Who Surpassed HETFIELD as "King of the Downstrokes"? 

Kirk finally getting the love he deserves. It’s good that people recognizes him for his skill which rightfully makes him a part of Metallica

I think Hetfield gets the credit because he recorded the rhythm tracks for all the classic albums and was extremely tight, we will never know if Kirk could record those rhythms just as tightly. Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman always get left out of the downstroke discussion but songs like At Dawn They Sleep, Postmortem, and others are real workouts

Been saying this about Kirk for many years

Matt and Corey from trivium are absolutely insane with their downstrokes. They’ve got one riff in what the dead men say that’s absolutely insane

I’d argue that it’s not just the downstrokes, James also has a fantastic sense of rhythm that carries the whole band. I’ve never heard that from Kirk’s playing.

John Browne is no doubt the new king of the down pick. Incredible metal rhythm player.

Man, I finally see someone talking about this. I noticed Kirk's rhythm skills all the way back when I watched "Live Shit"; James would just play chords, or stop playing entirely at times, to interact with the crowd, while Kirk was always playing normally in the back. And it's been the same throughout the years in every live show I've seen from them. But for some reason nobody seemed to mention anything about it, to the point I thought I was listening something wrong even. It's so nice to see it acknowledged that he is indeed at the same level as James, and even goes the extra distance to help him be a better frontman.

Kirk never seems to garner much attention, but I’ve noticed how they both cover for each other, which is what makes a tight band and I think right now they are as tight as they’ve ever been with Robert cranking the winch cables

The 1st person I want to mention is a RU-vidr named Kevin Frasard, his down picking speed is absolutely insane. Some other great examples are: Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein, Jon Schaefer, Jeff Waters, Scott Ian, Kerry King, Ryan Waste, Mick Thompson, I'm sure there's tons more.

Jeff Waters (Annihilator) is underrated when it comes to downpicking. Also, Joe Haley (Psycroptic) has some of that most incredible right hand technique in the business.

Johnny Ramone had the simplest yet one of the most brutal guitar playing style of all time.

On the subject of efficient picking, I’m always blown away by how tiny Yngwie’s picking motions are. It appears as though it’s all the motion happening only through his finger joints. I know it’s off topic, but I’d love to see an analysis of it.

Het's the king not just because of the speed, he has so much more 'thunk' to his hits than others 🤘👍

Jon Schaffer from Iced Earth has a very impressive down stroke technic. His right hand is like a machine gun.

Matt Heafy is pretty legit at downpicking. You don't really notice it until you watch him livestream.

Kirk doesn’t get half the credit he deserves. James gets pretty much sole rhythm guitarist credit but if you go down a list of their best riffs Kirk wrote a hefty portion of them.

I agree with what you are saying. Kirk does get a break from the down strokes on solos, but of course it's not exactly a break because playing the solo, but it does offer some variation of movement while James is still chugging away at the down strokes. Another downstroke monster is Scott Ian from Anthrax.

Great analysis! People give Kirk sh*t because of his mistakes in solos, but I think that him being able to "keep up" with James' downpicking all these years is one of his main strengths....especially live!

metallica has played absolutely phenomenal on the recent string of metontour vids, end of the line was just perfect. Mike, do a blitzkrieg solo breakdown please!

So true. I also think Kirk potentially has a healthier lifestyle now and practices very regularly and actively speaks about it. I somehow get the impression that when James is off he's off. Whereas Kirk seems to always have a guitar nearby

max cavalera has to be the most underrated fast downpicker some of the riffs he played especially on beneath the remains are insane

Some of the craziest down picking I’ve seen is Matt and Corey of Trivium playing Forsake Not the Dream. Down picking straight 8th notes at like 235 bpm and skipping strings while doing it. Base notes on low E and accents on D. I can barely keep up alternate picking. It’s in their guitar world lesson for forsake not the dream at around the 1:10 mark. It’s the pre chorus of the song but I think they do something similar in the post chorus as well.

Kirk is a perfect support player for Metallica and this video shows just how important he is to the band. James gets most of the attention for being the main songwriter and frontman, but he can't do it alone. James and Dave (Mustaine) together never would've lasted because they're too identical, both having a leader, alpha male, always in control, do things my way personality. Kirk is more the quiet, shy, stay in the background and do my thing type which makes him the better complement to James.

Yeah that Bridge riff from My Apocalypse that Kirk Plays... All downstrokes, and a completely insane riff that continues to own me... LMAO... but I continue to practice it, and one day will own it

Thanks for this. It so often gets overlooked. He has been playing all these riffs for decades, and he never gets mentioned.

Good video man. I've been saying it for years, since I was a teen. Kirk is better than we give him credit for. Form that era everyone thinks of Marty and Alex.

I think Jon Schaffer should be in the conversation even though he's using a lot of alternate picking, his downstrokes are insanely fast

thank you for mentioning Mick Mars ⚡🔥⚡

Whenever people say Kirk is just some dude who plays pentatonics into a wah pedal I always think of how he plays James part AND his part. I can't play the way James does with how he holds his pick and plays but I can play like Kirk does and downstroke well.

The new king of downstrokes is John Browne from Monuments. His right hand technique is undeniable.

Excellent video, and I am so glad that someone finally brings this up! You got yourself a new sub!!

John Browne (Monuments) as far as unsigned people, check out Kang Maomao's clip "Metal Riff My Solar Guitar" and at the end it's full send cap'n insane-o.

Remember, Kirk has to play almost exactly what James is and keep up with him, all the while playing solos throughout a concert as well. Kirk is DEFINITELY underrated when it comes to his down picking ability

Everyone needs to note this is something thats a recent development, since James has gotten older and less durable. Kirk is great too, and i have defended his playing for so long. Prime for prime though, its obviously always gonna be James

I agree with you on all points of this video. Love your channel, and really dig that shirt! Keep up the awesome work, thank you.

Mick Thomson in early slipknot and even now is a monster at down picking

Kirk and James are the best guitar duo. As you pointed out their down picking and rhythm skills are unmatched. I also think James has some of the best solos in Metallica. As much as I’m sick of listening to Nothing Else Matters, James’ solo in that song keeps me from skipping the song when it comes on because it’s just that good to me.

can you imagine what it would’ve been like in 1983, when Cliff, Lars & James first got in a rehearsal space with Kirk & fired up the early Metallica machine?! or imagine what it was like when James & Lars presented a new one to Kirk, gave him a demo to listen to overnight & write a solo alone, then heard him blast it out for the first time in front of them?! I imagine those dudes were ecstatic & knew that they then had all the right pieces in place to rule the thrash metal world & beyond. I bet they felt like successful alchemist (with gigantic boners)

James admitted, didn't he, that he was slowing down and got really depressed thinking about how he isn't what he used to be. And he said his band mates were there for him and had his back. I imagine that's one way for Kirk to have his mate's back while James, let's not forget, is SINGING while doing those mad downstrokes!

Good call. Thanks for bringing that to light! Agree 💯%

Always here for giving Kirk some love.

Everyone forgets about Scott Ian...

They both complement each other!! Perfect duo

Great vid sir! thanks so much for your awesome content.

Yeah, Kirk's down picking is definitely underrated. People (myself included) forget that he plays all those riffs too. On the note of the occasional upstroke helping the endurance, you should do a video about Meshuggah's "bleed" pattern, whereby they upstroke one of the 8th notes in the pattern to play it faster/longer. A couple of death metal bands also use this idea.

So true…Kirk deserves this credit!! Another newer downpicking legend is Josh Middleton from Sylosis and Architects. Like Hetfield, he also sings and plays some of the best riffs. He also plays insane leads and is quietly a phenomenal “clean singer”.

Really great topic. Thanks for pointing that out

Matt from Bullet For My Valentine has super sick downpickings as well

James always makes himself look larger on stage with how he hovers over the mic. Back in 88' at the monster of rock tour in Seattle I swear he was at least 6'4" or taller with his aggressive stance. Totally allows him to delivered every note with extreme power. He was the best on the planet then and after 40 yrs later still is.

I really want you to break down Jon Schaffer’s fast gallop picking technique and stamina. It’s extremely difficult to get it right

Excellent observation and work on behalf of Kirk🎸👏👏👏

Great video analysis!!!

For me malcolm young of AC/DC will always be the god of downstrokes. Listening and watching him do songs like whole lotta rosie and safe in new york city much faster than record pace downpicked is insane

Mick Thompson has always been a monster downpicker as well , but there are plenty of guys out there that you could name. As others have said, John Browne is one of my favorites when it comes to downpicking, his picking hand is insane, nothing is lost or wasted through his picking.

Cool in-depth analysis.

Agree and I got my hand down picking like James when I was 20, great video!

All of this aside, Kirk seems like such a nice dude.

Kirk finally dominating the notes in between.

I am here just to say that, I am a beginner who can barely play yet but I got way better at downpicking because of your video about the hand position. It really helped me.

I agree. Nice job, you provided receipts.

I've played along with that Ramones clip, all downsies, but cannot IMAGINE doing a whole show. And Hetfield! Don't forget that he's not only playing downsies like a machine but he's _also singing!_ That puts him above anyone else who is "only" playing downsies alone.

I don't know for sure, but perhaps James and Kirk have to back each other up with the downstrokes. Most Metallica songs have a guitar solo, most of which are played by Kirk. While Kirk is playing the solo, James has to continue the down picked riffs, and the Metallica formula is often an entire run of the verse into the chorus riffs. Nice video. It really got me thinking of the dynamic between them as if I'm a teen in the 90's again.

Omg I was 1000th like🤘🏼 love the vids always, keep up the great work 💯

Didn't realise that about Kurk but you are spot on. Great video.... cheers.

Trivium guitarrists are beasts. Specially Matt heaffy when It comes to rhythm and downpicking. You can clearly see It on his Stream

I've been saying for years that nobody seems to notice that Kirk down picks every bit as well as James, and then has to deal with solos as well. His down strokes aren't quite as powerful, but they are still there and very dependable. He's a monster rhythm player and deserves some love for it.

Good points all around. I never really noticed anything you spotlighted.

Totally agree! Didn't notice this at all!

I agree, now that you showed this video. I didn't realize Kirk was doing most of the heavy lifting. Thanks Mike!❤️🤟😜🤟

for me Jeff Waters is the best downpicker out there, his right hand is just unstopable. Once I saw a video of him playing creeping death (toronto 87 speed) with almost no effort, he is a fucking machine

Thanks Mike!

I was pretty into it watching the newer shows on YT and i noticed how Kirk is really good at rhythm as well

Kirk is definitely an underrated rhythm player

I've been thinking about that for years now. "Hetfield is and will always be the greatest metal downpicker of all time, no doutb. But you know who' downpicks as fast Hetfield?? Kirk!" Thank you for making this video!

Literally thought about this earlier today, perfect timing

Well done!

Watching Kirk explain why he always wears tape on his picking hand and putting his technique into practice helped out tons when I was learning some of their faster songs years ago. You can also tell a lot from watching their studio videos vs their live stuff that James does slack off when preforming because of how he uses both his hands to make gestures during songs while Kirk rarely does.

this was kind of a weird choice but I saw mick thomson performing surfacing with an insane downpick. I'm pretty sure it was a early performance but you should check it out. edit: I found the footage and it was in a full show in Minneapolis, MN, USA [01-12-1999] it was around in the 23:49 mark to 24"10 of the video I think

What a great vid! At 40, I certainly struggle now with down picking. I gotta build up my hand/arm strength again...lol.

Yes I've noticed that as well in their recent live videos

Mick Thompson from Slipknot! As much of a hetfield fanboy I am he is insane

Thanks for kirk he is so criticiized everytime 😅 He is a great lead and rythm guitar player ❤

He gets so much heat for his solos, that its easy to forget he's playing rhythm for the entire show. Yes, he most definitely deserves credit for that. 👍🏾

Kirk also uses small Jazz 3 picks with a little cut in them, I think this also allows him to use a lot more smaller movements with his downstrokes. I use the same picks as him and it really helped me speed up my downstrokes and alternate picking.

I recently rewatched some of Metallica’s earlier shows and I think it was ‘85 Metal Hammer festival in the UK? It was Creeping Death and I saw James doing a lot of alternate picking throughout the song except for that main riff for the verses. And you know that G-F# riff between the verses, he was alternate picking for the entire riff! And no excuse for a 2 hour show stamina issue because I think it was the opening song for the night. My theory is that he upped his game for intense live downpicking skills before or around the Master of Puppets tour era based on some shows I watched around ‘85-87ish.

John Schaffer

And hi from South Korea, Mike! I didn’t know you’re half Korean until your recent video! You know there’re some famous rockers who’re half Korean, like Jeff Schroeder from the SP, and Karen O from Yeah Yeah Yeahs and more recently the Japanese Breakfast singer Michelle Zauner, to name a few! The last one recently published a book called Crying in H Mart, which I’m waiting to be delivered! I’d love to hear more of your personal stories like that!

Can't believe I found a video on down-strokes - ha, ha - love it.

Very happy to see Kirk get some love! I've been saying this for years! Kirk plays everything James does live (except the solo sections), it's really weird he gets left out. I think he has been playing tighter live than James since at least the late 90's. James has been using his tricks to skip downstrokes for a looong time. I think Kirk is underrated as a rythm player, and James is underrated as a lead player.

In terms of stamina and rhythm guitar Kirk is the most underrated guitar player in old school metal

YES! Finally someone brings this up! I agree, Kirk is a beast!

Thought I couldn't appreciate this duo more...

I hope you also be able to make a video speaking about Jon Schaffer of Iced Earth, he's also one hell of a tight rhythm guitarist.

Interestingly, you should really check out Doyle from the Misfits....particularly while playing Misfits stuff, rather than his solo work where he's started doing upstrokes. It's....pretty serious.

I totally agree Mike.

I think we kinda forget the fact that Jason Newsted does the exact same thing as Hetfield but on bass strings. I couldn't even comprehend doing that as a guitarist. Bro's arm is crazy

Try researching Jon Schaffer from Iced Earth. Possible songs: "disciples of the lie" after break after 2nd refrain, "travel in Stygian" main riff, "the hunter" the entire song almost and much more. He's overall probably the best at right hand speed/stamina/accuracy combined.

Mind= blown! Never in the 15 years I've been a fan did I ever think Kirk was just as fast😅

Double upload🤘🤘🤘

Adam De Micco would like a word. Solid video!