How to Dial In "Total Destruction" by Bathory - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Total Destruction"
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 The Return…… (1985). The Return…… (full title The Return of the Darkness and Evil) is the second studio album by Swedish extreme metal band Bathory. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Les Paul Standard '50s through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the nearest rig we use for Bathory's other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it in E♭ standard (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭), a half step below standard.
Common Questions About the "Total Destruction" Tone
What guitar did Bathory use on "Total Destruction"?
The guitar on "Total Destruction" (released 1985) isn't documented; the Gibson Les Paul Standard '50s above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in E♭ Standard (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "Total Destruction" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7.5, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 7, Presence 6.5, Volume 6.5. 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 "Total Destruction" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Total Destruction" 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 "Total Destruction" by Bathory are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.