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Mastering HEAVY METAL: Expert Tips & Advice From 4 Established Musicians

By Magesh MageshContributing Author

Heavy Metal came into prominence in the 1970s with bands like Black Sabbath and Deep Purple. As the years passed, bands like Metallica and Iron Maiden were at the forefront of this movement in the 1980s. Now, the guitar riffs are louder and tuned lower and the beats are faster.

I talked to 4 professional musicians who helped clarify what modern heavy metal is.

Etienne Fournier

Etienne Fournier is a guitar player, singer, and composer from Montreal, Canada. He has over 200K subscribers on YouTube.  His videos are not only technically brilliant but also incredibly funny!

Magesh Magesh, Musicngear: When people think of Heavy Metal they might think of Black Sabbath, Metallica, or Meshuggah.  What is your definition of Modern Heavy Metal?

To me, what makes Modern Heavy Metal different from Traditional Heavy Metal is the production and the diversity of the techniques used.
The productions now are way more polished with massive use of samples on drums, quantization, auto-tune/Melodyne, layering, and a very clear/bright tone.
The guitars are tuned lower in general with very common use of 7-string and 8-string guitars with alternate tunings.
The bands also use lots of different techniques:
It's now super common to see singers alternating between clean and harsh vocals, guitar players using techniques that weren't around a few years ago like thumping and selective picking, drummers playing many types of blast beats, and so on.

Musicngear: Dropped tuning on the guitar is common in Metal for playing heavier riffs. Do you have any tips for guitarists when playing songs in tuned-down keys?

I'd say, don't be afraid to cut the bass on your tone! I feel like you can retain all the aggressiveness of the low tuning while keeping a clear tone and allowing more space for the bass and kick drum in the mix.
I usually turn the bass knob down almost to Zero on my Mesa Dual Rectifier when playing songs with my 7-string. It sounds tighter in the mix while still being aggressive although it may seem a little thin in solo.
Think of the role your guitar has!

Musicngear: Power chords are also popular in this style of music.  How can people get a better knowledge of chords that are used in Heavy Metal?

Study "Low Interval Limits". It's the lowest you can get with each interval before it sounds too muddy. This is even more important when using distortion.
Power chords (perfect fifths) have a very low "low interval limit", so it works well in the low register and with distortion.
On the other hand, some intervals like major seconds need to be played way higher to sound clear.
So the higher you get, the more expressive you can go with your chords.

Musicngear: What are your top 5 Heavy Metal albums?

This is a tough one...

1. Rust In Peace by Megadeth
2. City of Evil by Avenged Sevenfold
3. Vulgar Display of Power by Pantera
4. Paradise Lost by Symphony X
5. Ride the Lightning by Metallica

Musicngear: I found your videos on YouTube to be super entertaining!  How did you come up with the idea of injecting humor into your guitar tutorial videos?

Thank you! I think it's just part of who I am. Playing guitar is first and foremost fun, so learning guitar should also be fun!

So I thought that I could inject humor into my videos to make them more enjoyable to watch and motivate people to play. I think it helps to underline that it's an activity that's intrinsically fun.

Musicngear: What projects are you currently working on?

I'm working on my Progressive Metal Band Odd Times' next album! The album is in the mixing stage and will be released later this year.
I'm also part of a Jazz Fusion project named "Reflet". We're working on new compositions and will also release new singles this year!
Follow my social media to stay tuned on my upcoming projects!

Connect with Etienne Fournier
Instagram / TikTok / YouTube

Rob Brens

Rob is a drummer from Melbourne, Australia who currently plays in metalcore act Mirrors and has recorded and toured with the likes of I Built the Sky, Teramaze, King Parrot, James Ivanyi and many more.

Musicngear: When people think of Heavy Metal they might think of Black Sabbath, Metallica, or Meshuggah. What is your definition of Modern Heavy Metal?

If we're talking "modern heavy metal", I'd say the strongest defining characteristic is pop songwriting. Don't get me wrong, the songs that defined metal over the years are all-time classics, but when you look at what is defining the current generation of metal, it's that they're more in tune with melody and conventional song structure, more pop than anything else.

Previous iterations of metal were influenced strongly by "riff" based material, which led to longer songs, more progressive structures, and less emphasis on lead vocals compared to what you would see today.

A lot of the more popular metal bands today have a metal sound but draw more on pop music than anything else. The metal elitist crowd might think that's a bad thing, but in this day and age, I've never seen metal more accepted by a wider audience, and that can only be a good thing.

Musicngear: Double bass drums are common in Metal. How can people improve their endurance when playing songs with double bass drumming?

When it comes to improving double kick playing, there are many ways to go about it but the key is consistency. It takes a lot of time to get things going, but if you start to treat your speed and endurance (which tend to go hand in hand) more like going to the gym than practicing, you'll start to see results.

Don't overcomplicate things. You can simply start by doing extended runs of double kicks that last a minute, take a rest, then do another minute, take a rest, and increase the tempo, etc.

Even incorporating a routine like this for 10-15 minutes will go a long way if you're doing it 5-6 times a week. Just make sure you're also getting your rest.

Musicngear: Blast beats take an incredible amount of technique to play. Do you have any advice for musicians who want to play music at super-fast tempos?

It's a similar process to the previous question, except when hitting those mega speeds. In my technical death metal days, I only really hit the 220-240 range, compared to today's 250+.

I'd say the key difference is to explore your finger technique a lot more, as well as other hybrid techniques that are out there, paired with an efficient wrist/free stroke technique. I've seen guys hit crazy speeds that are still using their wrists coupled with effective rebound.

One tip I would pass on is that if you can do just a couple of beats worth at a really high tempo, provided it's done with a clean and relaxed technique, just work on doing short bursts of that so your body can get a feel for hitting that tempo, then start closing that gap with tempos that land in between.

Musicngear: What are your top 5 Heavy Metal albums?

My top 5 metal albums probably change every week haha. Meshuggah - Koloss, Deftones - Diamond Eyes, Neurosis - Given to the Rising, Karnivool - Asymmetry, Sumac - What One Becomes, are some that I can turn on at any time and still hi me hard.

Musicngear: Do you feel it is necessary to read music to be able to play Heavy Metal?

Absolutely not.

Reading music can be great for people who are visual learners, it gives you a greater purchase on how everything lines up to help establish precision in your playing, which is high value in metal playing and it's just generally useful when it comes to communicating information on an educational level.

But I've met plenty of self-taught metal guys who didn't start reading until much later in their journey and they're incredible. It's not essential, but I still believe it's worthwhile pursuing.

Musicngear: What projects are you currently working on?

My current projects are with my metal band Mirrors, we're in the process of writing a new album.

Outside of that, I'm doing session work both live and in the studio but currently working on expanding my online content production to help facilitate my educational platform.

Connect with Rob Brens
Website / Instagram / YouTube

Mitch Avedon

Mitch Avedon is a professional guitarist with over 40k followers on YouTube. He creates engaging videos that include full song breakdowns, unboxing, and music theory.

Musicngear: When people think of Heavy Metal they might think of Black Sabbath, Metallica, or Meshuggah. What is your definition of Modern Heavy Metal?

For "Modern Heavy Metal" as a genre, I usually think of newer popular bands that are trying to push the main aspects of Heavy Metal music into new directions, especially those bands that are incorporating aspects of other genres such as Pop and Hip-hop into Metal.

While I'm kind of an "old head" when it comes to Metal, I do appreciate when bands are trying to do new things and express their creativity in different ways.

Musicngear: Dropped tuning on the guitar is common in Metal for playing heavier riffs. Do you have any tips for guitarists when playing songs in tuned-down keys?

While drop tuning guitars in metal is super common, especially with modern metal, I would say it is not actually necessary to sound "heavy". Listen to something like Sepultura's Beneath the Remains, E Standard tuning, and Super Heavy.

The important thing is dialing in your tone well for what you want to be playing, and making sure your guitar is set up properly if you're going to be tuning down super low. Get the strings you need, set up your EQ so it isn't super muddy, and check your intonation.

Musicngear: Power chords are also popular in this style of music. How can people get a better knowledge of chords that are used in Heavy Metal?

Power chords are great and a staple in metal for sure. I would recommend looking into different kinds of dyads, or 2 note chords.

Full chords can get messy if you're playing with a lot of distortion, so learning about different harmonic intervals you can use, like major/minor 3rds, and perfect 4ths, can spice things up.

Musicngear: What are your top 5 Heavy Metal albums?

1. Reign in Blood - Slayer
2. Crowbar - Crowbar
3. An Overdose of Death - Toxic Holocaust
4. Paranoid - Black Sabbath
5. Wolverine Blues - Entombed

Musicngear: Can you talk about your guitar/pedal setup?

My main setup for my videos is just my guitar straight into a Line6 HX Stomp. The guitar I usually use is a custom Balaguer Tartarus. On-Line 6 my typical preset for metal is an EQ, Noise Gate, Compressor, and Overdrive, into the ANGL Meteor amp sim, and the 4x12 XXL V30 cab. I've loved tube amps for a long time, but the modern guitar processors sound amazing, and they make it so easy to record and get the exact tone that I want.

For playing live/jamming with people I use a Peavey 6505+, with just a Boss NS-2 Noise Gate, and an Ibanez Tube Screamer.

What projects are you currently working on?

Currently, my main project/focus that I'm working on is building up my content creation presence, and working on my home studio.

I am also a full-time guitar teacher for my day job so that pretty much takes up all my time!

I do write a lot of music and hope to record soon, when I get around to finishing some songs, they'll be on all my usual platforms!

Connect with Mitch Avedon
YouTube / TikTok / Instagram / Facebook / Patreon
 

Ash Pearson

Ash Pearson is a professional drummer from BC Canada.  He has worked with Revocation, Zimmer Hole, and Ultra Earth.

Ash is currently touring and recording with Ritual Dictates.

Musicngear: When people think of Heavy Metal they might think of Black Sabbath, Metallica, or Meshuggah. What is your definition of Modern Heavy Metal?

Thanks for having me. In terms of a ‘definition’ or what I consider to be modern heavy metal, I suppose I’d classify it as a musician who strives to create something original or expand on a theme of something they love and are influenced by with as much authenticity as possible.

If you get enough like-minded people together to be in a band, they can hopefully try and write interesting music. That’s it in a nutshell for me. It’s about more than just playing blast beats and having a chunky-sounding guitar tone.

Musicngear: Double bass drums are common in Metal.  How can people improve their endurance when playing songs with double bass drumming?

Double bass is almost essential to some degree in heavy music…… almost. Improving your speed if that’s what you want to do, comes down to technique and control ultimately.

Starting slow is always the best prescription, to see how your body will move at a faster tempo. But then you want to practice fast too to get your body used to that. There’s never one exercise that will fix an issue.

There are lots of great resources out there on YouTube to come up with a solid approach. If people are interested in what I have to say on that subject, they can check out some of my videos on Drumeo!

Musicngear: Blast beats take an incredible amount of technique to play.  Do you have any advice for musicians who want to play music at super-fast tempos?

Speed, whether it’s double kick or hand speed demands a similar approach. Technique and control. Understanding note values is important also. What each limb is doing for any given beat you’re trying to play.

Having good hand technique helps with speed, I would say. So the more of your rudiments you know, the better. Diddles drag, flams, etc.

Alex Rudinger has some great videos for sale on his website regarding his hand and foot routines.

Doesn’t get much better than him. 

Musicngear: What are your top 5 Heavy Metal albums?

Always a tough question. Off the top of my head

1. Metallica - And Justice for All
2. Strapping Young Lad - City
3. Don Caballero - What Burns Never Returns
4. The Dillinger Escape Plan - Calculating Infinity
5. Meshuggah - Destroy Erase Improve

My top 5 of what I’m listening to right now (Not necessarily metal)

1. Unto Others - Never, Neverland
2. Portrayal of Guilt - Devil Music
3. Jake Xerxes Fussell - Good and Green Again 
4. Yesness - See You at the Solipsist Convention 
5. John Zorn - His Tzadik Catalogue 

Musicngear: Do you feel it is necessary to read music to be able to play Heavy Metal?

It’s not necessary to read music to play any kind of music. However, it does help to foster a different kind of sense or instinct for learning and performing.

For me, learning exercises from sheet music helps me visualize and internalize rhythm and drums on a different level than just listening alone. But for me, having a good ear and a strong musical memory is absolutely key.

Musicngear: What projects are you currently working on?

My active bands right now are many. My main live bands are 3 Inches of Blood and Revocation. I’ve been occasionally playing with Marty Friedman lately which has been a real honour.

I also play in the best metal band ever, Zimmers Hole, as well as Ritual Dictates, Ultra Earth, and Old Black. I think staying busy and being prolific is an important thing. 

Connect with Ash Pearson
Instagram

About Magesh Magesh

Magesh is a musician and producer who has worked with Rihanna, Lionel Richie, Ricky Martin, Chris Brown, The Pussy Cat Dolls, Nelly Furtado, and Vernon Reid of Living Colour. He released an instructional drumming DVD called "Unique Beats" where he mixed the drum kit with electronics and Indian hand percussion. He recently moved from Australia to the UK to explore new musical opportunities.
Website: mageshdrumteacher.co.uk

Contact Magesh Magesh at magesh.magesh7@gmail.com

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