Tone library / Metallica / Creeping death

Creeping death amp settings — Blackstar Core 4

The Metallica guitar tone for “Creeping death”, dialed in for a Blackstar Core 4 with a Spira S-400 mk. Studio version, Ride the Lightning (1984)

Original rig

Marshall JCM800 2203 (Jose Arredondo mod) → 4x12 cab, 1984 Gibson Explorer with Dirty Fingers humbucker (bridge)

Aggressive, tight, scooped thrash rhythm with bright attack and chunky palm mutes

Amp settings — Blackstar Core 4

CHANNELOD2 (Overdrive 2 — highest gain channel)

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	5
Mid	3
Treble	8
Presence	6
Reverb	0
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The ID:Core 4 is a small practice amp with digital voicing. Set ISF fully clockwise (British/Marshall voicing) to approximate the JCM800's mid-forward bark. The original used scooped mids (around 3), which translates directly here. Treble pushed to 8 compensates for the smaller speaker's reduced high-end projection compared to a 4x12.

PRO TIPPalm mute directly over the bridge saddles, not further up the strings — Hetfield's tight 'chug' on this track comes from aggressive right-hand muting and downpicking every note, no alternate picking on the main riff.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Blackstar Core 4. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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Song, artist and gear names are used to identify the tone being matched; ToneAdapt is not affiliated with or endorsed by the artists or manufacturers mentioned. Settings are AI-generated starting points — trust your ears.