How to Dial In "Primal Breath" by At the Gates - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Primal Breath"
Suggested rig · the original isn't documented.
Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
On your amp, these numbers won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
From With Fear I Kiss the Burning Darkness (1993). With Fear I Kiss the Burning Darkness is the second studio album by Swedish melodic death metal band At the Gates, released on 7 May 1993 by Peaceville Records. The album's personnel list credits Anders Björler and Alf Svensson with guitar. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so an ESP LTD EC-1000 through a Peavey 5150, the rig we use for At the Gates' other songs from With Fear I Kiss the Burning Darkness, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Primal Breath" Tone
What guitar did At the Gates use on "Primal Breath"?
The guitar on "Primal Breath" (released 1993) isn't documented; the ESP LTD EC-1000 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Primal Breath" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 8, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 7.5, Presence 7, Volume 7. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale; match them on your amp first, then nudge to taste. ToneMirror can translate these positions for whatever amp you actually own.
Can I play "Primal Breath" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Primal Breath" tone on a Katana, a Helix, a tube combo, or anything else. The translation accounts for EQ curve, gain structure, and pickup type so the result actually sounds like the record, not just the same knob numbers on different gear.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "Primal Breath" by At the Gates are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.