10 Greatest Ever Metallica Solos

By Ben Timpson /

5. The Struggle Within

Oh this solo just had to be included. This is a hugely underrated solo, in a hugely underrated song that closes the bands behemoth, world owning, squillion selling, self-titled fifth album, or, the "Black Album", as it has come to be known. The album is multi-layered and very heavy, and 'The Struggle Within' is no exception. Also, it is quicker in tempo than most of the record. The song breaks before a snare roll heralds in this red hot solo and watch it go! There is actually footage from the 'A Year In The Half Of Metallica pt 1' documentary that is all about the making of the album, where Kirk records this solo, and it is superb footage. Although very metallic sounding and fast for the most part, it is actually a really bluesy solo. Again full of rapid pull offs and hammer on's and my preferred section is where he goes into the descending, blues box pattern that just gives off so much soul. This is full of Kirk's trademark style and approach to solos, including his obligatory use of the Wah pedal. If you watch some of the bedroom guitarists teaching this on YouTube, it shows you how much simpler it is when all broken down into sections. Just demonstrates that a great solo doesn't have to be technically out of this world.