Hello GMC!
Welcome to the fifth lesson of the series based on the most important Power Metal bands from Germany. In this lesson I will be covering a band that has been often requested at our forum. Its name is Running Wild and they are one of the most classical heavy/power metal bands from Germany. They were formed in Hamburg in 1976.
Don’t forget to check other lessons in the :
German Power Metal Series
Music Style:
Running Wild are considered to be the first “Pirate Metal” band because of their lyrics. Their music style is a combination of old school metal with power & speed metal. If you listen to their albums you will find that they have a very unique style that has been kept through the years. In this lesson I tried to create a tune that combines their rhythms and style of riffing as well as their chord progressions.
Tonality & Chord Progression:
When we talk about tonality, scales and progressions we can relate them to the classic metal bands like Maiden and Judas. There is nothing complex about it. They mostly use minor tonalities and power chords. They also like to harmonize guitar melodies like Iron Maiden. This lesson is in D minor and the chord progression can be found in the main video and over the tabs. The scale used for melodies is D minor aeolian.
Techniques:
This is mostly a rhythm lesson so we will use palm muting, alternate picking, only down strokes and pull off. This is a great lesson intermediate players that want to adjust their metal rhythm.
Sound:
I used my Pod HD 500 to record this lesson. I used the Treadplate Dual Amp Model with a 4x12 2001 Treadplate Cab Model and a Screamer emulation. If you want the tone you can ask for it at my personal board. My guitar is a Gibson Les Paul Studio. The drums and the bass sound is from the Hyper Canvas. The strings has been created using Edirol Orquestal.
Tuning:
I used standard 440.
Ok GMC Pirates - let’s start sailing!