Neoclassical Metal · #1 of 16
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Mr. Crowley

Ozzy Osbourne · 1980 · solo by Randy Rhoads
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Genres · 16 solos

The 16 Best Neoclassical Metal Guitar Solos

Neoclassical metal borrows scales, arpeggios and phrasing from Bach and Paganini and plays them at shred speed. This list runs from Uli Jon Roth's "Sails of Charon" (1977) and Randy Rhoads' "Mr. Crowley" (1980) through Yngwie Malmsteen, Jason Becker and Marty Friedman, and every video starts right at the solo.

  1. 1
    Mr. Crowley
    Ozzy Osbourne · solo by Randy Rhoads · 1980
  2. 2
    Far Beyond the Sun
    Yngwie J. Malmsteen · solo by Yngwie Malmsteen · 1984
  3. 3
    Speed Metal Symphony
    Cacophony · solo by Marty Friedman, Jason Becker · 1987
  4. 4
    Altitudes
    Jason Becker · solo by Jason Becker · 1988
  5. 5
    Black Star
    Yngwie J. Malmsteen · solo by Yngwie Malmsteen · 1984
  6. 6
    Sails of Charon
    Scorpions · solo by Uli Jon Roth · 1977
  7. 7
    Perpetual Burn
    Jason Becker · solo by Jason Becker · 1988
  8. 8
    Island in the Sun
    Alcatrazz · solo by Yngwie Malmsteen · 1983
  9. 9
    I'll See the Light, Tonight
    Yngwie J. Malmsteen's Rising Force · solo by Yngwie Malmsteen · 1985
  10. 10
    Scarified
    Racer X · solo by Paul Gilbert, Bruce Bouillet · 1987
  11. 11
    Dragon Mistress
    Marty Friedman · solo by Marty Friedman · 1988
  12. 12
    Edge of Insanity
    Tony MacAlpine · solo by Tony MacAlpine · 1986
  13. 13
    Mind's Eye
    Vinnie Moore · solo by Vinnie Moore · 1986
  14. 14
    Of Sins and Shadows
    Symphony X · solo by Michael Romeo · 1997
  15. 15
    Trilogy Suite Op: 5
    Yngwie J. Malmsteen · solo by Yngwie Malmsteen · 1986
  16. 16
    Japanese Dream
    Electric Sun · solo by Uli Jon Roth · 1979

Quick answers

What is the best neoclassical guitar solo?

Randy Rhoads' solo on Ozzy Osbourne's "Mr. Crowley" (1980). It ranks number 22 in the GreatestSolos Consensus rankings, the highest of any song on this list.

Who played on Cacophony's "Speed Metal Symphony"?

Marty Friedman and Jason Becker, who played twin-guitar harmonies on the 1987 instrumental. Both men's solo albums are also on this list.

What was Yngwie Malmsteen's band before his solo career?

Alcatrazz. Malmsteen played on their 1983 song "Island in the Sun" before his 1984 solo album, which includes "Far Beyond the Sun" and "Black Star".