Enter Sandman – Metallica

Learn to play Metallica’s iconic anthem Enter Sandman note-for-note with Licklibrary’s detailed and accessible guitar lessons. This track is a staple of heavy metal guitar, featuring tight, aggressive rhythm playing, unforgettable riffs, and essential lead guitar techniques that will enhance any player's repertoire. Whether you’re aiming to emulate James Hetfield’s crushing rhythm tone or Kirk Hammett’s explosive solos, this lesson covers every nuance, giving you the tools and knowledge to master one of metal’s most enduring hits. Jamie Humphries breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

Song Overview

Released in 1991 on Metallica’s self-titled “Black Album,” Enter Sandman is a landmark track that defined the band’s mainstream success. It’s driven by one of the most instantly recognisable riffs in rock and metal history. With its powerful blend of groove, melody, and attitude, this song offers guitarists an excellent opportunity to develop crucial skills in rhythm and lead playing alike.

Guitar Techniques Explored

Our Enter Sandman guitar lesson dives deep into several core techniques that form the backbone of the song’s riffing and soloing. Each of these is broken down clearly in our video tutorial, ensuring that learners of all levels can grasp and apply them effectively.

Palm Muting

A cornerstone of James Hetfield’s rhythm style, palm muting features heavily throughout Enter Sandman. This technique involves lightly resting the palm of your picking hand on the strings near the bridge to create a tight, chunky sound. It enhances rhythmic control and precision—especially useful in metal and hard rock contexts. Mastering palm muting allows players to develop the tight, aggressive tone needed to drive a heavy riff.

Power Chords

The main riff is built around powerful, driving power chords, giving the song its signature punch. Power chords are foundational in rock and metal, helping guitarists maintain clarity and aggression, especially when playing with distortion. This lesson demonstrates how to voice and transition between power chords efficiently, improving both timing and hand positioning.

Alternate Picking

The right-hand precision required in Enter Sandman makes alternate picking an essential part of this lesson. By alternating downstrokes and upstrokes, players achieve greater speed and consistency, particularly in riff-based playing. This technique enhances your overall picking control and is vital for building endurance in fast-paced music.

Slides

Several sections of the song feature slides, which are used to connect notes fluidly across the fretboard. Slides not only add a vocal-like expressiveness but also encourage fretboard navigation and control. Developing clean slide technique also helps players build smoother transitions in solos and licks.

Hammer-ons & Pull-offs

Kirk Hammett’s soloing in Enter Sandman utilises hammer-ons and pull-offs, which allow notes to be articulated without re-picking. These legato techniques are great for adding speed and fluidity to your lead playing while reducing the physical strain on your picking hand.

Pinched Harmonics

Hammett adds some attitude to his licks using pinched harmonics. These squealing overtones are achieved by brushing the string with your thumb after the pick attack. Learning this technique will give your solos an aggressive, vocal-like character—perfect for cutting through a dense mix.

Whammy Bar Tricks

Some of the expressive moments in the lead guitar work are enhanced by creative whammy bar tricks, adding dive-bomb and pitch modulation effects. These techniques give players dynamic control over pitch and sustain, expanding your expressive toolbox for soloing.

Trills

Kirk also makes use of trills in the solo section—a rapid alternation between two notes. Practicing trills helps to develop finger strength and dexterity, which are vital for executing fast, articulate lead guitar lines.

About the Guitarists

Enter Sandman showcases the combined talents of Metallica’s legendary guitarists, James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett. Hetfield is renowned for his tight, machine-like rhythm playing, precision downpicking, and impeccable timing—qualities that define the metal rhythm guitar standard. His influence has inspired generations of players to focus on discipline and consistency in their playing.

Kirk Hammett, the band’s lead guitarist, brings a blend of technical proficiency and expressive flair. A student of Joe Satriani, Hammett’s solos are melodic, fast-paced, and filled with signature techniques like legato phrasing, trills, and whammy bar dives. His playing on Enter Sandman helped shape the sound of modern metal lead guitar and continues to inspire shredders and melodic players alike.

Why Learn Enter Sandman?

• Improve timing and rhythm accuracy through complex yet accessible riffing.
• Build essential metal guitar techniques like palm muting, power chords, and alternate picking.
• Expand your lead guitar vocabulary with expressive techniques such as legato, harmonics, and whammy bar control.
• Develop both hands in sync by mastering trills, slides, and fast transitions.

Whether you’re a beginner looking to explore metal or an experienced player wanting to tighten up your rhythm chops, Enter Sandman is a must-learn song that will sharpen your technical and musical abilities.

Techniques Covered in This Lesson

• Palm Muting
• Power Chords
• Alternate Picking
• Slides
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Legato
• Pinched Harmonics
• Whammy Bar Tricks
• Trills

Ready to master Enter Sandman? Plug in, turn up, and dive into the full lesson now at Licklibrary.