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The recording
On 'Angel of Death', Jeff Hanneman’s tight, percussive rhythm riff comes from the bridge pickup of his black B.C. Rich Bich, while Kerry King’s searing lead lines are delivered via his white Jackson Soloist. No pedal effects are documented for this track; the distortion is pure amp saturation.
Tuning E Standard (E A D G B E)
Signal chain
Reported gear
1979 B.C. Rich Bich (black)
Guitar
Jeff Hanneman recorded the crushing rhythm riff on his black B.C. Rich Bich, using the bridge pickup's high‑output DiMarzio Super Distortion to cut through the mix.
Mid‑80s Jackson Soloist SL2 (white)
Guitar
Kerry King delivered the blistering lead lines on a white Jackson Soloist SL2, its Floyd Rose tremolo and high‑output bridge pickup providing the searing sustain heard in the solo.
Marshall JCM800 2203 (mid‑80s)
Amp
Both guitars were routed through a Marshall JCM800 2203 head, cranked to a high‑gain setting that gave the song its aggressive, tight distortion.
Marshall 1960 4x12 Cabinet (mid‑80s)
Cabinet
The amp head fed a Marshall 1960 4×12 cabinet, projecting a focused low‑end punch and articulate mids that define the tone.
Alternatives
B.C. Rich Warlock (2023)
Modern equivalent · for the 1979 B.C. Rich Bich (black)
Marshall JCM800 2203 (reissue)
Reissue · for the Marshall JCM800 2203 (mid‑80s)
Ibanez RG series (modern)
Budget alternative · for the Mid‑80s Jackson Soloist SL2 (white)
Marshall 1960 4x12 Cabinet (reissue)
Reissue · for the Marshall 1960 4x12 Cabinet (mid‑80s)
Practical playing approach
Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.
- 1.Attack each downstroke with a tight, palm‑muted hand to keep the riff solid.
- 2.Select the bridge pickup and crank the amp gain high for maximum attack.
- 3.Use fast alternate‑picking and keep the pick close to the strings for precision.
- 4.Scoop the mids on your amp to emulate the classic Slayer crunch.
- 5.Avoid reverb; keep the tone dry and immediate.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What gear was used for the Angel of Death guitar tone?
The available research points to 1979 B.C. Rich Bich (black) into Marshall JCM800 2203 (mid‑80s). The full reported signal chain and evidence links are listed on this page.
Are the original Angel of Death amp settings documented?
Exact historical knob positions are not reliably documented for most recordings. ToneTwin does not publish generated values as studio fact; it creates playable settings only for the amp and pedals a player selects.
What tuning is Angel of Death in?
The current research record lists E Standard (E A D G B E). ToneTwin keeps corrections open when reliable accounts disagree.
How do I recreate the Angel of Death tone on my own gear?
Use the reported pickup, gain character, effects and signal-chain order as the target, then translate that target to your equipment. The matcher models controls for your selected rig rather than copying undocumented studio numbers.
Researched and reviewed by the ToneTwin Research Team.
