12 Greatest Duos In Hard Rock

When metal started to become a cultural force in the early '80s, fans were itching for anything they could bang their head to. Whether it was the sounds of old school metal like Black Sabbath or the new wave like Iron Maiden, most of the greatest bands of the genre were coming from the UK. Britain seemed to be the epicentre for all metal, but two skinny dudes from California climbed up the ranks to become musical gods.

While a singer-drummer dynamic may be a bit unusual, the way Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield play off each other is one of the more free-flowing partnerships in the rock realm. From one record to the next, Hetfield is always the riff master, ready to annihilate his audience with one of the fastest downpicked riffs you've ever heard. Though Ulrich may not have a ton of knowledge of musical theory, his role as the overseer of the song's construction plays a big role in the band's sound.

Even if some rag on Ulrich's lacklustre performances in recent years, Hetfield is always there to anchor the groove with his rhythm guitar playing. There have been many musically gifted pairs in the rock realm, but when it comes to the heavier side of the spectrum, the sound of James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich is about as classic as John Lennon and Paul McCartney.