Riff Tone

Inamorata

Metallica

Guitarmetal2010s+

Original Gear

GuitarESP LTD Iron Cross (James Hetfield's main studio rhythm guitar for 72 Seasons era)

AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC++ (primary), blended with Marshall Superlead modded by Jose Arredondo and Wizard Modern Classic 100 (Hetfield studio rhythm chain for 72 Seasons)

PickupsEMG JH Het Set active humbuckers

Amp Settings

gain8

bass6

mid4.5

treble7

reverb1

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

boostKlon Klon Centaur

Notes

Studio recording, 2022-2023, rhythm/riff section. Multiple amps blended for album, with Mark IIC++ and Jose-modded Marshall as primary rhythm tones. Wizard 100 and Diezel occasionally blended for low end. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for this section.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussivehuge low-endscooped but present midsaggressive palm mutingmodern high-gain saturationcrushing and heavyarticulate attackgnarly twin-guitar melodiesgroove and menaceepic, heavy riffing

Difficulty

The riff section requires advanced right-hand stamina for fast, precise downpicking, tight palm muting, and complex rhythm changes typical of modern Metallica rhythm work.

Sources

James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett’s 72 Seasons guitar gear | Guitar World Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo offer their track-by-track guide to Metallica’s super-heavy smash-hit new album, 72 Seasons | Guitar World The best guitar albums of 2023 | Guitar World

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