Boss HM-2W Heavy Metal Waza Craft Set incl. Cable

Boss HM-2W Heavy Metal Waza Craft - Distortion Pedal - Made in Japan!

The BOSS HM-2 Heavy Metal was produced from 1983 to 1991 and remains a legend among distortion pedals. All knobs turned to the max create the signature sound inseparably linked to Swedish death metal. But even in "softer" settings, the HM-2 convinces on countless mainstream and shoegaze tracks. Now the time has finally come: after three decades, the legendary stompbox is reissued in a special Waza Craft edition. The HM-2W delivers the authentic analog tone of the original, enhanced with numerous modern features and details for even better performance.

Death Metal Legend

At its launch in 1983, the HM-2 was one of the first pedals to include a complete amplifier in stompbox format. With its innovative BOSS circuitry, the HM-2 reproduced the sound of British stack amplifiers from the early '80s, which were preferred in the emerging metal scene. Towards the end of its production, influential Swedish death metal bands chose the HM-2 to shape their signature guitar tones—instantly, the uniquely aggressive sound with its powerful mids became the ideal for a new generation of guitarists. Due to its enormous influence and popularity, calls for a reissue of the pedal grew louder.

Standard Mode: The Original HM-2 Sound

In Standard Mode, the sound and response of the original HM-2 are reproduced 100% authentically. Thanks to careful modern optimizations, Boss was able to reduce the noise floor and increase the maximum level by 3 dB without affecting the tone. Furthermore, the high-quality Waza Craft buffers ensure improved sound in bypass mode. All knobs turned to the max—that’s the sound of Swedish death metal. By adjusting the precise distortion and color controls, you also get a wide variety of sounds for other genres.

Even More Aggression in Custom Mode

The HM-2W’s Custom Mode offers the same tonal characteristics as Standard Mode but cranks everything up a notch. The drive stage delivers more gain for added foundation, attack, and bite. Additionally, the low and high mids are adjusted to provide more fullness and definition.

Orange & Black Are Back

Besides the original HM-2 sound, Boss has retained the unmistakable orange-black design of the pedal, including the size and position of the labeling on the control surface. Every Waza Craft pedal features a mode switch for an extended range. On the HM-2W, this switch is moved upward to preserve the authentic knob layout of the HM-2.

Waza Craft: The Art of Superior Tone

From the start, BOSS developers aimed to create the best guitar tones using analog vintage circuits combined with high-tech DSP processing. The Waza Craft series embodies this enthusiasm, offering extraordinary tonal and playing qualities based on carefully selected analog components, optimized circuits, and meticulous attention to detail. The Japanese term "Waza" means "art and technique"—a fitting symbol for these special edition pedals as the spearhead of modern BOSS development and craftsmanship.

Professional Jack Cable with Gold Tips!

Pronomic Stage Pro-Line cables stand for clean audio transmission and durable components. The high-quality connectors and the flexible yet robust outer jacket are fully stage-ready and won’t let you down even in demanding situations.

Only oxygen-free copper is used for Stage Pro-Line cables. This ensures long-lasting, consistent quality and protects against corrosion. The connectors are hand-soldered and feature a strain relief clamp, so the solder joints are free from mechanical stress. A high-density copper shield effectively protects the audio signal from handling noise and electromagnetic interference, such as that generated by power supplies and power cables.

Stage INST cables are professional guitar/instrument cables with high-quality jack connectors and gold-plated tips. This guarantees low conductor capacitance and excellent audio transmission.

Quality from Pronomic!