Tone library / Metallica / Creeping Death

Creeping Death amp settings — Blackstar ID:CORE V4

The Metallica guitar tone for “Creeping Death”, dialed in for a Blackstar ID:CORE V4 with a Fender HSS stratocaster. Studio version, Ride the Lightning (1984) — Kirk Hammett lead tone

Original rig

Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head into Marshall 4x12 cab, ESP MX220 with EMG 81 bridge pickup, no pedals

Searing high-gain lead with tight low end, scooped mids, fast pick attack, singing sustain, dry

Amp settings — Blackstar ID:CORE V4

CHANNELOD2 (Super Crunch voice), ISF at 2 o'clock (British/Marshall leaning)BOOSTon

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	5
Mid	4
Treble	7
Presence	6
Reverb	0
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10

Why these settings

Your Strat's humbucker bridge pickup is lower output than Hammett's EMG 81, so gain is pushed to 8 to compensate. ISF set toward British to approximate the Mesa/Marshall mid-forward bite. Mids raised to 4 (vs original's scooped 3) because the ID:CORE's voice is already slightly scooped — this prevents the lead from getting lost. Treble pulled back from 9 to 7 because single-coil-adjacent Fender voicing adds brightness the original ESP didn't have.

PRO TIPFor the sustained lead bends in the solo, dig in hard with your pick near the bridge and let the note bloom — the ID:CORE's compression responds well to attack dynamics, and backing off even slightly will thin out the sustain you need for those iconic held notes.

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These settings are for a Blackstar ID:CORE V4. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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