Riff Tone
The Leper Affinity
Opeth
Guitarmetal2000s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Standard (likely late 90s/early 2000s, used by Mikael Åkerfeldt on Blackwater Park)
AmpPeavey 5150 (primary), ENGL Savage 120 (secondary, blended in studio), possible Laney VH100R (minor use)
PickupsStock Gibson humbuckers (probable 490R/498T or Burstbuckers, passive, not EMG)
Amp Settings
gain8
bass6
mid5
treble6.5
reverb1
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, Blackwater Park album (2000/2001). Guitar World and multiple forums confirm Peavey 5150 and ENGL Savage were main amps for heavy rhythm. No evidence of live/touring rig or alternate guitars for this specific riff section.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussiveclear note separationarticulate high-gainaggressive palm mutingscooped but present midsmodern metal saturationdynamic attacknot muddymetallic thunderdistorted yet clear
Difficulty
The riff requires precise, fast alternate picking, tight palm muting, and the ability to clearly articulate complex, dissonant chord shapes at a high tempo, making it challenging for most players.
Sources
Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear
Create Free AccountGuitarmetal2000s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Standard (likely late 90s/early 2000s, used by Mikael Åkerfeldt on Blackwater Park)
AmpPeavey 5150 (primary), ENGL Savage 120 (secondary, blended in studio), possible Laney VH100R (minor use)
PickupsStock Gibson humbuckers (probable 490R/498T or Burstbuckers, passive, not EMG)
Amp Settings
gain8
bass6
mid5
treble6.5
reverb1
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, Blackwater Park album (2000/2001). Guitar World and multiple forums confirm Peavey 5150 and ENGL Savage were main amps for heavy rhythm. No evidence of live/touring rig or alternate guitars for this specific riff section.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussiveclear note separationarticulate high-gainaggressive palm mutingscooped but present midsmodern metal saturationdynamic attacknot muddymetallic thunderdistorted yet clear
Difficulty
The riff requires precise, fast alternate picking, tight palm muting, and the ability to clearly articulate complex, dissonant chord shapes at a high tempo, making it challenging for most players.
More Opeth tones
- Burden · solo
- Deliverance · riff
- Ending Credits · riff
- Blackwater Park · riff
- A Fair Judgement · solo
- Burden · riff
- Ending Credits · riff
- Windowpane · solo
- A Story Never Told · solo
- Black Rose Immortal (2023 Abbey Road Remaster) · riff