it?
Slide techniques enhance phrasing and legato lines, making your solos smoother and more connected.
Unison Bends
The lead work also includes unison bends, creating tension and power that cut through the mix—perfect for metal solos.
Why learn it?
Unison bends train your bending accuracy and add dramatic flair to your lead playing.
Why This Lesson Is Valuable
By learning "Breaking The Law" through our detailed guitar lesson, players benefit in several ways:
- Develop Tight Rhythmic Control: Through precise power chord changes and palm muting.
- Enhance Lead Phrasing: Via expressive techniques like bending, vibrato, and unison bends.
- Improve Speed and Accuracy: Thanks to alternate picking and fast chord transitions.
- Learn From the Legends: Studying Tipton and Downing’s playing gives real-world insight into professional-level metal guitar work.
Whether you're an intermediate player looking to sharpen your skills or a seasoned guitarist wanting to pay homage to one of metal's most iconic tracks, this lesson delivers everything you need to play the song with confidence and authenticity.
Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson
Ready to learn "Breaking The Law"? Join us at LickLibrary.com and get hands-on with this metal classic—note for note, riff by riff.
About The Tutor
Tutor Profile
Danny Gill
Danny Gill is, without a doubt, the most loved tutor by our community. With an incredible array of DVDs and web lessons for LickLibrary covering a wide variety of topics all of which he covers with incredible detail, it's no wonder he carries as much respect as he does. As...