Wheels of Steel – Saxon

Dive into classic heavy metal with LickLibrary’s note-for-note guitar lesson for Saxon’s iconic anthem "Wheels of Steel". This detailed guitar tutorial dissects the riffs, rhythms, and lead sections of the song, providing aspiring players with the essential building blocks of traditional British metal guitar playing. From driving power chords to melodic dual-guitar lines, this lesson delivers not only a faithful transcription but also a focused look at the guitar techniques that define the track — and how mastering them will benefit your playing across multiple genres. Sam Bell breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

Song Overview

"Wheels of Steel", released in 1980, stands as one of Saxon’s most recognised tracks. Embodying the raw, riff-driven essence of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM), this track showcases the band's ability to combine memorable hooks with powerful rhythmic grooves. The guitars are front and centre throughout, delivering a mix of punchy chord work, blues-inspired leads, and harmonised licks that became a blueprint for many metal bands that followed.

About the Guitarists

The guitar work on "Wheels of Steel" is the result of the powerful duo of Graham Oliver and Paul Quinn. Together, they helped define Saxon's twin-guitar sound — a blend of chunky, hard-hitting rhythms and harmonised lead lines that draw influence from blues-rock, early heavy metal, and British hard rock acts like Thin Lizzy and Judas Priest. Quinn’s fluid solos paired with Oliver’s gritty rhythm style became a key part of Saxon’s sonic identity, influencing generations of guitarists in the metal and hard rock scenes.

Techniques Covered in This Lesson

Power Chords

This song is a masterclass in power chords, used extensively to build the main riffs and driving rhythms. Learning to play these with precision helps build tight, aggressive rhythm chops essential in rock and metal. You'll also improve your muting and chord transition speed.

Palm Muting

A major rhythmic element of "Wheels of Steel" is the use of palm muting, especially in the verse riffs. This technique gives you control over your tone and articulation, helping you develop dynamic playing and a more aggressive chug when required.

String Bending

Throughout the lead sections, string bending is used for expressive bluesy licks. Mastering this technique will enhance your phrasing, intonation, and emotional delivery in solos — critical elements for any lead guitarist.

Slides

Slides are featured both in melodic fills and during transitions between power chord positions. This fluid movement adds a vocal-like expressiveness to your playing and can help improve fretboard navigation.

Vibrato

No classic metal solo would be complete without expressive vibrato. Used on sustained notes within solos, this technique gives your lead lines a professional, vocal-like quality. Practising vibrato refines your control and tone while elevating your soloing finesse.

Double Stops

There are moments of double stops that add harmony and richness to the lead lines. This technique strengthens finger independence and improves your ability to add texture within a solo or riff.

Dual Guitar Harmonies

One of the standout features of Saxon’s sound is their use of dual guitar harmonies. These harmonised leads not only sound epic but also help players understand interval relationships and melodic structuring in lead guitar.

Why Learn These Techniques?

Studying "Wheels of Steel" through our LickLibrary guitar lesson provides a solid grounding in many essential hard rock and metal techniques. Whether you're looking to improve your rhythm playing, add expression to your solos, or develop tight coordination with another guitarist, this track offers a comprehensive workout.

You'll come away from this lesson with more than just the ability to play a classic metal track — you'll gain insights into the guitar language of an entire era. The techniques covered here are transferable to countless other songs, and mastering them will expand your confidence and vocabulary as a player.

Guitar Techniques Featured in This Lesson

• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• String Bending
• Slides
• Vibrato
• Double Stops
• Dual Guitar Harmonies

Whether you're a budding lead player or rhythm guitarist looking to sharpen your skills, our "Wheels of Steel" guitar lesson delivers the goods with accurate guidance, essential technique tips, and insight into the power of early metal guitar work. Let the steel roll — and let your playing evolve.