Riff Tone

The Freezing Moon (Live in Leipzig, 1990)

Mayhem

Guitarmetal1990s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1970s, black finish, as used by Euronymous live in 1990)

AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 (100W head, as used by Euronymous live in 1990)

PickupsDiMarzio Super Distortion (bridge humbucker, as per multiple sources and era photos)

Amp Settings

gain8.5

bass5.5

mid3.5

treble7.5

reverb0

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

distortionBoss Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal

Notes

Live performance, 1990, Leipzig. Guitar into Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal pedal into Marshall JCM800. No evidence of other pedals or amp effects. No studio processing; raw live sound.

Tone Character(10)

chainsaw-like distortionscooped midsbuzzsaw attackraw and abrasivelo-fi, cold timbretight, percussive palm-mutingaggressive high-gain saturationminimal dynamicscutting treble presenceno audible reverb or delay

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, fast alternate picking and palm muting at a medium tempo, demanding precision and stamina but not advanced lead techniques.

Sources

What Made Euronymous' Guitar Tone SO GOOD?How did Euronymous create his tone? : r/Mayhem

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