Cracking the Code viewers! Cyber Metal Week still has some surprises, with our latest Seminar, Obsidian, joining the fray.
Written, played, and hosted by the amazing John Taylor, Obsidian is a comprehensive and meticulously sequenced introduction to extreme metal rhythm guitar, covering:
- downpicking technique
- hyperpicking alternate picking technique
- foundational patterns like the gallop and reverse gallop
- pedal tone riffs, and more
- Four full length songs and etudes
- 70+ musical examples with tablature
The seminar provides an in-depth exploration of John’s astounding hyperpicking technique, capable of alternate picking speeds exceeding 300 bpm sixteenth notes, including insights from the latest Cracking the Code research.
Obsidian is supported by four of John’s seriously catchy songs and etudes composed specifically for this seminar, and a giant collection of progressively sequenced examples with tablature.
Watch a FREE chapter!
Extreme metal is unique in its technical requirements. There aren’t too many musical styles where 200+ bpm alternate and downpicking ability is required just to play the standard repertoire. But in thrash, death, black, and other extreme metal genres, this is precisely the challenge. Speed is not just a selectively applied decoration in solos, but an intrinsic component of the core riffing itself.
You can check out the first chapter for free now:
Cyber Metal Week… End?
Cyber Metal Monday became Cyber Metal Week, and Cyber Metal Week became Cyber Metal Weekend! All our deals will be available until this Sunday, and Obsidian itself is on sale too. Because how could we have a sale on all things metal, and not include John Taylor?
But be forewarned, this is the last extension. So if you were on the fence be sure to head to our Store and pick up any products you want by Sunday.
Where can I get Obsidian?
We have two ways to watch. Most simply, you can pick up an individual copy of Obsidian in our Store.
And if you’re interested in any of our other seminars or some amazing interviews with great players, or if you want our instructional material like our Pickslanting Primer or even personalized feedback with our Technique Critique, you can also subscribe for a membership. It unlocks everything on the Cracking the Code platform. Learn more.
Either options works, and as always, thanks for watching Cracking the Code!
Massive effort here by the amazing John Taylor, aka @milehighshred, who meticulously crafted this behemoth multi-chapter overview of extreme metal rhythm guitar techniques.
We’re still working on the giant pile of tablature examples for this, but all four of John’s awesome songs are up, transcribed, and playable in SoundSlice.
Even if you’re only casually interested in extreme metal, the songs are a great demonstration of what the differences are between these three core extreme metal styles, and the writing on them is just great. You can check them out on the seminar page:
The intro chapter is free to watch without a subscription, and is also up on YT, with some song and etude excerpts in there as well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJqAulpqTusThanks John for all the hard work on this!
Sweet! Glad to see it’s up
Thank you for giving me the chance to do this. Really does mean a lot that you believe in me as a player and instructor who is good enough to work with you in creating material together.
I hope people enjoy it and get to learn things!
If ANYONE has any questions regarding the material, please tag me in the comment and I’ll be happy to help the best I can
@DC11GTR No specific style of death metal is covered. It’s more about the techniques and rhythms that help make the metal genres.
The etudes/songs are to show how things can be used to form the different styles.
Stoked on this! I got into extreme metal relatively late in my guitar playing career, but wound up starting a death metal band that I currently still play in. I remember the early days of getting my tremolo technique together was extremely awkward. I still can’t get steady 16ths above 210ish, but we do a lot of un-palm muted trem stuff and use the BOSS Hm2 pedal, so anything above that I just flail about umetered and it sounds fine for live performances. My co-guitarist can clear 240 bpm steady 16ths, though. (funny enough, he actually has trouble doing steady 16ths SLOWER than 200 bpm).
Very cool, glad to see my favorite genres explored more!
And since Master of Puppets was mentioned, hope you all know of this Kevin Heiderich fella:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzR4jbWUXb8Many of his videos have some explanation on his technique; I’d love to see him interviewed!
Yup! DSX for a lot of stuff, and for my fastest playing I have no choice but to use DSX. I just mute things well enough that I can swipe through strings and keep things sounding good.
Using the motions I do was never built on any real conscious decision, I just kept trying things until it I was able to play what I wanted while I did countless hours of metronome work.