IMHO: It has to be Blackbird by Alter Bridge. It checks all the boxes. It’s beautiful, it’s powerful, it’s dynamic, it absolutely serves the track, it’s technical, and it elevates the track to a whole new level.
Never heard of them. I was born in the 60's. I listen to Rush, Deep Purple, Led Zep, Steve Vai, Allan Holdsworth, Priest, Maiden, Hendrix, Scorpions, etc.
Love Alter Bridge, and Blackbird would be a candidate for sure. Additionally, it's a bit of a two for one, because you get some Myles Kennedy solo, and some Tremonti solo. Hard to beat that. Another Alter Bridge candidate for me would be off their latest album - This is War. That one is absolutely filthy as well. Not to mention just a kick ass song.
In a weird way, I kinda feel like despite inspiring a generation of guitarists, Alexi is underrated. Not many people would pick this solo, but like all of his playing, it really is a treasure. Honestly super stoked on your appreciation for COB, they deserve more love in the modern day!
I'm 23 & grew up listening to classic rock stuff (mostly) and I do admit when I heard alexi for the first time I knew almost immediately he was DIFFERENT
@@rifatahmed6214 as Troubled as he was you could tell he still cared about the music and cared about guitar. But those troubles also gave him inspiration for songs. He chased the dragon for sure
@@darrelladams4886 I totally agree. Sad he had to leave so early. I'm not much of a fan of melodic death metal however COD & alexi did manage to leave an influence in my taste in music.
I hate Death Metal. Having said that, Alexi was probably my favorite guitarist of at least the last twenty years. I would have loved to see Children of Bodom again. Got Something Wild tattooed on my forearm for Alexi 🤘
Was not expecting the Children of Bodom choice!! That is indeed a killer solo. I remember downloading that music video off Napster or Limewire. Also, being a Bodom fan, I was let down when I heard the band “Every Time I Die” haha! But they became a favorite with their later stuff also 🤘
I came to mention that Alter Bridge is so overlooked and that they should be on one of these lists. Makes my heart so happy to see so many people appreciating Tremonti and AB!!!!
One of my favorite solos of all time from an equally criminally-underrated band is Thank you Scientist's 'My Famed Disappearing Act'. It incorporates all aspects from a top tier solo in my opinion: harmonics, use of amp feedback, tasteful bends, sweep picking, and to boot- recycles several previously-used motifs including the main vocal motif; all separated by more-technical playing.
Govan's solo on Drive Home - Steven Wilson is a great contender to greatest solo of the century, but in my opinion the absolute best solo I heard in modern songs gotta go to "Cusp Of Eternity - Opeth" that solo is a true banger
“Tell me how it feels” solo by Chris Buck from Cardinal Black is the hidden gem. I can talk about every single detail that makes the solo so memorable and enjoyable for hours. But just check it, you will thank me later
Chris Buck is an incredible player! I often watch the video of Buck and Evans performing Dreams To Remember in order to get inspired to play. That dude has so much feel it's insane!
My pick would be Through the Fire and Flames, it was massively influencial at the time (eventually becoming a playable song on GH), clearly technically impressive and 15+ years after its release people are still showcasing themselves playing the song/solo as a flex, a benchmark of their own ability to play the guitar. I dont think many other modern songs/solos have done that.
The best guitar solo of the century belongs to the Band of Skulls song 'Blood.' It's got feel, tone, and bluesy. You name it, it's got it. And it's a great song.
Love all the great tips in the comments. For me it's so, so many things by John Fruciante. The outro solo in Wet Sand and the instrumental Before the Beginning come to mind.
Blackbird solo by Alter Bridge would be my choice - the dynamics between Myles and Mark in that song is just special, takes the whole song to new heights.
Some of my favourites this century - Burning Angel - Arch Enemy Blackbird - Alter Bridge Conquer Or Die - Megadeth Bat Country - Avenged Sevenfold Suffering Overdue - Black Label Society Aeromancy - Dorje Silver into Steel - Grand Magus Crystal Skull - Mastodon Breathing Lightning - Anthrax The River Dragon Has Come - Nevermore Miles Of Machines - Jeff Loomis
Alter Bridge - Blackbird. Iron Maiden - Paschendale. Budgie - I don't wan't to throw you. Polyphia - G.O.A.T. There are a few for you to get started with.
I’d say it’s the solo from “Bat Country”.. made it on trl and helped to repopularize solos when not a lot of other popular rock or metal songs we’re doing back then. It also rips
Really didn't expect an Alexi Laiho solo in there. During my Metal days he was my absolute guitar god and he influenced my playing a lot. He did some of the greatest soli and riffs in melodic metal for sure. Sad he already left us. I've still got his signature guitar even though I really haven't been playing metal for 15 years but it's an important part of my formative years and pretty much the only shreddy guitar I still own. Great video as always dude!
The following solos I would consider much better than what I just heard. Anthrax - Safe Home Mark Tremonti - A World Away(Marks solo at the end) Damageplan - Pride Alter Bridge - Blackbird Just to name a few.
Marcus king is out there layin down some super tasty solos. But I have no argument against GVF or COB. I love all of it. Just good that new music is getting some love because there is a TON of really great guitar music being played right now and not many people in the echo chamber are noticing. Nice work Tyler!
TH-cam is messed up right now. I can tell it's TH-cam and not your video because it hit the end but kept playing the audio fine for a bit. Also no one until recent comments have mentioned anything about it.
The top list has been posted on reddit, but most subs are offline in protest...the top 5 are: Reapers - Muse I Believe In A Thing Called Love - The Darkness Rise - Extreme Blackbird - Alter Bridge The Wight of Dreams - Greta Van Fleet
Pyre by wheel. Restored my faith in lead guitar. Solo starts about 5 minutes 10 in. For a soft rock John Mayer option then the solo on ashes of a diary by dreaming madmen will make your hair stand up on end especially if played in a car. About 3 minutes 30 in.
@@isuckatguitar6252 I was looking through the comments to see if anyone mentioned Drive home. Which gets my vote too. Ancestral is also pretty amazing.
Honestly hard to chose one but anything by polyphia extreme or Mayer, but honestly Adam Jones 4 minute solo in 7empest is one of my favs. Also can’t go wrong with Kirk hammet!
John Mayers lead playing is better than anything he’s laid down on record. It’s like he doesn’t want that spotlight and just wants the songs short and focussed. So his solos are usually very short and restrained
Hammett hasn’t laid down a good solo since the black album. I think his attitude towards guitar and how he approaches it really changed after that. I think he lost that hunger and stopped putting in the work. Either too distracted or doesn’t want to feel like he’s competing with some of the other guys who were out there. So everything became really off the cuff and pieced together in the studio rather than more developed and composed. It’s created a real choppy feel to his work. Transitions between ideas aren’t as smooth.
Technically 2000 is the last year of the 20th century ... About the greatest solos of the 21st century (one by each player) - Govan - Ancestral - Petrucci - Octavarium - Ged Byar - Vita est Circus (ending with the guitar/Léode duo at the second half) - Roine Stolt - Rising The Imperial (first solo) - Krister Jonsson - When Fear Came to Town - for a more bluesy sound
Oh man! Good call on Pastures solo. I was reflecting back on all the solos I like from the last 23 years and I forgot about Plini's catalog. His sense of melody is just God-tier.
Some mention Steven Wilson... My favourite there is the outro-solo to "happy returns". Other? Band-maid and Kanami Tono on "Blooming", first she make some subtle taps in the beginning of the second verse, just as an warning to later. Main solo pure bliss. Ending it with a nice outro! "Dayreaming" is a very classic solo, just as an explosion of feelings built up through the song. Then there is the double shred team of Lovebites. Always some great trade ofs and harmonies from them. "When destinies align" is an example. Such an underrated metal band.
is Nuno Bettencourt's "Rise" solo too old school for y'all? that face melter is sick and insane. it's playful and yet turns the table and flips you the middle finger while you walk out the door, mind blown.
So much great music exists today, just happy to be able to hear it all !!! This question is as Tyler puts it totally subjective. Thanks for the vid. Made me actually mull it over. Couldn't pick just one though. 🤘
Everytime I Die is super cool! The solo in Kissing the Shadows is pretty gnarly aswell. Buckethead has a ton of insane solos, and not to mention many of the other instrumental "guitar guys" out there like Andy James etc. One solo I thought sounded cool but found extremely hard to learn and play properly was "Hades" by Kalmah. The solo in Unforgiven III is an epic one. Born of Osiris has some incredible guitar solos, like on "Devestate". The solo in Veil by Haken is nuts.
It has to be Alter bridge's Blackbird right....I mean how can something top that...unless u actually consider it as duel solos by Myles and Mark , it has to be the best....The raw emotion that Myles builds up all released by the explosion by tremonti's guitar...it is such a release
Wasn't expecting Everytime i die to be the choice at all but it's a really great solo, in reality almost all solos in Follow the Reaper could be into this conversation lol Alexi was an amazing musician and a master of his craft, if i had to choose the best it would be Kissing The Shadows, it's peak virtuosity, but i'm glad Alexi's legacy hasn't/won't be forgotten, great video!!🤘
Greta Van Fleet over John Mayer? No way. Not just because it's Mayer, but the outro solo on "I Guess I Just Feel Like" it so good. Plus I've now seen at least a dozen guitar players trying to cop that little tap/bend lick since that came out. If that's not enough to get you to the top, I don't know what is.
@@paulhanna5925 They are great solos no doubt. The only reason I’d don’t think Greta Van Fleet should be in this conversation is because I don’t think they are innovative enough
Think Nuno's 'Rise' solo is still a strong contender for the best so far. I know it is the most recent of the discussed but it has stopped most of the guitar community in its tracks
Blackbird by Alter Bridge By The Sword by Slash Dani California by RHCP Dark Necessities by RHCP (Josh deserves more credit than he gets) Guess I Just Feel Like by John Mayer Nightmare by Avenged Sevenfold Reptilia by The Strokes 21 Guns by Green Day (simplicity at its best) Drive Home by Steven Wilson
Not denying there isn't some great stuff from the 21st century but to date we're still waiting for the second coming of David Gilmour. Technical masters abound but few capture the emotional content of DG's finer moments. It will be a grand moment when someone steps up and rips off a solo in the way that man can. I reckon the solo from "In any tongue" off "Rattle that lock" would qualify as 21st century.
All these guitarists are lucky that a certain Muhammed Suiçmez solo was released in 1999. Greta von fleet, John Mayer, and Alexi Laiho can't touch Muhammed's smooth, memorable, catchy solos filled with so much emotion, expression and feel. The only argument remotely against is that they lack top-tier technicality.
The weight of Dreams is amazing but my favorite solo of the Century is Alex Lifeson’s solo on Earthshine(2002). Tyler you should give Rush some more love. Big Al is an extremely talented player.
Alex has one of my favorites also on this century on Porcupine Tree's Anesthetize... It's simple, but OMG at the end of that moster of song, it's just perfect
He's an amazing rhythm player, but I wouldn't say his guitar solos are anything more than good for what the song needs. He does deserve more respect though. I've learned some Billy talent songs recently and holy shit I don't understand how he plays like that all the time. I use them to stretch my hand out and I need a break afterwards.
The slide solo on the Globalist is beautiful, but I think Reapers is the best off of Drones. My favorite Muse solo ever is probably Madness. Every note is absolutely perfect.
Off the top of my head, I'd pick Darkness, Love is only a feeling, or A7x, Nightmare. Or Iron Maiden, Coming Home. Or Slash's Anastasia. And they say rock is dead?!
Out of the top of my head Lari Basilio's solo in Layla I would rank the highest, but right after that I have to add anything from Chris Buck, maybe the one from Warm Love is a close contender.
Honestly my favourite is the solo in Chon’s Perfect Pillow, it just feels so good, its full of emotion whilst being flashy and unconventional, love the phrasing and the overall structure
Okay two Mayer solos where he was just **ON FIRE**… First, the ‘07 live performance with Clapton on Good Morning America. That might be the best solo ever IMO. Second, the Ain’t No Sunshine live at Clapton’s Crossroads fest. Just insane and perfect.
I'd have to say the solo in Blackbird by Alterbridge is the best I've heard so far this century.I also enjoy Through the fire and flames all 6.5 million solos in it. My 3rd choice is Shepherd of Fire by Avenged Sevenfold
The Wildflowers and Wine solo by Marcus King is probably my favorite solo recently. It really speaks to me since it has every element I love about listening and playing the guitar!!
One of my favorite guitar solos of the last decade is the solo from Unleash the Archers' 2017 song Awakening. The technique, the melody, the harmony, how it builds to a climax with the dualing guitar leads, and ending with insane bass run. Ill never forget that solo but I also know I'll never be able to play/replicate it😂
All his points are great but it has to be acknowledged that the solo in weight of dreams will likely become more memorable over time, it’s catchy with a lot of buildup and and tension and it’s constantly building and it’s not so complicated that random non musical listeners can sing along with it and remember it, it’ll likely outlast most of the other suggestions in terms of the public remembering it
I'm surprised no one talks about Synyster Gates from A7X. So many incredibile solos, it's almost impossible to chose. So Far Away, Afterlife, Shepherd of Fire, Second Heartbeat, The Stage, Nobody...
Woooooow.....Caught me waaay of guard there. Never in a million years would I have guessed you would pick CoB. Alexi was amazing. I will have to think about what I would pick, but now that I hear you play it, that solo has got to be up there. Great video!
My favourite 21st century solo is from an unknown band Red Desert - Slow Kill. If you like stoner metal or any heavier music, really, I think you'll love it.
As great as Nunos rise solo is I really think reb beaches solos on one of wingers newer tracks “it all comes back around” are phenomenal and a real mix of taste and feel and flash. The outro is awesome. Reb is such a phenomenal guitarist
Weight of dreams is absolutely the best, a 4+ minute solo in a modern day solo. Technicality doesn’t make a solo, it’s got feel, emotion, intensity, it’s def one of the top if not the top. It complements the song so well, and the overlooked aspect of a solo is the band backing it. The other parts of the music grab your attention a solo isn’t just the guitar it’s the set piece and the backing instruments are almost just as important and the drums and keys on the track def lift it to the top.
@MichaelSmith-ig8bw I agree great solo and he honestly is one of the few if not the only guitar god in that Era that I can think of aside from mabey Tom morello but I can't think of a solo that Tom has done better than Afterlife. I honestly really don't know, but Afterlife has got to be a great starting point.
Okay, what's REALLY the best guitar solo of the century? EDIT: So TIL that 2001 is the first year of the century 😅
The Main Squeeze cover of Have a Cigar.
Blackbird by Alter Bridge
Wax Wings, or It's Only Smiles from periphery
@@michaelday6987 THAT is really a great solo...
The outro Solo from Anastasia by Slash, Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators
Guthrie Govan's solo on Drive Home by Steven Wilson is just nuts. It serves the song perfectly. By far my favorite of the 21st Century
yessss!!!!!!
Guthrie did all the best solos of the century, nothing even comes close to it
This is by far the answer. I can't imagine anyone else playing it, and yet it's very memorable and heartfelt. It's like Gilmour on steroids.
Raven and HCE are 2 of the best albums ever
Guthrie has 2 of my favorite solos ever while playing with Steven Wilson - Ancestral and Drive Home.
Blackbird solo (Alterbridge) is a top 3 IMO
Yeah Fortress too...
One hundred percent. Open your eyes is a good one too.
100%
It came in number 2
So much emotion in Myles's part of the solo
IMHO: It has to be Blackbird by Alter Bridge. It checks all the boxes. It’s beautiful, it’s powerful, it’s dynamic, it absolutely serves the track, it’s technical, and it elevates the track to a whole new level.
yes
Never heard of them. I was born in the 60's. I listen to Rush, Deep Purple, Led Zep, Steve Vai, Allan Holdsworth, Priest, Maiden, Hendrix, Scorpions, etc.
@@markusaurelius777 Its about the best solo of the 21st century, so it would make sense you don't know them.
@@markusaurelius777 give them a listen, they worth it
Love Alter Bridge, and Blackbird would be a candidate for sure. Additionally, it's a bit of a two for one, because you get some Myles Kennedy solo, and some Tremonti solo. Hard to beat that. Another Alter Bridge candidate for me would be off their latest album - This is War. That one is absolutely filthy as well. Not to mention just a kick ass song.
In a weird way, I kinda feel like despite inspiring a generation of guitarists, Alexi is underrated. Not many people would pick this solo, but like all of his playing, it really is a treasure. Honestly super stoked on your appreciation for COB, they deserve more love in the modern day!
I think Blackbird by Alter Bridge must be up there in top 3, if not the best.
It came in number 2
Wonderful to see you giving Alexi some love. I wish more people (outside of metalfans) knew his work.
I like how alexi wore bud influences on his sleeve without being a full on clone of anyone.
I'm 23 & grew up listening to classic rock stuff (mostly) and I do admit when I heard alexi for the first time I knew almost immediately he was DIFFERENT
@@rifatahmed6214 as Troubled as he was you could tell he still cared about the music and cared about guitar. But those troubles also gave him inspiration for songs. He chased the dragon for sure
@@darrelladams4886 I totally agree. Sad he had to leave so early. I'm not much of a fan of melodic death metal however COD & alexi did manage to leave an influence in my taste in music.
I hate Death Metal. Having said that, Alexi was probably my favorite guitarist of at least the last twenty years. I would have loved to see Children of Bodom again. Got Something Wild tattooed on my forearm for Alexi 🤘
The solo in Blackbird by AlterBridge is by far my favorite solo of this century. Memorable, powerful, emotional. It checks all the boxes.
Was not expecting the Children of Bodom choice!! That is indeed a killer solo. I remember downloading that music video off Napster or Limewire. Also, being a Bodom fan, I was let down when I heard the band “Every Time I Die” haha! But they became a favorite with their later stuff also 🤘
Blackbird by Alter Bridge. Hands down, no question. One of the greatest solos of all time.
My favorite of this century so far is Way Out of Here by Porcupine Tree. Serves the song perfectly and checks the technical boxes as well.
Blackbird is up there on my list, however I also really like Mark’s solo on Bleed it Dry (also Alter Bridge)
Mark told me Bleed it Dry was his favorite solo on that Album. It really is fantastic
I came to mention that Alter Bridge is so overlooked and that they should be on one of these lists. Makes my heart so happy to see so many people appreciating Tremonti and AB!!!!
Alexi was sooooooo damn good and it makes me so happy to see this. I couldn’t agree more with you. Alexi was the guitar god for our generation.
One of my favorite solos of all time from an equally criminally-underrated band is Thank you Scientist's 'My Famed Disappearing Act'. It incorporates all aspects from a top tier solo in my opinion: harmonics, use of amp feedback, tasteful bends, sweep picking, and to boot- recycles several previously-used motifs including the main vocal motif; all separated by more-technical playing.
Tom Monda is a freak. His playing on terraformer is even more insane.
Thank You Scientist is indeed EXTREMELY underrated
OMG YESSSS !!! THAT ONE IS INCREDIBLE!!?
Great solo and song! Blue Automatic has my favorite Thank You Scientist solo, though
Govan's solo on Drive Home - Steven Wilson is a great contender to greatest solo of the century, but in my opinion the absolute best solo I heard in modern songs gotta go to "Cusp Of Eternity - Opeth" that solo is a true banger
The outro solo from either octavarium or the best of times by dream theater has got to be up there
“Tell me how it feels” solo by Chris Buck from Cardinal Black is the hidden gem. I can talk about every single detail that makes the solo so memorable and enjoyable for hours. But just check it, you will thank me later
A fine choice indeed
Chris Buck is absolutely phenomenal. In that genre, he really is as good as anyone.
Chris Buck is an incredible player! I often watch the video of Buck and Evans performing Dreams To Remember in order to get inspired to play. That dude has so much feel it's insane!
My pick would be Through the Fire and Flames, it was massively influencial at the time (eventually becoming a playable song on GH), clearly technically impressive and 15+ years after its release people are still showcasing themselves playing the song/solo as a flex, a benchmark of their own ability to play the guitar. I dont think many other modern songs/solos have done that.
That would be my pick too
The weight of dreams is my fav gretta song. Seeing it live was nuts
The best guitar solo of the century belongs to the Band of Skulls song 'Blood.' It's got feel, tone, and bluesy. You name it, it's got it. And it's a great song.
Seeing the weight of dreams live was amazing it went on for 10 minutes
Love all the great tips in the comments. For me it's so, so many things by John Fruciante. The outro solo in Wet Sand and the instrumental Before the Beginning come to mind.
Blackbird solo by Alter Bridge would be my choice - the dynamics between Myles and Mark in that song is just special, takes the whole song to new heights.
The new Extreme album is amazing! You brought up some other great solos too!
Some of my favourites this century -
Burning Angel - Arch Enemy
Blackbird - Alter Bridge
Conquer Or Die - Megadeth
Bat Country - Avenged Sevenfold
Suffering Overdue - Black Label Society
Aeromancy - Dorje
Silver into Steel - Grand Magus
Crystal Skull - Mastodon
Breathing Lightning - Anthrax
The River Dragon Has Come - Nevermore
Miles Of Machines - Jeff Loomis
Ohh and Cusp Of Eternity - Opeth
Prince's solo on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" at the 2004 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is by far the best of the century, maybe his best ever.
Yeah I'm with you on that. Honestly, my favorite performance of that song ever
Came here to comment that. It absolutely is.
Agreed
Was not expecting you to show Alexi some love. That whole album is 🔥
Alter Bridge - Blackbird. Iron Maiden - Paschendale. Budgie - I don't wan't to throw you. Polyphia - G.O.A.T. There are a few for you to get started with.
I’d say it’s the solo from “Bat Country”.. made it on trl and helped to repopularize solos when not a lot of other popular rock or metal songs we’re doing back then. It also rips
Really didn't expect an Alexi Laiho solo in there. During my Metal days he was my absolute guitar god and he influenced my playing a lot. He did some of the greatest soli and riffs in melodic metal for sure. Sad he already left us. I've still got his signature guitar even though I really haven't been playing metal for 15 years but it's an important part of my formative years and pretty much the only shreddy guitar I still own. Great video as always dude!
Maybe just me but the audio no longer matches the video after 00:49
Yeah same for me
I've always been partial to the solo from Libra by Intervals (solo played by Plini). It's got everything, and it always gives me chills
RIP Alexi Laiho. Truly a great guitarist and frontman. They were super intense on stage when I saw them.
1:08, audio was off... is that jus me
The following solos I would consider much better than what I just heard.
Anthrax - Safe Home
Mark Tremonti - A World Away(Marks solo at the end)
Damageplan - Pride
Alter Bridge - Blackbird
Just to name a few.
The solo at the end of Bucketheads Through the Looking Garden is a must listen and one of my favorites that is more recent
Marcus king is out there layin down some super tasty solos. But I have no argument against GVF or COB. I love all of it. Just good that new music is getting some love because there is a TON of really great guitar music being played right now and not many people in the echo chamber are noticing. Nice work Tyler!
As a lot are saying here, I think it's the Blackbird solo by Tremonti and Kennedy. It's a brilliant heavy song and the solo is transcendent.
Anyone else get a HUGE delay in audio to video with this?
TH-cam is messed up right now. I can tell it's TH-cam and not your video because it hit the end but kept playing the audio fine for a bit. Also no one until recent comments have mentioned anything about it.
Wasn't expecting COB here, but I'll say that this is correct and the Follow The Reaper album from COB might be the most complex album from them🤘
The top list has been posted on reddit, but most subs are offline in protest...the top 5 are:
Reapers - Muse
I Believe In A Thing Called Love - The Darkness
Rise - Extreme
Blackbird - Alter Bridge
The Wight of Dreams - Greta Van Fleet
Lmao that's horrible (Extreme is good tho)
Rest in peace Alexi, my favourite guitarist.
Pyre by wheel. Restored my faith in lead guitar. Solo starts about 5 minutes 10 in.
For a soft rock John Mayer option then the solo on ashes of a diary by dreaming madmen will make your hair stand up on end especially if played in a car. About 3 minutes 30 in.
I think the best solo of the century is Guthrie Govan’s solo on Ancestral by Steven Wilson
Haven't heard that one but I love Guthrie's solo on Drive Home, what a stunning heartbreaker!!
@@isuckatguitar6252 that’s an incredible one, too! Definitely a contender
@@isuckatguitar6252 That's a great solo, and also a great album, give it a listen. But yeah, Drive Home is my favorite.
@@DeanJG-Guitar I will check out Ancestral for sure!
@@isuckatguitar6252 I was looking through the comments to see if anyone mentioned Drive home. Which gets my vote too. Ancestral is also pretty amazing.
John Mayer's 'Belief' from Where The Light Is concert takes my vote.
Kudos on the children of bodom plug! They were always exceptional in their combination of melody and technicality.
Alter Bridge-Blackbird is the number one to me. Especially live at Wimbley
Honestly hard to chose one but anything by polyphia extreme or Mayer, but honestly Adam Jones 4 minute solo in 7empest is one of my favs. Also can’t go wrong with Kirk hammet!
John Mayers lead playing is better than anything he’s laid down on record. It’s like he doesn’t want that spotlight and just wants the songs short and focussed. So his solos are usually very short and restrained
Hammett hasn’t laid down a good solo since the black album. I think his attitude towards guitar and how he approaches it really changed after that. I think he lost that hunger and stopped putting in the work. Either too distracted or doesn’t want to feel like he’s competing with some of the other guys who were out there. So everything became really off the cuff and pieced together in the studio rather than more developed and composed. It’s created a real choppy feel to his work. Transitions between ideas aren’t as smooth.
Technically 2000 is the last year of the 20th century ...
About the greatest solos of the 21st century (one by each player)
- Govan - Ancestral
- Petrucci - Octavarium
- Ged Byar - Vita est Circus (ending with the guitar/Léode duo at the second half)
- Roine Stolt - Rising The Imperial (first solo)
- Krister Jonsson - When Fear Came to Town - for a more bluesy sound
I looove the solo in "Pastures", by Plini. Absolutely gorgeous phrasing and serves a cathartic, Vai-inspired climax to a beautiful piece.
Oh man! Good call on Pastures solo. I was reflecting back on all the solos I like from the last 23 years and I forgot about Plini's catalog. His sense of melody is just God-tier.
@@wesleytrott6397 You know it! :D
Some mention Steven Wilson... My favourite there is the outro-solo to "happy returns".
Other? Band-maid and Kanami Tono on "Blooming", first she make some subtle taps in the beginning of the second verse, just as an warning to later. Main solo pure bliss. Ending it with a nice outro! "Dayreaming" is a very classic solo, just as an explosion of feelings built up through the song. Then there is the double shred team of Lovebites. Always some great trade ofs and harmonies from them. "When destinies align" is an example. Such an underrated metal band.
is Nuno Bettencourt's "Rise" solo too old school for y'all? that face melter is sick and insane. it's playful and yet turns the table and flips you the middle finger while you walk out the door, mind blown.
So much great music exists today, just happy to be able to hear it all !!! This question is as Tyler puts it totally subjective. Thanks for the vid. Made me actually mull it over. Couldn't pick just one though. 🤘
Everytime I Die is super cool! The solo in Kissing the Shadows is pretty gnarly aswell. Buckethead has a ton of insane solos, and not to mention many of the other instrumental "guitar guys" out there like Andy James etc. One solo I thought sounded cool but found extremely hard to learn and play properly was "Hades" by Kalmah. The solo in Unforgiven III is an epic one. Born of Osiris has some incredible guitar solos, like on "Devestate". The solo in Veil by Haken is nuts.
It has to be Alter bridge's Blackbird right....I mean how can something top that...unless u actually consider it as duel solos by Myles and Mark , it has to be the best....The raw emotion that Myles builds up all released by the explosion by tremonti's guitar...it is such a release
Wasn't expecting Everytime i die to be the choice at all but it's a really great solo, in reality almost all solos in Follow the Reaper could be into this conversation lol Alexi was an amazing musician and a master of his craft, if i had to choose the best it would be Kissing The Shadows, it's peak virtuosity, but i'm glad Alexi's legacy hasn't/won't be forgotten, great video!!🤘
Alter Bridge's Blackbird solo always gets me 🖤
John frusciante has some of the most amazing solos, especially on albums like Stadium arcadium
What about Jeff Loomis' The River Dragon has come Solo !? Or alternately the This Godless Endeavour....
that or heart collector are amazing solos. but 2000s is technically 20th century. Loomis' work in conquering dystopia qualifies though.
Greta Van Fleet over John Mayer? No way. Not just because it's Mayer, but the outro solo on "I Guess I Just Feel Like" it so good. Plus I've now seen at least a dozen guitar players trying to cop that little tap/bend lick since that came out. If that's not enough to get you to the top, I don't know what is.
Listen to the Solo in Broken Bells by Greta van fleet. Absolutely CRACKING Solo. One of the best in years
@@paulhanna5925 They are great solos no doubt. The only reason I’d don’t think Greta Van Fleet should be in this conversation is because I don’t think they are innovative enough
Got to see Bodom in 2006in NY... One of the best live shows I've ever seen. RIP Alexi.
Think Nuno's 'Rise' solo is still a strong contender for the best so far. I know it is the most recent of the discussed but it has stopped most of the guitar community in its tracks
Blackbird by Alter Bridge
By The Sword by Slash
Dani California by RHCP
Dark Necessities by RHCP (Josh deserves more credit than he gets)
Guess I Just Feel Like by John Mayer
Nightmare by Avenged Sevenfold
Reptilia by The Strokes
21 Guns by Green Day (simplicity at its best)
Drive Home by Steven Wilson
Blackbird by Alter Bridge is my favourite solo . It’s so moving and emotive with great varied techniques in it. It’s sonically beautiful.
Not denying there isn't some great stuff from the 21st century but to date we're still waiting for the second coming of David Gilmour. Technical masters abound but few capture the emotional content of DG's finer moments. It will be a grand moment when someone steps up and rips off a solo in the way that man can. I reckon the solo from "In any tongue" off "Rattle that lock" would qualify as 21st century.
IMO Steven Wilson - Ancestral (Guthrie Govan) has the best solo of the 21st century hands down. That solo is just too damn good.
All these guitarists are lucky that a certain Muhammed Suiçmez solo was released in 1999. Greta von fleet, John Mayer, and Alexi Laiho can't touch Muhammed's smooth, memorable, catchy solos filled with so much emotion, expression and feel. The only argument remotely against is that they lack top-tier technicality.
The weight of Dreams is amazing but my favorite solo of the Century is Alex Lifeson’s solo on Earthshine(2002). Tyler you should give Rush some more love. Big Al is an extremely talented player.
Alex has one of my favorites also on this century on Porcupine Tree's Anesthetize... It's simple, but OMG at the end of that moster of song, it's just perfect
Lifeson is brilliant but Earthshine is not even in his top 50, lol are you serious?
I think of Lifeson's solo from Rush's final song The Garden. Nothing technical, but super emotional.
Most of the solos of Dream Theater’s Train of Thought. But nice call on Bodom, wasn’t expecting that so was a nice surprise:)
I wish ian dsa from billy talent would get more recognition he is so much underrated he is a nice guitar player and made some awesome solos
Fallen leaves solo is excellent, and that’s not even their best song.
He's an amazing rhythm player, but I wouldn't say his guitar solos are anything more than good for what the song needs. He does deserve more respect though. I've learned some Billy talent songs recently and holy shit I don't understand how he plays like that all the time. I use them to stretch my hand out and I need a break afterwards.
I did not see that coming, but huge huge props for bringing attention to COB / Alexi here!
I’d go with The Globalist by Muse. Honestly, the entire Drones album has some insane solos. Matt Bellamy is vastly underrated as a guitarist.
The slide solo on the Globalist is beautiful, but I think Reapers is the best off of Drones. My favorite Muse solo ever is probably Madness. Every note is absolutely perfect.
The KSE holy diver solo just because it’s so damn FUN
No one tell him that the 21st century technically started in 2001 lol
Solo at the end of "The Last Baron" by Mastodon (2009). Everything else can go jump in the lake.
Getting some serious playback issues with this video
Off the top of my head, I'd pick Darkness, Love is only a feeling, or A7x, Nightmare. Or Iron Maiden, Coming Home. Or Slash's Anastasia. And they say rock is dead?!
Bat country by Avenged Sevenfold is up there
Out of the top of my head Lari Basilio's solo in Layla I would rank the highest, but right after that I have to add anything from Chris Buck, maybe the one from Warm Love is a close contender.
Nobody by Avenged Sevenfold is a masterpiece of a solo
Honestly my favourite is the solo in Chon’s Perfect Pillow, it just feels so good, its full of emotion whilst being flashy and unconventional, love the phrasing and the overall structure
I went for a walk today and listened to Perfect Pillow on repeat the entire way! It's such a great vibe!
Guthrie Govan's - Drive home or Ancestral HAS to be on the list
Anyone else experience a VERY mis matched audio on this video? It started about a minute in, and was at least 30 seconds off. Super weird.
When Ed Sheeran hits that G chord, it hits me in my G spot. He definitely had the best solo of the 21st century
😂
Okay two Mayer solos where he was just **ON FIRE**… First, the ‘07 live performance with Clapton on Good Morning America. That might be the best solo ever IMO. Second, the Ain’t No Sunshine live at Clapton’s Crossroads fest. Just insane and perfect.
I'd have to say the solo in Blackbird by Alterbridge is the best I've heard so far this century.I also enjoy Through the fire and flames all 6.5 million solos in it. My 3rd choice is Shepherd of Fire by Avenged Sevenfold
any online poll comes down to whos fans have the most free time.
The Wildflowers and Wine solo by Marcus King is probably my favorite solo recently. It really speaks to me since it has every element I love about listening and playing the guitar!!
That entire album is out of this world good 🙌 great choice
One of my favorite guitar solos of the last decade is the solo from Unleash the Archers' 2017 song Awakening. The technique, the melody, the harmony, how it builds to a climax with the dualing guitar leads, and ending with insane bass run. Ill never forget that solo but I also know I'll never be able to play/replicate it😂
All his points are great but it has to be acknowledged that the solo in weight of dreams will likely become more memorable over time, it’s catchy with a lot of buildup and and tension and it’s constantly building and it’s not so complicated that random non musical listeners can sing along with it and remember it, it’ll likely outlast most of the other suggestions in terms of the public remembering it
I'm surprised no one talks about Synyster Gates from A7X. So many incredibile solos, it's almost impossible to chose. So Far Away, Afterlife, Shepherd of Fire, Second Heartbeat, The Stage, Nobody...
If I had to choose a favorite Syn solo, it's Beast and Harlot
I always liked the Motherload solo from Mastodon. I know it's not the most technically challenging solo out there, but it's absolutely face melting.
The whole song is just a eargasm anyway
Woooooow.....Caught me waaay of guard there. Never in a million years would I have guessed you would pick CoB. Alexi was amazing. I will have to think about what I would pick, but now that I hear you play it, that solo has got to be up there. Great video!
Bucketheads “Soothsayer”
He is one the best!
BH have 10+ of best century solo on his own lol
i never pick full instrumental songs to list of solos but this piece is great
My favourite 21st century solo is from an unknown band Red Desert - Slow Kill. If you like stoner metal or any heavier music, really, I think you'll love it.
As great as Nunos rise solo is I really think reb beaches solos on one of wingers newer tracks “it all comes back around” are phenomenal and a real mix of taste and feel and flash. The outro is awesome. Reb is such a phenomenal guitarist
Weight of dreams is absolutely the best, a 4+ minute solo in a modern day solo. Technicality doesn’t make a solo, it’s got feel, emotion, intensity, it’s def one of the top if not the top. It complements the song so well, and the overlooked aspect of a solo is the band backing it. The other parts of the music grab your attention a solo isn’t just the guitar it’s the set piece and the backing instruments are almost just as important and the drums and keys on the track def lift it to the top.
I would have to say Afterlife by avenged sevenfold was the most straight forward well put together solo that I can think of. ❤👏👏👏
Thank you!! I was going to very angrily type Afterlife. Syn is one of the best out there.
@MichaelSmith-ig8bw I agree great solo and he honestly is one of the few if not the only guitar god in that Era that I can think of aside from mabey Tom morello but I can't think of a solo that Tom has done better than Afterlife. I honestly really don't know, but Afterlife has got to be a great starting point.