Crossword Genius

Thrash metal duo soften (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

modulate

'soften' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'thrash metal duo' is the wordplay.
'thrash' is an anagram indicator (I've seen this in other clues).
'metal'+'duo'='metalduo'
'metalduo' with letters rearranged gives 'MODULATE'.

(Other definitions for modulate that I've seen before include "Change tone, pitch etc" , "adjust the volume" , "Regulate" , "Attune" , "Adjust tone or pitch" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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