🎛️ Pedal settings · Distortion

Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal settings

The "chainsaw" distortion behind Swedish death metal — everything maxed for a buzzsaw wall.

Recommended starting point
Level
6
push it
Dist
10
the classic HM-2 is maxed
Low
10
full for the buzzsaw
High
10
full for the chainsaw edge
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What each knob does

LevelOutput volume.
DistAmount of distortion.
Low (Color Mix)Bass side of the tone stack.
High (Color Mix)Treble side of the tone stack.

Tips

The iconic "HM-2 chainsaw" is literally all four knobs maxed ("knob-to-the-right") into a loud, dirty amp.
For a more controlled tone, back the Low and High off the maximum and lower the Dist a little.

Famous uses

Entombed, Dismember and the entire Swedish death-metal "buzzsaw" sound.

Compare the Metal

Boss Metal Zone Vs Hm2 →

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Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal settings — FAQ

What are the classic Boss HM-2 settings?

The legendary Swedish death-metal "chainsaw" is all knobs maxed — Level high, Dist 10, Low 10, High 10 — run into a loud, already-dirty amp. Back the EQ and Dist off if you want a more controlled version.

What is the HM-2 "chainsaw" tone?

It is the buzzsaw distortion made famous by Swedish death metal, achieved by maxing all four HM-2 controls ("knob-to-the-right") into a cranked amp for a thick, saw-like wall of sound.

Recommended starting points are community-researched estimates — every pedal, amp and guitar is different. Dial from here, then GuitarToneAdapt helps you match a target tone on your own rig. Pedal comparisons · Amp settings · All tones