GuitarDistortedRiff
Halo On Fire Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Metallica
Metallica · 2010s+ · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
ESP Iron Cross (James Hetfield signature, used on Hardwired...To Self-Destruct sessions)
Pickups
EMG JH Het Set (active humbuckers)
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Mark V (studio recording, Hardwired...To Self-Destruct era)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 2016. James Hetfield tracked rhythm/riff sections with his ESP Iron Cross and EMG JH pickups into a Mesa/Boogie Mark V, as confirmed by interviews about the album's sessions. No evidence of live rig or alternate amps for the studio riff tone.
Amp Settings
Mids4.5
Bass5
Gain7
Reverb1.5
Treble7
Presence6
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- chunky palm-muted chugs
- modern high-gain saturation
- articulate and aggressive attack
- clear note separation under gain
- focused low end without muddiness
- slightly scooped mids for clarity
- minimal ambience, dry rhythm sound
- no audible modulation or delay
- metal riffing with precise pick attack