GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Shadows Follow Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Metallica
Metallica · 2010s+ · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
ESP LTD Iron Cross (James Hetfield signature, used in studio for 72 Seasons)
Pickups
EMG JH Het Set active humbuckers
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC++ (primary), blended with José Arredondo-modded Marshall Superlead (late-60s/early-70s), Wizard 100-watt head sometimes added for low end
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 2022-2023 for 72 Seasons album. Amp blend varies per song, but Mark IIC++ and José-modded Marshall confirmed on every track. Wizard head added for extra low end on some tracks. No evidence of additional pedals for riff tone; Klon Centaur sometimes used on Wizard head but not confirmed for this song/section.
Amp Settings
Mids4.5
Bass6
Gain8
Reverb0.5
Treble7
Presence6.5
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- scooped but present mids
- aggressive palm muting
- high-gain saturation
- articulate low end
- dry and focused
- chunky rhythm
- modern thrash clarity
- minimal ambience
- fast attack
Notes & Caveats
- No direct source gives exact knob settings for Shadows Follow; amp and guitar models confirmed by producer interview (source 4). Settings estimated based on typical Mark IIC++/José Marshall usage for modern Metallica rhythm tones.
- No evidence of pedals or effects used for the main riff section; Klon Centaur mentioned as sometimes used on Wizard head, but not confirmed for this song/section.
- No time-based or modulation effects are audible in the riff section; tone is dry and focused.
- If more detailed studio notes become available, settings may need revision.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. The 'Shadows Follow' riff tone is modern Metallica: tight, saturated, and aggressive with scooped mids, tight bass, and pronounced treble/presence for clarity. Their post-2000s tones favor high gain, moderate bass, scooped mids, and little to no reverb, matching the production and genre conventions.