Riff Tone

Suicide Messiah

Black Label Society

Guitarmetal2000s

Original Gear

GuitarSandoval Custom Polka Dot Flying V

AmpWylde Audio Master 100 (Marshall JCM800 circuit, likely 2203ZW signature head) into Marshall 4x12 cabinet

PickupsEMG 81 (bridge), EMG 85 (neck) active humbuckers

Amp Settings

gain8.5

bass6

mid5

treble7

reverb1

presence7

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 2005. Zakk Wylde is known for using his signature Wylde Audio/Marshall JCM800-style head and EMG-loaded guitars for Black Label Society recordings in this era. The Sandoval V with EMGs is confirmed for the 'Suicide Messiah' video and era. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for this riff section.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussiveaggressive palm mutingsaturated high-gainchunky low endarticulate pick attackmodern metal clarityslightly scooped midsactive pickup punchminimal ambiencefocused, compressed sound

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, aggressive palm muting and precise alternate picking at a moderate tempo. While not technically advanced, the tone and attack demand control and consistency typical of intermediate to advanced metal rhythm playing.

Sources

Zakk Wylde’s Guitars, Gear & Pedalboard | Equipboard Zakk Wylde Credits Tony Iommi for Iconic Riff - Premier Guitar

This tone has been researched 3 times by the community

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