"Creeping Death" by Metallica

“Creeping Death” by Metallica is a staple in the heavy metal genre and a masterclass in precision, aggression, and dynamic rhythm guitar work. At LickLibrary.com, our note-for-note guitar lesson brings this metal classic to life, offering guitarists an in-depth exploration of the essential techniques that defined Metallica’s early sound. Whether you're a rhythm machine or a budding lead player, this lesson will elevate your skills, build your speed, and sharpen your timing through a range of metal-focused techniques. Andy James breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarists: James Hetfield & Kirk Hammett

The guitar work on “Creeping Death” showcases the powerhouse duo of James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett. Hetfield’s rhythm guitar playing is legendary—his down-picking stamina and right-hand precision set a new standard in metal. His tight, percussive playing is the backbone of Metallica’s sound. On lead, Hammett delivers explosive solos full of character, speed, and finesse, drawing on a rich palette of techniques. His use of scales, bends, and expressive phrasing helped shape the landscape of thrash metal lead guitar. Learning their parts gives guitarists insight into two of metal’s most iconic players and their complementary styles.

Song Breakdown and Technique Focus

Galloping Rhythms

The signature galloping rhythm found in the verse of “Creeping Death” is an essential metal technique. This triplet-based chugging pattern builds tension and drives the song forward with relentless energy. Mastering this rhythm sharpens your timing and improves picking-hand endurance, especially when played at high tempos.

Palm Muting

Palm muting is heavily used throughout the track to create a tight, chunky tone. By muting the strings near the bridge, players add percussive attack and control to their riffs. This technique is crucial for defining articulation in metal and hard rock playing.

Alternate Picking

Fast, articulate riffs like those in “Creeping Death” require alternate picking. This technique ensures speed and efficiency by alternating downstrokes and upstrokes. Developing strong alternate picking boosts your precision and stamina, particularly for rapid-fire down-picking sections.

Power Chords

The foundation of the song’s rhythm guitar is built on power chords. These simple yet powerful chord shapes are a cornerstone of metal and rock guitar. They allow for tight, aggressive riffing and are essential for creating that thick, heavy tone.

String Bending & Bluesy Bends

Hammett’s solos in “Creeping Death” feature expressive string bending and bluesy bends that add emotional weight and melodic variation. Mastering bends improves finger strength and ear training, helping players hit notes with more control and personality.

Hammer-ons and Pull-offs

To achieve smooth legato phrasing in the solo sections, hammer-ons and pull-offs are essential. These techniques allow players to add fluidity and speed without relying solely on picking. They also encourage dexterity and fretboard confidence.

Vibrato

Kirk Hammett’s lead style incorporates strong vibrato to give sustained notes extra emotion and character. Vibrato is one of the most expressive tools a guitarist has and helps transform static notes into vocal-like phrases.

Pinched Harmonics

For added aggression and texture, the use of pinched harmonics gives certain notes a screaming, overtone-rich sound. This technique enhances solo passages and adds that classic Hammett edge.

Trills

Short, rapid alternations between two notes (known as trills) also appear in the solo work. These add a flurry of motion and intensity, building tension in fast lead runs.

Tremolo Picking

The outro solo in “Creeping Death” is a storm of tremolo picking. This ultra-fast picking style creates a wall of sound and is a fantastic technique for building speed and stamina while maintaining clarity.

Dual Guitar Harmonies

One of Metallica’s trademarks, particularly in the bridge and solo sections, is dual guitar harmonies. These harmonised leads add melodic depth and provide excellent practice for understanding scale shapes and harmony.

Guitar Techniques Featured in This Lesson

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Pinched Harmonics
• Trills
• Tremolo Picking
• String Bending
• Bluesy Bends
• Dual Guitar Harmonies
• Galloping Rhythms

Learning “Creeping Death” through this LickLibrary guitar lesson is more than just memorising riffs—it's about building a toolkit of foundational techniques used across the metal genre. This song encapsulates everything that makes Metallica’s guitar work timeless, and mastering it is a rite of passage for any serious guitarist.