What "Am I Evil" Requires and Where to Find the Tab

"Am I Evil" is a Diamond Head song from 1980, built on a straightforward but heavy riff in E minor that repeats throughout most of the track. The main riff uses power chords and single-note lines, making it accessible to intermediate players who are comfortable with barre chords and can read standard guitar tab. You will find the tab on sites like Ultimate Guitar, Songsterr, and Chordify — search for "Am I Evil Diamond Head tab" and you will see multiple versions, some user-rated so you can pick one that matches the recording you are learning from.

The song became famous again when Metallica covered it in 1986, and their version is slightly heavier and faster. If you are learning from the Metallica version, the tab is the same but played at a quicker tempo. Most tabs you find will work for either version — the difference is in how fast you play it, not the notes themselves.

Key Takeaways

  • The main riff is built on power chords in E minor and repeats with minimal variation, so once you lock in the rhythm and finger position, the hardest part is done.
  • You will need a distorted tone to match the original — a clean guitar will sound thin and lose the heaviness that defines the song.
  • The riff sits low on the fretboard (around the 3rd to 7th frets), so make sure your fretting hand can reach comfortably without stretching.
  • Timing and palm muting are more important than speed — the song is about locked-in rhythm, not fast picking.

Breaking Down the Main Riff Structure

The core of "Am I Evil" is a repeating riff that uses the E5 power chord (E and B notes) as its anchor. In tab form, this is typically shown as the 7th fret on the low E string and the 7th fret on the A string played together. From there, the riff moves to a G5 chord (5th fret on the low E string, 5th fret on the A string) and back, with some single-note passing tones in between to add movement.

The riff does not jump around the fretboard — it stays in a tight area, which is why it feels so heavy and locked-in. Your fretting hand will mostly stay in one position, moving only slightly between the power chord shapes. This is intentional: the song is designed to feel like a machine, not a melody. Once you have the finger positions down, the challenge becomes keeping the rhythm tight and consistent.

Getting the Tone Right

A clean guitar tone will not work for this song. You need distortion — either from a distortion pedal, an overdrive pedal, or your amplifier's gain channel. The amount of distortion matters: too little and the riff sounds thin; too much and the notes blur together. Start with moderate distortion (around 6 or 7 on a typical distortion pedal) and adjust from there based on how it sounds through your amp.

The original Diamond Head recording uses a warm, slightly fuzzy distortion. The Metallica version is heavier and more aggressive. Neither requires extreme settings — both are in the mid-range of distortion. If you are playing through a small practice amp, even a little bit of gain will get you close to the right sound. The key is that the power chords should ring clearly without turning into a wall of noise.

Mastering the Rhythm and Palm Muting

The riff is not fast, but it is precise. Most players learn the notes first and then struggle with the timing. The rhythm uses palm muting — resting the side of your picking hand on the strings near the bridge to dampen them slightly — which gives the riff its percussive, chunky character. Without palm muting, the riff sounds loose and undefined.

To palm mute, rest the fleshy part of your hand (the side of your palm, not your fingers) lightly on the strings just in front of the bridge. You should still be able to pick the strings, but they will sound muted and short instead of ringing out. Start slowly — around 80 to 100 beats per minute — and focus on keeping the muting consistent. Once the rhythm feels natural, you can speed it up to match the recording.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The most common mistake is playing the riff too fast before the muscle memory is solid. "Am I Evil" sounds straightforward, which makes players want to rush it. Slow down instead. Use a metronome and start at a tempo where you can play the riff cleanly three times in a row without mistakes. Only then should you increase the speed by 5 or 10 beats per minute.

Another mistake is not muting the strings between notes. If you let the strings ring out, the riff will sound sloppy and the notes will blur together. Palm muting is not optional — it is part of the riff's identity. A third mistake is using too much gain on your distortion, which makes it hard to hear whether you are hitting the right notes. Back off the distortion until you can clearly hear each note, then add a little more if you want.

Moving Beyond the Main Riff

Once you have the main riff down, the rest of the song is mostly repetition with minor variations. There is a lead section where the guitar plays a melody line over the same power chord progression — this is where you can add some personality to your playing. The tab will show you the exact notes, but the lead is straightforward enough that you can also play by ear if you are comfortable doing so.

The song does not have a complex solo or a bridge that changes the structure dramatically. It is built on repetition and groove, which is why it works so well as a learning piece. Once you can play the main riff cleanly and in time, you have learned the foundation of the entire song.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a specific type of guitar to play this song?

No. Any electric guitar will work — the song does not require a particular brand or model. A solid-body electric (like a Stratocaster or Les Paul) is standard, but a semi-hollow body will work too. The key is that you have distortion available, either from a pedal or your amp.

What if I cannot find a tab I trust?

Watch a YouTube video of someone playing the song slowly and pause it to see their finger positions. Many guitarists post slow-motion breakdowns of this riff. You can also listen to the original recording and pick out the notes by ear — the riff is straightforward enough that this is realistic if you have some ear training experience.

Is the Metallica version harder than the Diamond Head version?

The notes are identical, but the Metallica version is played faster and with heavier distortion. If you learn the Diamond Head version first, you can speed it up to match Metallica once you are comfortable. The technique does not change — only the tempo.

How long does it usually take to learn this riff?

Most intermediate players can play the riff cleanly within a few days of practice. Beginners may need a week or two. The limiting factor is usually palm muting consistency, not the finger positions. Practice slowly and focus on rhythm over speed.

Can I play this song on an acoustic guitar?

Technically yes, but it will not sound right. The song is designed around electric guitar distortion, and an acoustic will sound thin and lose the heavy character that makes the riff work. If you only have an acoustic, learn it anyway — the technique transfers to electric — but know that the tone will be completely different.