Here Jamie Hunt examines the sound of a band that not only boasts a triple-guitar line-up, but can virtually call the ‘gallop’ rhythm style its own.

Adrian Smith, one third of Iron Maiden’s ‘triple threat’ guitar attack

Despite line-up changes in the early years, the core of Iron Maiden’s guitar work can be attributed to the triple-guitar assault of Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, and Janick Gers. There are many features within Maiden’s approach to rhythm guitar. However, coming right at the top of the list is the band’s fabled ‘gallop’ rhythm style, which assimilates the feel of riding to war on horseback. For additional drama, the rhythm guitar work often switches between chugging powerchord sequences with varying degrees of muting from both hands, and single-note figures that often tie the powerchords together. This strategy enables the guitarists to bring depth, intensity, and melody to their layering of lines (which with three players vying for attention is no mean feat). In this feature, I’ve prepared two style studies that focus on these key ingredients. Make sure your attack is strong and your timing spot on throughout.