After not playing guitar consistently for 6 years, I've revived my ass and am trying to take a more fundamental approach to everything. In the past I could play the full Nothing else matters song (with horrible timing) and I'm trying to re-learn everything with an emphasis on timing and articulation.

When I play the song from intro to breakdown, it's very easy for me to count the notes in 6/8 because I suppose it's mostly 1/8th notes. When it gets to the solo, even slowing down I'm unsure where to land the phrases in terms of beats because the note grouping is different with bends and legato.

If I turn off the metronome and play by "feel", I get something that's fits pretty reasonably in a backing track but I do miss a beat once in a while.

Would ya'll have any tips for this particular overplayed solo? I've really been putting in the time lately but have a slight lack of direction due to not being able to do lessons.