GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Pagan Fears Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Mayhem
Mayhem · 1990s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Custom (1970s, black, as used by Euronymous on 'De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas')
Pickups
Stock Gibson humbuckers (likely T-Top or similar 1970s/80s Gibson humbuckers)
Amp
Marshall JCM800 2203 (100W head, as used by Euronymous in studio for 'De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas')
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1992-1993. No evidence of pedals used for distortion; amp gain cranked for signature black metal tone. No evidence of additional effects or pedals in the riff section.
Amp Settings
Mids4.5
Bass5.5
Gain8.5
Reverb0
Treble7.5
Presence6.5
Tone Matcher
Match This Tone to Your Gear
Tell us your guitar and amp — we’ll calculate the exact settings translated to your specific rig.
Adapt to MY Gear →7-day free trial · Cancel anytime.
Tone Character
- raw and biting
- cold and harsh
- tight and percussive
- saturated high-gain distortion
- minimal low end for clarity
- midrange presence for note definition
- dry, immediate attack
- no ambience or reverb
- aggressive palm muting
- classic Norwegian black metal sound
Notes & Caveats
- No direct source gives exact amp or pedal settings for 'Pagan Fears'; settings estimated based on typical Marshall JCM800 usage in early 90s Norwegian black metal.
- No evidence of pedals or effects used in the riff section; distortion is from amp gain.
- Guitar and amp models are confirmed for the album era, but pickup type is inferred from typical Les Paul Customs of the period.
- No evidence of reverb, delay, chorus, flanger, or other effects in the riff section; tone is extremely dry and direct.
- Settings are estimated based on genre, era, and known gear, not from explicit studio documentation.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Mayhem's 'Pagan Fears' (recorded 1989) features classic early Norwegian black metal tone: extreme gain, tight but not boomy bass, heavily scooped mids, biting treble, and a dry, raw sound with little to no reverb. Euronymous favored high-gain amps (often Marshall JCM800 or Peavey) with scooped mids and aggressive presence for a cold, cutting attack.