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“Symphony Of Destruction” by Megadeth

Riff Rundown

Difficulty: Easy

Composer – Mustaine

Where to find this song – Countdown to Extinction track # 2

Release Date – July 1992

The Bio:

After he left Metallica in 1983, guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine formed
Megadeth. Though Megadeth followed the basic blueprint of Metallica’s
roughly laid ground guitar attack, Mustaine’s group distinguished
themselves from his earlier band by speeding the tempo up slightly,
and making the instrumental attack harsher. Metallica has since gone
toward that concept.

Main Riff

Guitar



This riff will be no trouble to play at all. The begining of the first
three measures are identical. The only change will be at the end of
the second measure. Begin the measures by placing your 1st finger on
the first fret on the “low E” string. Place your 4th finger
on the third fret on the “A” string. Play that once, and
then lift off those fingers. Place your 2nd finger on the second fret
on the “A” string. Play that twice, allowing the “low
E” string to remain open.

The end of the second measure is easy. All you need to do is use your
1st finger on the first fret on the “low E” string. Then,
just use your 3rd or 4th finger to play the third fret on the same
string. Use your 1st finger again for the first fret on the same string.



Bass



This bass riff is really easy. Begin the first measure by placing
your 1st finger on the first fret on the “E” string. Play
that once, and then just play the “E” string open until the
end of the measure.

Begin the second measure by placing your 1st finger on the first fret
on the “E” string. Play the “E” string open about
four times, and then play the first fret again. Then, use your 3rd
or 4th finger to play the third fret, and end the measure by using
your 1st finger on the first fret again.

The third measure is identical to the first.

The fourth measure is nothing more than open notes on the “E” string.
That is it for the riff!

Riff Resources

Complete Transcription
To “Symphony Of Destruction” (PDF)

Complete Transcription
To “Symphony Of Destruction” (Power Tab)