5 Essential Metal Guitar Pedals

Ever wished your guitar roared like a dragon? This guitar pedal, a metal overdrive beast, unlocks that power. Forget weak, wimpy tones; this heavy metal pedal delivers crushing distortion, wicked sustain, and thick, juicy gain. From searing solos to crushing riffs, it's your ticket to crafting truly monstrous soundscapes. Experiment with its EQ and gain settings to sculpt your perfect metal tone, whether you're into thrash, death metal, or doom. It's more than a pedal; it's a sonic weapon.

The selection process prioritizes superior performance and user experience. Items were chosen based on rigorous testing across multiple key aspects, ensuring top-tier quality and functionality that consistently delivers exceptional results. This provides users with a curated list of highly-rated options.

1. Behringer HD300 Heavy Distortion Guitar Pedal

Amazing sound, incredibly affordable, a must-have fuzz pedal!

Behringer HD300 Heavy Distortion Guitar Pedal
    Highly rated
  • Sound quality
  • Functionality
  • Value for money
  • Pedal quality
  • Fuzz
    Some controversy about
  • Build quality
  • Distortion
  • Plastic construction

Unleash your inner rock god with the Behringer HD300 Heavy Distortion pedal, a powerhouse for electric guitarists. This distortion pedal delivers crushing, high-gain tones perfect for metal, hard rock, and everything in between. Its intuitive controls allow for precise shaping of your sound, from smooth overdrive to face-melting distortion. Experience thick, saturated tones thanks to its robust circuitry, easily integrated into your existing pedalboard. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a budding musician, the HD300 provides the sonic muscle to elevate your guitar playing to the next level.

The Behringer Super Fuzz is a surprisingly versatile and affordable fuzz pedal, offering incredible value for its price. This pedal, a clone of the Boss FZ-2 (itself inspired by the legendary Univox Super Fuzz), delivers a wide range of tones, from thick, sludgy low-end to bright, aggressive highs. Users praise its extensive sound sculpting capabilities, achieved through interaction with the tone knobs and guitar volume, allowing for experimentation with "wooliness" and harmonic content. The built-in boost function adds further utility, complementing other pedals in your chain (try it with a Behringer EQ pedal or phaser for killer effects!). While some users note the plastic casing, it's described as surprisingly sturdy and durable for its price point. The ability to run on both battery and AC power adds to its convenience. Though battery life is noted as a potential drawback, the overall sonic excellence and affordability (often compared favorably to more expensive pedals like the Ibanez CP9) outweigh minor concerns about build materials. For home players and those building budget pedalboards, the Behringer Super Fuzz provides exceptional performance at a fraction of the cost. Whether you're creating doom metal riffs or exploring rock sounds, this pedal is a fantastic addition to any guitarist's or bassist's arsenal.

  • Brand: Behringer
  • Color: Pink
  • Country: China
  • Dimensions: 2.76 x 2.13 x 4.84 inches
  • Power Source: Corded Electric, Battery Powered
  • Style: Compact
  • Weight: 11.7 ounces
  • Rate: 4.4 / 5394
Outstanding features:
  • High-gain heavy distortion
  • Versatile tone shaping controls
  • Affordable price
Context of use:
  • Heavy metal guitar solos
  • Hard rock rhythm guitar
  • Extreme metal genres

2. Metal Distortion Pedal: 80s/90s Rock, Punk, & Muff Tones

Small, solid, affordable, and surprisingly great sound!

Metal Distortion Pedal: 80s/90s Rock, Punk, & Muff Tones

Unleash your inner metal god with the VSN Heavy Metal Distortion Guitar Pedal. This pedal delivers the crushing tones of 80s and 90s metal, rock, and punk, all while maintaining exceptional clarity and definition, even at high gain. Its intuitive design features six rotary knobs (TREBLE, MID, BASS, BOOST, VOL, DIST) for precise tone shaping, allowing you to dial in everything from bluesy crunch to screaming high-gain metal. Boasting true bypass for pristine signal transmission, a headphone output for silent practice, and durable all-metal construction, this pedal (with its 1/4" input and dual 1/4" outputs) is built to withstand the rigors of the stage. Experience the power and versatility of the VSN Heavy Metal Distortion Pedal today.

This compact AFOT pedal, boasting a build quality that surpasses its budget price point, is a fantastic addition to any guitarist's arsenal. Users consistently praise its surprisingly solid feel and precise controls, noting the smooth operation of the knobs and switch despite its miniature size—described by one user as "tiny," about half the width of a cigarette pack. Its performance rivals much more expensive units; in fact, some users found its sound indistinguishable from a discontinued Donner flanger, suggesting a potentially high-quality rebranding. While some users experienced slight oscillation at maximum settings or minor background noise (easily mitigated by adjusting the feedback knob or simply not cranking everything to the max), these issues were largely insignificant and didn't detract from the overall positive experience. The true bypass functionality ensures a clean signal path, and the diverse range of effects, including delay and reverb options (with unique "shimmer" mode), allows for creative sonic exploration. Whether you're a seasoned pedal veteran or a beginner like one reviewer, this micro-pedal provides a rewarding and versatile addition to your setup. Its affordability, particularly when using coupons, makes it an exceptional value, proving that a small size doesn't mean small performance.

  • Country: USA
  • Weight: 15.8 ounces
  • Rate: 4.5 / 97
Outstanding features:
  • High Gain with Clear Definition
  • Wide Range of Tone Control
  • True Bypass for Pure Tone
Context of use:
  • Metal music concerts
  • Recording studios
  • Home music practice

3. Metal Zone Guitar Distortion Pedal

Versatile, classic metal tone; surprisingly tweakable for diverse sounds.

Metal Zone Guitar Distortion Pedal
    Highly rated
  • Sound quality
  • Pedal quality
  • Distortion
  • Value for money
  • Controllability
  • Crunch
  • Metal tone
    Some controversy about
  • Functionality

Celebrate 30 years of metal mayhem with the limited edition Boss MT-2 Metal Zone 30th Anniversary (MT-2-3A) guitar pedal! This iconic high-gain distortion pedal, a million-seller since its 1991 debut, delivers thick, saturated tones perfect for metal and beyond. Its innovative dual-stage gain circuit and three-band active EQ with semi-parametric midrange offer unparalleled tone shaping, from crushing rhythms to soaring solos. Achieve massive sound at any volume, thanks to its smooth sustain and ability to work seamlessly with various amps. This commemorative edition boasts gray lettering, a vintage silver thumbscrew, and special 30th-anniversary packaging. Step into the Metal Zone and unleash your inner rock god!

The Boss MT-2 Metal Zone guitar pedal is a legendary stompbox praised for its versatility and ability to deliver iconic metal tones. Users consistently highlight its powerful distortion capabilities, perfect for crafting the heavy sounds of genres ranging from Alice in Chains to the Melvins, even replicating the signature sounds found on Acid Bath albums. Many appreciate the extensive EQ controls, allowing for precise shaping of the sound to perfectly complement any rig, from tube amps like Randall and Peavey to solid-state setups. While some users find it initially challenging to master, the MT-2's tweakability allows for a wide range of sounds, from a light overdrive to high-gain metal. Its enduring popularity amongst guitarists speaks volumes; it's a classic and reliable pedal that consistently delivers, making it a worthwhile addition to any pedalboard. Although a separate DC adapter is needed (a minor inconvenience), the Boss MT-2's robust performance and iconic status make it a must-have for metalheads and guitarists seeking powerful and versatile distortion.

  • Brand: BOSS
  • Color: MultiColored
  • Country: Japan
  • Dimensions: 6 x 3.8 x 2.7 inches
  • Style: Standard
  • Weight: 15.2 ounces
  • Rate: 4.6 / 869
Outstanding features:
  • Iconic high-gain distortion
  • Innovative dual-stage gain circuit for thick, tight distortion with smooth sustain
  • Three-band active EQ with semi-parametric midrange for extensive tone shaping
Context of use:
  • Metal music performance
  • High-gain rhythm guitar in rock/hard rock
  • Lead guitar solos in various genres needing high gain

4. Behringer HM300 Heavy Metal Distortion Pedal

Cheap, authentic Swedish death metal tone, surprisingly versatile.

Behringer HM300 Heavy Metal Distortion Pedal
    Highly rated
  • Value for money
  • Functionality
  • Clone quality
    Some controversy about
  • Sound quality
  • Pedal quality
  • Build quality
  • Battery life
  • Plastic material

Unleash your inner metal god with the Behringer HM300 Heavy Metal Distortion pedal. This guitar effect pedal boasts ultra-high gain circuitry, delivering thick, obscene distortion and endless sustain – perfect for crafting crushing riffs and soaring solos. A status LED clearly indicates whether the effect is on and the battery level, ensuring you're always ready to rock. Designed to rival top-tier competitors, the HM300 provides professional-grade heavy metal tone at an incredibly accessible price point, making it a must-have for any serious guitarist. Experience the power and versatility of this legendary distortion pedal today.

The Behringer HM-2 clone delivers the iconic chainsaw tone of the legendary Boss HM-2, a staple in Swedish death metal, at a fraction of the cost. Users praise its ability to achieve that distinctive, thick, low-end distortion – perfect for crafting crushing riffs reminiscent of Entombed's Left Hand Path era. While some note minor differences in noise levels and control tweakability compared to the original Boss HM-2, the Behringer offers remarkably similar tones, making it an intelligent alternative for those curious about the sound without the hefty price tag. Its versatility extends beyond death metal, proving useful for doom, sludge, and even shoegaze genres, depending on knob adjustments. Though some users mention build quality concerns (plastic casing and a slight squeak) and the need for a separate power supply, the overwhelmingly positive feedback centers on the exceptional value and unique, "disgusting fuzz" tone that's surprisingly expressive and articulate, making it a perfect addition to any guitarist's effects pedal board looking to achieve that distinctive Swedish buzzsaw sound.

  • Brand: Behringer
  • Color: Pink
  • Country: China
  • Dimensions: 2.76 x 2.13 x 4.84 inches
  • Power Source: Battery Powered
  • Style: Distortion
  • Weight: 14.9 ounces
  • Rate: 3.9 / 1071
Outstanding features:
  • Ultra-high gain distortion
  • Endless sustain
  • Status LED for effect and battery
Context of use:
  • Heavy metal guitar solos
  • High-gain rhythm guitar in metal music
  • Extreme metal genres like death metal or thrash metal

5. Waza Craft HM-2 Heavy Metal Distortion Pedal

Versatile, nostalgic sounds; a metal legend reborn.

Waza Craft HM-2 Heavy Metal Distortion Pedal
    Highly rated
  • Sound quality
  • Pedal quality
  • Quality
  • Value for money

Relive the legend with the Boss HM-2W Waza Craft Heavy Metal Distortion pedal, a meticulously crafted reimagining of the iconic 1983 original. This Made-in-Japan pedal boasts the classic "chainsaw" tone that defined Swedish death metal, yet offers versatility beyond that signature sound. Choose between Standard mode, faithfully recreating the original HM-2 with reduced noise and increased output, or unleash the more aggressive Custom mode for enhanced attack and definition. Featuring a premium Waza Craft buffer for pristine bypassed tones and high-quality components, the HM-2W delivers the ultimate BOSS tone experience, seamlessly blending vintage character with modern refinements. Its orange and black livery evokes the original, completing this essential addition to any guitarist's arsenal.

The Boss Metal Zone Waza Craft pedal delivers an unparalleled heavy metal tone, reigniting the passion of 80s metalheads and inspiring new generations of guitarists. Users consistently praise its versatility, going beyond expectations to produce a wide range of sounds from raspy chugs to the metallic shriek of hornets. Its ease of use, with smoothly turning knobs that stay put, ensures effortless sound shaping. The pedal integrates seamlessly with various amps, such as the Ibanez and Boss Katana MKII, and minimal background noise enhances its performance. Many users, comparing it to the original Metal Zone, find the Waza Craft version to be a faithful and improved recreation, capturing the essence of that classic sound while boasting modern enhancements like the 'mod' switch. Whether you're crafting complex soundscapes with modulation pedals or just looking for a fun, expressive stompbox, the Boss Metal Zone Waza Craft provides a truly exceptional playing experience.

  • Brand: BOSS
  • Color: Black
  • Country: Japan
  • Dimensions: 5.95 x 3.2 x 7.6 inches
  • Power Source: Corded Electric
  • Style: Distortion
  • Weight: 1 pounds
  • Rate: 4.5 / 144
Outstanding features:
  • Authentic HM-2 tone with reduced noise and increased output level
  • Custom mode for a more aggressive sound variation
  • Premium buffer for improved bypassed tone
Context of use:
  • Death metal
  • Heavy metal
  • Shoegaze