How to Dial In "Birth of Tension" by Overkill - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Birth of Tension"
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 Years of Decay (1989). The Years of Decay is the fourth studio album by thrash metal band Overkill, released on 13 October 1989 by Atlantic. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so an ESP LTD EC-1000 through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Overkill's other songs from The Years of Decay, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Birth of Tension" Tone
What guitar did Overkill use on "Birth of Tension"?
The guitar on "Birth of Tension" (released 1989) isn't documented; the ESP LTD EC-1000 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Birth of Tension" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 5, Mid 6, 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 "Birth of Tension" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Birth of Tension" 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 "Birth of Tension" by Overkill are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.