Metallica: 10 Hardest James Hetfield Riffs You Can't Play

For any hardcore thrash metal fan, Kill Em All is the definitive Metallica record. The sharp riffs combined with the breakneck tempos and punk throb is what made so many young metalheads fall in love with the genre. Even though the band were infants at this stage, their riffs were already a cut above the rest.

When the band decides to switch it up for the ending track "Metal Militia," Hetfield's guitar sends you into an all out frenzy, but it gets even more unruly once you realize what he's actually playing. When you would normally play all of the heavy riffs on the downbeat, the crux of this tune is played with syncopated hits. The resulting sound is what a hardcore punk act would make if they were forced to play a Texas Swing kind of beat.

The riff also boasts multiple chord changes, leaving your other hand to be put to work while still keeping the off-kilter rhythm on the strings. Even when you're back on familiar ground for the chorus chant, the actual speed doesn't let up with furious 16th note rhythms dominating the charge. This might not be your typical thrash, but the riff never fails to leave you with the same type of throbbing pain.