Wherever I May Roam - Metallica

Metallica’s “Wherever I May Roam” stands as one of the band’s most iconic and musically rich compositions, and at LickLibrary, we offer an in-depth, note-for-note guitar lesson that captures every nuance of the original recording. This powerful track from the Black Album combines atmosphere, technical precision, and emotive playing, making it an essential study piece for intermediate to advanced players looking to refine their metal guitar skills. Our comprehensive lesson dissects each section of the song, allowing you to master the techniques employed by Metallica’s legendary guitarists and enhance your overall playing ability. Jamie Humphries breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarists: James Hetfield & Kirk Hammett

“Wherever I May Roam” features the powerhouse guitar duo of James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett. Hetfield, known for his machine-like precision and punishing rhythm style, delivers tight riffs and dynamic accents that form the backbone of the track. Kirk Hammett, on the other hand, brings his signature expressive soloing, filled with melodic flair and technically rich passages. Together, they crafted a song that is not only sonically massive but also layered with diverse guitar techniques that reflect Metallica’s mastery of metal guitar composition. Their influence stretches across generations of players, and studying their work provides invaluable insight into professional-level metal guitar playing.

Song Breakdown & Techniques

Intro and Main Riff: Eastern Vibe and Open String Riffs

The haunting intro riff utilises an Eastern-influenced scale, enhanced by the use of drone-like open string riffs. This creates a mystical and ambient atmosphere, setting the tone for the song. Practicing this section will help guitarists develop a keen sense of tonal colour and dynamics, as well as tight picking control for clarity.

Verses: Palm Muting and Syncopated Rhythms

The verse sections prominently feature palm-muting to deliver the trademark Metallica chug. Combined with syncopated rhythms, these parts train the player’s ability to lock into complex groove patterns and deliver punchy, aggressive tone with accuracy and control. These skills are critical for any aspiring rhythm guitarist in the metal genre.

Chorus: Power Chords and Sustained Notes

The chorus delivers a blend of heavy power chords and ringing sustain, which provides contrast and grandeur. Working through this section enhances a player’s dynamic expression and chordal tightness, especially under distortion-heavy settings.

Solo: Bending, Legato, and Tapped Harmonics

Kirk Hammett’s solo is a masterclass in expressive technique. He incorporates fluid legato runs, fiery string bending, and dramatic tapped harmonics to build intensity. Mastering these techniques will allow players to execute smooth, melodic lead lines and inject emotion into their solos.

Outro: Whammy Bar Tricks and Harmonic Dissonance

The outro incorporates subtle whammy bar tricks and harmonics, adding texture and a lingering, dark resolution. These techniques give players a better command of creating unique tonal effects and developing expressive control over their instrument.

Benefits of Learning These Techniques

• Palm Muting: Enhances rhythmic tightness and control, especially in metal riffing.
• Syncopated Rhythms: Builds timing precision and groove comprehension.
• Open String Riffs: Teaches spatial awareness across the fretboard and tonal layering.
• Power Chords: Fundamental to rock/metal, helping with strength and accuracy.
• Legato Playing: Smooths out your phrasing and develops fluid motion.
• Tapped Harmonics: Adds sonic colour and expands expressive possibilities.
• String Bending: Vital for emotion-driven playing and pitch accuracy.
• Whammy Bar Techniques: Opens up creative approaches to texture and atmosphere.

Each of these techniques is taught in detail throughout our “Wherever I May Roam” lesson, ensuring that learners not only replicate the track faithfully but also integrate the skills into their own playing style.

Guitar Techniques Featured

• Palm Muting
• Syncopated Rhythms
• Open String Riffs
• Power Chords
• Legato
• Tapped Harmonics
• String Bending
• Whammy Bar Tricks
• Harmonics
• Sustainu