Xploration • Curation • Recommendation
Lichtlaerm Audio now has a Quadfecta of superior Compact gain machines with this potent Lennart Bossu Signature Thorn 3-Mode High Gain Distortion, newly in at Joe's Pedals in the UK
Readers should know that I’ve long lauded Lichtlaerm’s previously High Gain Trifecta - the Altar, Gehenna, and Medusa. And now we have the 4th killer compact candidate to join that elite!
I believe the first batch (which sold out very quickly!) was only available on the EvilGreed.Com Webstore - while the second batch is more widely available, including at Joe’s Pedals in the UK - where indeed I got mine from.
Lennart Bossu, of Amenra, Living Gate, Oathbreaker and Predatory Void bands - used to deploy the fairly large format Providence Stampede SDT-1 pedal - where Daniel of Licthtlaerm Audio has expanded on that circuit and shrunk it down to a more potent compact format.
The ’Thorn’ has 3 modes onboard, the Stock SDT-1 core sound, then a more Compressed and Saturated SDT-2 (which also has some volume drop), and then the more open and even louder new ’Laerm’ mode which seems to be my favourite! I mostly live on the original STD-1 and new Laerm Modes.
This is such a potent distortion, I really don’t feel I need the Boost at all - that slightly tightens up the delivery and adds more sustain - while I really feel that I don’t need it!
Controls - Gain, Boost, Level, Treble, Mids, Bass, EQ : Off / On, MODE : SDT-2 / Laerm / SDT-1, Boost Footswitch, Bypass Footswitch.
The Boost on this occasion is additive rather than independent, and as I already said - I never feel that I need to deploy that.
My favourite setting have Gain, Boost, and Level all @ 3 o’c (Boost mostly off!), then Treble @ Max, Mids @ 10:30 o’c, and Bass @ 3 o’c. I much prefer the EQ On! And I much prefer the SDT-1 and Laerm Modes over the SDT-2.
This is a really easy pedal to dial in - yielding instant satisfaction. Shame it didn't happen in time for my recent Full Metal Racket article - as it would for sure have had a place there.
I reacted way too slow on the first batch - and those pedals were entirely sold out by the time I got to them. So I'm glad to have finally snagged one - in time for the 2025 end of year roundup!
The Lennart Bossu 'Thorn' is now widely available including at Joe's Pedals in the UK - £199, and Licthlaerm in the EU - €229, it has yet to appear at Eastside Music Supply.
All 4 of my Lichtlaerm High Gain Pedals are pretty distinct - this Thorn is closest to the Gehenna - but there are still distinct differences between them. I'm very glad I have both as each hits somewhat differently!
I don't feel I will ever be disappointed with a Lihctlaerm Audio pedal - all 7 of the ones I have to date sound superb - and I still have a few further targets!
As I said in my recent Full Metal Racket - it's mostly just 3 brands that are really pushing the next generation of High Gain Pedals - Fortin, Lichlaerm, and Sinvertek - those 3 never fail to impress! I've not had as much experience of This Heavy Earth - but feel that may well belong in the same group!
The Thorn is another fantastic High Gain variant - highly recommended!
I probably also need to get the mid-size Total Distortion Workshop MKII - to complete my Lictlaerm High Gain collection. Obviously I lean somewhat more into compact formats as hey are more flexibly accommodated on the board!
Demos
![Klon Klones Kapsule Collection [27]](https://d6a2e7ghqts3o.cloudfront.net/AcuCustom/Sitename/DAM/565/2025-GPX-Klon-Klone-Capsule-Collection-7001.jpg "Klon Klones Kapsule Collection [27]")
