The KHDK Paranormal II is a parametric EQ overdrive pedal made by KHDK Electronics as the signature pedal of Gary Holt, the thrash metal guitarist KHDK calls "the high priest of thrash metal"1. It is the second version of the original Paranormal, and the difference is gain: KHDK says the circuit is "supercharged with even more gain and an added gain control" compared with the first pedal1. Like its predecessor, it combines a parametric EQ, which lets a player pick a specific frequency band and boost or cut it, with an overdrive circuit of the kind covered on the site's overdrive pedal and equalization pedal pages.
A limited run of 333, hand-numbered
The Paranormal II is a strictly limited edition. KHDK's product page lists it as "333 pieces only"1, and each unit is silk-screen printed with artwork approved by Holt, hand-numbered, and sold with a certificate signed by Gary Holt1. KHDK adds that "this small batch is built in the EU, guitar-tested, hand-numbered, comes with a signed Certificate"1.
As of KHDK's product page dated 25 October 2026, the Paranormal II is marked sold out, with pre-orders open and units shipping in September1. The first Paranormal is described on the same page as "long-sold-out"1.
The original Paranormal followed the same limited-edition model on a smaller scale. KHDK described it as "The limited 250 piece edition... destined for tortured, tone-obsessed souls who will be claimed by its power"2, and Guitar World reported it was "being offered in a limited run of 250 units"32, a figure gearnews.com matched: "The Paranormal is being produced in a limited run of only 250 units"43.
Gary Holt's signature pedal
The Paranormal line exists because of Gary Holt. Guitar.com introduced the first pedal in 2019 as "a limited-edition Gary Holt signature pedal with parametric EQ and overdrive"5, and Guitar World described it as boasting "a full-studio parametric EQ as well as an overdrive circuit"2. The Paranormal II carries the same association: KHDK says that, like the first Paranormal, it "was created with the high priest of thrash metal, Gary Holt"1.
On the question of what it does to an amp, KHDK quotes Holt directly on the Paranormal II page:
"When you hear what this pedal does to a stock Marshall head, you're gonna shit your pants."
Controls and how it differs from the first Paranormal
The original Paranormal's EQ section is built around three controls. KHDK's page for the first pedal describes "the diabolic trio of all-powerful controls, MIDS, FREQ and BANDWIDTH"4, giving a player control over the level, center frequency and width of a chosen midrange band. Guitar.com's report on the original adds that "a simple drive knob controls the circuit, and can be dialled up for more sustain and gain"5.
The Paranormal II keeps that parametric EQ approach and adds a dedicated gain control, with more gain on tap overall1. For a player comparing the two, the II is the higher-gain version of the same idea: the first Paranormal's EQ-plus-overdrive layout, with an extra gain stage KHDK did not include in the 2019 pedal.
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Questions
What is the difference between the KHDK Paranormal and the Paranormal II?
The Paranormal II takes the original Paranormal's parametric EQ overdrive circuit and adds a dedicated gain control, with more gain overall. KHDK describes the circuit as supercharged with even more gain and an added gain control compared with the first pedal. Both are limited-edition Gary Holt signature pedals, with the original limited to 250 units and the Paranormal II to 333.
How many KHDK Paranormal II pedals were made?
KHDK Electronics lists the Paranormal II as 333 pieces only. Each one is silk-screen printed with Gary Holt-approved artwork, hand-numbered, and comes with a certificate signed by Gary Holt. The original Paranormal was a smaller limited edition of 250 units.
Is the KHDK Paranormal II still available?
As of KHDK's product page dated 25 October 2026, the Paranormal II is marked sold out, with pre-orders being taken and units shipping in September. The first Paranormal is described on the same page as long sold out, so both versions have been limited to the quantities KHDK announced.
Who is the KHDK Paranormal II made for?
The Paranormal II was created with Gary Holt, whom KHDK calls the high priest of thrash metal, and it carries his name on the pedal and the signed certificate. It is aimed at players who want a parametric EQ overdrive with substantial gain, in the vein of Holt's own thrash metal tone.
Where is the KHDK Paranormal II made?
KHDK states that the small batch of Paranormal II pedals is built in the EU, guitar-tested, and hand-numbered, with each unit accompanied by a certificate signed by Gary Holt.
Sources (5)
- Paranormal II, KHDK Electronics
- KHDK Electronics Unveils Gary Holt Paranormal Parametric EQ Overdrive, Guitar World, 2019-03-05
- KHDK Electronics debuts Gary Holt signature Paranormal parametric EQ, gearnews.com, 2019-03-06
- Paranormal, KHDK Electronics
- KHDK Electronics unleashes the Paranormal, Guitar.com, 2019-03-06
