Riff Tone
Die By the Sword
Slayer
Guitarmetal1980s
Original Gear
GuitarB.C. Rich Bich
AmpMarshall JCM800 head with Marshall 1960 4×12 cabinets
PickupsDiMarzio Super Distortion (likely, as EMGs were not yet used on this album)
Amp Settings
gain8
bass5.5
mid5.5
treble7
reverb0
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
eqBoss Boss GE-10 10-Band EQ
Notes
Studio recording, 1986. Both Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman used similar rigs for 'Reign in Blood'. Active pickups were not yet standard; DiMarzio Super Distortion is most likely. Boss 10-Band EQ was used to boost mids. No evidence of modulation or time-based effects on the riff section. Settings are for studio, not live.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivemid-forward attackhigh-gain saturationaggressive palm mutinggrainy, cascading gainpunchy and aggressivethick bottom-endslightly raw edgeno time-based or modulation effectsclassic '80s thrash rhythm
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, tight alternate picking and palm muting at high speed, demanding precise rhythm and aggressive picking technique typical of thrash metal.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal1980s
Original Gear
GuitarB.C. Rich Bich
AmpMarshall JCM800 head with Marshall 1960 4×12 cabinets
PickupsDiMarzio Super Distortion (likely, as EMGs were not yet used on this album)
Amp Settings
gain8
bass5.5
mid5.5
treble7
reverb0
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
eqBoss Boss GE-10 10-Band EQ
Notes
Studio recording, 1986. Both Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman used similar rigs for 'Reign in Blood'. Active pickups were not yet standard; DiMarzio Super Distortion is most likely. Boss 10-Band EQ was used to boost mids. No evidence of modulation or time-based effects on the riff section. Settings are for studio, not live.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivemid-forward attackhigh-gain saturationaggressive palm mutinggrainy, cascading gainpunchy and aggressivethick bottom-endslightly raw edgeno time-based or modulation effectsclassic '80s thrash rhythm
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, tight alternate picking and palm muting at high speed, demanding precise rhythm and aggressive picking technique typical of thrash metal.
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