Obsidian is the gateway to the dark art of extreme metal rhythm guitar. Abandon all hope ye who enter!

From the blistering speeds and brutal precision of thrash and death metal, to the atmospheric foreboding of black metal, Obsidian decodes the technical foundations and musical vocabulary of rock’s most extreme musical mutation.

Written, played, and hosted by John Taylor, Obsidian is a comprehensive and meticulously sequenced introduction to extreme metal rhythm guitar. Core topics include muting and downpicking, alternate picking technique, foundational patterns like the gallop and reverse gallop, pedal tone riffs, and more. The seminar also provides an in-depth exploration of John’s astounding hyperpicking technique, capable of alternate picking speeds exceeding 300 bpm sixteenth notes. The analysis includes specific insights from John and Cracking the Code research to help you unlock this ability in your own playing.

The lessons are supported by four of John’s expertly crafted and seriously catchy full-length songs and etudes, and over 70 musical examples with tablature.

Is Obsidian right for you? Watch the introductory chapter below and find out!