Blackened

The recording

The intro was built from reversed guitar tracks and layered overdubs, creating a swelling effect. Hetfield’s rhythm parts and Hammett’s leads were recorded with tight, high‑gain tones, engineered by Flemming Rasmussen.

Reported gear

Late‑1980s ESP LTD Iron Cross

Guitar

James Hetfield used his late‑80s ESP LTD Iron Cross for the tight, down‑picked rhythm parts that drive the main riff of 'Blackened'.

Ibanez Tube Screamer TS‑9

Overdrive Pedal

A Tube Screamer TS‑9 was placed in front of Hetfield's amp to add a smooth overdrive and tighten the attack.

Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ (original, late 1980s)

Amplifier

The Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ provided the high‑gain, tight low‑end that underpins Hetfield's rhythm tone on 'Blackened'.

Late‑1970s Gibson Flying V

Guitar

Kirk Hammett employed a Gibson Flying V for the soaring lead lines and solo in 'Blackened'.

Dunlop Cry Baby GCB95

Wah Pedal

Hammett's signature wah‑inflected phrasing was achieved using a Dunlop Cry Baby GCB95.

Boss DS‑1 Distortion

Distortion Pedal

A Boss DS‑1 added extra saturation to Hammett's lead chain for the aggressive high‑gain sections.

Marshall JCM800 2203 (late 1980s)

Amplifier

Hammett's lead tone is shaped by a Marshall JCM800 2203, delivering the searing bite heard on the solos.

Alternatives

ESP LTD Iron Cross

Still made · for the Late‑1980s ESP LTD Iron Cross

$800 to $900

Dunlop Cry Baby GCB95 Wah Pedal

Still made · for the Dunlop Cry Baby GCB95

$100 to $130

Ibanez TS‑9 Tube Screamer

Still made · for the Ibanez Tube Screamer TS‑9

$150 to $180

Boss DS‑1 Distortion

Still made · for the Boss DS‑1 Distortion

$80 to $110

Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ Reissue

Reissue · for the Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ (original, late 1980s)

$2,600 to $3,200

Marshall JCM800 2203

Still made · for the Marshall JCM800 2203 (late 1980s)

$2,200 to $2,800

Epiphone Flying V

Budget alternative · for the Late‑1970s Gibson Flying V

$350 to $450

Practical playing approach

Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.

1. 1.Use strict alternate picking with downstrokes on the main riff for tight, aggressive attack.
2. 2.Apply the wah pedal on lead passages, rocking it in sync with the phrasing.
3. 3.Set the Tube Screamer Drive knob around 11 o'clock for a smooth boost without losing definition.
4. 4.Practice the reversed intro by playing the phrase forward, record it, then reverse the audio to capture the swelling effect.