Tornado of Souls

"Tornado of Souls" is a song by American thrash metal band Megadeth, released on their 1990 studio album Rust in Peace. Despite never being released as a single nor having any promotion surrounding it, the song remains a staple of the band's discography.^[3][4][5] 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.^[6][7][8] It is also widely considered to be one of the hardest songs to play on guitar.^[9][10][11]

"Tornado of Souls"
Song by Megadeth
from the album Rust in Peace
Released	September 24, 1990 (September 24, 1990)
Recorded	1989–1990
Studio	Rumbo Recorders, Canoga Park, California[1]
Genre	Thrash metal
Length	5:22
Label	Capitol
Composer(s)	Dave Mustaine
Lyricist(s)	Dave Mustaine, David Ellefson[2]
Producer(s)	Dave Mustaine Mike Clink
Audio
"Tornado of Souls on YouTube

Music and lyrics

"Tornado of Souls" is more melodic than many other songs on Rust in Peace.^[12][13] The solo is considered one of the best in heavy metal history, which frontman Dave Mustaine recognized from the first time he heard it. In a 2002 retrospective for Rust in Peace, lead guitarist Marty Friedman said:

"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".^[14]

Bassist David Ellefson stated that, "because of the downpicking on 'Tornado', I would change it sometimes depending on who the drummer was".^[15]

The lyrics of this song, like many of Megadeth's, are about frontman Dave Mustaine's ex-girlfriend, Diana.^[16]

Legacy

"Tornado of Souls" has been performed live over 1000 times by the band.^[17] Many consider the song's guitar solo played by Marty Friedman to be the best in the band's career,^[18][19] and in heavy metal.^[20] Friedman later re-recorded the song, along with other Megadeth songs "Breadline" and "The Killing Road" for his 7th studio album, Future Addict.^[21]

Accolades

Year	Publication	Country	Accolade	Rank
2022	Louder Sound	United States	The Top 20 Best Megadeth Songs Ranked[22]	2
2018	Billboard	United Kingdom	Every song on Megadeth's Rust In Peace Rated From Best To Worst[23]	1

Personnel

Megadeth

• Dave Mustaine – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
• David Ellefson – bass, backing vocals
• Marty Friedman – lead guitar
• Nick Menza – drums, backing vocals

Artwork

• Edward J. Repka – 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
• 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 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

1. "Rumbo Recorders client list". Archived from the original on May 27, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
2. Rust in Peace liner notes (original release). Capitol Records. 1990. pp. 3, 16.
3. "Megadeth". Apple Music. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
4. "Rust In Peace - Megadeth". 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
5. "Spotify - Megadeth". Spotify. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
6. Deaux, John (April 22, 2016). "Top 10 Best Heavy Metal Guitar Solos of All Time". All About The Rock. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
7. "200 Greatest Metal Guitar Solos". digitaldreamdoor.com. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
8. "Top 10 Metal Songs with the Best Guitar Solos". TheTopTens. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
9. Wiebe, David Andrew (December 13, 2021). "17 Hardest Songs To Play On Guitar [With Tabs]". Guitar Aficionado. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
10. Jacob. "The 50 Hardest Songs To Play On Guitar – Tabs Included". Rock Guitar Universe. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
11. "Top 15 Most Challenging Songs to Play on Guitar". www.ultimate-guitar.com. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
12. "RUST IN PEACE Megadeth". 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. September 22, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
13. Emeritus, Mikesn. "Megadeth Rust in Peace". Sputnik Music. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
14. Friedman, Marty (September 17, 2002). "Story Behind The Song - Megadeth's Rust In Peace". martyfriedman.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
15. Schaffner, Lauryn (April 12, 2021). "David Ellefson Names Hardest Megadeth Songs to Play on Bass". Loudwire. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
16. Grow, Kory (January 11, 2017). "Megadeth's Dave Mustaine: My Life in 15 Songs". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
17. "Tornado of Souls performed by Megadeth". Setlist.FM. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
18. Rivadavia, Eduardo (September 24, 2015). "How Megadeth Finally Unlocked Their Potential on 'Rust In Peace'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
19. "Top 10 Megadeth Songs with the Greatest Guitar Solos". Retrieved August 31, 2022.
20. Deaux, John (April 22, 2016). "Top 10 Best Heavy Metal Guitar Solos of All Time". All About The Rock. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
21. Marty, Friedman. "Marty Friedman Discography - Solo Albums". MartyFriedman.com. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
22. Stewart-Panko, Kevin (July 14, 2022). "The top 20 best Megadeth songs ranked". Louder Sound. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
23. none, Miho (March 5, 2020). "Every song on Megadeth's Rust In Peace rated from best to worst by Lovebites". Louder Sound. Retrieved August 31, 2022.