Metallica - HALO ON FIRE - Guitar Tab

Hardwired…To Self-Destruct

2016 8:15

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About HALO ON FIRE

At over eight minutes long, "Halo on Fire" is one of the more ambitious tracks on Metallica's 2016 album "Hardwired...To Self-Destruct," and it rewards a guitarist who is willing to work through its distinct sections carefully. The song moves from a restrained, clean-toned verse feel into a big, full-band E minor riff that carries real weight, so your pick attack and sense of dynamics matter as much as accuracy. The transition into the soaring lead section is where most players need the most work: the phrasing there is broad and melodic rather than shred-heavy, calling for controlled bends and vibrato rather than pure speed. Kirk Hammett's lead playing here leans on sustain and expression, so if your vibrato is inconsistent, this track will expose it. Use the Practice Toolbar to loop the transition into the lead slowed down, and focus on keeping your bends in tune at a relaxed tempo before bringing the speed back up. The rhythm parts throughout benefit from a tight, slightly palm-muted approach to keep the low-end defined.

• The song is in E minor, and the main rhythm riff relies on tight palm muting on the low strings to keep the heavy sections from sounding muddy.
• At over eight minutes, the track has clearly separated rhythm and lead sections, making it a good study in shifting between tight riffing and expressive melodic lead playing.
• The lead guitar work prioritises wide, controlled bends and sustained vibrato over fast runs, so practising slow, in-tune bends is the most productive preparation for the solo sections.