How to Play Slayer’s Raining Blood Intro Riff (2025 Guide)

Few metal riffs hit as hard or stick in your memory quite like the intro to Slayer’s "Raining Blood." From the moment the first chromatic notes thunder out, there’s no mistaking its wild energy and iconic sound. It’s a rite of passage for metal guitarists—and one that trips up plenty of ambitious players.

Yet detailed, step-by-step breakdowns that actually help intermediate guitarists master this legendary riff are rare. Gear matters. So does technique. And without a method that tackles both, most tutorials just leave you guessing.

This guide goes all in: a focused "Raining Blood intro riff tutorial" with tab, finger-by-finger technique tips, and specific tone settings. Whether you’re a fan of the original or aiming for a punchy live sound, every aspect is covered—so you can nail that opening track for real.

What You Need to Play the Raining Blood Intro Riff

The right gear and technical prep unlock the Raining Blood intro’s razor-sharp punch. Most intermediate players get stuck here. But with a few simple adjustments, the road clears fast.

Gear and Setup for Authentic Slayer Tone

The original riff demands aggression. High-output humbuckers like EMGs or Seymour Duncan SH-4s help, but any guitar with plenty of bite can work. Both Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman favored guitars loaded with active pickups for extra cut and sustain. Pair this with a solid metal amp or a punchy distortion pedal. Go for a Boss SD-1 or an Ibanez Tube Screamer into a Marshall JCM800 or similar. If modeling, try a 5150 or Rectifier setting with high gain.

• Guitar: Humbucker-equipped, preferably with a fast neck (think ESP or Jackson style)
• Amplifier: High-gain channel (Marshall, 5150, Mesa/Boogie)
• Distortion pedal: Tight response, good with palm muting
• Strings: Medium to heavy gauge for clarity under attack

Settings? Start with gain at 7-8, bass at 5, mids cut to 2, treble at 7, and presence at 6. Tweak if needed for clarity. Always dial down reverb and delay—this riff is dry and in-your-face.

Tuning and Preparation

Here’s a source of confusion: the original studio track sits in Eb standard—every string tuned half a step down (Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb). Don’t skip this step or tone will be off. Use a clip-on tuner for accuracy. Set the amp for tight bass without muddying the lows, as the open low E (Eb) string is the pedal point for the whole intro riff. Listen to the recorded intro on Slayer’s classic release to get your ear used to the atonal, chromatic flavor before playing a note.

• Tune each string one half-step down from E standard
• Check intonation and anchor hand position for comfort
• Warm up with simple palm-muted alternate picking to prep for the riff’s aggression

As Kerry King explained in multiple interviews, tone starts at the hands. Gear gives you the sound, but only proper setup brings speed and stamina.

Step-by-Step Raining Blood Intro Riff Tutorial (with Tab)

This is the main event: the actual "Raining Blood intro riff tutorial" broken down bar by bar, with tab, timing advice, and finger suggestions. Print this out or load it into your favorite tab app, but pay as much attention to the ‘why’ as the ‘what.’ Every detail counts.

Eb|-----------------------|
Bb|-----------------------|
Gb|-----------------------|
Db|-----------------------|
Ab|-----------------------|
Eb|0-0-0-0-0-0-7-8-7-0-0-0|
  PM----   --

This iconic descending sequence repeats and shifts lower each cycle, anchoring off the low Eb (E) string with palm-muting. Use alternate picking on all notes for consistency.

Bar 1: Chromatic Descent and Picking Technique

Start with palm-muted open low Eb (E) string: pick down, up, down (three galloping sixteenths). Then play the chromatic power chord descent: 7th fret, 8th fret, back to 7th, all on the 6th string. Use index for 7, middle for 8, then return to index. The ‘gallop’ here comes from the rhythm—emulate the feel of the double-kick drums from the recording to nail the phrasing. Keep finger movement minimal for speed. Alternate picks throughout (down-up-down, up-down-up). Watch Andy James’s note-for-note video guide for slow close-ups.

Bar 2: Dissonance and Palm Muting

Eb|0-0-0-6-7-6-0-0-0-5-6-5|

Dissonance is the trick. Shift the chromatic run lower (6-7-6 and 5-6-5). Be sure to keep everything palm-muted except the chromatic notes. Let those ring slightly for that signature clashing effect. Always return to the low open string pedal—that’s where your right hand does most of its work. Make sure the palm muting is tight: too loose and the riff becomes muddy; too hard and you lose note clarity. Try adding subtle whammy bar dips at the end of each chromatic phrase for extra authenticity, just like the live versions.

Bar 3: Putting It Together at Slow Tempo

Play the entire riff at half speed. This forces you to hear every nuance and lock in the timing. Set a metronome to 80bpm and don’t speed up until you can play the full cycle cleanly—no missed notes, no awkward pauses. Andy James recommends slow, exaggerated motion at first; focus on hand synchronization, then refine for speed. Gradually bump up the tempo in 5-10bpm steps, always keeping it clean. Use backing tracks from LickLibrary for timing practice and to internalize the ‘backwards gallop’ groove.

Eb|0-0-0-4-5-4|

Repeat the descending chromatic pattern as low as the 4th fret. Don’t rush past this stage—muscle memory builds here.

Try This Now:

• Practice the descending chromatic lines in isolation (7-8-7, 6-7-6, 5-6-5, 4-5-4)
• Alternate between the open string gallop and fretted notes until both feel natural
• Film yourself and check for timing issues and excessive string noise

For accurate professional tab, see the artist-approved play-along on GuitarInstructor.com as well.

Technique Tips for Nailing the Slayer Sound

Most players know the tab, but the real Slayer sound comes from power, attack, and spot-on synchronization. Just copying the notes won’t cut it. Focus on the details below to stand out.

Aggressive Picking and Hand Position

Kerry King’s right hand is relentless. He attacks the strings with near-constant motion and keeps his picking hand tight, close to the bridge. Use a firm pick grip and avoid floppy wrist movement. Strike with confidence and let your forearm drive alternate picking. Most players find that anchoring the picking hand on the bridge steadies both palm muting and attack.

• Pick angle: Slight downward tilt for crisp palm mutes
• Palm position: Edge of hand near bridge for consistent muting
• Pick attack: Medium-heavy pick (1-1.5mm) for clarity at speed

If your pick gets caught on the strings, loosen the grip just a bit. For left hand, fingers should press hard and land directly above the frets; minimal movement is key. Practice each shift in the chromatic descent until it feels automatic.

Timing and Drum-Guitar Interplay

The Raining Blood intro rides the groove of Dave Lombardo’s double-kick drums. The guitar riff and drums are interlocked, not independent. Practicing to a drum track (or the original recording) helps tighten timing. Focus on locking the gallop—down-down-up rhythm—to the kick pattern. Some musicians even chop up drum beats in a DAW for micro-timing practice. Small timing slips hurt more than missed notes here.

• Play alongside a metronome or drum backing track
• Start with slow tempo, match rhythm exactly, then increase speed
• Record yourself and listen critically to rhythm alignment

This approach—emphasized in musicological breakdowns—builds the kind of tension and intensity that define the track. Kerry King even calls the intro his live "showcase." Get the interplay right and the riff feels unstoppable.

Dialing In the Perfect Slayer Tone for Raining Blood

Players spend hours chasing the Raining Blood tone—and miss the mark by overcomplicating it. Here’s what actually works for the intro riff.

Amp and Pedal Settings for Authenticity

Think high gain, scooped mids, and sizzling treble. That’s the DNA of the classic Slayer sound. Crank gain up to 7–8 (even higher if the amp is tight). Set bass at 5 for punch but keep it controlled. Cut mids down low—around 2 or 3—for bite. Push the treble to 7 or 8 for crispness. If using pedals, a Boss SD-1 or Ibanez Tube Screamer puts you in the right territory. Too much reverb? Dial it down to nearly zero; you want the attack dry and up-front.

• Gain: 7–8 (heavy, but not fizzy)
• Bass: 5 (punchy, avoid muddiness)
• Mids: 2–3 (classic scooped metal EQ)
• Treble: 7–8 (for bite and attack)
• Presence: 6 (adds definition in the highs)

Don’t forget: Slayer’s original tones came from big Marshall or Mesa/Boogie heads, but digital modelers can get surprisingly close with the right EQ tweaks.

Getting Close with What You Have

No expensive stack needed. Even budget amps can pull off a close approximation. Use the amp’s dirt channel and any modern distortion pedal with responsive EQ. For digital setups (Helix, Kemper, GarageBand), start with a high-gain metal model and cut the mids just like above. Use a noise gate if your setup gets too wild. Focus all tweaks on getting a tight, percussive palm mute and clear chromatic notes—the rest is icing.

Every Slayer live show has a slightly different intro sound, but the common thread is clarity and aggression. Practice tweaking while referencing classic recordings or pro lessons, like the ones on LickLibrary.

Troubleshooting and Practice Strategies

Even experienced players struggle to get the intro riff sounding clean at speed. Here’s a focused set of real-world solutions—no fluff, just fixes that work.

Fixing Common Mistakes

• Sloppy Palm Muting: Check your hand’s anchor point. Too far from the bridge? Notes go mushy. Too close? They sound thin.
• Uneven Picking: Slow down to half speed and record yourself. Alternate picking should sound like a machine at any tempo.
• Missed Strings: Practice the chromatic descent on its own, then layer in the pedal point. Only combine once each feels clean and automatic.
• Timing Drift: Practice to a drum loop or metronome. Gradually increase speed only when your riff is tight, not rushed.

Building Speed Safely

Speed kills tone—unless built right from the start. Start practicing at a crawl (try 60–70bpm), exaggerate every motion, and don’t touch the tempo knob until the riff sits perfectly under your fingers. Andy James recommends recording and listening back at various practice speeds to catch glitches you’ll miss in the moment. Jump up the tempo in increments, never more than 10bpm at a time.

Try This Practice Routine:

1. Play the tab pattern at half speed for five minutes
2. Record a pass and critique for noise or timing
3. Increase by 5–10bpm only when every note is clean
4. Add whammy bar dips once the basic riff feels automatic

Backing tracks speed up progress—many LickLibrary lessons include drum tracks for exactly this reason. Build a habit: slow, precise, and self-critical. Rushing brings mistakes that haunt your playing later.

Conclusion

Slayer’s Raining Blood intro riff is more than a collection of notes—it’s a benchmark. With the right gear, dialed-in setup, and a step-by-step technical approach, even intermediate players can conquer its challenge. No two takes ever sound the same, but every accurate rendition is a true achievement.

Kerry King himself calls this intro a showcase—a defining moment for any metal guitarist. So keep refining your timing, tighten up your muting, and experiment with subtle tone shifts. Above all, enjoy the process: each run brings you a step closer to capturing the intensity that made this riff a legend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q How do you play the Raining Blood intro riff?

To play the Raining Blood intro riff, tune your guitar to Eb standard, set your amp for high gain with scooped mids, and use alternate picking for the chromatic descent. Start slow with a metronome, focusing on palm muting and tight timing. Repeat the descending chromatic sequence anchored on the open low E (Eb) string, then build up speed.

Q Which techniques are used in Slayer riffs?

Slayer riffs commonly use alternate picking, palm muting, galloping rhythm, fast power chord shifts, chromatic runs, and whammy bar tricks. The Raining Blood intro combines most of these, requiring both hands to sync up tightly for speed and clarity.

Q What tuning is Raining Blood in?

The original studio version of Raining Blood is tuned to Eb standard. Tune every string down by one half step: Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb. This tuning is essential for matching the recorded tone and feel of the intro riff.

Q What gear do you need to nail the Slayer intro tone?

You'll need a high-output humbucker-equipped guitar, a high-gain amp or distortion pedal (like a Boss SD-1), and a fast-necked guitar for comfort. Dial in a scooped-mid EQ and keep reverb minimal for the rawest attack, then tweak to taste.

Q How fast should you practice the Raining Blood intro?

Start at a slow tempo—around 60–70bpm—and focus on clean, accurate playing. Only raise the speed once you can play cleanly with no mistakes or timing issues. Most pros use a metronome or drum backing track to build up gradually.