GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Heaven's On Fire Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Kiss
Kiss · 1980s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Jackson Custom Soloist (Mark St. John, 1984-85, Animalize sessions)
Pickups
DiMarzio Super Distortion humbucker (bridge position)
Amp
Marshall JCM800 2203 head with Marshall 4x12 cabinet (studio recording, 1984)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording for 'Heaven's On Fire' riff section, Animalize album (1984). Mark St. John played a Jackson Custom Soloist with a DiMarzio Super Distortion in the bridge. Amp was a Marshall JCM800 2203, no confirmed pedal use for the riff. No evidence of additional effects beyond amp distortion and possible light reverb.
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass6
Gain7
Reverb2.5
Treble7
Presence6
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Tone Character
- tight, saturated rhythm crunch
- aggressive, biting attack
- hot-rodded 80s Marshall sound
- thick, compressed power chords
- articulate pick attack
- focused midrange punch
- cutting upper mids
- slight natural amp reverb
- minimal ambience
- no audible modulation or delay
Notes & Caveats
- No direct source lists exact amp or pedal settings for the 'Heaven's On Fire' studio riff; settings estimated based on typical 1980s Marshall JCM800 usage for hard rock/metal and Mark St. John's known gear.
- No evidence of pedal use or modulation/time-based effects in the riff section; only amp distortion and possible light reverb inferred.
- Guitar and pickup model inferred from Mark St. John's known Animalize-era rig; no direct studio photo or session note found.
- If new evidence emerges of pedal use or alternate amp, settings may need revision.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Paul Stanley's 'Heaven's On Fire' riff tone is classic mid-80s hard rock: crunchy but not super-saturated, with forward mids, tight but not boomy bass, and bright, cutting treble. The production is punchy and present, typical of Kiss's mid-80s era, likely using a modded Marshall or similar amp with moderate reverb for space.