Riff Tone
Storytime
Nightwish
Guitarmetal2010s+
Original Gear
GuitarESP Horizon Custom (Emppu Vuorinen's main studio guitar, 2011 era)
AmpMesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
PickupsEMG 81 (bridge, active humbucker)
Amp Settings
gain8
bass6
mid5.5
treble7
reverb1.5
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
noise_gateUnknown Noise gate (model unknown)
Notes
Studio recording, Imaginaerum album (2011). Gear inferred from Emppu Vuorinen's known studio rig for this era and genre. No direct studio photo or interview for 'Storytime' session, but Dual Rectifier is repeatedly cited as his main amp for heavy riffing in this period.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivesaturated high-gainarticulate low-endaggressive palm mutingclear note separationcrisp and bright top endfocused midrangemodern metal clarityminimal ambiencepowerful attack
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, accurate picking and tight palm muting to maintain clarity under high gain, with rhythmic precision essential for the symphonic metal style.
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal2010s+
Original Gear
GuitarESP Horizon Custom (Emppu Vuorinen's main studio guitar, 2011 era)
AmpMesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
PickupsEMG 81 (bridge, active humbucker)
Amp Settings
gain8
bass6
mid5.5
treble7
reverb1.5
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
noise_gateUnknown Noise gate (model unknown)
Notes
Studio recording, Imaginaerum album (2011). Gear inferred from Emppu Vuorinen's known studio rig for this era and genre. No direct studio photo or interview for 'Storytime' session, but Dual Rectifier is repeatedly cited as his main amp for heavy riffing in this period.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivesaturated high-gainarticulate low-endaggressive palm mutingclear note separationcrisp and bright top endfocused midrangemodern metal clarityminimal ambiencepowerful attack
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, accurate picking and tight palm muting to maintain clarity under high gain, with rhythmic precision essential for the symphonic metal style.
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