The Riffhard Podcast

Patrick Judge is a guitar player and songwriter known for work with The Showdown, and his current band Demon Hunter.  On this episode: Working with Aaron Sprinkle Patrick’s approach to writing for Demon Hunter The trick to not being precious about your songs Finishing songs once you start them Playing 3-4 hour shows in a country band How Eyal defeats writer’s block Writing a MASSIVE amount of songs for Demon Hunter Working with brilliant songwriters like Ryan Clark Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Rawson is a guitar player, songwriter, and producer who is known for his work in Walls of Jericho and Stick to Your Guns. On this episode: How Chris got into recording The futility of trying to please people with your music The luck factor The importance of changing your stage clothes How Earth Crisis taught Walls Of Jericho the ropes on tour Tour etiquette  Recording yourself is the BEST way to improve as a musician What they don’t tell you about using Evertune guitars in the studio When demoitis is a good thing What it was like working with Zakk Cervini Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael “Whip” Wilton is a guitar legend, songwriter, and co-founder of Queensryche. On this episode: Why Queensryche love working with Zuess What does Michael actually look for in a producer Old school recording vs. modern recording Keeping track of ideas via any means necessary  Should you have a backup plan? The benefits of being signed to a label Why Michael uses Pro Tools for his writing rig Get the most powerful computer possible! Writing “Operation: Mindcrime” on a Tascam 4 track The dangers of demo-itis Queensryche’s top priority Maintaining a successful band for over 30 years Should you go to music school? The power of intentionality Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trey Xavier is the guitarist/frontman of In Virtue, a YouTuber, runs Gear Gods, and hosts the How Songs Are Made podcast. On this episode: Why Trey started the How Songs Are Made Podcast There are no consequences to making something that sucks Writer’s block is bullshit Using your favorite musicians as mentors If you really want to learn something, take notes!  You’re going to sound like what you practice the most How ear training and theory help with songwriting What sets Polyphia apart from other instrumental guitar music Virtuosos and songwriters need each other How Marty Friedman elevated Rust In Peace The genius behind Jeff Loomis’s legendary arpeggios in “The River Dragon Has Come”  James Hetfield’s right hand sorcery Players who miss the point with music theory Dumb excuses for not writing more music Why Eyal resurrected DAATH Complete Rock and Metal Songwriting + Smashing Writer’s Block: https://bit.ly/HSAMRH The 7-Day Riff-to-Song Challenge - Turn 1 Riff into 1 Song in 1 Week, FREE: https://bit.ly/RIFFTOHARD In Virtue: https://www.facebook.com/invirtue YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-89P4cCPS2es3UXH2Z2oXw Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geargodsnet/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@treyxavier Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this chat, Nik Nocturnal, a prolific musician and Twitch streamer, shares his insights on balancing music with online content creation. He discusses the importance of writing for listeners rather than just showcasing technical skills, revealing how audience engagement can shape songwriting. Nik emphasizes the value of spontaneity in content creation and the evolution of his projects, including his collaboration with vocalists. The conversation also touches on navigating online hate and fostering supportive communities for artists in the metal scene.

Zakk Wylde is a legendary guitar virtuoso who has played with and for some of the best known acts in the business including a decades long stint with Ozzy Osbourne, his own band Black Label Society, and most recently announced as the touring guitar player for the upcoming Pantera reunion. Zakk recently partnered with Riffhard to release “Zakk Wylde Berzerker Guitar Camp,” the ULTIMATE Zakk Wylde guitar course. https://zakkwyldeguitarcamp.com On this episode: Playing other people’s solos with respect and honor Why you should know your scales Vibrato is the most uniquely identifiable trait for a guitarist The real reason that Ozzy picked Zakk Why Zakk decided to learn chicken pickin The incredible challenge of replicating someone’s tone How the No More Tears solo is structured How Zakk developed his unique sound on guitar Zakk’s writings process: writing on the guitar vs hearing it in his head first The devil is in the details when playing guitar. Every detail matters.  Why Zakk doesn’t sweep If you’re going to invest the time in learning something, make sure it’s something you love The one way that piano helped Zakk’s guitar playing Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tim Sult and Neil Fallon are guitarists in Clutch. On this episode: How Clutch have kept the same lineup for 30 years Being on a major label and going the indie route The percentage of people who buy cassettes that actually own a cassette player How Tim goes about relearning old solos How Neil approaches singing and playing at the same time Adapting songs to a live setting The intense memorization involved in having a 75 song rotation Working with Tom Dalgety in the studio How Clutch approaches pre pro Sponsored by: Neural DSP Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dave Davidson is the guitarist in Revocation.  On this episode: Building up through the underground, one step at a time How to stay top of mind with fans Touring with Cannibal Corpse, Periphery, and Animals As Leaders How to make the most of a 30 minute support slot Writing bad riffs on purpose Playing the long game How to know when a riff is worth keeping Working with Jens Bogren When the demo version is actually better The difference between cool sloppy and sloppy sloppy The finer nuance in Slayer’s Angel Of Death breakdown Listen to Revocation on Spotify. Check out Dave's website. Sponsored by: Neural DSP Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andy Wood is a guitarist, songwriter, and teacher who has supported acts such as Rascal Flatts, Scott Stapp, Gary Allan, and Sebastian Bach. He is also the founder of The Woodshed Guitar Experience.  On this episode: Getting great by playing with other musicians Why practicing in the bedroom isn't enough Overcoming your technical shortcomings Alternate picking vs legato Focusing on your musical obsession Andy’s Woodshed Guitar Experience Check out Andy Wood's website. Check out the Woodshed Guitar Experience. Follow Andy Wood on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. Sponsored by: Neural DSP (use code RIFFHARD for 30% off any plug-ins) Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Stroetzel is a guitarist for Killswitch Engage. Joel is also active in various side projects including Brothers Born and The Hidden Skyline. On this episode: Why both Eyal and Joel dropped out of Berklee How to avoid guitar related hand injuries Joel and Adam D’s approach to downpicking in Killswitch Engage You HAVE to practice playing standing up if you’re going to play live How high should you hold your guitar? How Joel adapted to learning Adam D’s insane finger stretching riffs Is being a super shredder genetic?  How Joel healed his hand injury Andy Sneap and Adam D’s collaboration changed metal mixing forever Kirk Hammett’s incredible luck finding Joe Satriani as a guitar teacher How did a bluegrass technique like hybrid picking become the cool thing for metal shredders to learn?  The groundbreaking importance of Shadow’s Fall How sick it is to have Andy Sneap mix your band One of the major keys to Killswitch Engage’s success Is luck real? How much does it matter? How Joel approaches learning polyrhythms Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices