AxeChords vs Heavier Metal
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
AxeChords
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Learn all the basic Major and Minor Chords on Guitar using the CAGED System. (A system based on the open C, A, G, E, and D chords). Learn the foundation of all Jazz Chords with Shell Chords. (Root, 3rd, 7th). Master advanced Chords and their Inversions with Drop 2 and Drop 3 Chords. (2nd or 3rd highest note of a closed position Chord dropped an octave to spread out the voicing). Select any of 12 different Root Notes for each chord form, providing thousands of different combinations! Shows the scale degree of each chord note, as well as the suggested fingerings for each chord. Play each chord to hear how it sounds, choose from several different guitar types with strummed or picked chords. Context sensitive help available on each screen. Plus, you can also add your own custom User Chords!
Heavier Metal
This music plugin emulates a classic 1990s distortion pedal with advanced digital modeling. It offers full parametric control, capturing the original circuit's behavior for a wide range of guitar tones. Optimized for low CPU usage and low latency, it's compatible with various AUv3 hosts.
- Parametric NAM distortion model
- Recreates original pedal behavior
- Mid-forward gain, tight low-end
- AUv3 plugin for Mac/iOS
- Native Apple Silicon support
- Ultra-low CPU, near-zero latency
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Heavier Metal is a modern distortion plugin based on one of the most aggressive pedals of the 1990s. Built using Artera DSP’s Parametric NAM engine, it delivers not just the sound — but the full behavior of the original circuit. Every knob. Every nuance. Captured with precision. This isn’t a snapshot. Heavier Metal is fully parametric — meaning all front-panel controls respond just like the original analog pedal. From razor-sharp riffs to soaring leads, it gives you the full expressive range of the original hardware, with the flexibility of a native plugin. Key Features – Fully parametric NAM model — not a static capture – Recreates the full tone-shaping behavior of the original HM-style pedal – Mid-forward gain structure with massive sustain and tight low-end – AUv3 plugin for macOS and iOS – Native support for Apple Silicon (M1/M2) – Ultra-low CPU usage and near-zero latency Compatibility Heavier Metal runs in any AUv3-compatible host such as Logic Pro (Mac/iPad), GarageBand (Mac/iOS), AUM, Cubasis, and more. Available exclusively on the App Store.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: AxeChords at $1.99 against Heavier Metal's $12.99. Heavier Metal's advantage is device support (4 vs 2) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.2). On ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
AxeChords costs $1.99 and Heavier Metal $12.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
| Parameter | AxeChords | Heavier Metal |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 — better | $12.99 |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 2 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 days | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | — | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.2 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 80 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Joseph Svantner | Reinarc LLC |
In-app purchases
AxeChords
No in-app purchases
Heavier Metal
No in-app purchases









