LEFT BEHIND
IOWA · 2001
CALIFORNIA METAL GUITARIST
THE BAND
Slipknot came out of Des Moines, Iowa in the late ’90s — nine masked members, numbered 0 through 8, building a wall of sound nobody else was making. “Left Behind” is off their 2001 record Iowa, still considered one of the heaviest mainstream metal albums ever cut. The groove is simple to point at and brutal to nail.
THE GUITARISTS I’M CHASING
The precision machine. Down-picking power and a tone so tight it sounds machined. Lock to Mick’s right hand and your rhythm playing is in shape.
The feel and the weight. Root brings the dynamics — the space that makes the heavy parts land. Two players, one giant guitar sound.
WHAT IT TAKES TO PLAY IT
“Left Behind” lives or dies on the right hand. The palm-muting has to be tight and even, the groove has to sit dead in the pocket, and there’s nowhere to hide if your timing drifts. After a year actually learning the theory underneath it (that story’s here), I’m hearing what the riff is doing instead of just chasing it.
California metal guitarist — open for FILL-IN & SESSION work, plus the wedding-band project. If your band needs someone who shows up knowing the set, let’s talk.
jesse@jessemoraga.com · @jessemusicusa · jessemoraga.com/category/music
Jesse Moraga · Guitarist · Fresno / Central California
Jesse Moraga 
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