Used Boss HM-2 Distortion Pedal

Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal Distortion Pedal

“Chainsaw Tone. Cult Status.”

The Pedal That Defined Swedish Death Metal

Originally released in 1983, the Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal pedal is one of the most iconic distortion pedals ever made. Designed to emulate the sound of a cranked British stack amp, the HM-2 delivers a thick, saturated tone with a uniquely aggressive midrange. When all knobs are maxed, it produces the infamous “chainsaw tone” that became the sonic signature of Swedish death metal.

Though discontinued in 1991, the HM-2 gained a cult following and was reissued in 2021 as the HM-2W Waza Craft Edition, offering both the original tone and a modern custom mode with enhanced clarity and output.

Highlights

• Legendary distortion pedal with extreme saturation
• Iconic “chainsaw” tone when all knobs are dimed
• Controls for Level, Distortion, Low, and High EQ
• Buffered bypass for consistent signal integrity
• Waza Craft reissue includes Standard and Custom modes
• Built for metal, shoegaze, and experimental genres

Specifications

• Type: Analog distortion pedal
• Controls: Level, Distortion, Low, High
• Power: 9V battery or PSA-series AC adapter
• Bypass: Buffered bypass
• Enclosure: Compact Boss stompbox format
• Made In: Japan (original), Taiwan (later units), Waza Craft (Japan)
• Years Produced: 1983–1991 (original), 2021–present (HM-2W)

Artists Who Made It Famous

The HM-2 is revered by metal and experimental artists for its brutal tone:

• Entombed – pioneered the “chainsaw” sound on Left Hand Path
• Dismember – continued the HM-2 legacy in Swedish death metal
• Bloodbath – Anders Nyström called it “the holy grail of death metal”
• Nails – used HM-2-inspired tones for extreme hardcore
• Kurt Ballou (Converge) – helped revive interest in the pedal’s unique voice

From Obscurity to Legend

Whether you're chasing the buzzsaw grind of early death metal or crafting walls of shoegaze distortion, the Boss HM-2 delivers a tone that’s raw, unmistakable, and unforgettable. Buy today experience the legend!