Riff Tone

Of Wolf and Man

Metallica

Guitarmetal1990s

Original Gear

GuitarESP MX220 'Eet Fuk' (James Hetfield's main guitar for Black Album rhythm tracks)

AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ Simul-Class Head

PickupsEMG 81 (bridge, active humbucker)

Amp Settings

gain8

bass6

mid4

treble7

reverb0

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1991. Rhythm guitar for 'Of Wolf and Man' riff section. Hetfield confirmed in Guitar World interview that the Mark IIC+ was used for the Black Album after testing many amps. No evidence of pedal boosts for rhythm; direct into amp. Guitar is the ESP MX220 'Eet Fuk' with EMG 81 bridge pickup.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationchunky low endrazor-sharp clarityarticulate pick attackdry, immediate responseminimal ambiencefocused, modern metal rhythm

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, fast palm muting and precise alternate picking at a high tempo, with syncopated rhythms demanding strong right-hand control and timing.

Sources

Metallica reveal The Black Album's deepest, darkest secrets | Guitar World

This tone has been researched 8 times by the community

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