Practice What You Preach
Testament, 1989, from Practice What You Preach. Solo by Alex Skolnick.
Skolnick's solo on the title track is controlled and tuneful, the more melodic side of late-'80s thrash.
Practice What You Preach shows the more melodic side of late-1980s thrash, and Alex Skolnick's solo on the title track is a model of control. His lines are tuneful and well structured, with clean runs, smooth bends and carefully placed vibrato. He avoids the chaos of many thrash solos, instead building a sense of melody that fits the song's mid-tempo groove. His playing shows the influence of jazz and classical music, which gave him a distinctive voice in the genre. Listen for the melodic phrases that open the solo, and notice how Skolnick gradually builds speed and intensity while keeping every note clear and purposeful.
Practice What You Preach by Testament is featured in our Thrash (#19) list. The solo is played by Alex Skolnick and the song was released in 1989.
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Who played the guitar solo on Practice What You Preach?
Alex Skolnick played the solo on Testament's Practice What You Preach (1989).