Angel or Alien Solo Guitar Tone Settings — Born of Osiris
Born of Osiris · 2010s+ · metal
studio
Original Recording
Studio recording for 'Angel or Alien' (2021); Lee McKinney used Kiesel LM6X and Axe-Fx III with EVH 5150 III amp model for album tracking. All effects and amp tones are processed in the Axe-Fx III. No evidence of analog pedals or real amps for the studio solo section.
Amp Settings
Effects Chain
- Delay pedal (model unknown, likely Axe-Fx III digital delay) · delay
- Reverb (model unknown, likely Axe-Fx III digital reverb) · reverb
- Noise gate (Axe-Fx III built-in) · noise_gate
Kiesel LM6X → Axe-Fx III (EVH 5150 III amp model, built-in noise gate, digital delay, digital reverb) → DAW
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- singing sustain
- clear note separation
- articulate high end
- fluid legato
- crisp pick attack
- slight ambient tail
- cutting presence
- modern metal lead tone
- tight low end
Playing Technique
- Pick with a clean, narrow attack · difficulty 4/5Use a smaller pick motion than you would for a loose rock solo. The tone is high-gain and polished, so excess pick travel can turn into noise. A tight attack keeps the lead clear and helps the digital amp-style response stay focused.
- Mute like a rhythm player, even during lead lines · difficulty 4/5The solo tone needs strong muting discipline because delay and reverb can expose every stray string. Keep unused lower strings blocked with the picking hand, and let the fretting hand lightly mute strings above the phrase. The clarity comes from what you silence.
- Use legato to smooth the futuristic lead feel · difficulty 4/5Mix picked notes with hammer-ons and pull-offs so the phrase does not become all attack. Lee McKinney's modern lead identity benefits from fluid transitions: picked accents give definition, while legato helps the sustain connect across fast position shifts.
- Control vibrato width under delay · difficulty 3/5Keep vibrato narrow and intentional. Wide, blues-style vibrato can fight the polished progressive-metal texture, especially when delay repeats are present. Aim for controlled pitch movement that adds sustain without making the lead feel unstable inside the dense mix.
Sources
Tone Story / Why This Tone Works
- Style and eraAngel or Alien belongs to Born of Osiris' 2021 progressive metalcore era, where djent-tight rhythm production meets melodic, cinematic lead writing.
- Guitar identityLee McKinney's role is central: precise modern-metal articulation, extended-range clarity, and lead phrasing that feels technical without becoming sterile.
- Why the solo needs this toneThe solo has to sustain through fast phrasing, stay articulate under high gain, and leave enough space for the track's symphonic atmosphere.
- Why it worksA tight digital high-gain platform gives controlled lows, sharp pick definition, and enough delay/reverb to make the lead sing without washing out the notes.
What Fans Are Saying About This Tone?
We hope you dig the track and the rest of the album when it drops.
Vote your takeSick stuff and loved the solo!
Vote your takeThe synth work is so underrated in this song.
Vote your takeRespect to the production crew for hauling all that gear to the middle of the desert.
Vote your takeThat intro teleported me to another universe.
Vote your take