Riff Playbooks: Ralph Salati of Destrage

Introduction

The "Riff Playbooks" column is designed to make you a better player. By gleaning some insight into the technique, composition, and execution of these fine riffs by fine SH artists, you are bound to make headway in your own playing. We cordially invite you to steal a page from our books in order to expand your own diabolical playbook of musical wizardry (not literally though, the books are expensive to create).

While in Toronto for the final shows of a North American tour, Italy's prog metal sweethearts, Destrage, graciously sat down with us to show a thing or two about their unique and wonderful approach to guitar. These guys know how to construct a mind-bending riff, or as you'll see, a monster solo. But above all else, they know how to have fun doing it. 


Here's Ralph Salati with his solo from "The Flight" - an amazing song from their latest album "A Means To No End". This solo showcases Ralph's airtight ability with all manner of techniques, and exemplifies a well-composed and diverse solo. In the book, we are looking at bars 94 - 125 on pages 65 - 68. 



Here's the section slowed down:



And here's Ralph answering some of our questions!



To check out The Complete Guitar Transcription for Destrage's album, A Means To No End, click HERE.  


If you'd like to listen to the song "The Flight" in its entirety, head to one of the links below: