Angel of death amp settings — Headrush M1

The Slayer guitar tone for “Angel of death”, dialed in for a Headrush M1 with a Jackson Virtuoso. Studio version, Reign in Blood (1986) — dry, aggressive, mid-forward thrash tone

Original rig

Marshall JCM800 2203 head, Marshall 1960B 4x12 cab, B.C. Rich Bich with DiMarzio Super Distortion humbuckers, no pedals

Tight, percussive, mid-heavy thrash crunch with dry attack and zero reverb

Amp settings — Headrush M1

CHANNELJCM800 model (or 'Brit 800' / 'UK 800' equivalent in Headrush amp list)BRIGHToffBOOSToff

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

Don’t have a Headrush M1? Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

Your Jackson Virtuoso likely has hot humbuckers similar to the original DiMarzio Super Distortions, so no gain compensation needed. The Headrush JCM800 model should get you close — push mids to 8 (Slayer's signature anti-scoop), keep bass conservative at 5 for tightness, and treble at 6 to avoid fizz. Presence at 7 adds the cut without harshness. Zero reverb is critical — the original is bone dry.

PRO TIPSlayer's pick attack is everything — use thick picks (1mm+), strike hard and close to the bridge, and palm-mute with your hand almost touching the saddles for that percussive 'chunk.' If your tone feels muddy, roll the guitar's tone knob to 8 instead of cutting amp treble.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Headrush M1. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

Get ToneAdapt on Google Play

Find your amp

Browse

Slayer tonesALL SONGS Tone libraryEVERYTHING

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.