Riff Tone

Kill Or Be Killed

Muse

Guitarmetal2010s+

Original Gear

GuitarManson Oryx 6-string (custom, drop B tuning)

AmpDiezel VH4

PickupsManson PF-1 Matthew Bellamy Signature Humbucker

Amp Settings

gain8.5

bass6

mid5

treble7

reverb1.5

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

pitch_shiftDigitech Whammy V/DT

Notes

Studio recording, 2022. Guitar confirmed as Manson Oryx with PF-1 pickup for this era and song. Diezel VH4 is Bellamy's primary high-gain amp for modern Muse studio recordings. No evidence of additional amp blending or live-specific gear for the studio version.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussiveaggressive palm-muted chugsdense, saturated distortionarticulate, biting attackclear note separation in low tuningmodern metal saturationcrushing, djent-inspired rhythmhigh-output humbucker clarityslightly scooped midsminimal ambience

Difficulty

The riff requires advanced right-hand technique for tight, fast palm-muted chugs, precise alternate picking, and accurate Whammy pedal timing, making it challenging for most intermediate players.

Sources

Matthew Bellamy's Guitar Gear, Pedalboard & Amps | Equipboard Muse's Matt Bellamy: Natural-Born Disruptor - Premier Guitar Matt Bellamy channels his inner Meshuggah with a wild new 8-string ...

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