Boss1983 (cult status through the 90s-2000s)DistortionDistortion$Budget($50–250)
Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal
Metal guitarists wanting the exact buzzsaw distortion tone that defined an entire death metal subgenre.
Find on ReverbUsed-gear listings, graded conditionCheck prices on eBayBroader inventory, live auctions
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Strengths
- Became THE defining distortion tone of an entire death metal subgenre, with a uniquely buzzsaw-like, mid-scooped character
- Its specific, extreme voicing is genuinely irreplaceable for that particular sound — no other pedal quite replicates it
- Extremely cheap and increasingly reissued, making it easy to try despite its cult-classic reputation
Trade-offs
- Its extreme scooped-mids voicing is genuinely a one-trick pedal outside death-metal-adjacent contexts
- Non-true-bypass buffer colors clean tone even when off
Full Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | Boss |
| Model | HM-2 Heavy Metal |
| Era | 1983 (cult status through the 90s-2000s) |
| Typical Price Tier | Budget ($50–250) |
| Effect Type | Distortion |
| Circuit | Analog |
| True Bypass | No |
| Power | 9V battery/adapter |
| Controls | 4 knobs |
| Tap Tempo | No |
| I/O | Mono in/out |
A relative used-market guide, not a live quote — real prices vary by condition, region, and timing. Check the Reverb/eBay links on any item for current listings.
Similar Distortion
Match Score Explorer
Weight what matters to your workflow. Every deck is re-scored live against your priorities, benchmarked against the Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal.
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This deckBoss HM-2 Heavy Metal
Match53
Flexibility35
Portability88
Ease of Maintenance78
Tonal Neutrality12
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Maintenance & Supplies
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