Riff Tone
Mandatory Suicide
Slayer
Guitarmetal1980s
Original Gear
GuitarBC Rich Warlock (late 1980s, likely USA model, stock Kahler tremolo)
AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 (100W head, late 1980s, through Marshall 4x12 cabinet with Celestion speakers)
PickupsSeymour Duncan SH-4 JB (bridge humbucker, stock for Kerry King at the time)
Amp Settings
gain8.5
bass6
mid4
treble7.5
reverb0
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1988, South of Heaven album sessions. Gear confirmed for this era and album, not live rig. No evidence of pedals for rhythm/riff section; distortion from amp. No time-based or modulation effects audible in riff section.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationrazor-sharp attackchunky low enddry, immediate responseminimal ambiencearticulate riff clarityclassic thrash metal crunch
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, aggressive palm muting and precise alternate picking at a moderate tempo, demanding stamina and accuracy but not advanced lead techniques.
This tone has been researched 2 times by the community
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal1980s
Original Gear
GuitarBC Rich Warlock (late 1980s, likely USA model, stock Kahler tremolo)
AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 (100W head, late 1980s, through Marshall 4x12 cabinet with Celestion speakers)
PickupsSeymour Duncan SH-4 JB (bridge humbucker, stock for Kerry King at the time)
Amp Settings
gain8.5
bass6
mid4
treble7.5
reverb0
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
This tone has been researched 2 times by the community
Notes
Studio recording, 1988, South of Heaven album sessions. Gear confirmed for this era and album, not live rig. No evidence of pedals for rhythm/riff section; distortion from amp. No time-based or modulation effects audible in riff section.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationrazor-sharp attackchunky low enddry, immediate responseminimal ambiencearticulate riff clarityclassic thrash metal crunch
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, aggressive palm muting and precise alternate picking at a moderate tempo, demanding stamina and accuracy but not advanced lead techniques.
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