Riff Tone
Seek and destroy
Unknown Artist
Guitarmetal1980s
Original Gear
GuitarUnknown (likely Gibson Flying V or Gibson Explorer, as used by Metallica on Kill 'Em All)
AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 (most sources and era-typical for Kill 'Em All studio recording)
PickupsUnknown humbuckers (likely stock Gibson humbuckers, possibly swapped for Seymour Duncan or EMG in later years, but original album likely stock or passive high-output humbuckers)
Amp Settings
gain8
bass6
mid3.5
treble7.5
reverb0
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
distortionProCo ProCo RAT (or similar distortion pedal)
Notes
Studio recording, 1983. Gear is based on Metallica's Kill 'Em All era, as this is the iconic version of 'Seek and Destroy'. No evidence of live/touring rig or later amp/pickup swaps for this recording.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationbright and cuttingchunky power chordsminimal ambiencearticulate pick attackclassic thrash rhythmdry, focused sound
Difficulty
The riff requires solid palm muting technique, precise alternate picking, and quick power chord transitions, making it moderately challenging for intermediate players.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal1980s
Original Gear
GuitarUnknown (likely Gibson Flying V or Gibson Explorer, as used by Metallica on Kill 'Em All)
AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 (most sources and era-typical for Kill 'Em All studio recording)
PickupsUnknown humbuckers (likely stock Gibson humbuckers, possibly swapped for Seymour Duncan or EMG in later years, but original album likely stock or passive high-output humbuckers)
Amp Settings
gain8
bass6
mid3.5
treble7.5
reverb0
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
distortionProCo ProCo RAT (or similar distortion pedal)
Notes
Studio recording, 1983. Gear is based on Metallica's Kill 'Em All era, as this is the iconic version of 'Seek and Destroy'. No evidence of live/touring rig or later amp/pickup swaps for this recording.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationbright and cuttingchunky power chordsminimal ambiencearticulate pick attackclassic thrash rhythmdry, focused sound
Difficulty
The riff requires solid palm muting technique, precise alternate picking, and quick power chord transitions, making it moderately challenging for intermediate players.
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