\u201cNo More Tears\u201dOzzy Osbourne, No More Tears [Epic, 1991]
Zakk Wylde
Les Paul Custom
A dramatic masterpiece, Zakk Wylde\u2019s solo builds from a grand, sweeping melody to an overwhelming climax where notes become a shape-shifting blur. Although Wylde\u2019s debut on No Rest for the Wicked was impressive, with this solo he finally proved to the doubters that he deserved to take the spot in Ozzy\u2019s band previously reserved for Randy Rhoads and Jake E. Lee. Check out the video.<\/P>
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\u201cThe Freezing Moon\u201dMayhem, De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas [Century Media, 1994]
Euronymous
Les Paul Standard
One of the founding forefathers of Norwegian black metal, Mayhem guitarist Euronymous rarely played solos, but when he did they were scorchers. His modal playing on \u201cThe Freezing Moon\u201d drives the creepy, violent mood of this song over the top, cutting through the molten lava riff like Satan\u2019s razor-sharp pitchfork.<\/P>
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\u201cArtifacts of the Black Rain\u201dIn Flames, Jester Race [Nuclear Blast, 1995]
Jesper Strömblad, Björn Gelotte
Explorer (Strömblad), Les Paul Custom (Gelotte)
As far as guitar solos go, In Flames\u2019 Jester Race is an embarrassment of riches (\u201cDecember Flower\u201d is a corker). But the ne plus ultra is \u201cArtifacts of the Black Rain,\u201d which, with its sweet dual-Gibson harmonies, harkens back to the days of Thin Lizzy. A hypnotically melodic solo that still shreds like an industrial-strength document destroyer at the Pentagon. Check out the video.<\/P>
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\u201cDante\u2019s Inferno\u201dIced Earth, Burnt Offerings [Century Media, 1995]
Randall Shawver
Les Paul Standard
It\u2019s a crime that Iced Earth guitarist Randall Shawver never achieved the hero status that many of his peers enjoyed, as he can rip it up with the best of them. On \u201cDante\u2019s Inferno,\u201d Shawver spins a dizzying crescendo of triplet pull-offs and whacked-out atonal harmonies that combine technique and vision few guitarists have come within spitting distance of.<\/P>
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\u201cThe Wake of Magellan\u201dSavatage, The Wake of Magellan [Atlantic, 1998]
Al Pitrelli
Les Paul Standard
This operatic prog-metal epic about the Maersk Dubai incident may not be as extreme or hard-hitting as other songs on this list, but it offers listeners who prefer music and lyrics with a little more grandiosity an alternative to standard-issue metal fare. The dazzling dynamics, unique melodicism, and fastball technique of Al Pitrelli\u2019s solo proves why he became Dave Mustaine\u2019s sidekick in Megadeth shortly after this album\u2019s release.<\/P>
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\u201cShadow on the Sun\u201dAudioslave, Audioslave [Epic, 2002]
Tom Morello
Les Paul Standard
Tom Morello became famous for his DJ-like sound-effect laden solos with Rage Against the Machine, so it came as a welcome surprise to hear him stretch out on this melodic Les Paul solo on Audioslave\u2019s debut album. Here, Morello flaunts chops and tasteful technique that he rarely hinted at before. Mixed with his trademark, off-kilter harmonized pitch shifting effects, it\u2019s a compelling ride. Check out the video.<\/P>
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\u201cNottingham Lace\u201dBuckethead, Enter the Chicken [Serjical Strike, 2005]
Buckethead
Les Paul Custom
Buckethead earned acclaim for his warp-speed playing (heard to magnificent effect on his Cobrastrike albums), but his outr\u00e9 persona, complete with slasher-picture mask and the KFC bucket he donned as a hat at times threatened to overshadow his skills. Which is a shame, for he is an extremely versatile guitarist who has performed with a surprisingly diverse assortment of musicians (Bootsy Collins? Guns N\u2019 Roses?? Viggo Mortensen???). On \u201cNottingham Lace,\u201d he spans everything from bluesy, Hendrix-inspired jams to bizarre, computer-overload blasts\u2014with a good amount of his lightning-fast, four-fingered shred figures thrown in for good measure. Jarring and beautiful. And check out his gorgeous customized white Les Paul in the video.<\/P>
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\u201cPull Harder on the Strings of Your Martyr\u201dTrivium, Ascendancy [Roadrunner, 2005]
Matt Heafy, Corey Beaulieu
Les Paul Custom (Heafy)
Naysayers claim that Trivium is just another upstart Metallica knockoff, but Hetfield and Hammett never locked horns like Heafy and Beaulieu do on this solo. Heafy is out of the gate with a stunning display of tone, technique, and taste, and then Beaulieu grabs the baton and kicks out the jams, leading to a harmonized surge of six-string insanity. Check out the video.<\/P>
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\u201cJambi\u201dTool, 10,000 Days [Volcano\/Tool Dissectional, 2006]
Adam Jones
Les Paul Custom
Tool\u2019s post-modern guitar anti-hero Adam Jones may not shred like the other players on this list, but few guitarists can match his ability to send a song to points heretofore unknown with a few perfectly placed notes and textural embellishments. Here he runs his Les Paul Custom through a talk box to craft an emotionally wrenching solo that sounds downright wicked and twisted. Jones rarely plays solos, but when he does he makes everybody stand up and take notice.<\/P>
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\u201cCrystal Skull\u201dMastodon, Blood Mountain [Reprise, 2006]
Brent Hinds
Flying V
Mastodon sure like their odd time signatures and other prog-rock flourishes and filigrees, and so it\u2019s doubly refreshing to hear lead guitarist Brent Hinds let loose with a classic, two-fisted pentatonic-based solo. While Mastodon\u2019s riffs are as massive and lumbering as the prehistoric beast they named the band after, Hinds\u2019 solo avoids the tar pit of excess that bogs down lesser metal acts and slays the competition like a saber-tooth tiger. Check out the video.<\/P>
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