Whitechapel

Published: July 5, 2023, 4:44 p.m.

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Tennessee has a rich tradition that has helped shape American music. Memphis was a big contributor to blues, soul, and early rock \\u2019n\\u2019 roll thanks to Sun, Stax, and the influx of Delta musicians. Nashville has been the long-standing capital of country music, and more recently, has developed as a hotbed of Americana storytellers. The Smokies and the surrounding Appalachian areas have given us bluegrass and undeniable icon Dolly Parton. However, while metal has eluded the Volunteer State\\u2019s thumbprint, Whitechapel\\u2019s six roughriders from Knoxville are looking to change that by showing off something a little harder than peepaw\\u2019s moonshine.

Since 2006, the three-guitar stampede has dished out eight devastating albums that combine death metal, hardcore, and melodic black metal, proving the Smokies can slay. This spring, Whitechapel took to the road, playing their seventh album The Valley in its entirety, along with favorites from their earlier work. Originally, their final stop was slated to be Nashville\\u2019s Basement East, but after it quickly sold out, their promoters elevated them to Marathon Music Works (which, once again, sold out). And that\\u2019s where the Rig Rundown crew caught up with them to talk gear.

Whitechapel\\u2019s guitarists Zach Householder, Ben Savage, and Alex Wade and bassist Gabe Crisp invited PG\\u2019s Chris Kies sidestage to cover their signature guitars, the inner workings of their unusual Kemper profiles, and how flip-flopping DiMarzio humbuckers made all the difference.

Brought to you by D\\u2019Addario String Finder.

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