Raining Blood

The recording

Both guitars were BC Rich Bich (Hanneman) and Warlock (King) fitted with DiMarzio Super Distortion bridge pickups, delivering a razor‑sharp attack. A modest front‑end boost from a Tube Screamer (or similar overdrive) is widely cited, while a noise gate helped tame the high‑gain hiss. The rhythm tracks were double‑tracked and panned hard left/right, and the solo was recorded with the amp’s master volume cranked, giving the searing, aggressive tone that dominates the mix.

Tuning E standard

Reported gear

BC Rich Bich (Jeff Hanneman) and BC Rich Warlock (Kerry King)

Guitar

Both guitarists used BC Rich guitars – Hanneman wielded a Bich and King a Warlock, each equipped with DiMarzio Super Distortion bridge pickups, providing the tight, aggressive attack heard throughout the track.

Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer

Overdrive

A Tube Screamer is widely believed to have been placed in front of the JCM800 to add a subtle mid‑boost and tighten the distortion, though the band has never confirmed the exact unit.

Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor

Noise Gate

A noise gate such as a Boss NS‑2 is often cited to tame the hiss of the high‑gain JCM800, though the specific model used during the 1986 sessions has not been documented.

Marshall JCM800 2203/2204 Head

Amp

The guitars were driven through a Marshall JCM800 2203/2204 high‑gain head, delivering the aggressive, scooped distortion that defines the song’s tone.

Marshall 1960 4x12 Cabinet

Cabinet

A Marshall 1960‑style 4×12 cabinet, likely loaded with Celestion speakers, was paired with the JCM800 to project the searing tone into the mix.

Alternatives

BC Rich Bich Reissue

Reissue · for the BC Rich Bich (Jeff Hanneman) and BC Rich Warlock (Kerry King)

$400 to $600

Marshall JCM800 Reissue

Reissue · for the Marshall JCM800 2203/2204 Head

$1,200 to $1,800

Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer

Modern equivalent · for the Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer

$120 to $180

Marshall 1960 4x12 Cabinet (reissue)

Modern equivalent · for the Marshall 1960 4x12 Cabinet

$400 to $700

Behringer Noise Gate

Budget alternative · for the Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor

$30 to $60

Practical playing approach

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

1. 1.Select the bridge pickup and crank the guitar volume to full for maximum gain.
2. 2.Use tight, aggressive down‑strokes for the fast alternate‑picked riffs.
3. 3.Set the amp’s gain high, keep mids low and boost presence for the signature scooped tone.
4. 4.Add a subtle boost from a Tube Screamer set low to tighten the distortion.
5. 5.Apply a noise gate to tame hiss while preserving sustain during rapid tremolo runs.