Tornado of Souls

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"Tornado of Souls"
Song by Megadeth
from the album Rust in Peace
ReleasedSeptember 24, 1990 (September 24, 1990)
Recorded1989–1990
Studio Rumbo Recorders, Canoga Park, California [1]
Genre Thrash metal
Length5:22
Label Capitol
Composer(s) Dave Mustaine
Lyricist(s) Dave Mustaine, David Ellefson [2]
Producer(s)
Audio
"Tornado of Souls on YouTube

"Tornado of Souls" is a song by American thrash metal band Megadeth, released on their 1990 studio album Rust in Peace . Despite never being released as a single nor having any promotion surrounding it, the song remains a staple of the band's discography. [3] [4] [5] The song is well-known for its distinctive guitar solo played by Marty Friedman, which is regarded as one of the greatest metal guitar solos of all time. [6] [7] [8] It is also widely considered to be one of the hardest songs to play on guitar. [9] [10] [11]

Contents

Music and lyrics

"Tornado of Souls" is more melodic than many other songs on Rust in Peace . [12] [13] The solo is considered one of the best in heavy metal history, which frontman Dave Mustaine recognized from the first time he heard it. In a 2002 retrospective for Rust in Peace, lead guitarist Marty Friedman said:

"When I finished the solo to this one, Mustaine came into the studio, listened to it down once, turned around and without saying a word, shook my hand. It was at that moment that I felt like I was truly the guitarist for this band". [14]

Bassist David Ellefson stated that, "because of the downpicking on 'Tornado', I would change it sometimes depending on who the drummer was". [15]

The lyrics of this song, like many of Megadeth's, are about frontman Dave Mustaine's ex-girlfriend, Diana. [16]

Legacy

"Tornado of Souls" has been performed live over 1000 times by the band. [17] Many consider the song's guitar solo played by Marty Friedman to be the best in the band's career, [18] [19] and in heavy metal. [20] Friedman later re-recorded the song, along with other Megadeth songs "Breadline" and "The Killing Road" for his 7th studio album, Future Addict . [21]

Accolades

YearPublicationCountryAccoladeRank
2022Louder SoundUnited StatesThe Top 20 Best Megadeth Songs Ranked [22] 2
2018 Billboard United KingdomEvery song on Megadeth's Rust In Peace Rated From Best To Worst [23] 1

Personnel

Megadeth

Artwork

Production

Appearances

Tornado of Souls appears in rewards package along with Megadeth cruiser Rattlehead, commander Dave Mustaine and Vic Rattlehead in World of Warships Legacy.

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