Riff Tone
Behind the Crooked Cross
Slayer
Guitarmetal1980s
Original Gear
GuitarBC Rich Warlock (Kerry King signature, EMG 81 bridge pickup, likely used on South of Heaven album)
AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 (Kerry King's original 'The Beast', used in studio for South of Heaven era)
PickupsEMG 81 active humbucker (bridge position)
Amp Settings
gain8.5
bass5
mid5.5
treble7
reverb0
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1987-1988, South of Heaven album. Settings and gear based on period-correct interviews and rig rundowns. No evidence of pedals in the riff section; distortion from amp and active pickups.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussiveaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationscooped but present midsrazor-sharp attackcrushing low endclear note separationfocused and dryminimal ambienceclassic thrash metal rhythm
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, tight alternate picking with aggressive palm muting and precise rhythm, demanding advanced right-hand technique and stamina typical of thrash metal.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal1980s
Original Gear
GuitarBC Rich Warlock (Kerry King signature, EMG 81 bridge pickup, likely used on South of Heaven album)
AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 (Kerry King's original 'The Beast', used in studio for South of Heaven era)
PickupsEMG 81 active humbucker (bridge position)
Amp Settings
gain8.5
bass5
mid5.5
treble7
reverb0
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1987-1988, South of Heaven album. Settings and gear based on period-correct interviews and rig rundowns. No evidence of pedals in the riff section; distortion from amp and active pickups.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussiveaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationscooped but present midsrazor-sharp attackcrushing low endclear note separationfocused and dryminimal ambienceclassic thrash metal rhythm
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, tight alternate picking with aggressive palm muting and precise rhythm, demanding advanced right-hand technique and stamina typical of thrash metal.
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