Eyes of a Panther – Steel Panther

Get ready to unleash your inner shredder with “Eyes of a Panther” by Steel Panther, a high-octane glam metal anthem packed with energy, attitude, and show-stopping guitar work. At Licklibrary.com, our note-for-note guitar lesson on this track captures every nuance and nuance of the original performance, guiding guitarists through the signature riffs, fiery solos, and classic metal techniques that make this song a standout in the band’s repertoire. Whether you're looking to develop your technical prowess, add flair to your playing, or just melt some faces, this lesson is a must. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitar Player: Satchel’s Signature Sound

The guitar work on “Eyes of a Panther” is delivered by the brilliant Russ Parrish, better known as Satchel. As the lead guitarist of Steel Panther, Satchel’s playing is a loving homage to the 1980s shred legends, but with a satirical twist and a modern edge. Known for his blistering speed, articulate phrasing, and killer tone, Satchel blends glam metal excess with true guitar virtuosity. His style is deeply influenced by icons like Eddie Van Halen, George Lynch, and Randy Rhoads—offering an incredible template for students to develop a flashy but precise lead guitar style. Learning from Satchel’s playing is not only fun, it's a crash course in metal lead guitar.

Main Techniques Covered in This Lesson

Our “Eyes of a Panther” guitar lesson breaks the track down section by section, highlighting the essential techniques Satchel uses and how you can master them.

Alternate Picking

This technique is essential for executing the fast-paced runs and aggressive riffing in the intro and verses. Alternate picking enhances speed and efficiency, giving your picking hand a solid foundation for playing metal and rock styles with clarity and precision.

Palm Muting

Palm muting is used throughout the riff sections to create that tight, chuggy tone that defines glam and hard rock. By muting the strings with the edge of the picking hand, players add rhythmic punctuation and tonal dynamics to their playing.

Power Chords

These form the backbone of the rhythm guitar parts in the song. Power chords are essential for rock and metal guitarists, offering a simple but powerful way to play chord progressions with a driving, aggressive sound.

String Bending and Pre-Bends

Satchel’s solo features expressive string bending and tasteful pre-bends, adding vocal-like emotion and attitude to each phrase. These techniques are crucial for conveying feel and tension in lead guitar lines.

Vibrato

Satchel’s controlled vibrato gives each bent note character and sustain. Learning vibrato helps players add individuality to their solos and avoid a mechanical sound.

Tapping and Two-Handed Tapping

A highlight of the solo is Satchel’s use of two-handed tapping, a technique that allows for rapid arpeggios and extended range. It’s a showy yet practical way to play high-speed passages that would be nearly impossible with just one hand.

Pinched Harmonics

Throughout the song, pinched harmonics are used to add scream and bite to certain notes. This technique helps spice up riffs and solos with intense harmonic overtones, adding an aggressive edge to your sound.

Slides and Hammer-Ons/Pull-Offs

Slides, hammer-ons, and pull-offs are frequently used in licks and transitions, helping create fluid, legato-style lines that flow effortlessly between positions.

Dive Bombs and Whammy Bar Tricks

One of Satchel’s signature moves is the use of dive bombs and whammy bar tricks, injecting a dose of flair and chaos into his soloing. These add drama and excitement, perfect for recreating that ‘80s metal stage presence.

Why You Should Learn This Song

Learning “Eyes of a Panther” isn’t just about nailing a killer solo or flashy riff. It’s about improving overall technique, timing, control, and stage presence. Each section of the song offers a new opportunity to hone your chops while playing something undeniably fun. Whether you’re gigging, jamming, or just practicing at home, mastering this track will give you tools that apply across many styles of rock and metal guitar.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Alternate Picking
• Palm Muting
• Power Chords
• String Bending
• Pre-Bends
• Vibrato
• Two-Handed Tapping
• Pinched Harmonics
• Slides
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Dive Bombs
• Whammy Bar Tricks

Ready to dive in? Grab your guitar, turn up the gain, and let’s learn “Eyes of a Panther” — note for note, lick for lick, the LickLibrary way.