Iconic Solos: Marty Friedman's "Tornado of Souls" — The Crown Jewel of Thrash Guitar
More than 35 years later, Marty Friedman's solo on Megadeth's Tornado of Souls is still the gold standard for melodic shred — exotic phrasing, vocal-like bends, and an ending run that breaks brains.
▶ LISTEN WHILE READING
Some guitar solos are technically impressive.
Some are emotional.
A select few become legendary because they somehow manage to be both.
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The solo in "Tornado of Souls" is one of those rare performances.
More than 35 years after its release, guitarists still debate whether it's the greatest metal solo ever recorded. Even among the stacked catalog of Megadeth, this one stands alone.
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The Perfect Storm
Released in 1990 on Megadeth's masterpiece Rust in Peace, "Tornado of Souls" arrived at a time when thrash metal was at its creative peak.
The album was packed with incredible riffs and blistering musicianship, but when the final solo arrived, Marty Friedman delivered something completely different.
He didn't just shred. He told a story.
Inside the Solo: Why It's So Unique
The first thing you'll notice is that it doesn't sound like anyone else. Friedman's phrasing is instantly recognizable — the wide bends, the unusual note choices, the exotic, almost vocal-like melodies.
While many guitarists rely heavily on pentatonic patterns, Friedman leans on Japanese, Hungarian minor, and harmonic minor flavors that create tension and unpredictability. You never quite know where he's going next.
And that's exactly why the solo is so captivating.
• Wide, vocal-style whole-step and minor-third bends with slow, deliberate vibrato
• Exotic scales (Hungarian minor, harmonic minor, hints of Japanese pentatonic) over a minor-key vamp
• Wide intervallic leaps instead of stepwise pentatonic boxes
• Pure alternate picking with no sweeps — every note is intentional
• Fingerpicked legato moments tucked between picked runs for dynamic contrast
The Build-Up
The solo doesn't immediately explode. It begins with melody. A few carefully chosen notes. Then the intensity starts to rise.
Soon, Friedman is ripping through fast alternate-picked runs and sweeping phrases that sound almost impossible to play. Yet despite the speed, every note feels purposeful. Nothing sounds like an exercise. Everything serves the song.
The Legendary Final Run
Then comes the moment every guitarist waits for: the final ascending run.
It's one of the most recognizable passages in metal history and has become a rite of passage for aspiring shredders. Thousands of guitarists have attempted it. Very few play it with Marty's precision and feel.
Because the secret isn't simply speed. It's phrasing.
• Picking hand stamina: 10/10
• Left-hand stretch: 8/10
• Phrasing & vibrato feel: 10/10
• Scale knowledge required: 9/10
• Overall: 10/10 — a true bucket-list solo. Get it under tempo, then chase the feel.
“You can buy the gear. You can't buy the touch.”
The Tone
• Guitar: Jackson Kelly KE2 with EMG pickups
• Amplifier: Marshall JCM800 2203, cranked
• Cabinet: Marshall 4x12 with Celestion G12T-75s
• Strings/Picks: Light gauges, jazz-style picks
• Secret Sauce: Marty's right-hand attack and unique, vocal vibrato
You can buy the gear. You can't buy the touch.
Why Guitarists Still Study This Solo
"Tornado of Souls" is one of those rare solos that rewards repeated listening. Every time you hear it, another detail jumps out:
- A bend you never noticed
- A passing note that creates tension
- A phrase that somehow lands perfectly
It's the kind of solo that makes guitar players stop what they're doing and say: "How did he even think of that?"
The Influence
This solo has inspired generations of modern metal guitarists, including:
- John Petrucci
- Alexi Laiho
- Mark Morton
- Synyster Gates
Its impact on melodic metal guitar simply can't be overstated.
The Guitar Plugged Take
• Technical Difficulty: 10/10
• Melody: 10/10
• Originality: 10/10
• Replay Value: 10/10
Final Verdict
If someone asked for a single guitar solo that perfectly combines melody, technique, and individuality, "Tornado of Souls" belongs near the top of the list.
It's not just one of the greatest metal solos ever recorded. It's one of the greatest guitar solos ever recorded — period.
And more than three decades later, Marty Friedman's whirlwind masterpiece still leaves guitarists shaking their heads and reaching for the rewind button.
Is "Tornado of Souls" the greatest metal guitar solo of all time?
Tap your pick. One vote per reader.
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What to Remember
- ▸Released in 1990 on Rust in Peace, Tornado of Souls is widely considered Marty Friedman's defining moment.
- ▸Friedman's exotic scales and vocal-like bends set the solo apart from typical pentatonic shred.
- ▸The solo builds patiently before unleashing the legendary ascending final run.
- ▸The classic tone: Jackson Kelly + cranked Marshall JCM800 — but the magic is in Marty's hands.
- ▸It directly influenced Petrucci, Alexi Laiho, Mark Morton, Synyster Gates, and a generation of melodic metal players.
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