So I want to be able to play metal guitar. What are some techniques and shit that are essential to a metal guitarist? And if possible could you provide website links of exercises and stuff? I mostly wanna focus on my picking, I'm a decent alternate picker but I can't pick fast or sweep or do any of that cool stuff. Oh and I'm looking for mostly rhythm type stuff, not lead guitar stuff.

Strictly speaking of rhythm guitar (although lead techniques can help your rhythm tech. as well), I would focus on alternate picking quickly--try patterns with rests in strange places and such, so that you develop accurate and focused picking skills rather than just the ability to play sixteenths for 4 bars--, artificial harmonics (as well as natural harmonics), economy picking for the odd run, maybe small sweeps (3 strings, maybe 4), a little mild tapping, and of course, string skipping. Then combine all the techniques.

I make up my own exercises, so I would just focus on learning these techniques with scales (for instance, to work on artificial harmonics, try making the harmonics play a specific scale, etc.) and chords for the sweeps. But again, sweeps are probably less important than some of the other stuff. String skipping is probably one of the most crucial, along with alt. picking, just because it frees you up on the fretboard--oh, and don't cheat (no chicken picking).

I was under the impression that you already played (?). In any event, best wishes in your metal studies.

Dont Chikin pick?! Gorod does it quite well in metal...but they are doing shit between the B and A strings at high speeds.

Besides the things Entropy said:

Best thing you can do in my opinion, Nathan, is to learn metal songs. Learn them inside and out. This is what I did. It really helps you get acquainted with the style much faster.

The things Entropy said will definitely help you become a better player all around, but learning metal songs will definitely get you into it much quicker(though you may end up wondering how to play certain things unless you practice)

Best thing you can do in my opinion, Nathan, is to learn metal songs. Learn them inside and out.

Absolutely this. If you learn them from tabs, be critical of the tabs, since there usually are a lot of mistakes. It's better to play how it sounds and feels best to you, regardless of what the tab says.

I'd say don't concentrate too much on alternate picking (but that depends somewhat on what styles of metal you're into). Pure downpicking is sometimes essential to get a proper heavy sound. The intro of Master of Puppets is one good example of this, so go learn that song

Also about picking: strike HARD on the strings. It's surprising how much this improves the resulting tone.

I would focus on alternate picking quickly--try patterns with rests in strange places and such, so that you develop accurate and focused picking skills rather than just the ability to play sixteenths for 4 bars--

This. I still can't do that after 1½ years of playing. Fuck you, Detox.

I would focus on alternate picking quickly--try patterns with rests in strange places and such, so that you develop accurate and focused picking skills rather than just the ability to play sixteenths for 4 bars--

This. I still can't do that after 1½ years of playing. Fuck you, Detox.

Detox? That's it? Try some Meshuggah on if you want to practice something like that. Try stuff off Chaosphere.

Ok, so I need some help. There's that super fast alternate picking shit, HOW THE FUCK DO YOU MAINTAIN THAT KIND OF SPEED WITHOUT KILLING YOUR RIGHT HAND I MEAN WHAT THE FUCKING FUCK Like there's the intro of this song right here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMWOJCfsypg

How do you keep that up?

Easy, you practice. You sit down and do nothing but play open notes fast.

That isnt even that bad sounding, it's just a grouping of 16th notes with rests. It's not even straight tremolo picking you hear in some stuff.

It's all about practice, Nathan. You wont be playing ridiculous stuff in a week or even a month. Be patient and practice young padawan.

Alright, thanks.

Easy, you practice. You sit down and do nothing but play open notes fast.

That isnt even that bad sounding, it's just a grouping of 16th notes with rests. It's not even straight tremolo picking you hear in some stuff.

It's all about practice, Nathan. You wont be playing ridiculous stuff in a week or even a month. Be patient and practice young padawan.

This.

And stay loose--more lactic acid = less play time.

I would focus on alternate picking quickly--try patterns with rests in strange places and such, so that you develop accurate and focused picking skills rather than just the ability to play sixteenths for 4 bars--

This. I still can't do that after 1½ years of playing. Fuck you, Detox.

Detox? That's it? Try some Meshuggah on if you want to practice something like that. Try stuff off Chaosphere.

Yeah Meshuggah will sort out your metal playing! For pure rhythm playing try "Bleed", and stick at it as its a seriously tough song to play!!

focus on keeping movments small and sharp, the movments should be coming from ur wrist/forearm dont try to pick things like that with the movment coming from your elbow it just wont work. i play mainly thrash metal and i find that i use a mix of rotating my forearm and up down wrist movment to play super fast slayer like riffs.

Strange as it may sound, Neo-Classical guitar. Speed and Stamina will build. ANd you will also learn to really, really hate Neo-Classical.