lead guitar from “devil’s metal” by death angel | ToneDB
devil’s metal
death angel
lead guitar
AI generatedv1.0
Tone Profile
This guitar tone is aggressive and cutting, perfect for thrash metal. It's got a tight low end, a biting midrange, and articulate high frequencies, providing clarity and aggression.
Gear
- Ibanez Destroyerinstrument
- Reverb$1500Sweetwater
- Marshall JCM800amp
- ReverbSweetwater
- Shure SM57microphone
- ReverbSweetwater
- Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808processing
- Reverb$120Sweetwater
ToneDB may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
The Story
Death Angel's lead guitar tone on their early material was built around high-output humbuckers through a Marshall JCM800 amplifier, with an Ibanez Tube Screamer used to tighten the low end and push the amp into higher gain territory. The recording was captured with close-mic'd cabinets, likely using dynamic microphones, which contributed to the aggressive and cutting character that became a hallmark of Bay Area thrash metal.
Production Credits
Producer: Max Norman
Engineer: Mike Clink
Recorded at: Prairie Sun Studios, Cotati, CA
Signal Chain
Instrument: Ibanez Destroyer
Amp: Marshall JCM800
Microphone: Shure SM57
Processing: Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808
Recreation Tips
- Start with a guitar equipped with high-output humbuckers.
- Use a Marshall JCM800 or similar high-gain amplifier as your base tone.
- Add an overdrive pedal like the Ibanez Tube Screamer to tighten the low end and boost the midrange.
- Experiment with microphone placement to find the sweet spot on the cabinet.
- EQ to taste, focusing on a tight low end and articulate high frequencies.
Original Gear
- Ibanez Destroyer(guitar)
- Marshall JCM800(amp)
- Shure SM57(mic)
- Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808(pedal)
Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Marshall JCM800
Captures the core JCM800 character with modern reliability and lower volume options for recording
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808
Exact reissue of the original pedal used to tighten bass and boost mids for this aggressive thrash tone
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Marshall JCM800
High-gain amp modeling that captures the tight, aggressive character needed for thrash metal tones
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Ibanez Destroyer
High-output EMG pickups provide the aggressive attack and clarity needed for tight thrash riffing
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Shure SM57
Still the industry standard dynamic mic for capturing aggressive amp tones with clarity and punch
ReverbSweetwaterFrequently Asked Questions
Community Insights
No community insights yet. Be the first to contribute!