Metal chords
This article focuses on playing heavy metal on the guitar and gives you instructions about chords that are ingredients in the metal style. What you should know is that chords and chord progression in the usual sense doesn't fully apply to heavy metal, which is often riff based. Nevertheless, is chords part of the underlying harmony. But since chords are not the end goal, this guide includes playing examples that shows how to apply chords in a "metal context".
Power chords and modifications
Power chords combined with palm muting (sometimes on an open string played amid chords) and with a lot of distortion on the amp will make it sound metal.
Standard power chords
F#5
A5
B5
C5
This is only four examples, but the shapes are movable. If needed, go to power chords main section. There are other ways to play these chords, for example without octave doubling or with open strings involved. But these three-note versions are suitable for metal. Go to metal lesson for see the chords in action.
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Distorted rock beyond power chords
To mix it up and create a diversity of note colors; to make it a little more "sophisticated", we can add some other chords that either can be combined with power chords or work alone.
C/E
Em
F/A
Am
Progressions including some of these chords:
C/E – Em – C/E – Em
Am (X025XX) – F5/C (X335XX) – G5/D (X557XX)
The second "package" of beyond-power-chords ideas (with a reminiscent of Foo Fighters):
Dsus4/G
Esus4/A
F#sus4/B
Relevant progressions:
E5 (022XX) – C/E – Dsus4/G
Another concept:
E5 (X79XXX) – Esus4/A (579XXX) – D5 (X57XX) – Dsus4/G (357XXX)
Yet another concept with double stops and three-strings sus chords:
D5/A (XX77XX) – Dsus4/A (XX778X)
You may want to check up the alternate Drop D tuning in which these chords can be practiced with less stretch for the hand.
Well-known songs
Run to the Hills
Artist: Iron Maiden
Album: The Number of the Beast (1982)
Chords:
E5 - A5 - D5 - E5 C5 - D5 - G5 - A5 (intro)
Comment: Only one or two strokes per chord. The progression is repeated twice and the second time is the final chords G5 - D5 instead of G5- A5.
Living after Midnight
Artist: Judas Priest
Album: British Steel (1980)
Chords:
E5 - D5 - A5 - B5 (intro & chorus)
Comment: A recommendation is to use the 5th string as bass throughout the whole sequence.
We're Not Gonna Take Take It
Artist: Twisted Sister
Album: Stay Hungry (1984)
Chords:
E5 - D#5 - C#5 - B5 (intro)
Comment: Two strokes per chord.
Heavens on Fire
Artist: Kizz
Album: Animalize (1984)
Chords:
G5 - Bb5 - G5 - Bb - C - Bb - C - Bb - G5 (chorus)
Comment: The progression is repeated two times on the first two occasions in the song and six times the last time.