"Tornado of Souls" is a song by American

thrash metal Thrash metal (or simply thrash) is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its overall aggression and often fast tempo.Kahn-Harris, Keith, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'', pp. 2–3, 9. Oxford: Berg, 2007, . ...

band

Megadeth Megadeth is an American thrash metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1983 by vocalist/guitarist Dave Mustaine. Known for their technically complex guitar work and musicianship, Megadeth is one of the "big four" of American thrash metal along wit ...

, released on their 1990 studio album '' Rust in Peace''. Despite never being released as a

single Single may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * Single (music), a song release Songs * "Single" (Natasha Bedingfield song), 2004 * "Single" (New Kids on the Block and Ne-Yo song), 2008 * "Single" (William Wei song), 2016 * "Single", by ...

nor having any promotion surrounding it, the song remains of a staple of the band's discography. 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. It is also widely considered to be one of the hardest songs to play on guitar.

Music and lyrics

"Tornado of Souls" is more melodic than many other songs on '' Rust in Peace''. The solo is considered one of the best in heavy metal history, which frontman

Dave Mustaine David Scott Mustaine (born September 13, 1961) is an American musician. He is the co-founder, lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and primary songwriter of the thrash metal band Megadeth, as well as their sole consistent member. Mustaine has releas ...

recognized from the first time he heard it. In a 2002 retrospective, lead guitarist Marty Friedman said that, quote: "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". Bassist

David Ellefson David Warren Ellefson (born November 12, 1964) is an American musician, best known for his long tenure as the bassist for thrash metal band Megadeth. Ellefson initially became an accomplished bassist and honed his songwriting skills while leadin ...

stated that, "because of the downpicking on 'Tornado', I would change it sometimes depending on who the drummer was". The lyrics of this song, like many of Megadeth's, are about frontman

's ex-girlfriend, Diana.

Legacy

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

Future Addict ''Future Addict'' is the seventh studio album by the American guitarist Marty Friedman. The album is a collection of reworked, reconstructed and completely remade versions of songs spanning Marty's entire career, including a few songs from his ...

''.

Accolades

Personnel

Megadeth

– lead vocals, rhythm guitar *

– bass, backing vocals * Marty Friedman – lead guitar * Nick Menza – drums, backing vocals

Artwork

Edward J. Repka Edward J. Repka (born October 22, 1960) is an American graphic artist, best known for creating album covers for heavy metal music, metal bands as well as shirt designs, including those featuring Megadeth's mascot Vic Rattlehead. Repka's portfolio ...

– cover illustration and artwork *Dave Mustaine – cover concept *Gene Kirkland – photography *Wendi Schaeffer – assistant photography

Production

*Produced by Dave Mustaine and Mike Clink *Recording and engineering by Micajah Ryan and Mike Clink *Assistant recording engineering by Andy Udoff *Mixed by

Max Norman Max Norman is a British record producer and recording engineer active since 1973. He produced many acclaimed heavy metal releases. While Norman was resident engineer at Ridge Farm Studios in London, Ozzy Osbourne was recording his debut solo ...

*Technician – Tom Mayhue

Appearances

*"Tornado of Souls" appeared in the 2009 video game '' Brütal Legend''. *It, along with the rest of its parent album, was featured as DLC for the ''

Rock Band A rock band or pop band is a small musical ensemble that performs rock music, pop music, or a related genre. A four-piece band is the most common configuration in rock and pop music. In the early years, the configuration was typically two guita ...

'' video game series on February 9, 2010. Tornado of Souls appears in rewards package along with Megadeth cruiser Rattlehead, commander Dave Mustaine and Vic Rattlehead in World of Warships Legacy.

References

{{authority control Megadeth songs 1990 songs Songs written by Dave Mustaine