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Judas Priest - Painkiller - Guitar Tab

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Key E minor
Judas Priest - Painkiller guitar tab video
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Classic Rock

Gain6
Bass6
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Master7
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Roll back the gain slightly and pick near the neck for a warmer, more open crunch.
Painkiller album cover
Painkiller
1990 6:06
Listen on Spotify
Judas Priest Heavy Metal 1990 E minor
Capo Advisor 0 E minor · Original key

About Painkiller

Few album openers hit as hard as "Painkiller," and the guitar work is a big reason why. Judas Priest built the track around a twin-guitar assault in E Standard tuning, with the main riff driving forward in E minor at a relentless 180 BPM. That tempo is the first wall you will hit: the picking hand has to stay locked and precise while the fretting hand hammers through power chords and single-note runs that leave no room to coast. The opening riff is deceptively straightforward on paper but brutal at full speed, so use the Practice Toolbar to loop it slowed down until your picking hand can match the aggression without tensing up. Rhythm tightness is really the core challenge here, because any flamming between pick attack and chord changes becomes obvious in a mix this dense. Once the riff is solid, work on the lead sections, where smooth legato and controlled vibrato matter as much as speed. Heavy metal phrasing is all over these solos, so pay attention to how each phrase resolves.

  • At 180 BPM in E Standard tuning, the main riff demands a highly disciplined alternate-picking technique to stay clean and even at full tempo.
  • The twin-guitar arrangement means rhythm precision is critical, as both parts need to lock together tightly for the riff to hit with full impact.
  • Using the Practice Toolbar to loop the verse riff slowed down is the most effective way to build the stamina and accuracy this song requires.

How to Play Painkiller

The song moves through: Intro, Verse, Interlude, Bridge, Solo 1, Chorus, Solo 2, Outro.

Tuning: E Standard · Key: E minor · Tempo: 180 BPM · Difficulty: Medium

The arrangement runs through 8 distinct sections, and the solo is the steepest jump, so isolate it on its own. At 180 bpm it moves fast, so the real test is building picking stamina and keeping every note clean at speed.

Loop the hardest passage and creep the speed up from around 70 percent until it holds at 180 BPM.

Gibson Flying V
Guitar

Gibson Flying V

Richie Faulkner's weapon of choice, the Flying V's aggressive body shape matches Judas Priest's metal aesthetic while its mahogany construction and fast neck enable his lead-heavy playing style. The V's natural sustain and tonal balance cut through stadium mixes with the same clarity that defines modern Priest.

Marshall JCM800
Amp

Marshall JCM800

Glenn Tipton's signature tone comes from cranking the JCM800's preamp to 7-8 for tight, aggressive crunch that retains note clarity even at extreme volumes. The JCM800's midrange-forward character is essential to Priest's riffs cutting through, unlike thrash bands that scoop mids.

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
Amp

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier

Both Tipton and Downing added Dual Rectifiers to their rigs for added low-end thickness on rhythm parts, complementing the Marshall's midrange presence. The Rectifier's thick saturation anchors Priest's heavier sections without sacrificing articulation.

EMG 81
Pickup

EMG 81

Glenn Tipton's bridge pickup of choice since the mid-1980s, the EMG 81 delivers razor-sharp metal tone with controlled low-end and noise-free operation at high gain. Its tight, compressed attack is crucial for Priest's precise riffing and solos that demand clarity.

Seymour Duncan JB
Pickup

Seymour Duncan JB

A key component of Judas Priest's pre-1984 'British Steel' and 'Screaming for Vengeance' era tone, the JB's medium-hot output provides vintage aggression without the compressed attack of active pickups. This humbucker captures the raw, organic sustain that defined early Priest lead work.

DiMarzio Super Distortion
Pickup

DiMarzio Super Distortion

The Super Distortion bridges the gap between vintage and modern Priest sounds, offering hot output for aggressive leads while maintaining the midrange clarity that makes Priest's twin-guitar harmonies cut through live. It's the ideal passive alternative for recreating classic Priest tones.

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