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Ola Englund has his hands on the Boss HM-2w Prototype!

Swedish Death Metal in a box? Ola gets his hands on the new Boss Waza Craft HM-2W prototype pedal

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Boss HM-2w Waza Craft prototype next to Ola Englund and a 'Swedish Approved' badge

Boss has sent Ola Englund a prototype of the upcoming Waza Craft HM-2w pedal. It is based on the original black and orange pedal released in the '80s—the pedal that is the voice of Swedish Death Metal!

Chainsaw Tones

The famous Swedish Death Metal tone originated with the abuse of the '80s Boss HM-2 pedal. Just dial everything to maximum; that was the sound that started the whole movement.

Nowadays, vintage originals from the '80s that were made in Japan and the '90s that were made in Taiwan have become sought after, and prices have risen sharply in the last decade or so.

Boss announced the new Waza Craft edition is coming soon, and now we finally get to hear a prototype of this new HM-2W pedal, as Ola Englund got sent one, and he has made a video.

Boss HM-2w Heavy Metal Waza Craft pedal cabled up on a desk in purple studio lighting

Boss HM-2W prototype

Two Modes

It has two modes, Standard and Custom, which have a much lower noise floor than the originals, so less annoying hiss, but they have that Chainsaw Distortion sound of the originals.

The added Custom mode apparently has even more drive, so if you have always wanted even more filth, this could be the mode for you!

In the video below, see Ola giving it the 'Everything on 10' test.

More Information

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Jef Stone
Jef Stone
Founder and editor of GuitarBomb. Jef has been writing about guitars, effects pedals, and music gear for over ten years, covering everything from breaking gear news and leaks to hands-on reviews.