This is the "Karnivool - Aeons 2" tuning, famously employed by Mark Hosking of Karnivool for the song "Aeons." It's a deeply resonant and heavily dropped tuning, characteristic of progressive and alternative metal genres, designed to deliver immense sonic weight and intricate textures.

Verbal Analysis

The overall feel of this tuning is incredibly dark, heavy, and somewhat dissonant, achieved by dropping all strings significantly below standard pitch. The lowest string (6th) is tuned all the way down to A#2, creating a foundation that is truly subterranean. The open strings, A#2, F2, A#3, F3, A#4, D#5, feature a prominent interplay between F and A#, forming a distinct, non-traditional sonic landscape. The recurrence of F and A# across multiple octaves, alongside D#, creates a dense, ringing quality perfect for atmospheric passages and crushing, low-end riffs. It evokes a sense of vastness and brooding tension, typical of Karnivool's sound.

Technical Analysis

This tuning is an extreme departure from standard EADGBe. The open strings resolve to F2, A#2, F3, A#3, A#4, D#5 (from lowest to highest). When analyzed as a chord, the open strings form a complex, suspended sonority rather than a simple major or minor triad. The core notes are F, A#, and D#. This collection of notes, particularly the F to A# interval (a tritone), is a key feature, adding a distinct tension and character. This tuning is not designed for traditional open chord strumming, but rather for creating powerful, resonant power chords and single-note riffs that utilize the deep registers and unique harmonic relationships between the open strings. The tight intervals on the higher strings (A#4 to D#5 is a perfect 4th) combined with the wide, dissonant intervals on the lower strings (e.g., A#2 to F2 is a tritone) offer a broad palette for complex voicings and intricate melodic lines.

Open Chords & Reach

While not forming a conventional major or minor open chord, the tuning itself presents a unique sonic fingerprint. The open strings can be strummed for a powerful, ambiguous drone. Due to the significant drop-tuning across all strings, power chords become exceptionally heavy and easy to play with minimal finger movement, especially on the lower three strings. The proximity of the 2nd and 1st strings (A#4 and D#5 - a perfect 4th) allows for easy two-note voicings, while the repeated F and A# notes provide excellent opportunities for sustained drones and rhythmic chugging, creating a wall of sound. Barre chords would require significant adaptation due to the non-standard intervals, but the low, open strings can be effectively incorporated into various riffing patterns.

Open String Notes

• 6th String (Low E): A2#
• 5th String (A): F2
• 4th String (D): A3#
• 3rd String (G): F3
• 2nd String (B): A4#
• 1st String (High E): D5#

How to Tune

To achieve the "Karnivool - Aeons 2" tuning, start from standard EADGBe and adjust each string as follows. Please note the significant drops in pitch, especially on the lower strings, which may necessitate a heavier gauge string for optimal tension and tone.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 6 semitones to A2#. (Note: Tuning down 6 semitones is a significant change; a different gauge string is strongly advised for proper playability and intonation.)
• 5th String (A): Tune down 4 semitones to F2. (Note: Tuning down 4 semitones is a significant change; a different gauge string is strongly advised for proper playability and intonation.)
• 4th String (D): Tune down 4 semitones to A3#. (Note: Tuning down 4 semitones is a significant change; a different gauge string is strongly advised for proper playability and intonation.)
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 2 semitones to F3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 1 semitone to A4#.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 1 semitone to D5#.