GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Now That We're Dead Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Metallica
Metallica · 2010s+ · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
ESP LTD Iron Cross (James Hetfield signature, likely custom shop version for studio)
Pickups
EMG JH Het Set (active humbuckers)
Amp
Fractal Audio Axe-Fx II (Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ model used for rhythm tones)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 2016 (Hardwired...To Self-Destruct sessions). Hetfield's rhythm tone for 'Now That We're Dead' riff section was tracked using the Axe-Fx II with a Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ model, as confirmed by multiple sources. No evidence of pedals or additional effects in the riff section; tone is direct, high-gain, and tight.
Amp Settings
Mids4
Bass6
Gain7.5
Reverb0
Treble7.5
Presence6.5
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- scooped mids
- aggressive palm muting
- high-gain saturation
- articulate low end
- razor-sharp clarity
- modern metal crunch
- compressed dynamics
- minimal ambience
- focused attack
Notes & Caveats
- No direct numeric amp settings found for this specific song/section; settings estimated based on typical Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ rhythm tones and Metallica's documented Axe-Fx II usage for Hardwired era.
- No evidence of pedals or additional effects in the riff section; all effects fields left empty except for amp-based reverb (set to 0).
- Pickup and guitar model inferred from Hetfield's known studio gear for Hardwired...To Self-Destruct and visual evidence from studio footage.
- If more specific studio documentation emerges, settings may need revision.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Metallica's 'Now That We're Dead' uses a modernized version of their classic scooped rhythm tone: high gain, tight bass, heavily scooped mids, and bright, cutting treble/presence. The tone is dry and punchy, typical of their post-Black Album production, with minimal reverb and a slightly less extreme mid scoop than their 80s tones.