10 Best Rhythm Guitarists You Need To Know

When it comes to rhythm guitar playing, James Hetfield almost has to be in a class by himself. There had been metal guitar players before, but none that had played with such rhythmic precision as Hetfield did.

From album to album, James found an indelible knack for coming up with unstoppable heavy riffs seemingly out of thin air. One aspect that separates Hetfield from other rhythm players is the way he plays each note. His downpicking techniques on Metallica's riffs are almost intense feats of physical endurance on songs like "Master of Puppets" and "Fight Fire With Fire." These riffs would make your average guitarist's wrist snap, but it's just another song for James Hetfield.

While having a maniacal rhythmic structure, Hetfield also contributes most of the guitar harmony work that gives the band its distinctive tone. Whenever you hear a guitar break done by Hetfield, they aren't always flashy but act as beautiful musical vignettes of guitar melodicism.

As the band carries on to this day, James Hetfield has continued to impress while never losing his downpicking finesse. It's not expected for rhythm guitarists to be an Olympian athlete on the instrument, but James Hetfield is the one rhythm guitarist that could be considered a true virtuoso.