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Freezing Moon Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Mayhem
Mayhem · 1990s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Standard (sunburst, late 1970s/early 1980s, as seen in studio photos)
Pickups
Humbuckers (likely stock Gibson, exact model unspecified)
Amp
Marshall JMP 1987 Mk II Super Lead 50w Head (1976-77, with master volume mod) into Marshall 1960BX 4x12 cabinet (Celestion G12M Blackback speakers)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording for 'De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas' (1992-1993); settings estimated based on typical black metal/Marshall JMP usage and lack of explicit numeric values in sources. Pedal chain confirmed by Equipboard and photo evidence. No evidence of live-specific gear for this recording.
Amp Settings
Mids4.5
Bass5.5
Gain8.5
Reverb0
Treble7
Presence6.5
Effects Chain
- Arion SMM-1 Metal Master · distortion
- Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer · overdrive
Guitar → Arion SMM-1 Metal Master → Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer → Marshall JMP 1987 Mk II Super Lead → Marshall 1960BX 4x12 cabinet
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Tone Character
- razor-sharp attack
- cold and brittle
- scooped, harsh mids
- tight and percussive
- lo-fi, abrasive texture
- buzzsaw-like saturation
- minimal warmth
- dry, uncompressed sound
- aggressive palm muting
- raw, unpolished character
Notes & Caveats
- No explicit numeric amp or pedal settings found in available sources; amp and pedal settings estimated based on typical Marshall JMP usage in early 1990s black metal and genre conventions.
- Pedal order and models confirmed by multiple sources, but no studio photo of exact knob positions.
- No evidence of amp reverb or built-in effects used; reverb set to 0.
- Pickup choice inferred from typical black metal rhythm tone and listening to the recording.
- No evidence of chorus, flanger, phaser, or modulation effects in the riff section; delay is not audible in the main riff, only in solo/lead sections.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Mayhem's 'Freezing Moon' (De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas, early 90s) features a cold, scooped, high-gain black metal tone typical of Euronymous: extreme gain, tight low end, heavily scooped mids, and biting treble/presence for clarity. The production is very dry with no audible reverb, matching the raw, atmospheric aesthetic of early Norwegian black metal.