Stockholm Syndrome
Muse, 2003, from Absolution. Solo by Matt Bellamy.
Matt Bellamy's guitar on 'Stockholm Syndrome' is a torrent of fuzz, riffs and rapid-fire runs. The main riff is heavy and relentless, and the solo erupts in a burst of distorted notes and frantic picking that matches the song's intensity. It's less about melody than about power and momentum, and the result is thrilling. The song became a live favorite, showcasing Muse's heavier side. Listen for the moments where Bellamy's guitar seems to scream above the rhythm section, adding chaos and drama, and how the song builds to a climax before collapsing into its noisy outro, where the tension finally breaks.
Stockholm Syndrome by Muse is ranked #188 in our consensus of 79 guitar-solo lists. The solo is played by Matt Bellamy and the song was released in 2003. It appears on 2 lists, placing as high as #19 (NME).
In our lists
- The 25 Greatest Alternative Rock Guitar Solos — #13
- The 2000s — #11
- Whammy, Fuzz & Feedback — #17
- The Best Muse Guitar Solos — #3
Sources
- NME: 50 Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time — #19
- Guitar Tricks: 200 Best Guitar Solos of All Time — #181
Who played the guitar solo on Stockholm Syndrome?
Matt Bellamy played the solo on Muse's Stockholm Syndrome (2003).
What guitar was used on the Stockholm Syndrome solo?
A manson, according to widely reported accounts.
Where does Stockholm Syndrome rank among the greatest guitar solos?
#188 in the GreatestSolos consensus of 79 published lists; it appears on 2 of them.