Metallica - For Whom The Bell Tolls - Main Riff
Discover the thunderous riff that helped define heavy metal with our note-for-note guitar lesson of "For Whom The Bell Tolls" by Metallica. This track, taken from their 1984 album Ride the Lightning, delivers one of the most iconic and instantly recognisable main riffs in rock and metal history. In this detailed lesson from LickLibrary, we break down the main riff with surgical precision, uncovering the essential guitar techniques that make this riff both memorable and powerful. Whether you’re a budding metal guitarist or a seasoned player looking to refine your technique, this lesson is a must. Danny Gill breaks down this classic riff in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.
The Riff That Shook Metal
"For Whom The Bell Tolls" opens with a bell tolling ominously before dropping into a slow, grinding, and unforgettable main riff. What sets this riff apart is its simplicity, power, and effectiveness. Built on a solid foundation of rhythm guitar mastery, it teaches control, tone, and aggression—all essentials of the metal guitar vocabulary. In this lesson, we dissect each section of the main riff, paying close attention to the articulation, timing, and tonal control required to recreate the Metallica sound with authenticity.
Guitar Techniques in the Riff
Palm Muting
A cornerstone of metal rhythm guitar, palm muting is used throughout the main riff to create a chugging, percussive tone. This technique involves lightly resting the edge of your picking hand on the strings near the bridge while striking them. It gives the riff its signature weight and punch. Mastering palm muting helps players control dynamics and add aggression to their playing—key attributes in metal guitar tone.
Power Chords
Metallica’s main riff is driven by heavy power chords, which provide a strong harmonic foundation. Power chords are simple yet powerful two-note shapes that are easy to move around the neck. They are crucial for building heavy riffs and walls of sound. Learning to switch power chords efficiently and with precision will greatly improve your rhythm playing.
Slides
Slides are used to add expression and movement between notes and chords in the riff. Sliding into a chord or note can build tension and anticipation, making your rhythm parts more fluid and expressive. It's an essential rock and metal technique that enhances the feel and flow of your playing.
Sustain
The ability to control sustain is key in this riff. Metallica is known for allowing notes to ring out dramatically, and this riff is no exception. Sustained notes contrast nicely with the palm-muted sections, creating a dynamic ebb and flow in the music. Understanding how to manage sustain—through pickup selection, amp gain, and hand positioning—gives you greater command over your tone and phrasing.
String Bending
Though not a dominant feature in this particular riff, subtle string bending can be used to add nuance to sustained notes, making them feel more vocal and alive. Controlled bending shows maturity in phrasing and can help you emulate the emotional power found in Metallica’s solos and leads.
Learn more about string bending
About the Guitarist: James Hetfield
The main riff of "For Whom The Bell Tolls" was written and performed by James Hetfield, Metallica’s rhythm guitarist and vocalist. Known for his razor-tight rhythm playing and aggressive downpicking technique, Hetfield is widely regarded as one of the greatest rhythm guitarists in metal history. His ability to create riffs that are both melodic and crushingly heavy has influenced generations of guitarists. His rhythmic precision, tone, and riff-writing have become a blueprint for modern metal guitar.
Why Learn This Riff?
Learning the main riff from "For Whom The Bell Tolls" gives players a solid foundation in metal rhythm guitar. It teaches timing, articulation, and dynamic control while providing insight into Metallica's unique songwriting. The techniques covered in this lesson—such as palm muting and sustain control—are widely applicable to countless other metal and rock songs. Plus, it’s just a lot of fun to play. This riff is a rite of passage for any metal guitarist and a perfect practice tool for developing tight, powerful rhythm skills.
Techniques Covered in This Lesson
About The Tutor
Tutor Profile
Danny Gill
Danny Gill is, without a doubt, the most loved tutor by our community. With an incredible array of DVDs and web lessons for LickLibrary covering a wide variety of topics all of which he covers with incredible detail, it's no wonder he carries as much respect as he does. As...