The "Eruption" introduction is based on the "Let Me Swim" introduction by
Cactus. After the intro, an E-flat major quotation of the "Etude No. 2" by
Rodolphe Kreutzer is heard. The end section begins with a series of rapid two-handed tapping
triads that have a
classical like structure and eventually finishes with a repeated classical
cadence followed by sound effects generated by a Univox EC-80 echo unit. Although one-handed tapping (hammer-ons and pull-offs) was standard guitar technique, "Eruption" introduced two-handed tapping to the mainstream popular rock audience, and it was a popular soloing option throughout the 1980s. Initially, "Eruption" was not considered as a track for the Van Halen album as it was just a guitar solo Eddie performed live in the clubs. But
Ted Templeman overheard it in the studio as Eddie was rehearsing it for a club date at the
Whisky a Go Go and decided to include it on the album. Eddie recalled, "I didn't even play it right. There's a mistake at the top end of it. To this day, whenever I hear it, I always think, 'Man, I could've played it better.'" "
Spanish Fly", an acoustic guitar solo on
Van Halen II, can be viewed as a nylon-string version of "Eruption", expanding on similar techniques. Similarly, it was suggested by Templeman for inclusion on the album after he heard Eddie Van Halen playing a
classical guitar. In March 2005,
Q magazine placed "Eruption" at number 29 in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks. "Eruption" has been named the 2nd greatest guitar solo by
Guitar World magazine. Chuck Klosterman of
Vulture.com named it the best Van Halen song, noting "if you love Van Halen, this is what you love, and you can listen to it a thousand times without diminishing returns." == Legacy ==