Seek and Destroy by Metallica

Metallica’s Seek and Destroy is a landmark track in heavy metal history and a must-learn for any aspiring metal guitarist. At Licklibrary.com, we offer an in-depth, note-for-note guitar lesson for this iconic song, meticulously breaking down each riff, solo, and technique used by James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett. This lesson not only teaches you how to play the track exactly as recorded, but also builds your foundation in many essential metal and rock techniques. Whether you're working on your rhythm chops or refining your lead guitar skills, this lesson is a goldmine of knowledge. Andy James breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarists: James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett

James Hetfield, Metallica’s rhythm guitarist and vocalist, is widely celebrated for his tight, aggressive rhythm playing. His down-picking stamina and precise right-hand control set a new standard for metal rhythm guitar. Kirk Hammett, the band’s lead guitarist, is known for his expressive soloing style, which combines bluesy phrasing with fast, melodic runs and advanced techniques like tapping and harmonic manipulation.

Together, Hetfield and Hammett forged a dual-guitar sound that helped define the thrash metal genre. Learning from their work in Seek and Destroy not only improves your technical ability but also offers insight into composition, dynamics, and stylistic nuance.

Song Breakdown: Techniques and Lesson Focus

Palm Muting and Power Chords

The intro riff and much of the rhythm guitar work in Seek and Destroy revolves around tight palm muting and aggressive power chords. These elements form the foundation of thrash rhythm guitar and are essential for creating a heavy, percussive sound. Mastering palm muting teaches you to control note duration and attack, while power chords allow you to create bold, harmonically rich riffs with minimal movement.

Alternate Picking for Rhythmic Precision

Much of the rhythm guitar in this song demands precise alternate picking. This technique allows players to maintain consistent tempo and articulation even at high speeds. Practicing alternate picking with this song improves your hand synchronisation, timing, and stamina – crucial skills for any metal guitarist.

String Bending and Vibrato in Solos

Kirk Hammett’s solos in Seek and Destroy incorporate expressive string bending and vibrato, adding emotional depth and nuance to his phrasing. These techniques are essential for developing a personal lead voice. Proper bending improves pitch accuracy and ear training, while vibrato enhances sustain and expressiveness.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

The solo sections also feature hammer-ons and pull-offs, which facilitate smooth, flowing phrases without needing to pick every note. These legato techniques help you develop finger strength, control, and speed, making your playing sound more fluid and effortless.

Trills and Legato Phrasing

You’ll also encounter trills and extended legato passages in the solo work. Trills improve finger independence and endurance, while legato phrasing trains your ability to articulate notes smoothly across strings and frets, creating a slick and connected sound.

Pinched Harmonics for Added Edge

Throughout Seek and Destroy, subtle pinched harmonics are used to add bite and character to select notes. This technique, when mastered, allows you to inject snarling, high-frequency overtones into your playing – a staple of metal lead guitar.

Slides and Transitional Techniques

Slides are used to connect phrases and transitions, especially in the solos and melodic fills. Practicing slides helps with finger placement accuracy and adds a vocal quality to your licks and riffs.

Galloping Rhythms

A standout feature of the song's main riffs is the use of galloping rhythms, a triplet-based chugging pattern that’s become synonymous with thrash metal. Learning this rhythm improves your timing, picking hand control, and dynamic range.

Benefits of Learning Seek and Destroy

Studying Seek and Destroy gives guitarists a full-spectrum workout. You’ll hone your rhythm precision, pick control, and lead articulation all in one track. It’s ideal for intermediate players looking to bridge the gap into more advanced metal playing, or even for advanced guitarists looking to tighten their execution and phrasing. The techniques you’ll gain here are widely applicable across rock, metal, and beyond – making it not just a song study, but a blueprint for metal mastery.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Palm Muting
• Power Chords
• Alternate Picking
• Vibrato
• String Bending
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Trills
• Legato
• Pinched Harmonics
• Slides
• Galloping Rhythms

With our note-for-note Seek and Destroy lesson, you’ll walk away with a sharpened skillset, a tighter rhythm hand, and a deeper appreciation for one of metal’s most influential tracks. Dive into the full lesson today at Licklibrary.com and take your playing to the next level.