Hand Of Doom – Black Sabbath

Step into the dark, heavy world of early metal with our note-for-note guitar lesson on “Hand Of Doom” by Black Sabbath. This epic track from their 1970 Paranoid album is a masterclass in dynamics, feel, and riff-based storytelling. In this LickLibrary guitar lesson, you'll break down every section of the song in forensic detail while developing key techniques that will elevate your playing and deepen your appreciation for Tony Iommi’s innovative approach to guitar. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarist – Tony Iommi

Tony Iommi, the legendary guitarist of Black Sabbath, is widely considered one of the founding fathers of heavy metal guitar. His distinct style, born from both musical vision and necessity (due to the loss of two fingertips in an industrial accident), resulted in a heavier, darker sound that became Sabbath’s signature. Iommi’s use of down-tuned guitars, riff-centric writing, and expressive vibrato and bends set the tone for countless metal and doom bands that followed. Learning from Iommi’s playing is essential for any guitarist looking to understand the roots of heavy rock and metal guitar.

Song Overview

“Hand Of Doom” is not just a song—it’s a journey. Starting with a hypnotic, almost jazzy bass and clean guitar interplay, it transforms into a crushing wall of riffs, tempo changes, and emotive solos. The variety within the track offers guitarists an excellent opportunity to work on multiple essential techniques while exploring the expressive side of riff-based metal.

Guitar Techniques Explored in This Lesson

Palm Muting

Throughout the heavier sections of “Hand Of Doom,” palm muting plays a crucial role in shaping the tone and drive of the riffs. You’ll learn how to control your picking hand’s position to create percussive, tight chugs that add intensity and articulation to the guitar parts. Mastering palm muting is key for metal rhythm playing and helps with dynamic control.

String Bending

Tony Iommi’s bends are full of emotion, particularly during the solo sections of this track. This lesson teaches you how to execute accurate string bending for both pitch and expressive vibrato. Practicing this will improve your lead phrasing and your ability to emulate a vocal-like quality in solos.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

These legato techniques are sprinkled throughout the riff transitions and solos in “Hand Of Doom.” Learning hammer-ons and pull-offs builds finger strength and smoothness, making your playing more fluid and connected.

Slides

Slides are used for both stylistic flair and efficient fretboard movement in this track. By working through the sliding licks in this lesson, you’ll understand how slides can be used to add character and dynamics to riffs and leads, helping you create seamless transitions.

Power Chords

“Hand Of Doom” is driven by classic Sabbath riffing based heavily on power chords. These provide the backbone for heavy rhythm playing, and this lesson ensures you master them in various positions, with a focus on tone, muting, and precision.

Syncopated Rhythms

The track features multiple rhythm shifts and syncopated accents that create tension and release. You'll develop your timing and groove by mastering syncopated rhythms, a vital skill for tight ensemble playing and complex riff delivery.

Vibrato

Tony Iommi’s signature vibrato adds depth and sustain to his notes. This lesson covers how to add controlled, expressive vibrato that enhances your melodic playing, particularly in slower or moodier sections.

Why Learn “Hand Of Doom”?

Learning “Hand Of Doom” gives you more than just another song in your repertoire—it immerses you in the origins of heavy metal guitar and sharpens your skillset across rhythm and lead playing. You'll become more aware of how to use dynamics and tone to tell a story, a hallmark of truly great guitar playing. Whether you're looking to improve your riff execution, lead control, or song dynamics, this lesson has something for every intermediate and advanced guitarist.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Palm Muting
• String Bending
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Slides
• Power Chords
• Syncopated Rhythms
• Vibrato