List of heavy metal guitarists

[2] Metal guitar playing uses a massive sound, characterized by highly amplified distortion, extended guitar solos and overall loudness.

The electric guitar and the sonic power that it projects through amplification has historically been the key element in heavy metal.

The lead guitarist plays guitar solos, instrumental melody lines and melodic fill passages.

In power trios, which consist of a guitarist, bassist and drummer, with one or more members singing lead vocals, the single guitarist will switch between rhythm guitar and lead guitar roles as needed.

Only add names here if the person has their own article - anything else will be removed.

Tony Iommi onstage with Heaven & Hell in 2009. Iommi is considered one of the most influential heavy metal guitarists.
"Dimebag" Darrell Abbott (1966–2004) was killed by a gunman during a concert.
Ritchie Blackmore in Norway, 1977
Phil Campbell of Motörhead playing at Wacken Open Air 2013 with a Framus guitar
K.K. Downing , a former member of Judas Priest , shown here in 1980
While the majority of metal guitarists are men, there are notable women metal guitarists, such as Lita Ford , who played in The Runaways and as a solo act under her own name.
Jimi Hendrix performing on the Dutch television show Hoepla in 1967
Kirk Hammett of Metallica playing in Mexico in 2010
Kerry King playing with Slayer
Alex Lifeson in concert with Rush
Dave Murray , the guitarist for Iron Maiden , playing in San José in February 2008
Michael Schenker in 1983
Glenn Tipton is the guitarist for Judas Priest . This photo is from 1984.
Eddie Van Halen was a shred guitar innovator whose virtuostic guitar solo on the song " Eruption " had a major impact on metal guitar. This picture is from 1977.
Angus Young from the Australian band AC/DC