"Tornado of Souls" is a song by Americanthrash metal bandMegadeth, released on their 1990 studio albumRust in Peace. Despite never being released as asingle 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 byMarty 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" is more melodic than many other songs onRust in Peace.[12][13] The solo is considered one of the best inheavy metal history, which frontmanDave Mustaine recognized from the first time he heard it. In a 2002 retrospective forRust in Peace, lead guitaristMarty 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]
BassistDavid 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 frontmanDave Mustaine's ex-girlfriend, Diana.[16]
"Tornado of Souls" has been performed live over 1000 times by the band.[17] Many consider the song's guitar solo played byMarty 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]
"Tornado of Souls" appeared in the 2009 video gameBrütal Legend.
It, along with the rest of its parent album, was featured asDLC for theRock 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.
