Riff Tone

Now That We're Dead

Metallica

Guitarmetal2010s+

Original Gear

GuitarESP LTD Iron Cross (James Hetfield signature, likely custom shop version for studio)

AmpFractal Audio Axe-Fx II (Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ model used for rhythm tones)

PickupsEMG JH Het Set (active humbuckers)

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass6

mid4

treble7.5

reverb0

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 2016 (Hardwired...To Self-Destruct sessions). Hetfield's rhythm tone for 'Now That We're Dead' riff section was tracked using the Axe-Fx II with a Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ model, as confirmed by multiple sources. No evidence of pedals or additional effects in the riff section; tone is direct, high-gain, and tight.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationarticulate low endrazor-sharp claritymodern metal crunchcompressed dynamicsminimal ambiencefocused attack

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, aggressive palm muting and precise alternate picking at a moderate tempo, with syncopated rhythms that demand accuracy and stamina typical of modern Metallica rhythm work.

Sources

James Hetfield Hardwired tone : r/Metallica - Reddit Quintessential Rock Rigs by Decade - Premier Guitar

This tone has been researched 2 times by the community

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