Stand Up And Shout – Dio

"Stand Up And Shout" by Dio is a ferocious, high-energy anthem that showcases classic 1980s metal guitar work at its finest. Featured on Dio's legendary 1983 debut album Holy Diver, this track captures the raw power and expressive fretwork that defines the genre. At Licklibrary.com, our note-for-note guitar lesson breaks down every riff, solo, and nuance of this metal masterpiece, giving guitarists an in-depth look into the techniques that made this song an instant classic. Sam Bell breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarists

The driving force behind the guitar work on Stand Up And Shout is the phenomenal Vivian Campbell. Known for his razor-sharp tone, blistering speed, and melodic phrasing, Campbell was only in his early 20s when he recorded Holy Diver. His playing on this track is both aggressive and articulate, demonstrating influences from blues, hard rock, and classical shred styles. Vivian went on to play with Whitesnake and Def Leppard, but his formative work with Dio remains some of the most influential in heavy metal guitar. His playing style has inspired generations of guitarists who value technical precision blended with emotive phrasing.

Lesson Overview and Key Techniques

Our lesson on "Stand Up And Shout" is more than just a song tutorial—it's a toolkit for developing metal guitar skills. The song is packed with advanced techniques that push players to refine both their rhythm and lead playing.

Alternate Picking

Throughout the main riff and into the verse sections, Vivian Campbell employs tight, aggressive alternate picking to drive the rhythm forward. This technique involves rapidly alternating down and up strokes, and it's essential for maintaining speed and control in fast-paced riffs. Learning this will dramatically improve your picking accuracy and stamina.

Palm Muting

A staple of heavy metal rhythm guitar, palm muting is used in the song to add a percussive, chunky texture to the riffing sections. It tightens up the sound and allows for better dynamic contrast between open and muted notes. Mastering palm muting is crucial for controlling your tone and adding punch to your playing.

Power Chords

At the heart of the rhythm guitar work are power chords. These simple yet powerful chord shapes are used throughout the track to emphasize its driving feel. Learning power chords builds a strong foundation for rhythm playing and helps with fretboard navigation.

Pinched Harmonics

Campbell injects attitude into his lead playing with well-placed pinched harmonics, which squeal with intensity. This technique involves striking the string in a way that emphasizes high-frequency overtones, resulting in a screaming, aggressive sound that adds flair to solos and fills.

Vibrato

Used extensively in the solo, vibrato enhances sustain and emotional expression. Campbell’s use of wide, controlled vibrato brings a vocal-like quality to his bends, making every note sing. Practicing vibrato improves control, tone, and expressiveness in lead guitar playing.

String Bending

Expressive string bending is another hallmark of the solo in this song. Whether hitting precise pitch targets or creating tension, this technique allows players to emulate the human voice and is fundamental for expressive rock and metal soloing.

Legato

Sections of the solo also demonstrate smooth legato phrasing using hammer-ons and pull-offs. These techniques create fluidity in your playing and allow for faster runs with less picking, essential for building speed and dexterity.

Slides

Slides are used both rhythmically and melodically in the track to transition between notes and positions. Learning how to slide effectively improves your phrasing and adds nuance to both solos and riffs.

Unison Bends

A standout feature of Campbell's lead style is his use of unison bends. These bends add intensity and help highlight key melodic phrases in the solo. They require precision in pitch and finger strength, making them great for improving control and technique.

Why Learn This Song?

Learning Stand Up And Shout provides guitarists with a comprehensive workout in classic metal techniques. It challenges your speed, timing, expression, and dynamics—all while offering memorable riffs and explosive solos. By mastering this track, players can not only improve their technical abilities but also gain deeper insight into one of the genre’s most iconic guitar performances.

Whether you're sharpening your alternate picking, tightening up your rhythm work, or adding fire to your solos with pinched harmonics and vibrato, this lesson delivers valuable tools for players who want to elevate their rock and metal playing.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Alternate Picking
• Palm Muting
• Power Chords
• Pinched Harmonics
• Vibrato
• String Bending
• Legato
• Pull-offs
• Slides
• Unison Bends