How to Dial In "Sign of Fear" by Destruction - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Sign of Fear"
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 Release from Agony (1987). Release from Agony is the third studio album by German thrash metal band Destruction, released on December 1, 1987 by Steamhammer/SPV in mainly Europe, and in 1988 by Profile/Rock Hotel Records in North America. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a B.C. Rich Mockingbird Legacy through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Destruction's other songs from Release from Agony, 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 "Sign of Fear" Tone
What guitar did Destruction use on "Sign of Fear"?
The guitar on "Sign of Fear" (released 1987) isn't documented; the B.C. Rich Mockingbird Legacy 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 "Sign of Fear" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7.5, Bass 5.5, Mid 5, Treble 7, Presence 6.5, Volume 7.5. 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 "Sign of Fear" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Sign of Fear" 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 "Sign of Fear" by Destruction are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.