Riff Tone
Dethroned Emperor
Celtic Frost
Guitarmetal1980s
Original Gear
GuitarIbanez Rocket Roll II Flying V
AmpPeavey VTM (likely VTM 120 or VTM 60 head)
PickupsIbanez V2 humbuckers (stock, high-output passive)
Amp Settings
gain8.5
bass6
mid5.5
treble6
reverb0
presence3
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1984. Guitarist Tom G. Warrior is confirmed to have used the Ibanez Rocket Roll II Flying V for Hellhammer and early Celtic Frost, including 'Morbid Tales'. The Peavey VTM is cited as the likely amp for the era and tone. No evidence of live/touring substitutions for the original recording.
Tone Character(10)
grinding and mid-heavytight and percussiveraw and aggressivethick, saturated distortionminimal ambiencefocused, punchy low endslightly scooped but present midsno modulation or time-based effectsprimitive, early extreme metal sounddry, immediate attack
Difficulty
The riff requires solid palm muting, precise timing, and stamina for repeated downpicking, but does not involve advanced techniques or fast tempo, making it accessible to intermediate players.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal1980s
Original Gear
GuitarIbanez Rocket Roll II Flying V
AmpPeavey VTM (likely VTM 120 or VTM 60 head)
PickupsIbanez V2 humbuckers (stock, high-output passive)
Amp Settings
gain8.5
bass6
mid5.5
treble6
reverb0
presence3
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1984. Guitarist Tom G. Warrior is confirmed to have used the Ibanez Rocket Roll II Flying V for Hellhammer and early Celtic Frost, including 'Morbid Tales'. The Peavey VTM is cited as the likely amp for the era and tone. No evidence of live/touring substitutions for the original recording.
Tone Character(10)
grinding and mid-heavytight and percussiveraw and aggressivethick, saturated distortionminimal ambiencefocused, punchy low endslightly scooped but present midsno modulation or time-based effectsprimitive, early extreme metal sounddry, immediate attack
Difficulty
The riff requires solid palm muting, precise timing, and stamina for repeated downpicking, but does not involve advanced techniques or fast tempo, making it accessible to intermediate players.