"Raining Blood" - Slayer

"Raining Blood" by Slayer is an iconic song in the world of heavy metal, revered for its intense riffing, brutal speed, and unparalleled aggression. This LickLibrary guitar lesson brings you a detailed, note-for-note breakdown of the song’s complex guitar parts, allowing you to master the techniques that define this metal masterpiece. Our lesson dissects every aspect of "Raining Blood" to ensure you not only play it accurately but also understand the techniques and principles that make it legendary. This lesson is perfect for intermediate to advanced guitar players who are looking to elevate their skills by tackling one of the most influential metal songs ever written. Andy James breaks down this iconic metal track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About Slayer and the Guitarists Behind "Raining Blood"

"Raining Blood" was created by the guitar duo of Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman, two legendary guitarists who left an indelible mark on heavy metal. Known for their aggressive playing style and intricate riffs, King and Hanneman pioneered many of the techniques that would go on to define thrash metal. Their unique combination of speed, technical skill, and raw energy set a new standard in metal guitar playing and has influenced countless players across genres. Through this lesson, players will gain insight into King and Hanneman’s approach to riffing, phrasing, and brutal precision, helping them understand the high-energy world of thrash metal guitar.

Technique Breakdown

Galloping Rhythms

The galloping rhythm is a core element of "Raining Blood," helping to drive the relentless pace of the song. This technique involves a rapid succession of downstrokes that create a "galloping" effect, reminiscent of a charging horse. Practicing this technique will significantly improve your picking hand stamina and speed, both of which are essential for playing fast metal riffs. Mastering galloping rhythms also enhances timing and precision, giving you the ability to lock into fast tempos with accuracy.

Tremolo Picking

Tremolo picking plays a central role in capturing the aggressive tone and feel of "Raining Blood." By picking one note rapidly and repeatedly, tremolo picking creates a sense of urgency and intensity. It’s a fundamental skill for any metal guitarist and an excellent workout for alternate picking at high speeds. Practicing tremolo picking can increase your hand coordination and control, allowing you to tackle fast, sustained picking patterns across any style.

Power Chords

Power chords are heavily featured in this song, forming the backbone of the rhythm guitar sections. While seemingly simple, power chords in a fast song like "Raining Blood" demand accuracy and timing. Mastering power chords will improve your ability to play rhythmically tight and heavy-sounding riffs, which are essential for achieving the driving sound characteristic of metal.

Palm Muting

To create a tight, percussive tone, palm muting is applied frequently throughout the song. This technique dampens the strings, providing control over each note's sustain and giving the song a heavier sound. Palm muting not only brings added dynamics to your playing but also allows for a "chugging" effect that’s foundational in metal guitar. It’s also an excellent way to improve control over string resonance, ensuring your sound remains clean and defined at high speeds.

Whammy Bar Tricks

"Raining Blood" incorporates whammy bar tricks to add explosive dive bombs and chaotic pitch shifts, particularly in the song's famous intro and outro sections. Using the whammy bar can add a new layer of expression to your playing, giving it an unrestrained, visceral feel. Learning to control the whammy bar allows you to achieve extreme vibrato effects, pitch shifts, and dive bombs, all of which add to the intensity and unique texture of your playing.

Alternate Picking

Alternate picking is essential for many of the riffs in "Raining Blood," especially given the song's relentless speed. This technique, where you alternate between downstrokes and upstrokes, allows for a faster, more efficient picking motion. It’s crucial for maintaining accuracy at high tempos, especially in thrash metal. Practicing alternate picking will improve your speed and endurance, enabling you to tackle rapid, complex riffs without compromising clarity.

String Bending and Vibrato

String bending and vibrato add expression to the lead guitar sections, offering a contrast to the fast, rigid rhythm parts. Bending notes and applying vibrato gives phrases a more vocal quality, creating moments of intensity and release. Working on these techniques will help you convey emotion through your playing, while also improving finger strength, control, and pitch accuracy.

Chromaticism

Chromatic runs and passing notes are common in the riffing style of "Raining Blood," creating tension and dissonance. Chromaticism can bring a dark, unsettling quality to riffs and solos, enhancing the heavy atmosphere. This technique will refine your understanding of non-traditional scales and intervals, enabling you to incorporate unique, tension-filled phrases into your own compositions.

Benefits of Learning "Raining Blood"

Mastering "Raining Blood" offers multiple benefits to guitar players. This song is a true workout for both hands, improving your stamina, coordination, and control. The rapid pace challenges your picking hand while the intricate riffs test your fretting hand’s agility. Learning this song not only increases your technical skills but also sharpens your timing and precision, essential skills for any guitarist. Additionally, understanding Slayer’s unique combination of speed and aggression will give you a deeper appreciation of thrash metal and improve your ability to play similar styles with confidence.

By tackling "Raining Blood," you’ll also get insight into the composition techniques that made Slayer famous, helping you expand your own musical creativity. As you work through the riffs, solos, and phrasing, you’ll develop a more intuitive sense of timing and dynamics, making you a more versatile player.

Guitar Techniques Covered

• Galloping Rhythms
• Tremolo Picking
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Whammy Bar Tricks
• Alternate Picking
• String Bending
• Vibrato
• Chromaticism

Dive into our detailed lesson on "Raining Blood" and unleash the power and precision of Slayer’s thrash metal guitar techniques. Master these techniques, and you’ll not only learn to play this incredible song but also become a stronger, more versatile guitarist.