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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References

  1. ↑ "Rumbo Recorders client list". Archived from the original on May 27, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  2. ↑ Rust in Peace liner notes (original release). Capitol Records. 1990. pp. 3, 16.
  3. ↑ "Megadeth". Apple Music. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Rust In Peace - Megadeth". 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Spotify - Megadeth". Spotify. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  6. ↑ Deaux, John (April 22, 2016). "Top 10 Best Heavy Metal Guitar Solos of All Time". All About The Rock. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  7. ↑ "200 Greatest Metal Guitar Solos". digitaldreamdoor.com. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Top 10 Metal Songs with the Best Guitar Solos". TheTopTens. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  9. ↑ Wiebe, David Andrew (December 13, 2021). "17 Hardest Songs To Play On Guitar [With Tabs]". Guitar Aficionado. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  10. ↑ Jacob. "The 50 Hardest Songs To Play On Guitar – Tabs Included". Rock Guitar Universe. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Top 15 Most Challenging Songs to Play on Guitar". www.ultimate-guitar.com. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  12. ↑ "RUST IN PEACE Megadeth". 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. September 22, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  13. ↑ Emeritus, Mikesn. "Megadeth Rust in Peace". Sputnik Music. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  14. ↑ Friedman, Marty (September 17, 2002). "Story Behind The Song - Megadeth's Rust In Peace". martyfriedman.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  15. ↑ Schaffner, Lauryn (April 12, 2021). "David Ellefson Names Hardest Megadeth Songs to Play on Bass". Loudwire. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  16. ↑ Grow, Kory (January 11, 2017). "Megadeth's Dave Mustaine: My Life in 15 Songs". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Tornado of Souls performed by Megadeth". Setlist.FM. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  18. ↑ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "How Megadeth Finally Unlocked Their Potential on 'Rust In Peace'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  19. ↑ "Top 10 Megadeth Songs with the Greatest Guitar Solos" . Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  20. ↑ Deaux, John (April 22, 2016). "Top 10 Best Heavy Metal Guitar Solos of All Time". All About The Rock. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  21. ↑ Marty, Friedman. "Marty Friedman Discography - Solo Albums". MartyFriedman.com. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
  22. ↑ Stewart-Panko, Kevin (July 14, 2022). "The top 20 best Megadeth songs ranked". Louder Sound. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  23. ↑ none, Miho (March 5, 2020). "Every song on Megadeth's Rust In Peace rated from best to worst by Lovebites". Louder Sound. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
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