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As a lead or rhythm sound, channel three is superlative and even at huge volumes the integrity of the bottom end content is retained. The performance of the Diezel cabinet is exceptional, even when tested with a fat down-tuned low B rumbling away. Channel three is genuinely up there with the world's best and it remains musical and harmonically rich from overdriven indie rock territory right through to bowel-disturbing thrash metal filth.

Channel four takes up where this leaves off but to our ears ends up sounding a little over-compressed and flabby in a chordal context, and really only high-octane shredding benefits from the extra gain. Channel three possesses the most musical lead voice as it allows for more dynamic response and feel to come through. That said, there really is as much dirt here as we can imagine that anybody might need, whether you are playing detuned grindcore or the blackest of Scandinavian black metal. And if it really isn't enough? Invite Herbert around for tea and sandwiches.

If you are in band playing predominantly high-gain guitar of virtually any stamp and currently shopping for a high-end amplifier then the VH4 absolutely has to be on your 'must try' list. Big enough for any stage and with the kind of flexibility that can cope with that festival headline slot that your management are currently negotiating, the VH4 is built to handle the demands of world tours and aircraft hangar-sized venues.

However, to drag this onstage at the Dog & Duck on open mic night would probably be a bit silly. Diezel's Einstein promises to distil some of the VH4's performance into a smaller package and we can't wait to check it out. But if you think that you can handle a rig on this scale, then the VH4's exceptional third channel alone might just have you sold. Rock, and indeed roll.