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The Top 25 Modern Metal Guitarists

STARTING MONDAY, METALSUCKS PRESENTS THE TOP 25 MODERN METAL GUITARISTS

Friday, April 29th, 2011 at 5:00pm by

So we’ve been teasing our new list this week. Yesterday we had some readers guess that the list was of “Best Living Guitar Players,” and, hey, that’s close! It’s actually The Top 25 Modern Metal Guitarists. (Worth mentioning: the awesome above banner was done by the Derek Riggs to our Iron Maiden, Rodney Githens from Vertebrae 33.)

So what does that mean? Well, there were three qualifications for a musician to be eligible for this list:

  • The musician in question has to play metal. (Duh.)
  • The musician in question has to play guitar. (Double-duh.)
  • The musician in question has to have released a new recording within five years of May 1, 2011 (thus, no Dimebag).

We didn’t invite any industry peeps or musicians to vote on this list — it was decided solely by The MetalSucks Get High Council. So if you love the list, you’ll have us to thank, and if you hate the list, you’ll have us to blame.

We obviously can’t tell you who’s on the list just yet, but we can give you this hint: Dan Donegan’s name never even came up.

It starts Monday. Get ready to be angry.

-Axl, Vince, and Everyone at MetalSucks

 

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  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ben-Alexander/1092891172 Ben Alexander

    Brent Hinds wins, I’m calling it.

    • spud

      with Ben Weinman at number 2

      • Altered Bestiality

        This dude runs circles around both of those losers. His picking technique is unmistakable!!

        http://youtu.be/2MI-_jWAmlE

        Number one pick, hands down. Fuck all the haters

        • http://www.facebook.com/people/Will-Morley/618112437 Will Morley

          Jeez, that solo was amazing. I was planning some fun shit this weekend but now I’m just going to have to sit here, watching that video over and over just trying to nail that technique.

        • YevgoR
          • Toki The Genius

            Randy Rhoads……. nuff said

    • Mastodonathan

      1

  • omdthrash

    Bunch of lame-ass djent/Daath tomfoolery fuck this list before it exists.

    • madne0

      exactly. Emil Werstler/Eyal Levi in the top 10.

      • chumbawumba

        my thoughts exactly.

        • grossj

          Agreed. Daath guitarists will be 1 and 2. surely they’ll put some dildo in front of misha….and will completely exclude brian and ryan of the BDM because they’re “deathcore”. fuck off.

          • http://www.facebook.com/people/Cameron-Foley/1523601438 Cameron Foley

            BDM aren’t deathcore though

    • csm

      Quoted for truth.

      • Bob Cock

        I voted for As Blood Runs Black with 14 different e-mail addresses.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Kyle-Heider/602520830 Kyle Heider

    How does one petition for a spot on the esteemed Get High Council? :D

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Josh-Kruk/520503461 Josh Kruk

    It will be criminal if Tosin Abasi doesn’t crack the top 5

    • Watty

      This.

      Also, Emil Werstler had better be in the top 5 as well, if not top 3. Insane chops on that machine, even with his “improper” technique.

      Also, Also, why is Dimebag so quintessential when speaking of “good” guitarists? Doesn’t seem like he was that proficient, only that Pantera was popular, shouldn’t have to restrict his eligibility as he shouldn’t be considered in the first place…

      Also, Also, Also: Misha Mansoor, Mikael Akerfeldt, Per Nilsson, and Adam “Nolly” Getgood, though I suppose he couldn’t win due to the lack of their release being public yet…

      • Dissolution

        Are you dumb? Dimebag had it all – great song writing, great chops, great solos, memorable riffs, technique….etc.

        How was he not proficient?

        Don’t care if you liked Pantera or not…I just don’t get how you couldn’t at least respect his skills and why he’s so loved?

        • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jamel-Banner/731572742 Jamel Banner

          + 100000000000

      • Brendan Demeris

        why is Dimebag so quintessential?
        that statement alone proves you dont know your head from your ass. yet you suggest misha mansoor and per nilsson 2 guitarists so obviously influenced by the groove dimebag so famously brought to the metal scene. learn your history and show some respect for the dudes that pioneered the sounds you listen too today

  • cyrollan

    This will be fun. I bet Emmure’s guitar player is at least top 10 (if Sgt. D has anything to say about it).

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Scott-Perloff/9388451 Scott Perloff

    tosin abasi and jeff loomis ftw

    • Rich

      +1M

  • Mike

    Brent Hinds, John 5, Gus G, Jeff Loomis, Matt Heafy… all great, tasteful players who can play heavy when called for.
    Let’s keep those retards in Behemoth out of this.
    … and no Kerry King either

    • Ben Deal

      Nergal has enough college under his belt to be a museum curator, he is the furthest thing from retarded, chose your words more carefully, hater.

      • Hmm

        That doesn’t make him a tasteful guitar player.

        • bowing headds

          tasteful is for weather channel jazz

          • http://www.facebook.com/people/Britt-Granitt/582086079 Britt Granitt

            Fucking words to live by.

          • Hmm

            If you’re living wrong, sure.

            Still funny though.

          • David

            they play Jazz on the weather channel ?!?! As in Weather Report ?!?!?

          • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ben-Alexander/1092891172 Ben Alexander

            Weather Report is WAY too awesome for the Weather Channel.

          • Corex

            The Weather Channel couldn’t afford Weather Report if they wanted it.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Matt-Hurley/1289730334 Matt Hurley

      You listed Matt Heafy. Your opinion is invalid.

      • Captain Shoggoth

        As a Trivium fan, I agree completely

  • cxj

    paul waggoner andmatt pike will fuck you.

    • Beenyad

      do me

    • http://www.heavyblogisheavy.com Alkahest

      Paul Waggoner + Dusty Warring. It’d be criminal if they didn’t share a position. Dusty is underrated as fuck.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Catt-Mooper/864625407 Catt Mooper

    You’re already forgetting Collin from An Isle Ate Her.
    Once their new full-length is out, you’re probably going to want to amend this list.

  • Jason

    Does Colin Marston qualify?

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Eric-Nguyen/100001285066849 Eric Nguyen

      I’m a tech metal nerd and my friends can’t stand Dysrhythmia or any of my tech bands excluding Necrophagist but +1.

      It’ll be good enough if he makes it but my list would be:
      Jonas Karlsson or Jonas Bryssling (Whichever preferably the one who wrote the songs for SoP on Noctambulant)
      Fredrik Thordendal
      Mikael Akerfeldt
      Paul Masvidal
      Misha Mansoor
      Tobin Abasi
      Pat O Brien
      Ron Jarzombek
      James Malone
      and Le Gunface

  • spud

    Who wants to bet that their butt buddies eyal levi and misha mansoor are in the top 10?

    • Metalguy

      I will. And that guy from God Forbid. And one of their SUPER BROSEPHS from Metal Injection

  • msv81

    If Scott Hull isn’t on this list, and isn’t in at least the top 5, you guys are a bunch of fucking fools.

    My guess, though, is he will be, given the massive amount of Pig Destroyer and Agoraphobic Nosebleed love here. Scott Hull FTW!!

    • Ron Deuce

      I’m with you, Scott Hull and screw the other 24. He brings it with the riffs!

    • junkyardgod

      +11111111111111 Sickest, chunkiest, heaviest, brutal-est fuggin’ riffs on the planet. Fucker better be #1.

      But he won’t be…

  • http://giantofthemountain.bandcamp.com Lordassenfroth

    jimi hendrix is the best guitarist ever, he’s gonna win the list. Eddie Van Halen will be a close second. The guy who did Freebird is gonna be 3rd. cant wait.

    • DK0

      I almost bit on this troll bait. haha well played sir.. well played.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Adam-Armour/1776262813 Adam Armour

    Of course, I have to throw Mikael Akerfeldt of Opeth in there. Part soulful; part brutal; all awesome.

  • Sandblast

    I guarantee this list will be full up with nothing but tech death, Dillinger and Doom/stoner styled bull, yeah most of those guitar players are super fuckin skilled technically, but who cares about that if there is no feeling behind it. Newer bands I feel lack that. Jeff Loomis, Tosin, Dustie and Paul from BTBAM are the exceptions IMO. Could care less about this list

    • Brownsound279

      “Could care less about this list”

      Then why don’t you?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Harper-Lewis/100001748263922 Harper Lewis

    i’m hoping for fredrik thordendal, aaron turner, dave knudson and ben weinman getting a mention.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Eric-Alejandro-Trevino/681356084 Eric Alejandro Trevino

      fredrik thordendal !

      • abe

        yes mr. fred is obviously number 1, if pure creative wickedness is a factor….

  • Tony

    Petrucci better be on that list or else he’s going to (have his manager) pulverize you!

  • Metal Sean

    So no one mentioned the guys from protest the hero or the human abstract? The dudes from Necrophagist?

    • Ben

      Necrophagist isn’t eligible.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Vince-Decker/100002225040320 Vince Decker

      those are excellent choices to add. but as ben mentioned, necrophagist hasnt put out a new one yet. matt satelo of decrepit birth is ridiculous, and so are the cephalic dudes. or even mofuckkin christian muenzner. he helped with epitaph and is in obscura (and defeated sanity, or at least was). i would suggest muenzner be added.

  • JB

    ken sorceron, ryan knight, KEITH MERROW?

  • Matt

    I hope this is going to be be not your usual picks and you bring attention to some new folks…Other wise yaaawwwwwwnnnnnnnnnnnn

  • BigBintheAV

    Should be at the least givin honorable mention: Per Nilsson, Acle Kahney, Peter Wichers, Daniel Bergström, Misha Mansoor

  • tim

    I’m really hoping to see Kurt Ballou on this list, but I’m expecting disappointment on that front. Also, Paul Wardingham deserves a top 3 spot at the very least.

    • BigBintheAV

      Paul Wardingham is sick!

  • http://diggin-graves.blogspot.com/ The Fool

    A.J. Minette

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jacob-Quintero/788612754 Jacob Quintero

      ++

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Britt-Granitt/582086079 Britt Granitt

    I bet Alexi Laiho makes it.
    And maybe the guy from The Faceless? He fucking slays.

    • http://multimedia-ami.deviantart.com amelia

      Definitely should.

  • Braston

    I’d put Petrucci too…. But I already brt Paul Waggoner, Ben Weiman and all those kinda people. Loomis would be awesome

  • alex

    matt pike better be on this list. he betetr be at top spot too.

    • Steve

      this.

    • Brock Sterns

      Hell yes

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Sanskar-Wagley/1376400331 Sanskar Wagley

    Paul Waggoner, John Petrucci, and Tosin Abasi are essential. And maybe throw in the dudes from Isis for their ambient work.

  • brookh

    Jorn Viggo from Pagan’s Mind

  • Anthony

    So is Munky from Korn going to win?

  • Dakotaw

    Its time for mor DAATH fellating!

  • pixelate

    Gunface.

    • KilledByDeath

      ooohaaaah!

  • Blake

    Devin Townsend. Easily.

    • Budda Bubba

      1

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Darrell-Erickson/595856588 Darrell Erickson

      This

    • enough already

      YEA DEVIN TOWNSEND !!! DERP DERP DERP!!! SO PROFICIENT!!

  • JB

    Ihsahn also. i mean seriously, After is the best 8 string album out there.

  • CJ

    Huh, so that means that the guys from Slayer and Judas Priest and Metallica and a lot of the other old warhorses are eligible since they’ve all made new recordings in the last few years?

    That seems like it would skew the list somewhat.

    • http://crescentshield.com Crescent Shield

      That’s what I was thinking. It seems from the title of the list that they would not want to include the veterans.

      • Gecko

        Good point dude. Maiden, Megadeth, Overkill, and the like have all put out new releases over the last 5 years (in addition to what CJ listed), so I was definitely wondering if this becomes a list for nostalgia’s sake or not.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Paul-Campbell/100000062448529 Paul Campbell

    Ryan Knight better crack the top five or I will be slightly disappointed.

  • http://Myspace.com/ballharness DirtRock

    CJ makes a good point. What are you super cool hipster tastemakers gonna do about that?? Fuck off.

  • Damocles74

    Chad fucking Davis!! Hour Of 13 \m/

  • Derrek

    Who gives a shit if your Omg-favorite-guitarist isn’t on the list?

    • http://thatdevilmusic.net Scott W

      Exactly.

  • rey

    just show the list or not

    3 different posts leading up to the actual list? who gives a shit.

    • Benny

      Metalsucks shares a marketing team with Dream Theater

      • tim

        You win multiple internets, sir

  • jason rph

    Devin Townsend. It’s simple. He is the best and doesn’t need to prove it. Plus, he can write “songs”.

    • Cpt. Howdy

      Townsend for sure. Eternally underrated is Jonathan Donias of Shadows Fall and Ricardo Amorim of Moonspell. Both have a unique style which they bring, which I think is important.

      • msv81

        Townsend absolutely needs to be on it, but #1? Not in my book. There are better guitarists out there. And before people jump all over me, that’s not to take away from his insane skills as a musician. He can play every instrument and isn’t strictly limited to guitar. Yes, he can and does write all his own songs.

        Still, I’d say a top 5 spot for him. Not #1.

        • Cpt. Howdy

          Yeah, no, makes sense to me. I’m just here to see that some of my favorite guitarists just make the list, much less place first. I’m interested to see how this goes down.

  • objectified

    Luc Lemay (Gorguts), Davide Tiso (Ephel Duath), Patrick Mameli (Pestilence), Fredrik Thordendal, Ben Weinman..
    If that Laiho guy makes the list with his ever repeating “neo classical” (running up and down harmonic minor scales and arpeggio’s pretty much?) and happy-feet riffs makes it to the list, I’m going to be disappointed.

    • BC

      This man is a genius

  • Dirty Dominguez

    RON JARZOMBEK

    • objectified

      Yes!

  • Alex

    Personally, I am hoping for Luke Hoskin to be on it.

    • Lorenzo Von Matterhorn

      +10000000 absolutely!
      and if there ever be a list for bassists, we defniately need Arif on the 1, and maybe that guy from animosity on #2.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Matt-Hurley/1289730334 Matt Hurley

    Getting all the obvious ones (Petrucci, Loomis, etc.) and the bands whos cocks MS sucks (Daath, almost anything djent) out of the way…please put Per Nilsson on here. Unquestionably the most underrated guitarist in metal right now.

    • Jester

      My words exactly.

      • http://www.facebook.com/people/Adam-Armour/1776262813 Adam Armour

        Agreed.

  • Breakfast Sandwiches

    if Mick Barr doesn’t place in the top 5, this list will be deemed false

    • Tomasz

      this.

  • steverazor

    Why is it so trendy to bash Dimebag? He has more talent and feel than every one of these maturbatory scale wankers in most of these modern metal bands.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/David-Dobre/1525164231 David Dobre

      I respect him, I don’t like his style however.

    • OldandTired

      Because, as we’ve all learned…

      …haters gonna hate.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Matt-Hurley/1289730334 Matt Hurley

      Because the metal guitar community has had him forced down our throats by every guitar magazine in the world since he died.

      • http://www.facebook.com/people/Corey-Mitchell/660352330 Corey Mitchell

        the metal guitar community

        Is there really such a thing?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/David-Dobre/1525164231 David Dobre

    I don’t care what all of you say, even though Jari Maenpaa hasn’t released a new record recently, he’s finally almost releasing Time, and Wintersun is still one of the greatest albums to date.

    My votes:

    Jari Maenpaa
    Jeff Loomis
    Tosin Abasi
    Jari Maenpaa
    Michael Romeo
    Devin Townsend
    And of course, Jari Maenpaa.

    • Stevo

      Jari hasn’t put anything out in the last 5 years.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/CJ-Crawford/768948209 C.J. Crawford

    If Mingvay Wangstein doesn’t top this list, then Metal Sucks will prove they are as relevant and Pitchfork… Do the right thing guys. http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Mingvay-Wangstein/174880102523185

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/CJ-Crawford/768948209 C.J. Crawford

      Relevant AS pitchfork… fuck.

  • Martin M. Blair

    Skimming through the abusive-back-and-forth-guitarier-than-thou comments here is shit-kickingly hilarious. I’m currently listening to Nomeansno, who may not be metal, but bassist Rob Wright will play the shit out of anyone listed above…
    http://www.squidrowink.com

  • meat mincing machine

    everyone whos posted a comment on this story is retarded

    • mia

      including you. and now me.

  • deathcore blows cock

    to me the top five should be

    1.Karl Sanders

    2. John Gallagher

    3. Michael keene

    4. Peter Tagtgren

    5.Jack Owen

    just one question i have if any one could answer this for me would Trey from Morbid angel be abel to be on this list cause they have not released an album since 2003 but they have an album coming up in june?

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Matt-Hurley/1289730334 Matt Hurley

      The only one of those guys whos any good is Michael Keene. If you’re going to list someone from Deicide at least make it Ralph Santolla.

      • deathcore blows cock

        i would really like to hear your reason for why you do not think karl sanders is not good just because i never heard any one ever say any thing bad about him.

        • deathcore blows cock

          sorry i ment why you do not think Karl Sanders is good

        • http://www.facebook.com/people/Matt-Hurley/1289730334 Matt Hurley

          Bro, have you ever seen his Betcha Can’t Play This Video? Its even worse than the Dragonforce on. He’s one trick pony he plays that same lick in every one of his solos.

          • deathcore blows cock

            yes i have seen it, but you can not really judge a guitarists by a Betcha Can’t Play This Video, but you can judge a guitarists by the songs he writes and the stuff he writes in both Nile and his solo project is some of the best music i have ever heard. As far his him using the same lick in all of his solos I personaly think his solos are great and have really good atmosphare.

  • JB

    Andy McKee and Antoine Dufour

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Daniel-Goldwater/33612828 Daniel Goldwater

      The guitarists DO have to play metal, you know.

  • grossj

    Brian Eschbach should win this hands down…and won’t even be on the list.

  • Budda Bubba

    Adam Jones is eligible by one day. Lets see some Tool love and get Mick or Jim of Slipknot. Its not a metalsucks list without the knot.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Emmanuel-Quinones/100000463639580 Emmanuel Quinones

    Ryan Kinght
    Paul Waggoner
    Abasi
    ummmmmmm

  • yzermantiis

    According to Wikipedia, Necrophagist’s last album was released in 04, so sadly Muhammad and the boys aren’t eligible. He would have been my pick

  • seamus

    Meh. It’s just going to be a bunch of djent dildos

  • ferris

    Well, I’d just like to say, “WHAAAAAAAAAAA!!!”

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Daniel-Goldwater/33612828 Daniel Goldwater

    Nobody has mentioned James Malone and Nick Cordle from Arsis yet? Or Dave Davidson from Revocation? Come oooonnnnnnn. Also Devin Townsend of course.

  • ferris

    ps. Also, “Bla bla bla” and “Your favorite guitarist shouldn’t be your favorite guitarist! MY favorite guitarist should be YOUR favorite guitarist.”

  • ferris

    ALSO, the CLEAR top five are

    Devin Townsend

    Matt DeVries

    Gene Hoglan (Yes, he’s THAT versatile!)

    The guy from August Burns Red

    and

    P.P. Hurtz

  • Big

    Jeff Loomis, Peter Wichers and Josh Middleton (Sylosis)

  • http://touch.facebook.com/index.php?eu=gFPxcZD3UbrNwmam7VXhpA Peteshusler

    CHRIS FUCKING ARP

  • uterus scrapper

    Scott Hull better be on this list or I riot.

    • msv81

      That’s basically what I was getting at. No way he’ll be left out. And he deserves a top 5 spot. If it were my list, he’d be #1 or #2. But I’m a grind freak and that genre doesn’t use endless nerdy tech riffs so I doubt he’ll be in one of those spots, regardless of his genius.

  • Time Matchine

    John Gossard. Full Stop.

  • Big

    Actually i’ll throw out Willie Adler and definitely Mark Morton

  • AARONIUS

    Kurt Bachman from Believer

    Hevy Devy

    Tosin Abasi

    The Obscura dudes

  • Jake

    reading all of these comments reminded me that i must kill myself

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jamel-Banner/731572742 Jamel Banner

    How come ya’ll don’t record you discussing these lists….like a roundtable or something ??? I’d love to see the arguments

    PS: Tosin = Top 5 or THAT’S RACIST

    • http://www.myspace.com/frozenusa Bob Cock

      Ha ha ha

  • batman

    If I don’t see Joe Haley on this list it can fuck off.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Richard-Hakli/885670392 Richard Hakli

    All I know is that Michael Keene will be on this list and that makes me happy.

  • kim grim

    fuckin yawn gonna be a bunch of program noodly bs

  • pariah485

    two words ROB ARNOLD

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/James-Butters-Mitchell/513886251 James Butters Mitchell

      This.

    • Heathens Rope

      The one and only.

  • jason

    dime had some of the worst guitar tone ever, and wasn’t that great of a player. oooh, chord progressions, pinch harmonics, and one to three note breakdowns. the exact same shit you bitch about -core bands for, who knew.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jamel-Banner/731572742 Jamel Banner

      You’ve got hate in your blood…..tsk tsk

      • http://wreckedreviews.com WreckedReviews

        I love Dimebag, but I’m even willing to admit that his tone (on album) was terrible. Reinventing the Steel, however, sounded fantastic.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Mike-Reagan/520958920 Mike Reagan

    1. Kirk Hammett

    2. Glen Drover

    3. Ben Bruce

    4. Jesse Ketive

    5. Greg Kirkpatrick

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Matt-Hurley/1289730334 Matt Hurley

      Hahahahah trololololol

  • Barry Von Breetalstein

    Misha Mansoor. Enough said.

  • Adam J. A.

    I’ll be a sad panda if Amott, Arpmandude and Akerdfelt don’t make the cut.

    • Adam J. A.

      Oh can’t forget Vigna!

  • colbow

    I’m gonna predict this one easily. someone from obscura comes out 1st, with erik rutan or the guy from origin as runner-ups. then comes the djent- and btbam-worship, then then probably/hopefully the hevy devy worship (which btw I can totally get behind), and somewhere in between comes the show-some-love-for-daath part..

    I’d like to see peter wichers on the list. he’s not the most technical guy on this planet but he writes sick riffs/songs and his solos are beautiful

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Will-Morley/618112437 Will Morley

    I’d like to see a good spread from across metal sub-genres. I hope this list isn’t just full of shred-guitarists because that shit is boring. I’d like to see Akerfeldt, Brent or Bill from Mastodon and as a wild-card Abbath from Immortal (but I bet black metal won’t really get a look in).

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Sam-Angus-Baird/1258714677 Sam Angus Baird

    Synyster Gates should be on there.

    • Chris

      this

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Andrew-Vikernes-Linnander/1839189864 Andrew Vikernes Linnander

    No one is gonna say Scott Shelby of Warbeast?
    He wins my vote.

  • Tommy

    Tosin Abasi, Black Dahlia Guitarists and Misha Mansoor has to be there

  • Gsbabb

    Jason Suecof. I bet he’ll be on the list.

    Also, my pick? Townsend. Just Townsend.

  • dr. doomdrummer

    Warbeast shelbeast ftw.
    Also Kirk Weinstein.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Andrew-Vikernes-Linnander/1839189864 Andrew Vikernes Linnander

      Fuck yeah man! Shelby all the fucking way. Kirk is pretty sweet too

  • Dec.D

    I already know you guys got Paul Ryan in it. ahaha

  • Omniscience

    Mikael Akerfeldt
    Paul Waggoner
    Tosin Abasi
    Misha Mansoor
    Ryan Knight
    Chris Letchford
    Travis Levrier

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Tyler-Turner/1316683205 Tyler Turner

    I’m already angry!! What do you mean Dan Donegan never came up? He’s like the awesomest of the awesomes. Well except my 12 year old nephew… he’s pretty great too.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ed-Barranger/1199176563 Ed Barranger

    Paul Waggoner or Dustie Waring better be on this list

  • b

    James Malone
    Michael Amot
    Erik Rutan
    Kerry King
    Ryan Knight
    Terrance Hobbs
    Vogg

  • Sandman

    150 comments and I’m the first to mention Joe Duplantier? You all should be ashamed of yourselves.

  • miamisnuff

    matt sotelo
    steffan from obscura
    ron jarzombek
    paul masvidal
    tymon from exivious
    joe duplantier
    ihsahn
    pat o brien

  • miamisnuff

    matt sotelo
    steffan from obscura
    ron jarzombek
    paul masvidal
    tymon from exivious
    joe duplantier
    ihsahn
    pat o brien
    erik rutan

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Cleber-Monteiro/100000392246968 Cleber Monteiro

    Here’s a list that will chage our lives,hooray!

  • yzermantiis

    I’d love to see JB from Grand Magus on here

  • heofeadg

    GARY HOLT

  • Rick Janes

    -Michael Keene
    -Matt Sotelo
    -Alex Lee
    -Jadran Gonzalez (Exmortus)
    -Tosin Abasi
    -Rob Milley (Neuraxis)

  • heofeadg

    MATT PIKE

    • D-lord

      + many hundreds matt pike slays

  • Heathens Rope

    Rob Arnold – Chimaira
    Luke Hoskin – Protest the Hero
    Dino Cazares – Fear Factory/Divine Heresy/Asesino
    Oli Herbert – All That Remains
    Mark Rizzo – Cavalera Conspiracy/Soulfly
    Mark Morton – Lamb of God

  • Thegreatadrianing

    Devin townsend. Bulb. Paul and dustie. Tosin. John baisley. (dude writes awesome riffs) ben weinman. Ben fucking sharp. (the textures THE TEXTURES!) Protest the hero dudes. Adam d. He deserves props. Ill think of more as soon as I hit publish.

  • http://satanicpowerpop.tumblr.com Isaac

    I hope Paul Masvidal is on here. He certainly deserves it.

  • czar

    if Paul Masvidal isnt it, that list is bullshit.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Mitch-Djentleman-McMetal/1195550656 Mitch Djentleman McMetal

    If this was my list, Townsend, Petrucci, Waggoner, Keene, Sotelo, Masvidal and Bulb would definitely be included somewhere in the list. Maybe even Per Nilsson, but it’s such a hard list to construct, so many different aspects to look at.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Mitch-Djentleman-McMetal/1195550656 Mitch Djentleman McMetal

    oh, and does James Murphy qualify?

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Eric-Nguyen/100001285066849 Eric Nguyen

      FUCK! Does it count if he guessed soloed? IF IT DOES FFFFFFFFUUUUUUCCCCKKKKK!
      + 1000000000000000000000000000000000000
      Disincarnate- Dreams of The Carrion Kind = GOLD!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Mitch-Djentleman-McMetal/1195550656 Mitch Djentleman McMetal

    and lastly, if nobody hasn’t, someone check out Achokarlos, spanish musician PHENOMENAL guitarist, he released a new album “mind landscapes” at the end of last year.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Mike-Densmore/1318980800 Mike Densmore

    CHRISTAN MUENZER!!!!!!!!

  • hosscatjosh

    Lee McKinney, Tosin Abasi, Paul Waggoner, Misha Mansoor, Michael Keene, and Fredrik Thordendal. Just to name a few.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Andrew-Sterner/1335958279 Andrew Sterner

    Mr.. Shirtless Pike is the only one I care about being on the list to be honest. He will be(pending these dickweeds fellating nothing but tech and fail garbage core), so thsi whole thing is “meh.” Folks need to remember this is a child of cannabis, and any child of cannabis is bound to make no sense.

  • Cesar Villatoro

    Just my opinion,but I really think Misha Mansoor of Periphery,Emil Werstler from Daath,Alex Lee of Bonded by Blood,Tosin Abasi from Animals as Leaders,Javier Reyes of Animals as Leader,the guitarists from Meshuggah(hard to spell their name and too lazy to look it up),Jadran “Conan” Gonzalez of Exmortus,and Michael Keene of The Faceless should have a spot somewhere.At least 3-4 of these guys should be on the list.

    And give Muhammed Suicmez a chacne….its not his fault the new Necrophagist album is metal’s Chinese Democracy…wait….it is…damn Sucimez…

  • Tanner

    Kurt Ballou, Scott Hull, Matt Pike, Matt Sotelo, Erik Rutan, Rob Arnold and COLIN FUCKING MARSTON.

    • Tomasz

      ^ yes.

  • Julia

    It’s too hard to be objective and it’s too easy to list off favorite guitarists, so I’ll just mention one guitar duo that I think is really underrated and deserves more recognition:
    James Malone and Nick Cordle of Arsis.

  • Frampler

    The cynic in me thinks the whole list is contrived so that they can give No.1 to their buddy Emil

  • csm

    List will be filled with sumeriancore bands.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Alexander-Tilkin/616709048 Alexander Tilkin

    Tossin Abasi

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/David-Dobre/1525164231 David Dobre

    Why am I the only person who mentioned Jari Maenpaa? I mean sure not all of you may like him, but have NONE of you heard of him/Wintersun? He’s pretty much my favourite guitarist ever, I find his technical ability can be even better/cleaner than Jeff Loomis’s….

  • Above Average Joe

    Surely you can make an exception for Muhammed Suicmez.

    Yeah, Necrophagist haven’t released an album for, what, 7 years (hurry up, ha), but you can’t deny his talent.
    A 5 year rule is a bit short.

    I mean, come on, recording a full tech-death album by himself is an accomplishment in itself. Plus, listen to how cleanly he plays those crazy riffs and solos live.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Tom-Gibson/1089682216 Tom Gibson

    Matt Sotelo
    Christian Muenzner
    Jonas Bryssling
    Michael Keene
    Luc Lemay

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Tre-Watson/506737562 Tre Watson

    Tosin abasi and ben sharp better make that list.

    i don’t really give a fuck about anyone else, and i’m a fucking hack, so i doubt i’d even make the top 100. nevertheless, here’s hoping.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Farhaad-Esfandiary/501309890 Farhaad Esfandiary

    David Davidson of Revocation needs to be on the list.

  • nathan cole

    NEW guitarists, fools! Oh yes, the old classic gods that everyone has copied over & over again were good… but evolution is the key! Who now can destroy other guitarists in all other metal styles??? TOSIN ABASI! If you don’t believe me, try to learn 3 of his songs on guitar against 3 of ANY of your favorite guitarist’s. Bet Animals as Leaders takes longer to get down… & if you don’t believe in technique (you’re a fairy), name a guitarists that plays or sounds like him. :)

  • Howie

    Skwisgaar Skwigelf for #1

  • kmfcm

    So, really, Scott Hull, Nick from Maruta and or Matsubara from GridLink better show up.

  • christian

    havent really looked but has anyone mentioned Luke Jaeger from SLEEP TERROR? now THAT motherfucker deserves to be on this list.

  • grossj

    Is this actually happening today?

  • Eye of Newt

    No mention of Rusty Cooley so far, but that’s probably because his Wikipedia page says it all:
    “He has never once been able to write a good song, sadly Rusty was born with the gene, Shredeverythingouttheassium.”

  • http://www.facebook.com/siobhanhogarty Siobhan

    I definitely think that the Drake brothers from Evile deserve a mention, Matt and Ol are fantastic guitarists, they pull off some insane riffs, can play exceptionally well live considering how complex some of their work is and their style is great. Pretty much 2 of the best guitar players around in the metal scene at the moment I believe.

  • Otis

    michael romeo better make this list…

  • blastbeat

    Come on guys, I think you forgot about Vogg from Decapitated!!!! when this guy recorded nihility and winds of creation all young scene in US metal has changed.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Katy-Irizarry/778553221 Katy Irizarry

    Alex Skolnick should be closer to the top 10.

    Jeff Loomis, Dave Mustaine, Gus G, Jon Schaffer, Michael Romeo, and Luke Hoskin are all deserving of spots on this list.

    Jason Suecoff would be a sweet surprise pick, but I think his song writing capabilities are severely overlooked and rarely acknowledged.

    Richie Faulkner doesn’t deserve a spot on this list, but I’m sure he’ll “earn” one because he’s “replacing” K.K. Downing on the Priest Epitaph tour and the media needs to raise the hype.

    Chris Broderick deserves to be in the top 3 at the very least. I’m actually extremely disappointed that his name is absent from the 215 comments preceding mine but the d-bag from Necrophagist is in entirely way too many.

    • Eye of Newt

      I’m an Iced Earth fan, but Jon Schaffer does not have the chops to appear on a top 25 list. And Mustaine’s lead guitarists are better than him, despite what Dave himself says.

  • some douche

    fredrik from meshuggah
    aj harvey from last chance to reason
    both the machine head dudes
    swkisgar from dethklok because hes fucking real

  • vbm1

    Jari Mäenpää SHOULD be #1, but he doesn’t qualify and is massively underrecognized.. go figure.

    Anybody else agree with me? Make yourself known.

  • David

    1…Tosin Abasi
    and As long as Alexi Laiho get somewhere between 7 and 2 Ill be beyond happy hah

  • Nick

    question, where is Muhammed from Necrophagist?

  • http://SATANSCOCK SATANSCOCK

    The people on this website have no idea what metal is if this is their list, I mean, seriously, this is PATHETIC.

  • jspn12

    Peter Tägtgren?
    Matt Sotelo? :D