Symphony X - Iconoclast (Rhythm Guitar Cover)

A one-take playthrough by me, of the riff-fest that is "Iconoclast" by Symphony X, from the album of the same name!
A band that I absolutely adore, from all aspects. The vocals, drum, guitars, symphonic orchestrations. Simply brilliant.
Been wanting to do some more of their stuff, but as you might be able to spot too, their material is quite challenging on the guitar front (of course when it is Michael Romeo playing it!), and solo style I am simply not capable of performing. So the next best thing?
Well, covering one of their longer heavy songs will do!
And what a riff fest it is. It has taken me a few weeks to get the parts down, and then a few more just getting in to "sit on the spine".
Since I did it in one take, there are some small mistakes here and there, but it actually went a lot better than I expected considering it was the first take I did today (tried a few other times, but my left hand cramped).
Feel very welcome to leave some constructive criticism in the comment-section, or whatever you feel like. It is all much appreciated!
Gear Used:
Ibanez RG570-JB
Roland Cube x30
Panasonic HC-V210
Line 6 Pod UX1
Maxon OD808
Shure SM57
Australian Monitor AMIS PRE-1

[@DouglasRivitti]

Amazing!!! no words to describe your cover!! congratulations from Brazil

[@Etoimyauzhezanyato]

nice cover! watching Michael Romeo's riff construction, I almost physically felt how my IQ was growing and my neural connections were strengthening ))

[@silverstone3228]

fucker...i enjoyed this more than people playin solos

[@saimawiasailo9651]

So accurate bro ....amazing

[@kbuss10]

very hard riff btw

[@hayrullahklc7105]

how many hours practice per day ?!! :) your playin so smooth

[@donuan4160]

7:40

[@wez161]

Perfect.
Great lesson you're giving with that video.
I hope you'll do some more

[@phoenixrider2210]

You are the man really great cover

[@MattyPS]

How was the part starting at 5:15? haha :)
I don't know how on Earth could you manage to remember all of the parts but wow!
I particularly enjoyed looking at your right hand. You have a very precise a strong attack.

[@TheMathMog93]

First part of it easy, the second part that then jump down to the A and E string, not so much! It is just a 4/4 beat, but what the guitar plays, doesn't match up with the beat, so everytime you repeat the riff, it has a different feel, which was quite challenging to learn!
A lot of the riffs really are depending on the right hand here, as starting with the wrong stroke (up or down) can really mess up a riff :D
Learning this song part by part was quite easy, because it is a song that I've been listening to for over a year, so I had most parts memorized even before trying to learn it! :)

[@MattyPS]

haha it amazes me how that can feel "quite easy" to you :P

[@TheMathMog93]

Well, the pattern is quite easy when you figure it out, and compared to the following lower one, it actually lines up with the beat. Only "hard" part is that when you're alternative picking, there are some times where you need to upstroke the A string, and then down stroke the D string, which is a bit weird if it is not something you're used to. That kind of picking is something I've put quite some time into fortunately :D
You should give the riff a go :D

[@valberttlima696]

PERFECT MAN. BRUTAL. AMAZING. 🇧🇷

[@blackbearfuryguillot9325]

wonderful man!!

[@iRaikaa]

I love your playing, it was a real pleasure to listen to it, now it's time to learn the song

[@ACMusic]

Insane skills! Nice RG too!

[@TheMathMog93]

Cheers man! Quite a bit of practise time have gone into this one!
My second guitar. Had taken quite some beatings, but still plays decently. Pondering on changing the pickups in it though :)

[@ACMusic]

Yeah I've changed pretty much all my RG pickups from the stock ones. Which pickups would you go for?

[@ACMusic]

I've subbed!

[@TheMathMog93]

Thank you very much!
I am not very into technical aspects of guitar, so I am not sure yet. Ones I have been considering is "Seymour Duncan SH-6 Set Distortion Mayhem". But I need to try them on hand as tone tests really doesn't help me alot, as so many other factors are also into play.

[@xGshikamaru]

love your tone, amazing playing

[@pragerotem_13]

You mad bro!! Insane

[@danielsaenz8443]

Awesome, dude!!!!

Yeah🔥🎸👏🏻

[@MarkSanteria]

nice playing man!

[@MitjaShi]

OMG man you nailed it!

[@soberaniadosjogosnexussobe3091]

Full Metal 🤘🤘🤘

[@CYON4D]

Awesome cover!

[@BigBenBass78]

Hey man, I wanted to thank you a lot, as I tried to cover this song as well and your cover was a great inspiration ! This and the best tab I was able to found :p I struggle a lot with the fast descending scales (3:47 and 7:47), any good advice or exercise?

[@TheMathMog93]

Hard to say what works for each individual.
Just the usual advices - KNOW what you need to play, slow it down at a speed you can play it, then up it 5 bpm, and do it again.
The right pick attack is important too - so being aware of the angle you hold your pick, can help "feel" the 16th notes better.
And knowing if you need to hit the next string with an up or down-stroke before hand, can make the "jump" easier too :)

[@BigBenBass78]

@@TheMathMog93 Thanks for the answer, I guess there are no secrets or shortcuts, just a lot of work :p Keep Rockin' !

[@MattyPS]

Hey dude I hope all is well \m/

[@ianigor]

you get it!!! perfect!!!

[@emmanuelsochy6217]

What's your twitter I shared this on my account

[@TheMathMog93]

Thanks for that. My twitter is "TheMathMog". Not using it a ton though :)

[@gustavoagraaugusto]

Tuning??

[@TheMathMog93]

D-standard - tuning down the guitar a whole step

[@Raulpreto1]

Amazing song, amazing skills, amazing tone, amazing guitar... Great job man! Insane!

[@KinkyNothing]

Spot freaking on