Learn to Play Slayer

Guitar Lesson Course Overview

Unleashing the sheer power of thrash metal, Slayer has been synonymous with a genre that pushes the limits of speed, aggression, and musicianship. For guitarists looking to master this relentless style, "Learn to Play Slayer" is an indispensable resource. This comprehensive guide featuring Andy James breaks down the complexity behind Slayer's intensity into manageable lessons, focusing on five of the band's seminal tracks.

Guitar Lessons Include:

Seasons In The Abyss 

South Of Heaven 

Raining Blood 

War Ensemble 

Angel Of Death

Lesson Performance Notes

Seasons In The Abyss

"Seasons In The Abyss," balances melodic elements with the band's characteristic aggression. The song is centered around E minor, providing a dark and brooding foundation for the haunting melodies and intense riffs. The guitar solo, a frenetic outburst of energy, uses the E natural minor scale, showcasing rapid alternate picking and scale runs. Understanding the nuances of these scales and the song's intricate timing can help players capture the track's menacing essence.

South Of Heaven

"South Of Heaven" challenges the stereotype of Slayer solely relying on speed, demonstrating impactful, slow, and heavy riffs instead. The song is in the key of E-flat minor, contributing to its dark atmosphere. The lead guitar work employs the E-flat minor pentatonic scale, delivering a solo that contrasts slow, emotional bends with fast, aggressive passages. Analyzing this solo will benefit guitarists by teaching dynamic expression within a confined musical space.

Raining Blood

"Raining Blood" is an iconic piece in the thrash metal genre, known for its breakneck speed and complex structure. The song, primarily in the key of E-flat minor, features rapid down-picked riffs and a signature 4/4 to 7/8 time change. The solo is an eruption of sound, utilizing the E-flat Phrygian dominant scale to create a chaotic and dissonant atmosphere. Guitarists will learn the importance of precision and endurance, especially through mastering the song's relentless tremolo picking and intricate rhythm changes.

War Ensemble

"War Ensemble" is a testament to Slayer's aggressive musical style, highlighting tight rhythm guitar work and a blistering solo. The song, written in E minor, features fast, palm-muted riffs using the E natural minor scale. The solo is a showcase of advanced techniques, including rapid alternate picking and legato, all based around the E minor and E harmonic minor scales. The track is a masterclass in controlling aggression musically, making every note purposeful amidst the chaos.

Angel Of Death

"Angel Of Death" captures the essence of Slayer's sound, combining fast, aggressive riffs with dark, haunting melodies. The song is in the key of E minor and employs a variety of scales, including the E Phrygian dominant, to create its sinister mood. The solo is particularly challenging, with an extensive use of the E minor pentatonic scale, featuring high-speed runs, wide bends, and long legato passages. It's a comprehensive lesson in both speed and melody, as it requires maintaining musicality even at extreme tempos.

Lead Guitarist: Jeff Hanneman

Jeff Hanneman's contribution to Slayer and these songs in particular cannot be overstated. His aggressive yet melodic style of play, combining fast-paced riffs with intricate solos, has defined much of Slayer's sound. Hanneman had a knack for integrating scales like Phrygian dominant and harmonic minor into his playing, contributing to the dark and eerie sound that Slayer is renowned for. His solos often contained a mix of fast alternate picking, legato, and unique uses of vibrato, adding a distinct flavor to the tracks. Hanneman's ability to create songs that were both ferocious and intricate set a new standard for heavy metal guitarists.

Techniques Used in These Lessons

• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Tremolo Picking
• Palm Muting
• String Bending
• Vibrato
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Chromaticism
• Scale Runs
• Arpeggios
• Syncopated Rhythms
• Harmonics

By dissecting these songs and understanding the techniques that contribute to their intensity, guitarists can add an invaluable dimension to their playing. Whether it's mastering the art of control in chaos, infusing solos with emotion, or handling the guitar with the finesse and aggression necessary for thrash metal, "Learn to Play Slayer" offers a unique opportunity to study some of the most impactful works in heavy metal history.