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Riff Tone

Halo On Fire

Metallica

Guitarmetal2010s+

Original Gear

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

AmpMesa/Boogie Mark V (studio recording, Hardwired...To Self-Destruct era)

PickupsEMG JH Het Set (active humbuckers)

Amp Settings

gain7

bass5

mid4.5

treble7

reverb1.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 2016. James Hetfield tracked rhythm/riff sections with his ESP Iron Cross and EMG JH pickups into a Mesa/Boogie Mark V, as confirmed by interviews about the album's sessions. No evidence of live rig or alternate amps for the studio riff tone.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussivechunky palm-muted chugsmodern high-gain saturationarticulate and aggressive attackclear note separation under gainfocused low end without muddinessslightly scooped mids for clarityminimal ambience, dry rhythm soundno audible modulation or delaymetal riffing with precise pick attack

Difficulty

The riff requires tight palm muting and fast alternate picking with precise timing, typical of modern Metallica rhythm work. While not as complex as their fastest thrash riffs, it demands strong right-hand technique and dynamic control.

Sources

Interview: Metallica's James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett on their tonal evolution, the art of the riff, and Justice for Lars MARK 5 - Equipboard

This tone has been researched 4 times by the community

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Guitarmetal2010s+

Original Gear

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

AmpMesa/Boogie Mark V (studio recording, Hardwired...To Self-Destruct era)

PickupsEMG JH Het Set (active humbuckers)

Amp Settings

gain7

bass5

mid4.5

treble7

reverb1.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Sources

Interview: Metallica's James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett on their tonal evolution, the art of the riff, and Justice for Lars MARK 5 - Equipboard

This tone has been researched 4 times by the community

Notes

Studio recording, 2016. James Hetfield tracked rhythm/riff sections with his ESP Iron Cross and EMG JH pickups into a Mesa/Boogie Mark V, as confirmed by interviews about the album's sessions. No evidence of live rig or alternate amps for the studio riff tone.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussivechunky palm-muted chugsmodern high-gain saturationarticulate and aggressive attackclear note separation under gainfocused low end without muddinessslightly scooped mids for clarityminimal ambience, dry rhythm soundno audible modulation or delaymetal riffing with precise pick attack

Difficulty

The riff requires tight palm muting and fast alternate picking with precise timing, typical of modern Metallica rhythm work. While not as complex as their fastest thrash riffs, it demands strong right-hand technique and dynamic control.

Create Free Account

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Halo On Fire by Metallica — Riff Tone Settings | ToneAdapt