Riff Tone

South of Heaven slayer

Unknown Artist

Guitarmetal1980s

Original Gear

GuitarB.C. Rich Kerry King V (2nd generation, 1980s model)

AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 (likely modded, as per era and artist)

PickupsEMG 81 (bridge, active humbucker)

Amp Settings

gain8

bass5.5

mid4.5

treble7

reverb0

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1988. Gear confirmed for South of Heaven album era. Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman both used B.C. Rich guitars with EMG pickups into Marshall JCM800s. No evidence of pedal use for riff section; distortion from amp. Pickup preamp rarely used for rhythm. Settings estimated from era and genre as no direct studio settings found.

Tone Character(10)

dense and crushingtight and percussiveaggressive palm mutingmid-heavy but not scoopedsharp attackhigh-gain saturationminimal ambiencearticulate power chordsdark, ominous riff toneactive pickup clarity

Difficulty

The riff requires intermediate skill due to its slow but heavy tempo, tight palm muting, and precise power chord changes, but does not involve advanced lead techniques.

Sources

Rig Rundown: Slayer - Premier Guitar Slayer Members, Gear & Sound | Equipboard Learn to play South of Heaven by Slayer | LickLibrary Slayer tone: High or low mids...? - forum topic - Ultimate Guitar Need raining blood amp settings : r/Slayer - Reddit

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