Song Rig

Angry Chair

Jerry Cantrell · Dirt · 1992

Tone Overview

What Makes This Sound Unique

Sludgy, down-tuned riff-based assault — Cantrell at his darkest and heaviest. The B standard tuning (two full steps down) adds enormous low-end weight to the Mesa Rectifier's already thick character. One of the most purely heavy tracks in the Alice in Chains catalog.

Signal Chain

1G&L Rampage (B standard tuning)
2Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier (red channel)
3Boss NS-2 noise suppressor

Amp Settings

Gain / Volume9

Bass8

Mid5

Treble6

Presence6

Mesa Dual Rectifier on the Red channel at high gain — B standard tuning demands extra bass to maintain weight at such low frequencies. Mid-forward enough to avoid muddiness. NS-2 essential at this gain level to control noise between riffs.

Technique

How to Play It

Slow, deliberate downpick strokes with heavy palm muting — the tempo is slower than most metal of the era, which gives each note maximum weight. The riff breathes.

Budget Alternative

Achievable With

Any guitar tuned to B standard (7-string at drop A also works) → Mesa Rectifier or Peavey 6505 → noise gate. The low tuning does most of the heaviness work.

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