If you’re a metal player, finding the right distortion pedal can be difficult. There are so many choices out there and they all seem to offer different features that may or not work for your playing style.
We’ve done the research and we know what works best for heavy metal players! Our top picks will keep up with any kind of guitar playing.
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These metal pedals have been hand picked based on their ability to deliver great tone at an affordable price point. They are also durable enough to withstand live performances night after night without breaking down in front of thousands of metal fans!
Our Top Metal Distortion Pedals Recommendations
Wampler Sovereign Distortion
Looking for a distortion pedal that can do it all?
The Sovereign Distortion is the perfect pedal to take your sound from modern to vintage. With two gain stages, a mid contour, bright switch and tone control you can shape your tone just how you want it. Whether you’re looking for an overdrive or distortion, this pedal has what you need.
Built from high grade components picked for their superior metal sound and response, the Sovereign Distortion will give you the best possible sound quality without breaking the bank. It features top mounted in/out jacks so it fits easily on any board with ease.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs03hiHtMoo
Check The Latest Price On The Wampler Sovereign Distortion
Diezel VH4 Pedal
The Diezel VH4 Distortion Pedal is another perfect choice. It’s based on one of the most iconic preamps ever made, and it sounds just like its namesake. You can use this pedal to get your guitar tone from classic rock to modern metal with ease.
This pedal has controls for volume, gain, bass, middle, treble and presence so you can dial in exactly what you want out of your sound. Plus there’s an adjustable depth control that lets you go from mild overdrive to full-on fuzzed-out metal mayhem!
It can be powered between 12-18VDC (no battery) with a power supply included in the package.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYV38t-jDUA
Check The Latest Price On The Diezel VH4 Pedal
Boss DS-1
Boss DS-1 Distortion Pedal is the most popular guitar effect in history. It’s been used on more hit records than any other distortion pedal and it has been featured on every major guitar magazine cover ever published. The Boss DS-1 is the industry standard for heavy rock and metal music.
The Boss DS-1 Distortion Pedal is the perfect choice for guitarists who want to add some grit and edge to their metal sound. It’s got everything you need, from level and tone controls on the face of the pedal, to super-tough construction that will last through years of abuse on stage or in your bedroom. And it lets your true guitar tone shine through with its transparent circuitry design.
This pedal has been used by countless guitar heroes over the past 30 years—from Kurt Cobain to John Mayer—and now it can be yours! You won’t find another metal distortion guitar pedal like this one at this price point anywhere else today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7SM2IH_siE
Check The Latest Price On The Boss DS-1
MXR Fullbore Metal
You’ve been looking for a distortion pedal that can give you the sound you want, and we think we have just what you need.
The MXR Fullbore Metal Distortion Pedal is an all-analog pedal that delivers over-the-top high gain distortion. It also has noise gate control with an internal gate trigger control to help cut off notes too early or increase sensitivity of the noise gate depending on your preference.
With its tone knob, this pedal for metal lets you select mid frequencies from 200Hz to 5KH so it’s perfect for any genre of music, especially metal. Plus, it comes in three different colors so there’s one for everyone!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjE52dqthzk
Check The Latest Price On The MXR Fullbore Metal
MXR M75 Super Distortion
The MXR M75 Super Distortion Pedal is a versatile and responsive distortion pedal that can be used with any amp. It has an all-analog circuit, true bypass power requirements, and 3-band EQ to fine tune your sound.
You’ll love how responsive this pedal is to your playing style – no matter what type of metal music you play or what kind of guitar you use. And if you need some help finding the right tone, just flip on the built in noise reduction and listen as your favorite metal songs come alive through this powerful device.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdhpDv26Rjc
Check The Latest Price On The MXR M75 Super Distortion
Wampler Triple Wreck
The Wampler Triple Wreck is the pedal that will give you the tone and response that you’ve always wanted. It’s made with high grade film capacitors and resistors picked for their superior sound and response. With true bypass, battery connection, 9v power jack (barrel plug like Boss), Boost Switch to give you extra gain or Fuzz; this is one of the best pedals for metal on the market today!
This pedal is perfect for any metal guitarist who wants to add some grit and dirt to their sound without having to buy an entirely new rig.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRwF2Q-8DAo
Check The Latest Price On The Wampler Triple Wreck
KHDK Dark Blood Distortion
The KHDK Dark Blood distortion effects pedal is tube-like and mid-heavy with added high gain. It’s unique power is its distinctly amp-like metal sound, richly articulate and deep.
This unique power can provide your main tone into your clean amp or act as a backup to an amp or modeling rig. With its uncompromising dynamics, it’s ideal for anyone who wants that richly articulate and deep sound.
You won’t find another pedal like it on the market today! It’s not just an amazing product but also an incredible experience you can have every day of your life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYz7cf7_Pbo
Check The Latest Price On The KHDK Dark Blood Distortion
TC Electronic Dark Matter
The Dark Matter Distortion Pedal from TC Electronic is the perfect choice. It has everything you need to get your sound just right, with Gain, Level, Bass and Treble controls. And it’s true bypass so you don’t lose any tone when the effect is off. Plus there’s a voicing switch that lets you change up your bass response for an awesome shift in metal tone!
You won’t have to worry about getting stuck with one type of distortion sound ever again because this pedal can do anything from heavy metal to classic rock tones. With its versatility and ease-of-use, it’s no wonder why this pedal is loved by metal musicians around the world!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msCJj_J7XHk
Check The Latest Price On The TC Electronic Dark Matter
Catalinbread Sabbra Cadabra
The Sabbra Cadabra is a distortion pedal that can be used for anything from heavy metal to funk. This is one of the most versatile distortion pedals on the market. It’s got everything from classic crunchy tones to modern high-gain sounds that’ll have you tearing up the stage.
This pedal has four controls, RANGE, GAIN, PRESENCE and VOLUME. These are all designed to help you get the perfect tone for your metal music. With this many options it’s easy to find the sound you’re looking for!
If you want a distortion pedal that will give you an amazing range of sounds then look no further than the Sabbra Cadabra Distortion Pedal by Catalinbread!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWHw0b4CysE
Check The Latest Price On The Catalinbread Sabbra Cadabra
MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive
The MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive Distortion Pedal is the perfect choice for guitarists who want to add some serious punch and power to their sound. This versatile pedal has been designed in close collaboration with Eddie Van Halen himself, so you know it’s got something special going on.
With its 3-band EQ, boost switch, and gate, this pedal can do anything from adding a little extra dirt to your tone all the way up to giving you that full-on rock ‘n roll sound. It’s also really easy to use – just plug in your guitar and start playing metal!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EBO8RN0ES4
Check The Latest Price On The MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive
Our Conclusion On The Top Distortion Pedals For Metal
Some other good quick picks:
- Boss Metal Zone MT 2
- Ibanez Tube Screamer
- Digitech Death Metal DDM
- Pugilist distortion
- Proco Rat
- Revv G3
If you’re looking for the perfect metal tone, then look no further than our guide right here. We recommend a wide selection of heavy metal pedals that will help you find your metal guitar tone.
Got a specific type of metal that you play? We also did a good article on the best distortion pedals for 80’s metal, overdrive pedal for metal, top overdrive pedals, and high gain distortions. Looking for something a bit less “brutal” – look at these top classic rock distortions.