Metallica ’s 1984 began with a gear heist and a cancelled UK tour; it ended with them being heavy metal’s Next Big Thing. Then came Master Of Puppets. This is the inside story of the making of that album and the two year whirlwind that took four “alcoholica” outcasts from the El Cerrito garage to the big time.

Recorded at Edward Van Halen’s fabled 5150 Studio, the latest album from Alter Bridge could very well be their most riff-laden to date

Richard Barrett is on a mission to make you a better blues player – with full audio examples and backing tracks

Dream gear to beg, borrow and steal for...

The month’s best guitar music – a hand-picked selection of the finest fretwork on wax

…For Randy’s friends to ask him whatever they hell they want. We sat the Lamb Of God frontman down for an all-star grilling