Looking for the best 7-string guitar songs to learn? This list features 27 great tracks from bands and guitarists including Dream Theater, Meshuggah, Korn, Periphery, Animals as Leaders, and more.
For each song, you can listen to the track and grab the guitar tab so you can start learning it yourself. I’ve included everything from relatively straightforward riffs to seriously technical progressive metal, so there should be something here for most 7-string players.
If you’re still looking for the right instrument, check out my guide to the best left-handed 7-string guitars.
Let’s get into the best 7-string guitar songs to add to your practice list.
Best 7 String Guitar Songs
Dream Theater – “The Mirror”
John Petrucci’s riffing in “The Mirror” is absolutely mind-blowing. The way he uses the 7-string to blend heavy, chugging rhythms with intricate, melodic leads is a masterclass in progressive metal guitar work. This track is a must-listen for anyone looking to see the full potential of a 7-string guitar.
Difficulty: Advanced
Why learn it: Great for developing tight palm-muted riffing, rhythmic precision, and control over the low string.
If you enjoy this kind of technical lead playing, take a look at my list of the best metal guitar solos for plenty more challenging songs to learn.
Meshuggah – “Bleed”
If you’re into polyrhythms and bone-crushingly heavy riffs, “Bleed” is the track for you. Fredrik Thordendal and Mårten Hagström use their 7-strings to create a mechanical, almost hypnotic groove that’s both brutal and mesmerizing. It’s a real workout for both your fingers and your brain.
Difficulty: Advanced
Why learn it: A serious workout for picking endurance, timing, and staying locked into complex rhythmic patterns.
Nevermore – “Born”
Jeff Loomis’s work on “Born” is a shining example of how a 7-string guitar can add depth and complexity to metal. His sweeping arpeggios and crushing riffs are perfectly balanced, creating a sound that’s both powerful and intricate. It’s a riff fest with plenty of shredding to boot.
Difficulty: Advanced
Why learn it: Ideal for players who want to combine heavy 7-string riffing with fast lead work and sweeping techniques.
Korn – “Freak on a Leash”
Munky and Head’s iconic riff in “Freak on a Leash” is a cornerstone of nu-metal. The low A string adds a dark, brooding vibe that complements Jonathan Davis’s vocals perfectly. One of those 7 string guitar songs that showcases how the extra string can make a track heavier and more dynamic.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Why learn it: One of the more accessible songs on this list, with a hugely recognizable riff and plenty of groove.
Periphery – “Icarus Lives!”
Misha Mansoor’s riffing in “Icarus Lives!” is technical yet melodic, showcasing the djent genre at its finest. The 7-string guitar allows for tight, punchy rhythms while still providing plenty of room for intricate lead work. It’s a brilliant blend of heaviness and harmony.
Difficulty: Advanced
Why learn it: Excellent practice for tight syncopated riffing, string control, and the rhythmic style that helped define modern djent.
Deftones – “Swerve City”
Stephen Carpenter’s 7-string riffs in “Swerve City” are heavy, catchy, and full of groove. The song’s tight, syncopated rhythms show how a 7-string can bring an extra layer of depth to alternative metal. It’s a perfect mix of aggression and melody that keeps you hooked.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Why learn it: A great choice for practicing tight, syncopated riffing without the extreme technical demands of some of the prog-metal tracks here.
Muse – “Citizen Erased”
Interestingly, Matt Bellamy recorded “Citizen Erased” on a downtuned 6-string guitar. However, he uses a 7-string model when playing it live. The extra string allows for deeper, more resonant tones, giving the track its signature, earth-shaking quality that hits you right in the chest.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Why learn it: Useful for developing dynamic control, heavy low-register riffing, and smooth transitions between aggressive and atmospheric sections.
Animals as Leaders – “CAFO”
Tosin Abasi’s virtuosity on “CAFO” is nothing short of awe-inspiring. His use of the 7-string guitar is so innovative, blending complex tapping and sweeping techniques with rich, atmospheric soundscapes. This 7-string guitar song is a tour de force of modern progressive metal.
Difficulty: Advanced
Why learn it: A major challenge for players looking to improve tapping, sweeping, coordination, and overall technical control.
Trivium – “The Sin and the Sentence”
Matt Heafy and Corey Beaulieu bring the thunder in “The Sin and the Sentence” with some seriously tight riffing. The 7-string adds a punch to the song’s breakdowns and choruses. It’s aggressive, melodic, and perfect headbanging material.
Difficulty: Advanced
Why learn it: Excellent for sharpening fast alternate picking, tight rhythm work, and switching between aggressive riffs and melodic lead parts.
Keith Merrow – “Pillars of Creation”
Keith Merrow’s “Pillars of Creation” is a great example of how a 7-string can sound massive without relying on nonstop low-string chugging. The track mixes dark, atmospheric riffs with fluid lead work, giving the extra range plenty of room to breathe.
Difficulty: Advanced
Why learn it: Ideal for practicing precise modern-metal riffing, rhythmic control, and clean transitions between heavy rhythm and lead sections.
Fear Factory – “Shock”
Dino Cazares’s riffing in “Shock” is all about precision and power. The 7-string guitar adds a crushing weight to the industrial metal sound, with tight, mechanical rhythms that drive the song forward. It’s like a well-oiled machine of pure metal.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Why learn it: Great for building tight palm-muted picking, consistent timing, and the mechanical precision that defines Fear Factory’s rhythm style.
After the Burial – “A Wolf Amongst Ravens”
“A Wolf Amongst Ravens” packs a lot into its guitar parts, with fast picking, sudden rhythmic changes, and riffs that constantly shift shape. It’s a great example of how a 7-string guitar can be used for more than just adding extra weight to the low end.
Difficulty: Advanced
Why learn it: A strong choice for developing fast picking, complex rhythmic control, and the precision needed for modern technical metal.
Babymetal – “Karate”
Babymetal’s track “Karate” perfectly balances heaviness with infectious energy. The extra string adds a deep, punchy low end that drives the song’s powerful, anthemic feel, while the intricate riffing and harmonized leads showcase the guitarist’s technical skill and dynamic range.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Why learn it: A fun way to practice punchy low-string riffs, rhythmic accuracy, and smooth transitions between heavy and melodic sections.
Haken – “Prosthetic”
“Prosthetic” puts the 7-string guitar to work with jagged riffs, unusual accents, and frequent changes in feel. The guitar parts are busy without becoming chaotic, making it a strong pick for players who enjoy more unpredictable progressive metal.
Difficulty: Advanced
Why learn it: Excellent for working on odd rhythms, precise riffing, and navigating the rapid changes common in progressive metal.
TesseracT – “Nocturne”
“Nocturne” by TesseracT is a perfect blend of ambient beauty and crushing heaviness. Acle Kahney and James Monteith use their 7-strings to create lush, atmospheric textures while still delivering powerful, djent-style riffs. This track shows how a 7-string can enhance both the depth and the mood of a song.
Difficulty: Advanced
Why learn it: Great for improving syncopated rhythm playing, clean articulation, and control over both heavy and atmospheric guitar parts.
Whitechapel – “The Saw is the Law”
In “The Saw is the Law,” Whitechapel’s guitarists really push the boundaries of deathcore. The 7-string guitars bring a level of brutality and heaviness that hits you like a freight train. The riffs are relentless, and the low-end punch adds an extra layer of ferocity that’s hard to match.
Difficulty: Advanced
Why learn it: Great for practicing aggressive low-string riffing, fast picking, and the tight rhythmic control needed for modern deathcore.
Bullet for My Valentine – “Your Betrayal”
“Your Betrayal” features some seriously tight and aggressive riffing from Bullet for My Valentine. The 7-string guitar adds a dark, menacing tone to the song’s intro and verses, while still allowing for soaring, melodic choruses. It’s a killer combination of heaviness and melody.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Why learn it: A good song for practicing catchy palm-muted riffs, steady galloping patterns, and locking into a strong groove without overcomplicating the part.
Born of Osiris – “Exhilarate”
“Exhilarate” combines low-register riffs with quick melodic runs and lead parts that move rapidly across the fretboard. The 7-string helps give the rhythm parts plenty of weight while still leaving room for the song’s more technical moments. The song is a whirlwind of playing prowess and sheer power, making it one of my top 7 string guitar songs.
Difficulty: Advanced
Why learn it: Great for developing quick position shifts, technical riffing, and cleaner transitions between intricate rhythm and lead passages.
Thy Art Is Murder – “Reign of Darkness”
“Reign of Darkness” makes full use of the 7-string’s low end, with rapid picking, thick chord voicings, and breakdowns that hit hard without sounding cluttered. It’s a good showcase for just how aggressive an extended-range guitar can sound in a deathcore setting.
Difficulty: Advanced
Why learn it: A strong choice for working on tremolo-picked passages, crushing breakdowns, and maintaining stamina through relentless heavy sections.
Devin Townsend – “By Your Command”
Devin Townsend’s “By Your Command” is an epic blend of crushing riffs and soaring melodies. The 7-string guitar adds a rich, full-bodied sound to the mix, making the heavy parts hit even harder. Townsend’s use of the extra string adds depth and complexity to his already intricate compositions.
Difficulty: Advanced
Why learn it: Useful for learning how to move between huge chord voicings, driving riffs, and dramatic dynamic changes without losing the flow of the song.
Nevermore – “The River Dragon Has Come”
I realise that I’ve already included a Nevermore song in this list, but Jeff Loomis’s incredible riffing in “The River Dragon Has Come” is too good not to mention. This is the 7 string song that convinced me to buy my very first 7-string.
Difficulty: Advanced
Why learn it: A killer choice for practicing fast position changes, sweeping, and moving cleanly between low-register riffs and high-register lead passages.
Paradise Lost – “Beneath Broken Earth”
In “Beneath Broken Earth,” Paradise Lost wields the 7-string guitar to craft a sound that’s both crushingly heavy and hauntingly atmospheric. The deep, resonant low end adds a somber weight to the doom-laden riffs, enhancing the track’s melancholic intensity. The slow, deliberate pacing combined with the rich, textured guitar tones creates a powerful and immersive listening experience, showcasing the band’s mastery of dark, brooding metal.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Why learn it: A refreshing change of pace if you want to focus on huge doom riffs, sustained chords, and making slower playing sound genuinely heavy.
Monuments – “I, The Creator”
“I, The Creator” is a djent anthem with crushing riffs and intricate rhythms. John Browne’s use of the 7-string guitar adds a deep, resonant quality to the music, making the heavy parts even more impactful. The song is a perfect mix of technicality and groove, showing off the full range of the instrument.
Difficulty: Advanced
Why learn it: Great for getting comfortable with offbeat accents, percussive picking, and grooves that feel awkward at first but click once you internalize them.
Textures – “Reaching Home”
“Reaching Home” takes a more spacious approach than many of the heavier tracks on this list. The 7-string guitars give the song depth and weight, but the guitar parts also leave plenty of room for melody and atmosphere.
Difficulty: Advanced
Why learn it: A good workout for balancing intricate guitar parts with a more spacious, melodic feel instead of relying on nonstop heaviness.
Paul Wardingham – “Beyond Human”
“Beyond Human” is built around fast lead playing, sweeping lines, and melodic phrases that cover a wide stretch of the fretboard. The 7-string gives Wardingham extended range for both the heavier rhythm sections and the more ambitious solo work.
Difficulty: Advanced
Why learn it: Best suited to lead players who want to tackle fluid legato, fast runs, wide fretboard movement, and demanding instrumental guitar work.
Scar Symmetry – “The Illusionist”
“The Illusionist” by Scar Symmetry blends melodic death metal with progressive elements. Per Nilsson’s 7-string guitar work is both technical and melodic, with sweeping solos and heavy, syncopated riffs. The song’s dynamic range and intricate guitar lines showcase the full potential of the 7-string in a melodic context.
Difficulty: Advanced
Why learn it: A strong pick for practicing harmonized melodies, sweeping, and melodic death metal lead playing without sacrificing the weight of the rhythm guitar.
Jeff Loomis – “Jato Unit”
Being a huge fan boy of Jeff Loomis I could easily have filled this list with a ton of other Nevermore songs. But, just to keep things a little more interesting, how about you check out his incredible solo track “Jato Unit” instead?
I’d say it’s the perfect tune to wind up this list of the best 7-string songs.
Difficulty: Advanced
Why learn it: An excellent test of high-speed lead playing, sweeping, alternate picking, and staying accurate when the tempo leaves very little room for mistakes.
Final Thoughts
These 27 songs show just how much variety you can get from a 7-string guitar, from the groove-heavy riffs of Korn and Fear Factory to the technical extremes of Meshuggah, Animals as Leaders, and Jeff Loomis.
If you’re looking for a new song to learn, start with one that matches your current ability and use the tab links above to get going. There’s plenty here to keep both intermediate and advanced players busy.
I’ve no doubt missed some great 7-string songs, so feel free to get in touch if there’s one you think deserves a spot on the list.
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