This unique Guitar tuning, provisionally named "Ulcerate's Dissonant Descent", is famously featured in the song 'End the Hope' by Ulcerate, a band renowned for their intricate and brutal technical death metal. This is an exceptionally low and dark tuning, meticulously crafted to generate a heavy, dissonant, and unnerving soundscape. The deepest string is a crushing D2, establishing a profoundly resonant and guttural foundation.

The arrangement of notes fosters a highly atmospheric and unsettling sonic palette, perfectly suited for the dense, complex compositions characteristic of extreme metal. While traditional open chords are not easily accessible, the tuning excels at facilitating power chords with shifted roots, as well as complex, dissonant voicings that are signature to modern extreme music. The combination of D2, F2, and A3# on the lower strings immediately presents a D diminished triad or a heavily augmented sound, which is then further complicated by the higher strings. This tuning strongly encourages exploration of atonal riffs, dissonant arpeggios, and heavy, chugging rhythms with a distinctly modern and aggressive flavor.

Technically, the open string notes from the lowest (6th) to highest (1st) are: D2 - F2 - A3# - E3 - A3 - D4. The intervals between adjacent strings are particularly noteworthy:

• 6th to 5th String (D2 to F2): Minor Third (3 semitones)
• 5th to 4th String (F2 to A3#): An extremely wide compound interval, equivalent to an Augmented Tenth (17 semitones). This creates a very open and spread voicing that can be challenging to navigate across adjacent strings, highlighting a significant jump in pitch.
• 4th to 3rd String (A3# to E3): This is a re-entrant tuning, dropping a Diminished Fifth (6 semitones downwards), which adds to the tuning's unique and sometimes disorienting character by placing a lower pitch on a physically higher string.
• 3rd to 2nd String (E3 to A3): Perfect Fourth (5 semitones)
• 2nd to 1st String (A3 to D4): Perfect Fourth (5 semitones)

The overall range spans a full two octaves, from a very low D2 to D4. The significant down-tuning across all strings, with movements ranging from 2 to 4 semitones down from standard EADGBe, means that standard string gauges might feel exceptionally loose. Therefore, heavier gauge strings are highly recommended to achieve optimal tension, intonation, and to prevent string floppiness, especially for the lower strings.

How to Tune to Ulcerate's Dissonant Descent

Achieving this unique tuning requires careful adjustment of each string from standard EADGBe tuning. Due to the significant downward tuning across most strings, and the substantial interval for the 4th string, it is highly recommended to consider using heavier gauge strings to maintain proper tension and intonation. Proceed with caution, especially with drops exceeding 4 semitones. When a string movement is stated, it refers to the change from its standard open note.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones to D2.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 4 semitones to F2. This is a significant drop; a heavier string gauge is advised to maintain tension and playability.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 4 semitones to A3#. It is important to note that tuning a standard D string down 4 semitones would typically result in A#2 (an octave lower than the target A3#). Achieving the target A3# from a D string would normally necessitate tuning *up* 8 semitones, or starting with a different gauge string. This discrepancy suggests the original D string might be replaced or intended for a different starting pitch. A heavy gauge string is advised due to the target pitch and the overall low tension.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 3 semitones to E3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 2 semitones to D4.