Fuel by Metallica - Guitar Lesson Breakdown

"Fuel" by Metallica is a high-octane track from their 1997 album Reload, packed with fast-paced riffs, aggressive rhythms, and signature Metallica intensity. As a staple of their live performances, this song showcases both the power of James Hetfield’s rhythmic precision and Kirk Hammett’s blistering lead work. In this note-for-note guitar lesson, we break down the essential techniques that make "Fuel" an iconic track, giving you the tools to master the song and enhance your guitar-playing skills. Richard Shaw breaks down this late 90s classic in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarists on "Fuel"

James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett are the driving force behind the guitar work in "Fuel." Hetfield’s rhythm playing is characterised by his mastery of down-picking and his powerful, syncopated rhythms, while Hammett’s solos are filled with speed, aggression, and precision.

James Hetfield's Influence

Known for his aggressive down-picking and impeccable timing, James Hetfield’s playing in "Fuel" drives the song’s relentless energy. His use of palm muting and power chords in this track creates a tight, percussive feel that has become synonymous with Metallica’s sound.

Kirk Hammett's Influence

Kirk Hammett brings his fiery lead guitar style to "Fuel," injecting the song with fast, intricate solos. Hammett’s use of techniques like alternate picking, string bending, and legato runs add a melodic edge to the otherwise aggressive nature of the song. His ability to blend speed with melody has made him one of metal’s most influential lead guitarists.

Guitar Techniques Used in "Fuel"

"Fuel" features a variety of techniques that are essential for any metal guitarist to master. In this guitar lesson, we’ll focus on the key techniques used in both the rhythm and lead sections of the song.

Palm Muting

Palm muting is used extensively in the rhythm guitar sections of "Fuel" to create a tight, punchy sound. Hetfield uses this technique to build tension and dynamics within the driving riffs, helping to create the song's powerful momentum. Palm muting is executed by lightly resting the side of your picking hand on the strings near the bridge to partially mute the sound.

Benefit: Palm muting is essential for controlling dynamics and adding articulation to your rhythm playing, especially in fast-paced metal songs.

Power Chords

Power chords are a key element in the rhythm guitar of "Fuel." These two-note chord shapes provide the thick, heavy sound that Metallica is known for. By focusing on just the root and fifth notes of a chord, power chords deliver a clean, punchy sound, even when played with distortion.

Benefit: Mastering power chords allows you to build strong, impactful riffs, a staple of metal guitar playing.

Alternate Picking

Kirk Hammett employs alternate picking in both the fast riffs and solos of "Fuel." Alternate picking, which involves alternating between downstrokes and upstrokes, is crucial for achieving the speed and fluidity needed for the song’s rapid passages. This technique is especially important during the song’s solo section, where Hammett’s speed and precision are on full display.

Benefit: Alternate picking helps you develop speed and accuracy, making it easier to tackle fast riffs and solos without sacrificing clarity.

String Bending

Hammett’s lead work in "Fuel" features expressive string bends, where the string is bent up or down to raise the pitch of the note. These bends add emotion and intensity to the solos, allowing for dynamic phrasing and a more vocal-like sound.

Benefit: String bending enhances your ability to create expressive, melodic solos, adding depth and feeling to your playing.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs (Legato)

In the solo sections of "Fuel," Hammett uses hammer-ons and pull-offs to execute fast, smooth phrases. These legato techniques allow for seamless transitions between notes without having to pick each one individually. Hammer-ons involve striking a note by pressing down on the fretboard without picking, while pull-offs are the opposite action, pulling the finger off the string to sound the next note.

Benefit: Legato techniques like hammer-ons and pull-offs increase finger strength and speed, allowing for fluid, connected lines in your playing.

Conclusion

Learning to play "Fuel" by Metallica is not only a great way to master a classic metal song, but it’s also an opportunity to improve several core guitar techniques. From the aggressive rhythm playing that James Hetfield is famous for to the blistering solos of Kirk Hammett, this song will push your playing to the next level. Whether you're looking to tighten up your palm muting or improve your speed with alternate picking, "Fuel" offers a wealth of skills for any guitarist to learn.

Guitar Techniques List

• Palm Muting
• Power Chords
• Galloping Rhythms
• Alternate Picking
• String Bending
• Hammer-Ons / Pull-Offs

Guitar Techniques List

In our comprehensive lesson series, we cover a variety of essential guitar techniques. For further exploration, check out the following links from LickLibrary:

• Pull Offs
• String Bending
• Power Chords
• Double Stops

Our "Learn to Play Fuel by Metallica" lesson is designed to provide a detailed and engaging learning experience, helping you not only to play the song note-for-note but also to understand and implement the techniques that make Metallica’s guitar work truly stand out. Whether you're a beginner looking to step into the world of rock guitar or an experienced player aiming to refine your skills, this lesson will serve as a valuable resource in your musical journey.