2004 IN THIS YEAR…

BLOODANDTHUNDER ’S ‘POWERCHORD HARMONIES’ GIVE THE SOLO ITS BITING QUALITY

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AMERICAN IDIOT

GREEN DAY

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Billie Joe Armstrong’s powerchordfuelled punk rocker about the pernicious influence of mass media seems even more relevant in 2020.

BLOOD AND THUNDER

MASTODON

For an example of Hinds/kelliher’s modern take on classic metal, look no further than the harmony licks in the solo to 2004’s Bloodand Thunder – which harks back to the NWOBHM sound of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest more than it does to thrash titans Metallica and Megadeth. For those only loosely familiar with twin-guitar harmonies, the idea is that two guitars play notes from the same key in time with each other. The ‘twin-guitar 101’ approach would be to harmonise in 3rds; so, for example, in C major (C D E F G A B) you’d harmonise C with E, D with F, E with G, and so on. Back in Blood Andthunder however, you’ll find the two guitars harmonised mainly in 5ths (C harmonised with G, D with A, etc) – essentially powerchords, then. It’s this harmony that gives the solo its biting quality where 3rds would have sounded gentler, more rounded and easier on the ear.

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VERTIGO

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SLITHER

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With Chinesedemocracy still but a rumour, Slash, Kushner, Mckagan and Weiland knocked out two albums of heavy blues-tinged bangers like Slither.

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FRANZ FERDINAND

Most noted for its unforgettable lead riff, but the layered harmonies on the intro are the real guitar brilliance here.

INCUBUS

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Perennially underrated six-stringer Mike Einziger pulls out every trick in his idiosyncratic book for this alt-rock epic. Tricksy hammer-on riffs, multiple phase tones and some blinding alternative picking single this out as his finest hour.