Riff Tone
Sleepwalk My Life Away
Metallica
Guitarmetal2010s+
Original Gear
GuitarESP LTD James Hetfield Signature (likely ESP Snakebyte or ESP Iron Cross, as used on 72 Seasons sessions)
AmpDiezel VH4 (primary for rhythm), with Wizard 100-watt head and Marshall JMP 50-watt as additional layers
PickupsEMG James Hetfield Signature Humbucker Set (EMG JH-N neck, EMG JH-B bridge, active)
Amp Settings
gain9
bass6.5
mid4.5
treble7
reverb0
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording for 'Sleepwalk My Life Away' (2022/2023, 72 Seasons album). Rhythm section (riff) tone. Gear confirmed for 72 Seasons sessions; Wizard and Diezel heads used for rhythm, Marshall JMP for additional color. No evidence of live/touring substitutions.
Tone Character(10)
thick and raw analog crunchtight and percussive rhythmhuge low-end punchcrunchy distortion with claritycontrolled aggressionchunky palm-muted chugsarticulate attackslightly scooped but present midssaturated but not fizzymodern high-gain with analog warmth
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, aggressive down-picking and palm muting at a steady tempo, demanding right-hand stamina and rhythmic precision, but does not involve advanced lead techniques or complex chord voicings.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal2010s+
Original Gear
GuitarESP LTD James Hetfield Signature (likely ESP Snakebyte or ESP Iron Cross, as used on 72 Seasons sessions)
AmpDiezel VH4 (primary for rhythm), with Wizard 100-watt head and Marshall JMP 50-watt as additional layers
PickupsEMG James Hetfield Signature Humbucker Set (EMG JH-N neck, EMG JH-B bridge, active)
Amp Settings
gain9
bass6.5
mid4.5
treble7
reverb0
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording for 'Sleepwalk My Life Away' (2022/2023, 72 Seasons album). Rhythm section (riff) tone. Gear confirmed for 72 Seasons sessions; Wizard and Diezel heads used for rhythm, Marshall JMP for additional color. No evidence of live/touring substitutions.
Tone Character(10)
thick and raw analog crunchtight and percussive rhythmhuge low-end punchcrunchy distortion with claritycontrolled aggressionchunky palm-muted chugsarticulate attackslightly scooped but present midssaturated but not fizzymodern high-gain with analog warmth
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, aggressive down-picking and palm muting at a steady tempo, demanding right-hand stamina and rhythmic precision, but does not involve advanced lead techniques or complex chord voicings.
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