Produced from 1983 to 1991, the BOSS HM-2 Heavy Metal is a legend in the history of distortion pedals. Its signature "chainsaw tone" with all knobs maxed is the defining voice of Swedish death metal music, and the slightly milder sides of its personality can be heard on tracks from mainstream to shoegaze. Over time, the pedal's uniquely aggressive sound and focused midrange have become highly sought after by players around the world. After years of requests from hardcore HM-2 fans, BOSS is pleased to reintroduce the iconic stomp three decades later in a special Waza Craft edition.
Like all Waza Craft models, the HM-2W features selectable modes for different sounds. BOSS engineers have also added audio performance improvements without affecting the original tone, including reducing the noise floor and expanding the maximum level by 3 dB. The HM-2W features a premium Waza Craft buffer as well, providing improved sound when the pedal is bypassed.
When the HM-2W is in Standard mode, the tone and response of the original HM-2 pedal are reproduced with 100-percent authenticity. Cranking every knob all the way up delivers the genuine sound of Swedish death metal, and users can conjure a wide range of tones for other styles with the sensitive distortion and color controls.
The HM-2W's Custom mode offers a similar sound character to Standard mode, but with just a little more of everything. The drive stage has more gain and includes more of the fundamental guitar sound for extra attack and sharpness. In addition, the low and high-mid characteristics have been tweaked for increased fullness and definition.
Along with the vintage HM-2 sound, BOSS has captured the original pedal's distinctive orange and black appearance, right down to the size and position of lettering on the panel. And while the mode switch on most Waza Craft pedals is positioned on the face, it's been moved to the top on the HM-2W to preserve the control layout from the HM-2.
BOSS HM 2W Heavy Metal - INTRO
A Metal Legend ReturnsProduced from 1983 to 1991, the BOSS HM-2 Heavy Metal is a true legend in the history of distortion pedals. Its signature “chainsaw ton...The BOSS HM-2W Heavy Metal will be available in the U.S. in August 2021 for $179.99.* To learn more about the HM-2W Heavy Metal and other pedals in the Waza Craft series, visit www.boss.info.
Rig Rundown - Årabrot's Kjetil Nernes
[Brought to you by D'Addario XL Strings: http://ddar.io/XL.RR]
Custom Electrical Guitar Company Baritone
Årabrot artistic leader Kjetil Nernes owns several custom Electrical Guitar Company instruments, but the one he's been using the most currently is EGC's baritone model. He tunes it to drop C and says the bari mixes well with bandmate Karin Park's Moog bass analog synth. He employs a custom set of Black Harbor strings (.012–.060).
Kjetil Nernes' Pedalboard
"I actually have a pedalboard these days, which is remarkable for a guitar player like me," says Nernes. "For years, I was only using the Fulltone OCD and it's became the backbone of Årabrot's sound."
He still prefers the OCD for its "sharpening" touch to his metallic EGC tones. The Electro-Harmonix POG2 hits his Hiwatt (Custom 200 DR201 bass amps) for an added signal boost. (As you can see, he's dialed out most of the octave effect.) His second Electro-Harmonix stomp is the Superego, but it's used simply as a glorified synth-y reverb to cover material on 2021's Norwegian Gothic. Heavier, chunkier, repulsive gain happens when the Hudson Electronics Broadcast runs into the Fulltone OCD. And while it wasn't plugged in for the Rundown, Nernes enjoys getting filthy with the Gamechanger Audio Plasma Pedal. Everything is powered by the Strymon Ojai.
Hiwatts Galore!
Using more Hiwatts than Pete at Leeds, Nernes blends vintage guitar heads with modern bass pillars. The guitar stacks on the left are comprised of two 1970s Hiwatt models—a DR112 Custom Built PA 100 head (left) and a venerable Custom 100 DR103. Both heads run through their own pair of Hiwatt 4x12 cabinets: one is loaded with Celestions and the other with Fanes. Nernes likes the blend of speakers with the guitar heads because he feels the Celestions add a current complement to his monstrous roar. The right half of the British-voiced battalion features Hiwatt Custom 200 DR201 (KT88) heads matched with Hiwatt SE115410F cabinets loaded with four 10" and one 15" Fane Sovereign speakers.