Riff Tone
The End Justifies
HammerFall
Guitarmetal2000s
Original Gear
GuitarESP Horizon Custom (Oscar Dronjak's main studio guitar, ca. 2002, as used on 'Crimson Thunder')
AmpPeavey 5150 II head into Marshall 1960A 4x12 cabinet (studio recording, 2002 era)
PickupsSeymour Duncan SH-4 JB (bridge humbucker), Seymour Duncan SH-2n Jazz (neck humbucker)
Amp Settings
gain8
bass6
mid5
treble7
reverb1.5
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 2002. Oscar Dronjak is confirmed to have used ESP Horizon with Seymour Duncan pickups and Peavey 5150 II for the 'Crimson Thunder' album, which includes 'The End Justifies'. No evidence of live/tour gear or alternate guitars/amps for this specific riff section.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivehigh-gain saturationchunky low endclear note separationarticulate pick attackslightly scooped midsmodern metal rhythmslight amp reverb for spacebridge humbucker clarityaggressive palm muting
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, tight alternate picking with aggressive palm muting and precise rhythm, typical of modern power metal. While not extreme, the tempo and articulation demand solid intermediate technique.
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Original Gear
GuitarESP Horizon Custom (Oscar Dronjak's main studio guitar, ca. 2002, as used on 'Crimson Thunder')
AmpPeavey 5150 II head into Marshall 1960A 4x12 cabinet (studio recording, 2002 era)
PickupsSeymour Duncan SH-4 JB (bridge humbucker), Seymour Duncan SH-2n Jazz (neck humbucker)
Amp Settings
gain8
bass6
mid5
treble7
reverb1.5
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 2002. Oscar Dronjak is confirmed to have used ESP Horizon with Seymour Duncan pickups and Peavey 5150 II for the 'Crimson Thunder' album, which includes 'The End Justifies'. No evidence of live/tour gear or alternate guitars/amps for this specific riff section.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivehigh-gain saturationchunky low endclear note separationarticulate pick attackslightly scooped midsmodern metal rhythmslight amp reverb for spacebridge humbucker clarityaggressive palm muting
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, tight alternate picking with aggressive palm muting and precise rhythm, typical of modern power metal. While not extreme, the tempo and articulation demand solid intermediate technique.