'Am I Evil?' by Diamond Head

“Am I Evil?” by Diamond Head is a staple in heavy metal music and a masterpiece of complex guitar techniques, offering players a unique chance to explore intense, intricate sounds that shaped metal as we know it. This guitar lesson dives deep into the distinct techniques used in “Am I Evil?”, breaking down each element to ensure you capture the power, precision, and nuances that make this song so memorable. Whether you're a beginner eager to tackle metal or an experienced guitarist looking to refine your skills, this lesson delivers a comprehensive guide to playing “Am I Evil?” note-for-note. Here, we explore each guitar technique featured in the lesson and how mastering these techniques can elevate your playing. Riff lord, guitarist, and songwriter for Diamond Head, Brian Tatler, breaks down his parts for this iconic metal anthem in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About Diamond Head's Guitar Style and Influence

Diamond Head’s guitarist, Brian Tatler, is celebrated for his groundbreaking contributions to heavy metal guitar. His work on “Am I Evil?” greatly influenced bands like Metallica, Megadeth, and other metal icons, solidifying Diamond Head’s place in rock history. Tatler’s playing combines precise power chords, harmonic accents, and layered textures that helped create the epic, anthem-like sound characteristic of early thrash and heavy metal. Learning his style will not only give you a technical edge but also an appreciation for the roots of metal guitar.

Guitar Techniques Explored in 'Am I Evil?'

1. Power Chords

Power chords are fundamental to “Am I Evil?” and central to metal’s powerful sound. By learning these, you will build the core strength and rhythm essential for playing in this genre. Power chords emphasise the root and fifth notes, creating a robust sound that drives the riff structure. Mastering power chords enhances your understanding of basic chord construction and improves your left-hand coordination.

2. Galloping Rhythms

The galloping rhythm technique is a key rhythmic element in “Am I Evil?” and involves fast, repeated alternate picking. This driving rhythm gives metal its aggressive, forward momentum. Practicing galloping rhythms improves your timing, picking accuracy, and synchronisation between both hands, making it easier to tackle fast-paced metal riffs in other songs.

3. Palm Muting

Palm muting brings an added percussive depth to the main riff of “Am I Evil?”. By slightly muting the strings with your palm, you achieve a tighter, chunkier sound. Palm muting helps control resonance, making your playing sound more precise and adding dynamics to your music. It’s an essential technique in metal and rock, enhancing rhythm definition.

4. Alternate Picking

Alternate picking is another core technique in “Am I Evil?” that gives speed and fluidity to Tatler’s fast passages. This technique involves alternating downstrokes and upstrokes to maximise picking efficiency, allowing you to play fast sections without compromising accuracy. Building alternate picking skill boosts your speed and reduces muscle fatigue, a valuable asset when playing high-energy music.

5. Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

These techniques create smooth, flowing phrases and are used to embellish riffs and solos in the song. Hammer-ons and pull-offs allow for legato playing, meaning notes transition smoothly without distinct picking for each one. Learning this technique will strengthen your finger independence and coordination, adding fluidity to your solos.

6. String Bending and Bluesy Bends

Tatler uses string bending to add expression, particularly in the song’s solo sections. By bending the string, you can manipulate the pitch for a soulful, emotive effect. Bluesy bends, in particular, introduce a hint of blues flavour to the solo, showing the song’s roots in blues-rock. Practicing these will improve your pitch control, add expression to your solos, and enhance your ear for tonal nuances.

7. Pinched Harmonics

Pinched harmonics add a sharp, high-pitched accent to the main riffs and solos, giving the song its characteristic metal edge. This technique, achieved by lightly brushing the thumb on the string after a pick attack, produces a harmonic overtone that’s distinctive to metal guitar. Mastering pinched harmonics enhances your touch control and lets you add unique textures to your sound.

8. Slides

Tatler’s use of slides adds movement between notes, providing a transition that is both smooth and dramatic. Sliding between notes allows a seamless connection in your playing, improving the fluidity of your riffs and adding intensity. Practicing slides will improve your finger control and help make your transitions more expressive.

9. Tremolo Picking

Tremolo picking is featured in the faster sections of “Am I Evil?” and involves rapidly picking the same note to create a sustained, driving effect. This technique is used in metal to build intensity and momentum. By developing tremolo picking, you will gain endurance, accuracy, and speed, all essential skills for mastering metal guitar.

10. Rakes

Rakes are used to add emphasis before striking a note or chord, producing a sound that feels intentional and powerful. This technique involves dragging your pick across muted strings, then releasing on a target note. Practicing rakes can add personality to your playing, making the note or chord hit with more impact and aggression.

List of Guitar Techniques in This Lesson

By learning and practicing the techniques used in “Am I Evil?”, you’ll gain not only the ability to play this classic song but also the foundational skills that can be applied across a range of metal and rock styles. These techniques will improve your playing precision, speed, and expressiveness, empowering you to play confidently and creatively. Dive into this lesson to capture the spirit of Diamond Head’s powerful sound and enhance your metal guitar skill set!

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About The Tutor

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Brian Tatler

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