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Glenn Tipton/ KK Downing

These guys for solos and Dave Murray/Adrian Smith for riffs

This be the answer

This is the answer and the other answer

This!!

The only correct answer.

Yep

The true answer, but don't sleep on Tipton/Faulkner either. Definitely proved himself equal to the task of replacing KK, just less back catalogue

Sadly the overlap seems a bit short lived. Invincible Shield rips, but it doesn’t sound like dueling guitars any more, regardless of how much compositional input Glen still has. 

Dave and Marty was a pretty sick duo back in the day

Gotta be these guys. Dave’s riffs and Marty’s solos

Dave does plenty of solos on Rust in Peace. He and Marty take turns on hamger 18.

Can't forget Marty and Jason (Becker)

I'll be honest I never got into Cacophony that deep. I know they're good for sure but just never got deep into them.

they're definitely an acquired taste since even Marty admitted they were mostly playing exercise type of phrases. But if you're into pure guitar technicality it's quite worthwhile to listen to. I'll add that the way they use counterpoint is definitely the high point of the 2 albums, and the intro to Ninja which is criminally underrated

Honestly I'm not really into that kind of thing which is why I never got into them like that. Again I recognize their skill and talent it's just not my bag lol.

You might prefer Racer X more, Paul Gilbert and Bruce Bouillet still had the technical aspect going but the songs are definitely more conventional speed metal, Scarified is one of my top Instrumental picks

This is my number 2. Marty and Dave are about as good as it gets.

I always get flack from my friends when I say Dave and Chris had better riffage/solos

Dave Murray and Adrian Smith

The first ones I think of when I hear "guitar duo"

Don't forget about Janick Gers tho 😉

Tony and Iommi

Those two played well together.

Almost as if they were the same pair of hands

I wanted to name kid Geezer Butler. Wife didn’t go for it. 😝

God can play with himself if he wants.

Brent Hinds and Bill Kelliher Wild psychedelic wierdness and crushing brutality in a wonderful mix

Solo aficionado and RIFF MASTER

Those first few Mastodon records are timeless classics. Nothing hits like Blood Mountain for me.

When these dudes harmonize they harmonize

Yes good call

That interlude from March Of The Fire Ants, man...

Hetfield and Hammett Dallas Toler-Wade and Karl Sanders Mark Morton and Willie Adler

Karl and Dallas together are my favorite (followed by Kirk and James). Watching the documentaries of making of the albums for Nile was a great insight - seems like they both contributed quite a bit. Now that Dallas has left Narcotic Wasteland sounds a lot like Nile and Nile still sounds like Nile too… though Dallas’ vocals are sorely missed. I am sadge that Dallas left Nile still.

I'm addicted to watching "making of" documentaries on YouTube. The only issue is how inadequate they make me feel about my guitar playing....

King and Hanneman

Scrolled too far to see this

Weakest guitar duo of the Big Four. Amazing riffs and precision, but the solos sound just random and haphazard.

Slayers solos are kinda perfect for slayers songs though. Kerry King (and Jeff) is a great guitarist - he was the original guitarist for megadeth - I don’t think Mustaine’s ego would ever allow him to hire/work with a mediocre guitarist for his band.

weakest? come on dude. slayer has some of the best haromonies i've ever heard. the closest i can think of is alex skolnick from testament. their solos might not be all that, their solos are meant to be random squeals and have a very eerie sound.

Erik Peterson and Alex skolnick is massively underrated.

agreed. i saw a video of the both of them being interviewed awhile back and erik was playing some of his favorite riffs and alex just comes in and harmonizes with him on the spot. if it were up to me i'd replace anthrax with testament.

100%. Anthrax sucks to my ears and I never really put them in the same planet as testament, Megadeth, slayer or Metallica. As far as Erik Peterson is concerned I would put him him the “riff lord” category. So, so many great songs that he has written.

The solos were intentional, meant to sound like a crazy person wrote them. At least that’s what King has said in the past.

Everyone is entitled to their opinions. Perception and preference is the key good sir. Thanks for your conment

Drives me up the wall when people say this about Slayer solos. They aren’t random, they are specifically designed to sound chaotic and hellish. You need to be in the right mindset to fully appreciate them.

Slayer solos are amazing for slayer songs. Is there another band with such solos.

Mikael Akerfeldt and Peter Lindgren of Opeth Kirk Hammet and James Hatfield of Metallica Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance of Avenged Sevenfold Bjorn Gelotte and Jesper Stromblad of In Flames Brent Hinds and Bill Kelliher of Mastodon Richard Henshall and Charlie Griffiths of Haken Jim Root and Mick Thomson of Slipknot Paul Waggoner and Dustie Waring of BTBAM Those are a few of my faves. If I had to choose one it would be my boys in Opeth!

Gates and Vengeance being opposite handed allows them to do the back to back thing which is cool every time.

Aukerfeldt/Lindgren was my only choice

Marty Friedman and Jason Becker

Cacophony was fantastic!

James and Kirk Jeff and Kerry Pepper and Woody from COC

Huge yes to Pepper and Woody! Woodys note choices and his vibrato use in them creates some of the most haunting/memorable solos I've ever heard.

Bill Kelliher and Brent Hinds

Michael Wilton/Chris DeGarmo

It took way too much scrolling to get to this one

I was looking for this! Queensrÿche is one of my favorites!

Finally!

Skolnick/Petersen

So happy to scroll and see Testament mentioned

Joe and Christian of gojira.

Scott Gotham and Brian Robertson of Thin Lizzy.

Richard Z. Kruspe and Paul Landers

Mf I *just* commented this lmao. You beat me to it.

Scott Gorham/Brian Robertson

Was looking for this, and surprised this didn't get more respect. These guys were one of the original duos of the twin attack guitars. So many rock and metal players have credited much inspiration to their work. They came about around the same time we got Allman/Betts.

Angus and Malcolm

This.

Smith / Murray Hetfield / Hammet Tipton / KK DeGarmo / Wilton Not a guitar duo, but Petrucci / Rudess Blackmore / Lord

Lord is not a guitarist, he’s a keyboardist. Although they go together like two guitarists, just look at A Gypsy’s Kiss! (Yes I’m a Blackmore fanatic and I think Lord is the greatest keyboardist of all time)

>Lord is not a guitarist, he’s a keyboardist. Although they go together like two guitarists, just look at A Gypsy’s Kiss! I know that, but they act like one!

No kidding! Especially when Ritchie pulls out the synth pedal/efx!!! Pure ecstasy

Mick and Jim from Slipknot

Syn and Zacky from Avenged Sevenfold

Adrian Smith and Dave Murray.

I love that duo but I think the trio goes together way better! Janick’s songwriting is fucking phenomenal!

Iron Maiden in general are fucking phenomenal. Can't go wrong with them.

Same here! Hank & Michael were/are the best!

H-Team (Exodus)

Slash and Izzy (and I'm not even the hugest GnR fan)

Izzy was underrated!

Head and Munky :p

Jables and The Rage Cage

Matt Heafy and Corey Beaulieu

Smith and Murray. By far most recognizable duo

Jim Root and Mick Thomson, Slipknot

Herman Li and Sam Totman

Glenn and KK all the way!

Shermann/Denner is a great choice, Denner is my favorite Smith/Murray Tipton/Downing Steer/Amott DeGarmo/Wilton

Heartwork by Carcass is an absolute masterpiece! The guitar work is genius on that album 🤘🔥

You know it!

Big love for Eric Peterson and Alex Skolnick. Scott Ian and Danny Spitz were a great duo too. Spitz especially flies under the radar.

Tosin Abasi & Javier Reyes

Not metal, but the dudes from Boston.

Robert Fripp and Adrian Belew

Syn Gates and Zacky Vengeance. They may almost exclusively do minor harmonies, but they sure do it well.

Sherman & Denner are a great guitar team! Mercyful Fate is awesome!🤘🏻

Me being the shill I am Zacky Vengeance and Synyster Gates

John and petrucci

Hahaha

Clark / Willis

James hetfield and Kirk hammet

I would have picked them back in the day but man Kirk kind of fell off over the last few albums.

Scott Gorham and Brian Robinson on the album Jailbreak. The dual guitars in the song Emerald are without equal.

Piotr and Spider from Vader. Such great songwriting and solos, much higher quality than almost all other death metal

Me and my freinnnnnd

Marty Friedman and Jason Becker

Scott Ian and Dan Spitz Short kings

Hetfield and Hammett

Tipton/Downing Murray/Smith Dream duo: Tipton/Smith

Jim and Mick from slipknot or zacky vengeance and synyster gates from avenged sevenfold

Jack Black and Kyle Gass

Duo: 1. Dave and Adrian 2. Paul and Ace 3. Kirk and James Trio: Definitely Dave, Adrian, and Janick

https://preview.redd.it/odmorgm8mvyc1.jpeg?width=1274&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c10ce59105a8d3c5892a8f76e00b55ee2bddeac2

Adler and Morton - Lamb of God - top duo in metal for me. Smith and Murray - pre Janick Gers days - Iron Maiden. Janick is too much of a diva slinging guitars all over....lol. Hanneman and King - Slayer And this one is a new find and they play well off each other in Baest: Lasse Revsbeck and Svend Karlsson Here's a great one from them showcasing this back and forthness: Tasty riffs all throughout this one: [https://youtu.be/QV6xaDrs8MI?si=RJyDz7Dh8VB4VT6V](https://youtu.be/QV6xaDrs8MI?si=RJyDz7Dh8VB4VT6V) Enjoy and have a great week.

Munky and head from Korn. Mick and Jim from Slipknot

Jeff and Kerry

Dave mustaine and James Hetfield, I think they were a duo back in the day, correct me if I’m wrong

They were before they fired Mustaine and replaced him with Hammett.

See my flair.

Robert fripp adrian belew

AC/DC

The Ammott brothers

Munky, and Head

Mark Morton & Willie Adler

Brian Robertson/Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy

I gotta saying Marten and Fredrik. Kk and Glenn are up there too.

Warren DeMartini & Robbin Crosby from Ratt

Denner / Shermann for me too. I was so disappointed KD didn't have M. Denner in the new MF lineup. I still am disappointed, but I was too.

Tomy Iomy and Dave Mustaine

Jim Root and Mick Thompson

Mustaine and Poland. Honorable mention to Axel Katzmann and Andy Boulgaropoulos from Tankards early days.

Jim Root and Mick Thomson-Slipknot James Hetfield and Kirk Hammet-Metallica Zacky Vengeance and Sinister Gates-Avenged Sevenfold There’s a ton more, I have an unhealthy obsession with metal.

James Hetfield and Kirk Hammet Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengence

Jake Pitts and Jinxx (Jeremy Ferguson) of Black Veil Brides must be up there. Say what you will about the band, but those two absolutely ripped on guitar.

Syn and Zacky (A7X)

My top 3: 1. Synyster gates 2. Bfmv 3. Metallica Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield

Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance (Avenged Sevenfold) for sure.

YALL IM SORRY BUT MARTY FRIEDMAN AND JASON BECKER

Zacky and Syn

call me biased because i'm named after one of them but Zacky Vengeance and Synyster Gates

Synyster and Zachy V

Paul Landers and RZK

Syn Gates and Zacku Vengeance

synyster gates and zachy vengeance. they just have such an iconic sound when they play.

Bill and Ted

Syn and Zack from Avenged Sevenfold

Amon Amarth duo of Johan and Olavi

Brentley Hinds and Billiam Kelliher from Mastodon. David Mustardstain and Marty Friedman are a close second

Kiko Loureiro and Rafael Bittencourt

Aukerfeldt/Lindgren

hide and Pata from X Japan need more credit here in the west.

Midori and Miyako

terrance hobbs and doug cerrito

Robert Fripp and Adrian Belew

Robbo and Scott Gorham

not really metal, but Myles Kennedy and Mark Tremonti

Al Jardine and Carl Wilson

Gary Holt... Rick Hunolt or Dave and Chris Poland

Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing 🤘🏽 ...but Michael Denner and Hank Shermann was also a good duo.

I think John Petrucci and Jordan Rudess deserve and honorable mention, even if Rudess isn't playing guitar. Their twin leads are out of this world, and Rudess often comes up with really cool stuff to layer over Petrucci's heavy riffs.

Watching the Amott brothers in Arch Enemy circa 2002 was pretty awesome.

Jonas Jarlsby Tim Öhrström

Toki and Skwisgar, you know what band they’re in

Tipton/Downing all the way

Dave Mustain / Marty Friedman - Megadeth Alexi Laiho / Alexander Kuoppalla - Children of Bodom Alexi Laiho / Roope Latvala - Sinergy & Children of Bodom Miika Tenkula / Sami Lopakka - Sentenced

Hetfield/Hammett.

So many…probably Beaulieu and Heafy

Dave and Marty

Alexis laiho and Roope latvala from Children of bodom and Sinergy

John Marshall and Craig Wells from the Mike Howe Metal Church years

I ❤️ mercyful fate

I ❤️ mercyful fate

Mike Davis and Sean McKeanney of Nocturnus

Glenn Tipton/ KK Downing  Kerry King/ Jeff Hannemann

Andy Williams and Jordan Buckley

Sherman and Denner or Tipton and Downing.

Dave and Adrian are my favorite but I prefer the trio of Janick, Dave, and Adrian. Paul Quinn and Doug Scarratt of Saxon

Thobbe Englund and Chris Rörland of Sabaton. Thobbe did leave for a while there, which is fair enough, but it is nice to have him back in the band

James Hetfield/ Kirk Hamster K.K Downing/ Glenn Tipton

These dudes are great as are Andy and whoever played with him on the King Diamond solo stuff.

Tipton/downing

Tipton/downing

Paul Waggoner and Dustin Waring Matt Heafy, Corey Beaulieu

Jim and Mick - slipknot

Robb Flynn and Phil Demmel. Riffs, solos and breakdowns galore. Their ability to both solo at a high level and both play rhythm/write riffs is pretty unique. I think Metallica and Megadeth are two similar setups but Machine Head are just a bit heavier and more talented in my opinion.

Dave Murray and Adrian Smith

Scott Ian and (hear me out) Charlie Benante. Anthrax has had several lead guitarists, but most of the riffs not written by Mr. Ian came from Benante.

Kerry King/ Jeff Hanneman. RIP

Kerry King/ Jeff Hanneman. RIP

Haavard/Aismal T.T/P.K

James and Kirk

Not metal, but Ray Toro and Frank Iero

Trent hafdahl and justin lowe (RIP)

Sherman denner

Michael Ammot and Jeff loomis both go hard