GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Downfall Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Children of Bodom
Children of Bodom · 1990s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
ESP Alexi Laiho Signature (likely ESP Alexi-600 or ESP Custom Shop Arrow Head, as seen in era photos and Equipboard)
Pickups
EMG HZ H4 (passive humbucker, stock in ESP Alexi models of this era)
Amp
Lee Jackson GP-1000 preamp into Marshall 1960 4x12 cabinet (studio recording, as confirmed for 'Hatebreeder' era by Equipboard and interviews)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1999 ('Hatebreeder' album). Alexi Laiho used the Lee Jackson GP-1000 preamp for all guitars on this album, running into a Marshall power amp and 4x12 cab. No evidence of live/touring gear (e.g., Marshall JCM800 2203KK) being used on this recording. No evidence of additional pedals for rhythm/riff tone.
Amp Settings
Mids3.5
Bass7
Gain9.5
Reverb0
Treble7
Presence7
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- scooped mids
- aggressive palm muting
- high-gain saturation
- articulate note separation
- razor-sharp attack
- crisp, cutting treble
- punchy low end
- very dry (no reverb)
- modern metal clarity
Notes & Caveats
- Amp settings are taken from a forum post referencing 'Downfall' and match typical Alexi Laiho rhythm tone; no official studio knob photos exist.
- Guitar and amp model confirmed for 'Hatebreeder' era via Equipboard and interviews, but no direct photo of the exact studio rig for this song.
- No evidence of pedals or effects used for the riff section; chorus and delay are used for solos, not rhythm.
- Presence setting inferred as typical for Lee Jackson/Marshall high-gain tones (6-8); forum post did not specify.
- Pickup choice inferred from genre and Alexi's typical rhythm approach (bridge humbucker).
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Children of Bodom's 'Downfall' features an extremely saturated, tight, and articulate late-90s/early-00s Finnish melodic death metal tone. Alexi Laiho typically used high gain (Peavey 5150/6505 or Marshall Valvestate), with mids slightly scooped, tight bass, and bright, cutting treble/presence for clarity. The tone is dry with no audible reverb, matching genre and production norms.