Riff Tone
Killers with the Cross
Powerwolf
Guitarmetal2010s+
Original Gear
GuitarESP E-II Horizon NT-II
AmpENGL Powerball II
PickupsEMG 81/85 active humbuckers
Amp Settings
gain8
bass6
mid5
treble7
reverb1.5
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
noise_gateUnknown Noise gate pedal (model unknown)
Notes
Studio recording, 2018. Gear inferred from Powerwolf's known studio setup for 'The Sacrament of Sin' era; no direct source confirms exact gear for this song, but ESP/EMG/ENGL is the documented studio rig for Powerwolf's riff sections in this period.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivesaturated high-gainaggressive palm mutingarticulate note separationmodern metal claritycompressed attackmid-scoopedcrisp high endcontrolled low endminimal ambience
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, aggressive palm muting and precise alternate picking at a moderate tempo, with syncopated rhythms typical of modern metal. Not beginner, but accessible to intermediate players with metal technique.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal2010s+
Original Gear
GuitarESP E-II Horizon NT-II
AmpENGL Powerball II
PickupsEMG 81/85 active humbuckers
Amp Settings
gain8
bass6
mid5
treble7
reverb1.5
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
noise_gateUnknown Noise gate pedal (model unknown)
Notes
Studio recording, 2018. Gear inferred from Powerwolf's known studio setup for 'The Sacrament of Sin' era; no direct source confirms exact gear for this song, but ESP/EMG/ENGL is the documented studio rig for Powerwolf's riff sections in this period.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivesaturated high-gainaggressive palm mutingarticulate note separationmodern metal claritycompressed attackmid-scoopedcrisp high endcontrolled low endminimal ambience
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, aggressive palm muting and precise alternate picking at a moderate tempo, with syncopated rhythms typical of modern metal. Not beginner, but accessible to intermediate players with metal technique.
Killers with the Cross settings for your amp
Exact settings ToneAdapt players use on these amps.
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