A heavy metal pedal is a high gain distortion pedal voiced for metal guitar, with more saturation, a tighter low end for palm muting and deeper EQ shaping.
About Heavy Metal Guitar Pedals
Heavy metal pedals are high gain distortion pedals voiced specifically for metal guitar: more gain on tap than a standard distortion, a tighter low end for palm-muted chugging, and powerful EQ controls for sculpting scooped or mid-forward tones. Many also run lower noise floors than general distortion circuits, keeping the aggression under control between riffs.
SWAMP stocks compact, affordable metal pedals from JOYO, including the JF-35 Pocket Metal, with further metal-voiced high gain units like the JOYO Dark Flame and Metal Head found in our wider distortion pedals range. Push a high gain pedal even harder with an overdrive pedal as a boost, tame the hiss with a noise gate pedal, and fine-tune your sound with an EQ pedal. Power the whole board cleanly with a pedal power supply.
Heavy Metal Pedal FAQs
What is the difference between a distortion pedal and a heavy metal pedal?
A heavy metal pedal is a distortion pedal with more gain, a tighter low end and more aggressive EQ voicing, aimed at thrash, death and modern metal styles. Standard distortion pedals cover rock and blues territory with less extreme gain. If you mostly play metal, a dedicated metal pedal gets you there with far less tweaking.
Do I need a noise gate with a high gain pedal?
It helps. High gain amplifies every bit of noise in your chain, so a noise gate keeps things silent between palm mutes and stops squeal on stage. Some metal pedals even include gating built in.
Can I get metal tones through a clean amp?
Yes. Metal pedals are designed to generate the full high gain sound themselves, so they work well into a clean amp. That makes them an affordable alternative to buying a dedicated high gain amplifier.
