Rise
Extreme, 2023, from Six. Solo by Nuno Bettencourt.
Rise marked Extreme's return with a solo that spread quickly online, drawing attention from guitarists who had not followed the band for years. Nuno Bettencourt packs the solo with rapid alternate picking, tapping and fluid legato, but the playing is tightly organized rather than scattershot. Each phrase has a clear rhythmic shape, with funk-influenced accents that recall his earlier work. His tone is bright and punchy, keeping fast passages articulate. The solo reminded listeners that his technique had only sharpened over time. Listen for the rhythmic precision in the fastest runs, where he places notes exactly on the beat instead of blurring them together.
Rise by Extreme is featured in our Hard Rock (#25), Shred (#18) lists. The solo is played by Nuno Bettencourt and the song was released in 2023.
In our lists
- The 25 Greatest Hard Rock Guitar Solos — #25
- The 25 Greatest Shred Guitar Solos — #18
- 2010 to Now — #1
- Best of the 21st Century — #1
- The Best Nuno Bettencourt Guitar Solos — #3
- The Best Extreme Guitar Solos — #1
Sources
Who played the guitar solo on Rise?
Nuno Bettencourt played the solo on Extreme's Rise (2023).
What guitar was used on the Rise solo?
A washburn n4, according to widely reported accounts.