"Kill The King" by Rainbow

"Kill The King" by Rainbow is a hard rock masterpiece that blends aggressive rhythm work with virtuosic lead guitar playing. Originally released on the 1978 album Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll, this track is one of the band’s most explosive and technically demanding pieces. Our in-depth guitar lesson at Licklibrary.com breaks down each section of the song, teaching it note for note while focusing on the key guitar techniques that make this track such a thrilling showcase of '70s guitar wizardry. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarist: Ritchie Blackmore

The guitar work on "Kill The King" is performed by the legendary Ritchie Blackmore, a founding member of both Deep Purple and Rainbow. Known for fusing classical music influences with heavy rock, Blackmore’s style is intricate, aggressive, and melodic. He has been a huge influence on generations of rock and metal guitarists, with his phrasing, control, and signature tone still studied and emulated to this day. In "Kill The King," he delivers one of his most fiery performances, marked by blistering speed and expressive technique.

Song Breakdown and Guitar Techniques

Intro and Main Riff

The track opens with an aggressive, fast-paced riff driven by alternate picking and palm-muting. The tight rhythmic control here provides a strong foundation for the song's energy and urgency. Learning this section will sharpen your picking accuracy and rhythmic discipline, particularly in high-tempo settings.

Benefits: Practicing these techniques will help guitarists build stamina and precision, crucial for playing fast-paced metal and hard rock styles cleanly.

Verse Riffs

The verse sections combine power chords and slides, creating a dynamic yet grounded progression. Blackmore’s use of subtle string bending and rhythmic syncopation adds a punchy, expressive feel.

Benefits: These techniques are perfect for strengthening fretting hand control and adding variety to rhythm guitar playing, especially in rock and metal contexts.

Pre-Chorus and Chorus

Here, Blackmore incorporates legato passages and rapid pull-offs, especially during transitional licks. These flowing lines contrast with the chugging rhythms and add melodic fluidity to the arrangement.

Benefits: Working on legato helps develop smoother phrasing and minimises pick-hand fatigue, allowing for faster, cleaner note execution.

Guitar Solo

The solo in "Kill The King" is a masterclass in hard rock lead guitar. Blackmore uses alternate picking, string bending, vibrato, and hammer-ons to craft a fiery, expressive lead that blends speed with emotion. His use of trills and fast runs keeps the solo exciting and unpredictable.

Benefits: Mastering this solo will greatly improve your lead playing skills, particularly your ability to balance speed with phrasing and feel.

Outro Section

The outro revisits several earlier motifs, but adds embellishments like pinched harmonics and more intense vibrato, enhancing the song’s dramatic climax.

Benefits: These expressive tools are excellent for adding character and attitude to your playing, helping your solos and riffs stand out in any context.

Why Learn "Kill The King"?

This lesson isn't just about learning a song — it's a gateway into mastering some of the most essential and exciting techniques in rock guitar. You'll strengthen both your lead and rhythm skills, expand your musical vocabulary, and gain deeper insight into the playing of one of rock's most influential guitarists. Whether you're a fan of classic rock, metal, or simply want to push your technique to the next level, this lesson has something for you.

Techniques Covered in This Lesson

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

Dive into our "Kill The King" guitar lesson today and unlock the secrets of Ritchie Blackmore’s blistering technique — all broken down and made accessible through Licklibrary’s trusted note-for-note approach.