War Eternal
Required String Notes:C - G - C - F - A - D
Tune to Drop C TuningHow to Tune from Standard to Drop C Tuning
Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 6 of 6 strings to play “War Eternal”:
| String | Standard | Target | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| String 6 | E2 | C2 | Tune down 4 semitones |
| String 5 | A2 | G2 | Tune down a whole step |
| String 4 | D3 | C3 | Tune down a whole step |
| String 3 | G3 | F3 | Tune down a whole step |
| String 2 | B3 | A3 | Tune down a whole step |
| String 1 | E4 | D4 | Tune down a whole step |
Recommended string gauge: .011–.054. The bass end is slackened noticeably; a slightly heavier set keeps it tight without a full setup change.Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky (.011–.054) · affiliate link
Song Overview & Tuning Breakdown
"War Eternal" by Arch Enemy is played in Drop C Tuning (C - G - C - F - A - D). Starting from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 6 of 6 strings: string 6 down to C, string 5 down to G, string 4 down to C, string 3 down to F, string 2 down to A, string 1 down to D. Overall string tension drops, with the biggest change being 4 semitones down. 129 other songs in our catalog use Drop C Tuning.
Looking for tabs or chords?Search Ultimate Guitar
Tunings Close to Drop C Tuning
Already tuned to C - G - C - F - A - D? These tunings are just one small change away.
Drop D Tuning130 songs
D - A - D - G - B - ESame chord shapes, every string a whole step higher.D Standard / Whole-Step Down86 songs
D - G - C - F - A - DOnly string 6 differs: D instead of C.Drop Db / Drop C#82 songs
Db - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbSame chord shapes, every string a half step higher.Drop B Tuning39 songs
B - F# - B - E - G# - C#Same chord shapes, every string a half step lower.Arch Enemy’s Guitar Tunings
Arch Enemy plays 1 of 2 songs in our catalog in Drop C Tuning. Most-used tunings:
- Drop C TuningC - G - C - F - A - D1 song
Gear for Drop C Tuning
Strings and tools that make playing "War Eternal" in Drop C Tuning easier.
Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky (.011–.054)
Recommended gauge .011–.054. The bass end is slackened noticeably; a slightly heavier set keeps it tight without a full setup change.
D'Addario Universal Micro Headstock Tuner
A headstock tuner makes switching in and out of this tuning quick, even on stage or without a mic.
D'Addario Pro-Winder (winder + cutter)
Retuning 6 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.
Affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
“War Eternal” Tuning FAQ
What tuning is "War Eternal" by Arch Enemy in?
"War Eternal" is played in Drop C Tuning: C - G - C - F - A - D, from the lowest to the highest string.
How do I tune my guitar to play "War Eternal"?
Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down 4 semitones (E2 → C2). String 5: tune down a whole step (A2 → G2). String 4: tune down a whole step (D3 → C3). String 3: tune down a whole step (G3 → F3). String 2: tune down a whole step (B3 → A3). String 1: tune down a whole step (E4 → D4).
What string gauge should I use for Drop C Tuning?
Use a .011–.054 set. The bass end is slackened noticeably; a slightly heavier set keeps it tight without a full setup change.
More Songs by Arch Enemy
Explore other guitar tunings recorded by Arch Enemy:
Other Songs in Drop C Tuning
Once tuned to C - G - C - F - A - D, try playing these tracks next: