The Fuzzlord Nazareth Octave Distortion is a high-gain distortion pedal with a switchable dirty octave boost circuit built into the main distortion. Fuzzlord describes the distortion channel as delivering "massive gain with thick, chewy mids, seismic low end, and an aggressive iron edged attack that keeps every note articulate beneath layers of saturation," aimed at "players chasing massive saturation, crushing low end, and octave up devastation"1. It sits in the distortion lane, with the octave element putting it in territory shared with octave and pitch pedals and fuzz pedals.
What it does
The Nazareth combines two circuits in one box. The main distortion covers everything from overdrive-level grit to full saturation, and on the right side of the pedal is "a switchable dirty octave boost circuit integrated into the main distortion," which can be switched in and out with its own footswitch1. Fuzzlord describes the octave circuit as an analog octave dirty boost that adds "harmonic chaos and saturation"1.
Guitar Pedal X, covering the pedal's mid-size edition, summed it up this way2:
"And the Nazareth slots in beautifully - as a high gain crushing doomy distortion."
The same review noted that the pedal "combines extended 3-band active EQ shaping with an optional, independently controlled octave boost"2.
The controls
The Nazareth carries six knobs and two footswitches. Each control, in the maker's own description1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| GAIN | Shape the intensity from gritty overdrive to towering saturated distortion |
| BASS | Sculpt the low-end foundation from tight and focused to earth-shaking doom |
| MID | Control the midrange presence, scoop for cavernous heaviness or push forward for aggressive attack |
| TREB | Adjust high-end bite and clarity from dark and ominous to razor sharp |
| VOLUME | Command the overall output level with massive headroom and punishing force |
| BOOST | Set the level of the analog octave dirty boost circuit for added harmonic chaos and saturation |
The BOOST knob only sets the octave circuit's level; a separate footswitch brings the octave boost in and out, so you can run the distortion alone and kick the octave in for leads or heavier sections1.
Power and switching
The Nazareth needs 9 V center-negative power through a 2.1 mm barrel connector, and Fuzzlord specifies an isolated power supply only, with a current draw of 52 mA1.
There is no battery option, and the maker's isolation requirement rules out sharing a daisy-chain output with other pedals. Plan a dedicated isolated outlet on your power supply for this pedal.
Switching is handled by relay-based soft switching with true bypass, which Fuzzlord describes as giving seamless transitions1. Soft switching means the footswitch sends a signal to an electronic relay rather than mechanically breaking the audio path, which tends to hold up better over years of stomping.
Versions and clipping changes
The current version of the Nazareth uses "a newly refined hybrid silicon / LED clipping section" at its heart, "compared to the original LED only clipping design" from 20201. The clipping pair is a large part of what a distortion pedal's saturation character comes from, so this is the main sonic change between the original and the current build.
There is also a smaller sibling. In July 2026, Fuzzlord released a mid-size Nazareth Doomy Octave Distortion, adapted from the larger original2. Guitar Pedal X listed its control set as active Bass, active Mids, active Treble, Volume, Gain, an Octave Boost Level control, a bypass footswitch and an octave boost footswitch2. At the time of that report the mid-size edition appeared sold out on the Fuzzlord webstore, with another batch expected2.
Videos
Fuzzlord Effects
Does It Doom?
Fuzzed Drones
Questions
Can the Fuzzlord Nazareth run on a battery?
No. Fuzzlord specifies a 9 V center-negative, 2.1 mm isolated power supply only, with a current draw of 52 mA. There is no battery option, and the maker's isolation requirement means it should not be shared from a daisy chain with other pedals. Give it its own outlet on an isolated supply.
Is the Fuzzlord Nazareth true bypass?
Yes. Fuzzlord describes the switching as seamless transitions with true bypass relay based soft switching, so the pedal drops out of the chain entirely when off, and the relay-based switching handles the change electronically rather than with a mechanical switch.
What is the difference between the original Nazareth and the current version?
The current version uses a newly refined hybrid silicon and LED clipping section at its heart, compared to the original LED only clipping design from 2020. Silicon clipping adds its own compression character alongside the LEDs, which changes how the distortion saturates.
How does the Boost knob work on the Nazareth?
The BOOST knob sets the level of the analog octave dirty boost circuit, which Fuzzlord says adds harmonic chaos and saturation. It is integrated into the main distortion on the right side of the pedal and can be switched in and out with its own footswitch, so the octave is optional rather than always on.
Is there a smaller Nazareth Doomy Octave Distortion?
Yes. In July 2026 Fuzzlord released a mid-size Nazareth Doomy Octave Distortion, adapted from the larger original. Guitar Pedal X reported it sold out on the Fuzzlord webstore shortly after release, with another batch expected.
What power supply does the Nazareth need?
A 9 V center-negative, 2.1 mm isolated power supply only, drawing 52 mA. Fuzzlord rules out battery power and specifies an isolated supply, so plan a dedicated outlet on your pedalboard power brick.
Sources (2)
- Nazareth Octave Distortion, Fuzzlord Effects, 2026-05-31
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2026-07-10
