Riff Tone

Alison Hell

Annihilator

Guitarmetal1980s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Flying V (likely 1980s, with ceramic humbucker pickups)

AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 (studio recording, 1988-1989)

PickupsCeramic humbucker (exact model unspecified, but confirmed ceramic type for era)

Amp Settings

gain8

bass5.5

mid4

treble7.5

reverb0

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

overdriveBoss Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive

Notes

Studio recording for 'Alice In Hell' album (1988-1989). Multiple sources confirm Gibson Flying V with ceramic pickups into a Marshall JCM800, boosted with a Boss SD-1 Overdrive. No evidence of other guitars or amps for the main riff. Settings estimated based on genre, era, and typical JCM800/SD-1 thrash setup. No evidence of time-based or modulation effects in the riff section.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussiveaggressive palm mutingscooped midsrazor-sharp attackchunky low endhigh-gain saturationminimal ambiencefast, articulate pickingclassic 80s thrash rhythmfocused, dry distortion

Difficulty

The riff requires fast, accurate alternate picking and tight palm muting at high speed, with complex rhythm changes and precise synchronization, making it challenging for most players.

Sources

Classic Annihilator Sound?Jeff Waters, Annihilator Guitarist Gear | Equipboard

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