How to Dial In "Darkness Descends" by Dark Angel - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Darkness Descends"
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 Darkness Descends (1986). Darkness Descends is the second studio album by the American thrash metal band Dark Angel, released on November 17, 1986. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2 through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the nearest rig we use for Dark Angel'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 "Darkness Descends" Tone
What guitar did Dark Angel use on "Darkness Descends"?
The guitar on "Darkness Descends" (released 1986) isn't documented; the Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2 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 "Darkness Descends" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, 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 "Darkness Descends" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Darkness Descends" 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 "Darkness Descends" by Dark Angel are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.