How to Dial In "Death's Cold Dark" by Watain - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Death's Cold Dark"
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 Lawless Darkness (2010). Lawless Darkness is the fourth studio album by Swedish black metal band Watain, released through Season of Mist, on 7 June 2010. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so an ESP E-II Horizon NT-II through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Watain's other songs from Lawless Darkness, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Death's Cold Dark" Tone
What guitar did Watain use on "Death's Cold Dark"?
The guitar on "Death's Cold Dark" (released 2010) isn't documented; the ESP E-II Horizon NT-II above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Death's Cold Dark" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 4.5, Mid 5, Treble 7.5, Presence 7, Volume 6. 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 "Death's Cold Dark" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Death's Cold Dark" 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 "Death's Cold Dark" by Watain are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.