South of Heaven – Slayer

Learn to play one of thrash metal’s most haunting and atmospheric masterpieces with LickLibrary’s note-for-note guitar lesson for South of Heaven by Slayer. As one of the most iconic tracks from their groundbreaking 1988 album of the same name, South of Heaven offers a chillingly slow and heavy contrast to the blistering pace of much of Slayer's other work. Our in-depth guitar lesson breaks down every riff, lead, and solo, while also focusing on the key techniques that define the unique style of Slayer’s legendary guitar duo: Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman. Andy James breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarists

Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King were two of the most influential guitarists in the thrash metal genre. Together, they pioneered a brutal and uncompromising style characterised by aggressive riffing, dissonant harmonies, and intense solos. Hanneman, who passed away in 2013, brought a hardcore punk influence to Slayer's sound, blending fast, tight rhythms with menacing chord progressions. Kerry King, known for his wild stage presence and ferocious soloing, carried the torch with chaotic leads and signature whammy bar tricks. Their interplay and unrelenting energy redefined metal guitar, inspiring generations of players.

Song Overview

Our South of Heaven lesson walks you through the eerie clean guitar intro, the thunderous drop into distortion, and the track’s driving mid-tempo riffs. Each section is broken down clearly and slowly, ensuring even intermediate players can build up their skills and understand the intricacies of Slayer’s songwriting and guitar approach.

Techniques Covered in the Lesson

Palm Muting

Palm muting is used throughout South of Heaven to create a dark, chugging sound. By lightly resting the picking hand on the strings near the bridge, players can control the sustain and add a sense of percussive punch. Mastering palm muting is essential for achieving the aggressive yet controlled sound that defines Slayer's rhythm work.

Power Chords

The song is built on a foundation of heavy power chords, which give it a dense, crushing feel. These chords, often palm-muted and played with a sharp attack, drive the riffs forward and are crucial for replicating the song’s iconic tone.

Slides

Slayer frequently uses slides to transition between notes and create fluid, ominous movement. In South of Heaven, slides are used both in the clean intro and the heavier rhythm sections, adding tension and musical drama.

Tremolo Picking

The lead lines and solos in the track feature aggressive tremolo picking, where the same note is picked rapidly to create an intense, almost vibrating sound. This technique adds urgency to Hanneman and King’s phrasing and is a hallmark of their lead work.

Pinched Harmonics

You’ll also hear pinched harmonics peppered throughout the solos, injecting squealing, high-pitched notes that cut through the mix. These are achieved by striking the string with the pick while simultaneously brushing the thumb across it—tricky at first, but incredibly rewarding once mastered.

Dive Bombs and Whammy Bar Tricks

No Slayer solo would be complete without chaotic dive bombs and whammy bar tricks. Kerry King is known for using the whammy bar to produce shrieks, drops, and pitch-shifted mayhem, all of which are taught in detail in our lesson.

Alternate Picking

The track also utilises alternate picking, particularly in the faster rhythm passages and lead lines. This technique improves speed and accuracy and is essential for keeping pace with Slayer’s rapid-fire style.

Vibrato

Both lead guitarists apply a heavy vibrato to sustained notes to add aggression and intensity. Understanding vibrato helps players inject personality into their phrasing and sustain notes with expression and emotion.

Why Learn South of Heaven?

Studying South of Heaven provides guitarists with a deeper appreciation of the musicality within extreme metal. Beyond the raw power and attitude, the song offers valuable lessons in dynamics, timing, and tonal control. It’s an ideal study for players looking to expand their metal vocabulary, improve technical command, and understand how simple motifs can be turned into something truly sinister and atmospheric.

With LickLibrary’s expert instruction, you’ll gain not just the ability to play the song, but also the knowledge to apply these techniques to your own playing, whether you're writing riffs, crafting solos, or simply tightening up your rhythm chops.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Palm Muting
• Power Chords
• Slides
• Tremolo Picking
• Pinched Harmonics
• Dive Bombs
• Whammy Bar Tricks

Unlock the secrets behind one of Slayer’s most iconic tracks and sharpen your guitar arsenal with LickLibrary’s South of Heaven guitar lesson. Get ready to riff, shred, and crush with confidence.