Riff Tone

Atlas, Rise!

Metallica

Guitarmetal2010s+

Original Gear

GuitarESP Iron Cross (James Hetfield signature, used on Hardwired... To Self-Destruct sessions)

AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (primary rhythm amp for Hardwired... To Self-Destruct studio recording)

PickupsEMG JH Het Set active humbuckers

Amp Settings

gain8

bass6

mid4.5

treble7

reverb0

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 2016. Rhythm section. Hetfield's main rhythm guitar and amp for the album. No evidence of pedal use for riff section; high-gain amp tone. No live Fractal/Axe-FX or touring gear included.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussiveaggressive palm mutingscooped but present midshigh-gain saturationarticulate attackmodern metal claritypunchy low endcrisp high endminimal ambiencefocused and dry

Difficulty

The riff requires fast, tight alternate picking with aggressive palm muting and precise timing, making it challenging for most players.

Sources

The greatest guitar songs of the 21st century – 2016 The 20 best guitar albums of the decade Interview: Metallica's James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett on their tonal evolution

This tone has been researched 3 times by the community

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