Death To All But Metal – Steel Panther

Take your guitar skills to the next level with our note-for-note breakdown of “Death To All But Metal” by Steel Panther – a modern glam-metal anthem that fuses blistering technique, tongue-in-cheek bravado, and stadium-sized riffs. In this Licklibrary exclusive, we dive deep into every screaming solo, galloping rhythm, and intricate lick to ensure you master not only the notes but also the attitude that makes this track a guitar powerhouse. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Song & Style

“Death To All But Metal” is a no-holds-barred tribute to classic heavy metal. Channeling the spirit of ‘80s rock icons like Van Halen, Mötley Crüe, and Judas Priest, the song is loaded with high-octane guitar work, loaded with fire, flair, and technical finesse. It’s a perfect workout for intermediate to advanced players looking to sharpen their chops while indulging in an unapologetically fun and flashy tune.

About the Guitarist – Satchel

The track’s six-string wizardry comes courtesy of Satchel (Russ Parrish), Steel Panther’s virtuosic guitarist. Known for his impeccable technique, razor-sharp tone, and comedic stage presence, Satchel is a master of the glam-metal genre. His playing effortlessly blends shred techniques with classic hard rock riffing, making him an essential study for any guitarist aiming to balance technicality with charisma. Satchel’s influences include the likes of Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, and George Lynch, all of whom echo through the explosive licks found in “Death To All But Metal.”

Lesson Breakdown & Guitar Techniques

Power Chords & Palm Muting

Right from the intro, Satchel establishes a high-energy rhythm section using classic power chords. Coupled with aggressive palm-muting, this creates the punch and drive essential to any metal track. Learning to master these gives you better control over tone and dynamics, helping you tighten up your rhythm playing for live or studio work.

Alternate Picking

Throughout the verse and chorus sections, alternate picking keeps things precise and punchy. This is an essential skill for maintaining speed and clarity in both rhythm and lead passages. The lesson walks you through how to sync up both hands to stay clean and articulate even at high tempos.

Legato & Hammer-ons/Pull-offs

The solo features a beautifully fluid legato passage with rapid hammer-ons and pull-offs. These techniques allow you to create fast, smooth lines with less picking, improving your finger strength and stamina while also developing a more melodic, expressive lead style.

Two-Handed Tapping

A signature Satchel moment arrives in the form of two-handed tapping. This advanced technique adds a dazzling, percussive quality to solos. Mastering this gives you access to wide intervallic ideas and flashy licks that will seriously elevate your soloing toolkit.

String Bending & Vibrato

Expression is everything, and Satchel nails it with tasty string bending and rich vibrato. These nuances give your playing soul and character, and our lesson focuses on helping you develop the control and ear required to bend perfectly to pitch and add depth to every sustained note.

Pinched Harmonics & Whammy Bar Tricks

Satchel makes use of searing pinched harmonics and dive-bombing whammy bar tricks to inject attitude and excitement into the solo. Learning these techniques helps you add vocal-like screams and dynamic drops to your playing – essential tools in any shredder’s arsenal.

Slides, Rakes & Trills

To keep the momentum flowing, the solo is peppered with slides, gritty rakes, and fast trills. These quick embellishments add character and flair, helping you transition between phrases and inject your solos with personality.

Why Learn “Death To All But Metal”?

This lesson isn’t just about learning a song – it’s a deep dive into the playing style that defines a generation of hard rock and metal guitar. Whether you’re preparing for a gig, writing your own music, or simply want to challenge yourself, this track provides a wide variety of techniques that will:

• Strengthen your fretboard knowledge
• Improve your rhythm and timing
• Enhance your lead guitar vocabulary
• Boost your confidence with show-stopping techniques

By mastering the elements in this song, you’ll not only become a more versatile guitarist, but you’ll also gain insights into what makes great rock guitar playing so memorable.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Two-Handed Tapping
• String Bending
• Vibrato
• Pinched Harmonics
• Whammy Bar Tricks
• Slides
• Rakes
• Trills

Unlock the full lesson at Licklibrary and bring Satchel’s outrageous energy and technical firepower to your own playing today.