The DAT Top Three – Heavy Metal Bands with Two Guitarists

Nothing is more f*cking metal than the dual axe attack. Some of the most prolific bands in the world have had two guitar slingers. In addition to filling out the brutal, heavy, sonic spectrum, a second guitarist anchors the riff along with the bass guitarist so the lead can rip your face off with a blistering solo. Let’s take a closer look at my top three heavy metal bands with two guitarists.

Attributions and Permissions

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“Slayer, The Fields of Rock, 2007” by Francis from Groningen, Netherlands – Slayer at The Fields of Rock festival (cropped). Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Slayer,_The_Fields_of_Rock,_2007.jpg

“SlayerliveB&W” by Benoît from Tours, France – Hellfest 2007 – 22/06/2007 – Slayer. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SlayerliveB%26W.jpg#/media/File:SlayerliveB%26W.jpg

“Kerry King, 2006” by Suelen Pessoa from Contagem, Brazil – Slayer. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kerry_King,_2006.jpg#/media/File:Kerry_King,_2006.jpg

“JeffHanneman” by Calbee http://www.flickr.com/photos/calbeebooth/ – http://www.flickr.com/photos/calbeebooth/432806124/. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:JeffHanneman.jpg

“Slayer – tom araya 2 – live 2006” by original by Daigo Oliva; changes by de:user:JD – http://flickr.com/photos/daigooliva/232885062/. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Slayer_-_tom_araya_2_-_live_2006.jpg

“Dave Lombardo 2009-06-23 8204” by Stueymedia – Own work. Licensed under GFDL via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dave_Lombardo_2009-06-23_8204.jpg#/media/File:Dave_Lombardo_2009-06-23_8204.jpg

“Megadeth (1)” by Bizu – Lavoro personale. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Megadeth_(1).JPG#/media/File:Megadeth_(1).JPG

“Metalmania 2008 Megadeth 001” by commons: Lilly Mpl.wiki: Lilly Mreal name: Małgorzata Miłaszewska – Own work. Licensed under CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Metalmania_2008_Megadeth_001.jpg

“Megadeth live in Bucharest, June 15th, 2005-2” by Tudor Iodăchescu from Bucharest, Romania – Megadeth live in Bucharest, June 15th, 2005. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Megadeth_live_in_Bucharest,_June_15th,_2005-2.jpg

“Dave Ellefson” by Денис Седов – letter to OTRS. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dave_Ellefson.JPG#/media/File:Dave_Ellefson.JPG

“Chris Boderick Metalmania 2008 cropped” by commons: Lilly M (cropped by Przykuta)pl.wiki: Lilly Mreal name: Małgorzata Miłaszewska – Own work. Licensed under CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chris_Boderick_Metalmania_2008_cropped.jpg

“Jameshetfieldwien07 1” by I, Flowkey. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jameshetfieldwien07_1.jpg

“Lars Ulrich” by Dariusz Lachowicz (dari4u (at) wp (dot) pl) – Wojtek Bijok (wojo (at) overkill (dot) pl) – Polish Metallica Fanclub (http://overkill.pl/). Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lars_Ulrich.jpg

“Kirkhemmettwien07” by I, Flowkey. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kirkhemmettwien07.JPG

“Robert Trujillo Madrid 2009” by Alberto Cabello from Vitoria Gasteiz – Robert Trujillo (Metallica). Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Robert_Trujillo_Madrid_2009.jpg

“Jason Curtis Newsted” by Karina Metalfield – Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jason_Curtis_Newsted.jpg

“Metallica London 2008-09-15 Kirk and James” by Kreepin Deth – Own work. Licensed under CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Metallica_London_2008-09-15_Kirk_and_James.jpg

“Metallica – Death Magnetic Launch Party – O2 Arena” by Mark Wainwright from Nottingham, United Kingdom – One. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Metallica_-_Death_Magnetic_Launch_Party_-_O2_Arena.jpg

“Iron Maiden 05” by Fernando Catalina Landa – http://www.flickr.com/photos/fcatalina/2910584136/in/faves-46355917@N04/. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Iron_Maiden_05.jpg

“K. K. Downing 1980” by Watt_Dabney – http://www.flickr.com/photos/watt_dabney/2329355803/in/set-72157604106018078/. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:K._K._Downing_1980.jpg

“Phil-Lynott Thin Lizzy” by Richard Marchewka – http://www.flickr.com/photos/rmarchewka/2833867753/in/faves-24788065@N02/. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Phil-Lynott_Thin_Lizzy.jpg

“Mastodon (Brent Hinds & Troy Sanders) at Ruisrock 2007” by Anssi Koskinen – Flickr. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mastodon_at_Ruisrock_2007.jpg

“ACDC-Hughes-long ago” by Lost Parables from Ballymena, Northern Ireland. ©jameshughes – ACDC in full flight (not online anymore). Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ACDC-Hughes-long_ago.jpg