lead guitar from “into crypts of rays” by celtic frost | ToneDB
into crypts of rays
celtic frost
lead guitar
AI generatedv1.0
Tone Profile
A raw, aggressive, and heavily distorted guitar tone, characteristic of early extreme metal. The sound is thick, dark, and slightly muddy, contributing to the song's overall atmosphere of dread and intensity.
Gear
- Ibanez Destroyerinstrument
- Reverb$1500Sweetwater
- Marshall JCM800amp
- ReverbSweetwater
- Shure SM57microphone
- ReverbSweetwater
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The Story
Celtic Frost's lead guitar tone on "Into Crypts of Rays" was recorded at Caet Studio in Berlin using an Ibanez Destroyer through a Marshall JCM800, captured with a Shure SM57 microphone. The raw, heavily saturated sound was achieved primarily through the high-gain tube amplification of the JCM800, with the Destroyer's high-output pickups contributing to the thick, aggressive character that became a blueprint for early extreme metal guitar tones.
Production Credits
Producer: Tom G. Warrior, Horst Müller
Engineer: Horst Müller
Recorded at: Caet Studio, Berlin
Signal Chain
Instrument: Ibanez Destroyer
Amp: Marshall JCM800
Microphone: Shure SM57
Recreation Tips
- Start with an Ibanez Destroyer style guitar or similar instrument with high-output pickups.
- Use a Marshall JCM800 or another high-gain tube amplifier. Experiment with the gain settings to find the sweet spot between distortion and clarity.
- Place a Shure SM57 or similar dynamic microphone close to the speaker cone of the amplifier.
- In the mixing stage, avoid excessive EQ or compression, aiming to preserve the raw and unfiltered character of the original recording.
- If the tone still lacks some aggression, consider adding a distortion or overdrive pedal before the amp, such as a ProCo Rat.
Original Gear
- Ibanez Destroyer(guitar)
- Marshall JCM800(amp)
- Shure SM57(mic)
Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Ibanez Destroyer
Similar body shape and high-output humbucker configuration delivers comparable aggressive tone at budget price point
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Marshall JCM800
Modern Marshall with JCM800-inspired high gain channel that captures the saturated tube distortion character
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Marshall JCM800
High-gain amp modeling plugin with Marshall-style voicing perfect for extreme metal tones
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: ProCo Rat distortion
Same circuit design as the original pedal used to add extra saturation and aggression before the amp
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Ibanez Destroyer
Premium option with similar body design and high-output humbuckers for authentic vintage extreme metal tone
ReverbSweetwaterFrequently Asked Questions
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