Riff Tone

After the Holocaust

Nuclear Assault

Guitarmetal1980s

Original Gear

GuitarJackson Soloist (likely early-mid 80s, as used by John Connelly in studio)

AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 head into 4x12 cabinet

PickupsJackson J-50BC humbucker (bridge position, high output ceramic magnet)

Amp Settings

gain8

bass6

mid4

treble7.5

reverb0

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1986 (Game Over album). Gear inferred from era, genre, and known band equipment. No direct source for exact pedals or amp settings for this specific track; settings estimated based on typical thrash metal studio setups and period-correct gear. No evidence of additional pedals or effects beyond amp distortion for riff section.

Tone Character(10)

razor-sharp attacktight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutingcrisp high endfocused low endfast alternate picking claritydry, immediate responseminimal ambiencehigh-gain saturation

Difficulty

The riff requires fast, accurate alternate picking and tight palm muting at high speed, demanding strong right-hand technique and precise timing typical of 1980s thrash metal.

Sources

Nuclear Assault Members, Gear & Sound Toxic Holocaust Members, Gear & Sound

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