How to Dial In "Hymn for the Wretched" by The Black Dahlia Murder - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Hymn for the Wretched"
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 Unhallowed (2003). Unhallowed is the debut studio album by American melodic death metal band The Black Dahlia Murder, released on 17 June 2003 by Metal Blade Records. The album's personnel list credits Brian Eschbach and John Kempainen with guitar. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so an ESP LTD Viper-1000 through a Peavey 6505+, the rig we use for The Black Dahlia Murder's other songs from Unhallowed, stands in. Set the amp to a saturated high-gain setting and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it in C standard (C F B♭ E♭ G C), two whole steps below standard.
Common Questions About the "Hymn for the Wretched" Tone
What guitar did The Black Dahlia Murder use on "Hymn for the Wretched"?
The guitar on "Hymn for the Wretched" (released 2003) isn't documented; the ESP LTD Viper-1000 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in C Standard (C F B♭ E♭ G C), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "Hymn for the Wretched" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 9, Bass 6, Mid 4, 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 "Hymn for the Wretched" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Hymn for the Wretched" 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 "Hymn for the Wretched" by The Black Dahlia Murder are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.