Features

The thrash metal bands who deserved to make it – but didn’t

By David Konow published 16 June 26

For every success story like Metallica from the ‘80s metal movement, there are countless bands who didn’t make it. Some of them never gave up

How James Hetfield wrangled Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax for the biggest metal event of the 2010s

By Brad Angle published 16 June 26

In this interview from the November 2011 issue of Guitar World, James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett look back on the makings of the Big Four shows – which united Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax on one historic bill

YouTubers, sloppy solos, Paco de Lucía’s darkest tour secrets... In conversation with US jazz giants Al Di Meola and Julian Lage

By Henry Yates published 16 June 26

When the two jazz giants joined the same interview, no topic was off the table

Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson on the inside story behind the Rush reunion

By Joe Bosso published 16 June 26

How Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee found drummer Anika Nilles and put together the biggest reunion tour in prog rock history

The recording of Nirvana's Bleach – and the band's “ultimate grunge song”

By Janelle Borg published 15 June 26

Recorded in four sessions in December 1988 for just $606.17, Bleach would signal the primal quality and rawness that came to define the grunge movement

Everything you need to know about 1950s Telecaster pickups – and how to build your own replicas

By Huw Price published 15 June 26

Not all Blackguard Tele pickups are alike. Here's what you need to know to keep that twang in your sound

How a composer's approach and 40 DD-3 pedals helped noise masters MONO to heal their grief

By Jonathan Horsley published 15 June 26

Aiming to match sadness with beauty, guitarist and composer Taka Goto explains why, on new album Snowdrop, he channeled classical music through a distortion pedal

Doug Gillard of Guided By Voices on finally going solo again – and the playing quirk he can’t shake

By Gregory Adams published 15 June 26

Parallel Stride is a essential listening for Guided By Voices who have been jonesing forever in the wait for Gillard to release a follow-up to 2014's Parade On

How jazz bassist Richard Davis helped shape Van Morrison’s Astral Weeks

By Chris Jisi published 14 June 26

Released in 1968, Astral Weeks initially went unnoticed before eventually attaining near-mythical status among folk-rock fans

25 tips for tracking down your dream guitar (for the right price)

By Guitarist editors published 12 June 26

Buying a guitar can be tricky enough before you even consider the vintage market, and whether a refin is a good or bad thing. Here we unpack some dos, don'ts and things to consider when trading