Top 10 Greatest Guitarists of the 21st Century

1. Synyster Gates

   

   Brian Elwin Haner, Jr., better known by his stage name Synyster Gates or simply Syn, is an American musician best known as the lead guitarist and backing vocalist of the band Avenged Sevenfold. He joined the band in 2001 and has since become recognized for his technical skill and melodic solos. Gates... read more

   Synyster has supplied Avenged Sevenfold with countless unforgettable riffs and blazing-fast solos. His precision is off the charts - he plays so fast yet never seems to have a sloppy note. Not only has he already put his mark on history, but he also still has decades of great work left, considering he is only in his mid-30s.

   His string work is phenomenal, his solos are gripping, and he shreds like no other. No Avenged song would be nearly as incredible without him. Synyster Gates is one of the most talented musical geniuses of the last 30 years.

2. Matthew Bellamy

   

   Matthew James "Matt" Bellamy is an English musician, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and composer. He is best known as the lead vocalist and principal songwriter of the alternative rock band Muse. Bellamy's dynamic guitar work, falsetto vocals, and classically influenced piano compositions... read more

   Bellamy was ranked #19 on Gigwise's list of The 50 Greatest Guitarists Ever. Total Guitar readers voted Bellamy #29 on a list of the Top 100 Guitarists of All Time. Bellamy's riff from "Plug In Baby" was #13 in Total Guitar's poll of the Top 100 Riffs of All Time.

   Bellamy was also named "Guitarist of the Decade" and proclaimed to be "the Hendrix of his generation."

   Hey... I came from outer space and from the year 3013, and we are still listening to Muse. About lead guitarist and singer Matt? Man... He is way better than many successful guitarists. Even Rolling Stone magazine honored him with the title of Best Guitarist of the 21st Century. And the way and variety of guitars Matt uses... He's the guitarist of your future, guys!

3. Brian Welch

   

   Brian Philip Welch, better known by the stage name Head, is an American musician, singer, and songwriter. He is one of the guitarists and founding members of the nu metal band Korn. Welch also leads the Christian metal band Love and Death, which he formed during his hiatus from Korn.

4. James Shaffer

   

5. Frank Iero

   

   Frank Anthony Iero Jr. is a musician best known as the rhythm guitarist and backup vocalist for the alternative rock band My Chemical Romance. He has also served as the lead vocalist for the post-hardcore band Leathermouth and was a member of the electronic-hardcore act Death Spells. In addition to his... read more

   Amazing when he plays, especially live.

   Proves that short people rock the hardest!

6. Jason Mraz

   

   Jason Thomas Mraz is an American singer-songwriter who first gained attention in the San Diego coffee shop scene around 2000. In October 2002, he released his debut studio album, Waiting for My Rocket to Come. The album included the hit single "The Remedy," which brought him mainstream success.

   Jason Mraz is just amazing at everything, from singing to playing his guitar. You should vote for him because he is the best!

7. Josh Homme

   

   Joshua Michael Homme, born May 17, 1973, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, and actor. He is the founder and only continuous member of the rock band Queens of the Stone Age, where he sings, plays guitar, and occasionally plays piano, drums, and bass. He also serves as the band's... read more

   Josh has great versatility, playing drums in EODM and keyboard and singing in QOTSA, but it's his guitar skills that really demonstrate the musician he is!

8. Matthew Tuck

   

   Matthew "Matt" Tuck is a Welsh musician. He is the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the Welsh emo and metalcore band Bullet for My Valentine. The band is known for albums such as "The Poison" and "Fever," which helped establish their international popularity.

   Bullet For My Valentine is one of the best bands. Matt's voice is great, and his guitar playing is amazing. He's my favorite guitarist, along with Richard Z. Kruspe.

9. John Mayer

   

   John Clayton Mayer is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Mayer attended Berklee College of Music in Boston but left before graduating. He moved to Atlanta in 1997 with Clay Cook, where they formed a short-lived two-man band called Lo-Fi Masters... read more

   John kills everyone else on this list. No other guitarist who came up in this century has the dexterity, speed, skill, and artfulness of John Mayer. Not to mention his seven Grammys and playing with and being praised by guitar greats such as B.B. King and Eric Clapton. He is the next Hendrix and will absolutely achieve legend status.

   It's not just what he plays, but the way he plays it. His style is one-of-a-kind, and his solos, especially live, make him the best in the business. This guy is the new Hendrix, and in 20 years or so, he'll also have legendary status.

10. Jamie Cook

    
The Newcomers
11. ?

    Peter Lennodo

    

    Peter Lennodo is a British musician. He is also a composer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is best known as the vocalist, lead guitarist and main songwriter of the rock band The Arcana.

12. ?

    Christone "Kingfish" Ingram

The Contenders

13. Richard Z. Kruspe

    

    Richard Zven Kruspe is a German musician and guitarist of the German band Rammstein, as well as the frontman of the band Emigrate. He is known for his powerful guitar riffs and stage presence. Kruspe has been a key figure in shaping Rammstein's distinctive industrial metal sound.

    Richard Z. Kruspe - you can't dislike his guitar skills. I just don't see anyone else who could do what he does.

    One badass guitar player who proves you don't have to be fast to be the best.

    I can't stop listening to him play. He's absolutely amazing.

14. John Frusciante

    

    John Anthony Frusciante is an American guitarist, singer, producer, and composer. He is best known for his work with the funk rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers. Frusciante has also been a member of The Mars Volta, Swahili Blonde, Ataxia, and several other musical projects.

    John Frusciante is an absolute musical genius. His work with the Red Hot Chili Peppers is fantastic, but I think his solo material is the decisive factor in why he's the best guitarist of the 21st century.

    I don't know which song is the best because all of them are great, but if you want to hear real guitar songs, listen to "Before The Beginning," "Murderers," "Central," or "Another" from his band project Ataxia with Josh Klinghoffer. Also, listen to "Niandra LaDes And Usually Just A T-Shirt"... Fantastic.

15. Jonny Greenwood

    

    Jonathan Richard Guy Greenwood, professionally known as Jonny Greenwood, is an English musician and composer. He is mostly known for his role as one of the lead guitarists and the main keyboardist of the English alternative rock band Radiohead. Beyond his work with the band, he has composed the scores... read more

    This guy can play the guitar like nobody else! His aggressive play style is woven seamlessly into Radiohead's songs. Every solo and every riff is a defining part of the song, and he can really improve the sound of music. He even plays the guitar with a viola bow.

    Incredible guitar player. I have never seen anything like him, ever!

    The best guitarist in the best band of the last 15-20 years should be higher than 14.

16. St. Vincent

    

    Anne Erin "Annie" Clark, better known by her stage name St. Vincent, is an American musician and multi-instrumentalist. She is also a singer-songwriter known for her genre-blending music and innovative guitar work. St. Vincent has received multiple awards, including a Grammy for Best Alternative Music... read more

    She's an underrated guitarist. Her skills on the guitar are amazing. She's dynamic, and she's got a Jimi Hendrix vibe when she's playing. She's so young and has so much potential. Search for the guitar solo in Rattlesnake or Your Lips Are Red.

    Amazing guitarist, really innovative. Also, her signature guitar is amazing!

17. Mike Keneally

    Thunder Horse is the song.

18. Mark Tremonti

    

    Mark Thomas Tremonti is an American musician, singer, and songwriter, best known as the lead guitarist of the rock bands Creed and Alter Bridge. He is also the founder of the band Tremonti. Tremonti has won a Grammy Award and is regarded as one of the leading guitarists in modern rock.

    Creed restricted Tremonti's guitar ability with their use of only one guitar tuning and their lack of solos. However, in almost any Alter Bridge song, Mark and Myles Kennedy dive headlong into a unique, beautiful, and befitting solo, with catchy riffs that almost speak as much as Myles' lyrics. Additionally, Mark's solo band, Tremonti, features some great solos. I recommend people listen to "Blackbird" by Alter Bridge and "You Waste Your Time" by Tremonti to familiarize themselves with Mark Tremonti's talent.

    What is wrong with everybody?! Perhaps they are unfamiliar with Mark's guitar playing, but he shreds the axe better than anyone else this century except, perhaps, Synyster Gates. Mark is a great guitarist, and his solo on "Blackbird" by Alter Bridge may be the best solo of the 21st century.

19. Alexi Laiho

    

    Alexi "Wildchild" Laiho (April 8, 1979 - December 29, 2020) was a Finnish guitarist, composer, and vocalist. He was best known as the lead guitarist, lead vocalist, and founding member of the melodic death metal band Children of Bodom. Laiho also performed with Sinergy, The Local Band, and Kylähullut... read more

    Children of Bodom is one of my favorite bands now. Listen to "Was It Worth It" or "Needled 24/7," and you will definitely agree!

    The most amazing guitar work out of any band I've ever heard has come from Children of Bodom. I just can't get enough!

    Alexi Laiho is the best. No one can be compared to him. He is god. He is king!

20. Brad Delson

    

    Bradford Philip Delson, born December 1, 1977, is an American musician best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Linkin Park. He is also one of the founding members of the band. With Linkin Park, Delson has received multiple awards, including two Grammy Awards.... read more

    Oh, come on... Don't kid me. Although he isn't mainly a solo-driven guitarist, you should still listen to Minutes to Midnight, A Thousand Suns, and especially The Hunting Party. Then you'll never keep him below the top 10.

21. Terry Roadcase

22. Steve Brown

    Dynasty Damnation is the song.

23. Christopher Bradley

24. John Gallagher

    

    John Gallagher is an American singer and musician best known as the lead guitarist and vocalist of the death metal band Dying Fetus. He co-founded the band in 1991 and has remained its only constant member. Gallagher is recognized for his technical guitar playing and guttural vocal style.

    Shepherd's Commandment is the song.

25. Slash

    

    Saul Hudson, known professionally as Slash, is a British-American musician and songwriter. He is best known as the lead guitarist of the American hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he achieved worldwide success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He has also released solo work and collaborated with... read more

    He's one of the best guitarists of the 20th and 21st centuries. Congratulations!

    He is such an amazing guitarist. He should be a lot higher on the list.

26. Jonny Buckland

    

    From Coldplay, hands down a great guitarist with thrilling solos.

27. Billie Joe Armstrong

    

    Billie Joe Armstrong (born February 17, 1972) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and actor best known as the lead vocalist, primary songwriter, and guitarist of the punk rock band Green Day, which he co-founded with Mike Dirnt.... read more