Halloween in Heaven Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Type O Negative
Type O Negative · 2000s · Metal
Studio recording for 'Dead Again' (2006/2007); Kenny Hickey's main rig for this era. Guitar tuned 2.5 steps down to B Standard. Chorus effect always on for rhythm. Effects via rack units (TC Electronic G-Force, Alesis Quadraverb) and/or signature chorus pedal.
Original Recording
Rackmount rig — JMP-1 preamp + 9005 power amp was Kenny Hickey's main 'Dead Again'-era setup. Rack effects (TC Electronic G-Force, Alesis Quadraverb) handled chorus + ambience. The 2.5-step down-tune to B Standard is the structural source of the riff's heaviness — without it, the same amp settings sound much brighter and thinner.
Amp Settings
Effects Chain
- Type O Negative Signature Chorus (Jessup Amps or Boss) — Boss Super Chorus as substitute · chorus
Guitar (Epiphone SG Custom w/ EMG 81/85, tuned to B Standard) → Type O Negative Signature Chorus (or Boss Super Chorus) → Marshall JMP-1 preamp → Marshall 9005 power amp → rack effects (TC Electronic G-Force, Alesis Quadraverb)
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- saturated high-gain distortion
- deep, low-tuned heaviness
- lush, wide chorus modulation
- articulate pick attack
- dark, brooding midrange
- slightly scooped but present mids
- thick, layered wall of sound
- subtle ambient reverb
- aggressive, modern metal rhythm
Playing Technique
- Fast, accurate picking (level 3/5) — Sustained alternate picking at metal tempo with a heavy gain stage demands consistent pick attack — looseness shows up as note bloom and noise.
- Tight palm muting in low tuning (level 3.5/5) — B Standard string tension is significantly lower; the palm-mute landing zone moves further from the bridge and requires careful pressure to keep notes choked but pitch-stable.
- Clarity and articulation under heavy gain + modulation (level 3/5) — Always-on chorus plus high-gain saturation muddies attack envelopes if left-hand transitions aren't clean.