“Thrash metal legend unlocks his tonal secrets”: KHDK and Kreator’s Mille Petrozza claim to have created the “perfect overdrive”, the Deathscream – and it could also solve a common digital modeling amp headache
The Deathscream continues the firm’s recent run of signature pedals – and it might be the key to introducing extra warmth to your digital rig
(Image credit: Getty Images / KHDK Electronics)
KHDK has partnered with Kreator's Mille Petrozza for the Deathscream, which it's calling “the perfect overdrive” – and it might also make your digital amp rig sound better than ever.
“The Deathscream is ultra-versatile, making Mille's digital modeling amp warmer and enhanced with real, analog harmonics,” explains KHDK. “At the same time, it creates crushing blows with a fully analog amp.”
“We built this pedal because Mille wanted the perfect overdrive. He uses the Deathscream in the studio with his tube amps, and on the road with his Kemper.”
A lack of warmth is an oft-cited headache when it comes to dialing in digital rigs, so any pedal promising to solve the issue is going to pique our interest.
The Kreator riff merchant has been touring with a Kemper for several years, but he hasn’t been leaving all his pedals at home. The Deathscream has been a key component of his live rig: he’s described the build as “perfect work”.
It has knobs for Drive, Tone, and Volume, with a typically gruesome piece of artwork to boot. An Aggression switch is in place to give players the desired amount of damage, with a boost that is said to be perfect for soloing.
(Image credit: KHDK Electronics)
A bypass switch sits at the bottom of the pedal, and its inputs and outputs are conveniently top-mounted. Each Deathscream pedal is handmade in KHDK's Prague, Czech Republic, workshop and ships with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity signed by Petrozza.
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KHDK has previously collaborated with a host of high-profile metal guitarists, including Scott Ian, Gojira’s Joe Duplantier, and Avenged Sevenfold’s Zacky Vengeance.
The Deathscream is priced at $249.99 and is available now.
A freelance writer with a penchant for music that gets weird, Phil is a regular contributor to Prog, Guitar World, and Total Guitar magazines and is especially keen on shining a light on unknown artists. Outside of the journalism realm, you can find him writing angular riffs in progressive metal band, Prognosis, in which he slings an 8-string Strandberg Boden Original, churning that low string through a variety of tunings. He's also a published author and is currently penning his debut novel which chucks fantasy, mythology and humanity into a great big melting pot.
