Chugs(pm) and alternate picking

[Revenant]

I seem to have a hard time getting the chugs(palm muting) sound as heavy when using alterante picking as they do when i use downstrokes exclusively. However, I see many great rythm guitarists(Dave Mustaine among them) using alternate picking stricktly, still managing to retain the heaviness. On the other hand I hear other pros say that they use dowstrokes for most of the time in rhythm playing. Kirk Hammet says he even uses it for fast stuff like "Creeping Death". So I'm a little confused... Should I try to develop a habit of strickt alternate picking or go for the Hammet/Hetfield way?

[newamerikangosp]

When you do a down stroke, most of the energy is transfered to the bass string, meaning that the lower note ring louder, resulting in a "heavier" sound. Where as if you upstroke the treble side (the d or a string) resulting in the upper note rings louder resulting in a less heavier sound. If you only do one string then it won't matter, since only one note is ringing instead of the root and 5th, or the 5th plus octave.

I usually use alternate unless I need a sludgy "droopy" sound, then I will downstroke. But just like anything, it is all up to preference, and I would recommend on practicing downs, and alternates, as well as upstrokes by themselfs.

[EspBoobiesYeah]

Use both. You're going to have to use each in different contexts. Like for galloping rhythm **** at high speeds I personally think that downstrokes mixed with alt. strumming is 100x easier than straight downstrokes (depending on the rhythm). In fact, I can't even fathom doing a complicated rhythm structure using all downstrokes. I'm not THAT good (yet?).. But yeah dude, for the extended alternate metal chugalug just dig in deep and keep the wrist loose for the meatier tone. Also, **** with your amp settings, that **** is make or break when it comes a chunkier sound. On my 5150II I turned the resonance up all the way and my tone got 76% better.