Song Rig
War Pigs
Tony Iommi · Paranoid · 1970
Tone Overview
What Makes This Sound Unique
Slower, more rhythmically complex than Iron Man — the doomy main riff uses tritone intervals that Iommi pioneered. Same gear as Iron Man but with more deliberate, less urgent pacing.
Signal Chain
- 1Gibson SG Special (C# standard tuning)
- 2Laney Supergroup 100W (cranked)
Amp Settings
Slightly darker EQ than Iron Man — War Pigs is more doom-oriented, Iron Man more aggressive. The tritone (devil's interval) riff sounds most ominous with treble rolled slightly.
Technique
How to Play It
The "devil's interval" (flat fifth) is central to the riff — practice moving power chords to their tritone position. This interval was literally banned by the church in medieval music.
Budget Alternative
Achievable With
Same as Iron Man: downtuned guitar + heavy gain. The tritone interval pattern is the entire point.
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