Blackstar HT-METAL - What To Know & Where To Buy

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 2 stores. Prices updated June 30, 2026.

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Price

$14.99

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5.0 (9)

$199.99 2 available New

$88.00 6 available Used

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Average Price: $101

Standard/Professional

$80

$181+

Price Tier

In the Distortion Effects Pedals category, Blackstar HT-METAL is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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High-end

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Description

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Unleash a storm of sonic fury with the Blackstar HT-METAL, a powerhouse in the realm of distortion effects pedals. This formidable unit is designed for guitarists who crave the intense energy of metal music, offering a genuine high-tension valve circuitry that produces an authentic, electrifying sound. With dual channels at your fingertips, seamlessly transition between clean, overdrive, and ferocious high-gain modes without compromising clarity or power.

The pedal’s standout feature, the patented Infinite Shape Feature (ISF) control, allows for an expansive tonal journey from classic British metal to cutting-edge American tones, making it a versatile addition to any rig. Whether you're shredding in the studio or dominating the stage, the HT-METAL delivers consistent performance with its rugged construction and intuitive interface.

Join a community of musicians who trust Blackstar's reputation for innovation and quality, and take your sound to new heights with the HT-METAL's fiery capabilities. Perfect for metal aficionados seeking both power and precision, this pedal transforms your guitar into a weapon of mass distortion.

Key Features:

Two-channel ultra-high-gain design
Genuine high-tension valve circuitry
Patented ISF control for versatile tonal shaping
Switchable between clean, overdrive, and extreme high-gain modes
Robust construction for reliable performance on stage and in the studio

Product specs

Brand	Blackstar
Model	HT-Metal
Finish	Silver
Year	2010s
Categories	Distortion Pedals

FAQs

What kind of tones can I expect from the Blackstar HT-METAL pedal?: The Blackstar HT-METAL pedal delivers high-gain distortion tones ideal for metal music, offering both aggressive and articulate sound suitable for heavy riffing and solos.
Does the Blackstar HT-METAL work well with a bass guitar?: While primarily designed for electric guitars, the Blackstar HT-METAL can also be used with a bass guitar to achieve a powerful, distorted tone, though it may color the low-end frequencies more than bass-specific pedals.
What power supply does the Blackstar HT-METAL pedal require?: The Blackstar HT-METAL pedal requires a 22V DC power supply, which is typically included with the purchase.
How does the Blackstar HT-METAL compare to other distortion pedals?: The Blackstar HT-METAL stands out with its tube-driven circuit, providing a warm and dynamic distortion that many solid-state pedals cannot replicate, making it a preferred choice for metal guitarists seeking authentic tube tone.
Is the Blackstar HT-METAL pedal suitable for beginners?: Yes, the Blackstar HT-METAL pedal is user-friendly, making it suitable for beginners who want to explore high-gain metal tones without complex setup or adjustments.

Videos

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NeoGeofanatic

Blackstar HT Metal SOUND TEST

NeoGeofanatic

Blackstar HT-Metal

Vinod Seer

Blackstar HT Metal - sound test

Tomas Pavelka

Reviews

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PROS

Produces FAT TUBE tone, unmatched by other pedals
Super low noise, even at ultra high gain levels
Tight distortion, eliminates need for graphic EQ
Excels with custom impulse responses for modern low-end sound
Versatile with two channels: clean, crunch, and ultra
Built like a tank, especially the original Korean versions
Highly tweakable gain and level knobs for brutal distortion
Captures the tone of a decent metal tube amp
Offers clean and transparent distortion for various play styles
Responds well to different 12ax7 tube brands

CONS

ISF feature is overrated, limited useful settings
Direct line output cuts too much on the bass
High gain setups can be too noisy without a noise gate
Channel 2 perceived as darker, less aggressive compared to competitors

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Blackstar HT-METAL.

User experience

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The Blackstar HT-METAL 5 watt model has a quieter clean channel compared to its overdriven channel.
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Features and functionality

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The amp provides a tight metal distortion with clarity, especially at high volumes, suitable for genres like thrash and death metal.
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The HT-METAL's metal speaker grill is reminiscent of a Randall amp, adding a distinct aesthetic touch compared to the cloth grill of the regular HT series.
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The HT-1's ISF control allows tonal shifts from a 6L6 sound at 0 to an EL34 at 10, providing flexibility in tone shaping.
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Comparisons

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Blackstar HT-METAL amps are compared to JCM900 as they utilize op amps for gain, retaining tube warmth.
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The Peavey 5150/6505 combos are suggested as alternatives for metal, noted for versatility and less buzz with low-gain preamp tubes.
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The HT-METAL's gain at 5 is equivalent to the standard HT's gain at 10, making it ideal for those seeking extreme distortion levels.
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The Wampler Dracarys pedal, priced around $125 used, is recommended for achieving high-gain sounds with a toggle for open or tight tones, rivaling more expensive options.
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Mods and upgrades

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An EQ pedal in the effects loop can help mitigate the fizzy distortion typical of some amps.
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Pairing a Behringer HM-300 (HM-2 clone) with a Boss GE-7 EQ helps achieve super high-gain lead and tremolo sounds, with a unique EQ curve tailored to match the HM-2's sawtooth tone.
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Use cases and applications

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The pedal version of HT-METAL offers both normal and emulated outputs, allowing for direct recording or traditional amp input, catering to versatile studio or live settings.
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The AMT R2 (Recto sim box) in 'drive' mode delivers the tightest and chunkiest sound for achieving death metal tones with the HT-METAL.
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Setup and maintenance

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Utilizing a tubescreamer with tone and volume maxed is suggested to enhance the tightness and chunkiness of the HT-METAL’s sound, particularly for low-wattage amps.
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Critic Reviews

Blackstar HT-METAL review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Blackstar HT-METAL is a powerhouse distortion pedal that excels in delivering a wide range of tones, from sweet and warm to extreme and saturated. Its two-channel, three-mode setup is versatile, offering clean boosts and high-gain metal mayhem. The Infinite Shape Feature (ISF) allows for tonal flexibility, shifting from American to British voicings. While its moody exterior and intense gain levels cater primarily to metal enthusiasts, the pedal's tonal range is expansive enough to appeal to a broader audience. The lack of LED indicators on the knobs is a minor drawback in an otherwise stellar package.

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4.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 5 Ratings

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thales_carvalho

107

over 5 years ago

Nice...

Tonally speaking, it sounds great! The Bass control is very responsive, it has a strong deep end on the normal output but it cuts too much on the direct line output. I miss high ends. In comparison with an old Piranha and the Buguera 6262 (copy from Peavey 5150), the Channel 2 is darker and still less agressive even at full gain, but it has a more pleasant sound than Piranha and more defined than the 6262. I swapped the JJ tesla tube that came with it by a Ruby Tube to have a less mid-focused tone and get more high and bottom ends. It worked a little but I "touched heaven" only after I placed an EQ after it, bringing up more highs and then more agressiveness! I am using CH1 for solos, great and even more defined tone with enough compression for it, despite it throws up some squealy harmonics sometimes. Oh, and this unit is IMPOSIBLE to use the high gain setups without a noise gate. Too noisy!

Roles:

Guitarist

Genres:

Rock Metal old school thrash