What guitar did Kerry King use on Raining Blood?

Kerry King used a B.C. Rich guitar on "Raining Blood," likely one of his signature Warlock or Beast models. B.C. Rich guitars were his primary instruments throughout Slayer's career, featuring high-output humbuckers ideal for thrash metal.

How to get Kerry King's Raining Blood tone?

Start with a high-gain Marshall JCM800 or similar amp, add a Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal pedal for extra saturation and mid-scoop, and use a guitar with powerful humbuckers. Close-mic the amp with an SM57 for recording to capture the tight, aggressive sound.

What amp did Slayer use on Reign in Blood?

Slayer primarily used Marshall JCM800 amplifiers on "Reign in Blood." These amps provided the core high-gain tube distortion that became synonymous with 1980s thrash metal, often paired with additional distortion pedals for extra saturation.

Did Kerry King really use Boss HM-2 pedal?

Yes, Kerry King was known to use the Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal pedal, particularly for its ability to add extra distortion and scoop midrange frequencies. While the HM-2 became more famous in Swedish death metal, it was also used by thrash metal guitarists for its aggressive tone shaping.

What makes the Raining Blood guitar tone so heavy?

The heaviness comes from the combination of Marshall JCM800's natural tube saturation, the Boss HM-2's additional distortion and mid-scoop, and close-miking techniques that captured a tight, focused sound. The high-output pickups in King's B.C. Rich guitars also contributed to the aggressive attack.

lead guitar from "raining blood" by slayer

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Tone Profile

Aggressive and sharp thrash metal lead guitar tone, with a cutting high-end and saturated distortion, perfect for fast riffs and solos.

Shop This Rig

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B.C. Rich(instrument)
Marshall JCM800(amp)
Shure SM57(microphone)
Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal(processing)

The Story

Kerry King's lead guitar tone on "Raining Blood" was built around a B.C. Rich guitar through a Marshall JCM800 amplifier, with a Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal pedal providing additional saturation and midrange scooping. The track was recorded for Slayer's 1986 album "Reign in Blood," likely with close-miked amplifiers to capture the tight, aggressive sound that became synonymous with thrash metal.

Signal Chain

Instrument: B.C. RichShop on Reverb

Amp: Marshall JCM800Shop on Reverb

Microphone: Shure SM57Shop on Reverb

Processing: Boss HM-2 Heavy MetalShop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a B.C. Rich guitar and dial in a high-gain tone on a Marshall JCM800 amp.
Use a Shure SM57 microphone close to the speaker cone for a focused sound.
Add a Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal pedal and adjust the EQ to scoop out some of the mids and boost the high-end for that signature Slayer tone.
Experiment with different gain settings on both the amp and the pedal to find the right balance of distortion and clarity.

Original Gear

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B.C. RichShop on Reverb(guitar)
Marshall JCM800Shop on Reverb(amp)
Shure SM57Shop on Reverb(mic)
Boss HM-2 Heavy MetalShop on Reverb(pedal)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Marshall DSL40CRShop on Reverb$600-$700

Alternative to: Marshall JCM800

Provides similar EL34 tube saturation and midrange character as the JCM800, with master volume for bedroom practice

Boss HM-2W Waza Craft Heavy MetalShop on Reverb$180-$200

Alternative to: Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal

Updated version of the exact pedal used, with vintage and modern voicing options for that signature mid-scooped chainsaw tone

B.C. Rich Warlock Bronze SeriesShop on Reverb$400-$500

Alternative to: B.C. Rich guitar

Modern B.C. Rich with similar pickup configuration and aggressive aesthetics, more affordable than vintage models

Neural DSP Archetype NollyPlugin Boutique$100-$120

Alternative to: Marshall JCM800

High-gain amp modeling plugin that can recreate JCM800-style tones with built-in HM-2 style EQ options

Shure SM57Shop on Reverb$100-$120

Alternative to: Shure SM57

Same microphone model still in production, industry standard for close-miking guitar amplifiers

Sources

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lead guitar from “raining blood” by slayer | ToneDB