GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Room of Mirrors Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Metallica
Metallica · 2010s+ · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
ESP Snakebyte (James Hetfield signature, used in studio for 72 Seasons era)
Pickups
EMG JH Het Set active humbuckers
Amp
Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III (amp modeling, Metallica custom high-gain patches based on Mesa/Boogie amps)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 2022-2023. Metallica have used Fractal Axe-Fx for all guitar tones on 72 Seasons, including 'Room of Mirrors'. Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ and Rectifier models are typical for their heavy rhythm tones, but all processed through Axe-Fx III. No evidence of traditional tube amps or analog pedals on this recording.
Amp Settings
Mids4
Bass6
Gain8.5
Reverb1
Treble7
Presence6.5
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- scooped mids
- aggressive palm muting
- high-gain saturation
- articulate pick attack
- modern metal clarity
- compressed low end
- razor-sharp high end
- minimal ambience
- studio-polished heaviness
Notes & Caveats
- No direct source lists exact amp or pedal settings for 'Room of Mirrors' riff; settings estimated based on Metallica's Axe-Fx III usage and typical modern Metallica rhythm tones.
- No evidence of analog pedals or traditional amps on this studio recording; all tones are Axe-Fx III-based with custom Metallica patches.
- No evidence of time-based or modulation effects (delay, chorus, flanger, etc.) in the riff section; tone is dry and focused.
- Pickup choice inferred from typical Hetfield rhythm approach and audible tone.
- Amp model is Axe-Fx III with Mesa/Boogie-style models, not a physical amp.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Room of Mirrors features a modern Metallica rhythm tone: high gain, tight low end, scooped mids, and bright, aggressive top end with clear presence. The band typically uses Mesa/Boogie amps with minimal reverb for tightness, and these settings reflect their classic 'scooped' metal approach updated for modern production.