Prog Percussion
I was fortunate enough to be asked to play some auxiliary percussion for two albums last year. They both happened to be, let's say, "metal albums" to keep things categorically simple.
First off-Iris Divine's The Static and the Noise
Backstory: Singer/guitarist/songwriter, Navid Rashid, was at my house rehearsing with our own Iron Maiden tribute, Eyes of the Nile (in which he sings), and was talking to me about how the recording was going. If I remember correctly, he mentioned something about percussion on the album to which I of course said "If you want some live percussion, I can record it for you." And that's basically how it happened. A couple weeks later, we found ourselves in my home studio recording a variety of instruments. I set up some things we talked about and some things I had in mind. The list is as follows-
Catalyst-trash can, brake drums
Taking Back the Fall-trash can
Echoes/Effigies-tambourine
Fractures-wind chimes, indian bells
The Static and the Noise-tambourine
Like Glass-shaker, tambourine, woodblock
The Acolyte-vibraslap
We All Dissolve-the jury is out whether it's live or programmed tambourine and shaker!
Of course, I was excited to hear the final product considering I've never played percussion on a metal album. I knew it was going to be good after hearing the demos. But the final product kind of blew me away. After the initial excitement and curiosity of hearing my parts, it donned on me that I sincerely liked this album enough that I listened to it about 20 times in the first month. I can honestly say it's one of my favorite albums of all time. There is just so much goodness in it-the production is top notch and one of the best sounding albums I ever heard, the drums are powerful, punchy, dirty, clean, and explosive, every note is heard and the cymbals sound amazing. The drumming is creative, well thought out, virtuosic, simple-just right. It even earned the drummer, Kris Combs, Drummer of the Year from the Progtopia podcast. Kudos and well deserved! Brian Dobb's bass playing is effective, melodic, brutal at times, and easily heard in the mix without muddying it up. It's interesting to hear Navid's vocals considering I play in an Iron Maiden tribute with him. All I can say is that the vocals are incredibly versatile, running the gamut from hushed whispers, agonizing cries, to all out metal screams. Oh, and the vocal harmonies...so effective and perfectly done. Listen to the tracks The Static and the Noise (1:30) and Echoes/Effigies (my favorite-3:36 right on the genius key change...chills) to hear a few great examples of great vocal harmonies. And don't forget that Navid is also playing amazing guitar lines/riffs AND solos. What?!
Getting some trash can sounds for the opening of Taking Back the Fall.
Recording cowbell for The Static and the Noise. I don't think we used the one I'm holding!
Here are some of the accolades from various magazines, podcasts, websites etc-
DecibelGeek.com Best of 2017 list
Amps and Green Screens Best of 2017 list
We Love Metal Dot Com Best of 2017 list
wimpsandposers.com Best of 2017 list (honorable mention)
Metal Temple: 10/10 in all categories
Progressive Music Planet: 9.5/10
Powermetal.de 9/10
When Prog and Power Unite: A
Dead Rhetoric.com: 9.5/10
Progtopia: Drummer of the year
Please do yourselves a favor and pick up this amazing album. You'll be glad you did!
http://irisdivine.bigcartel.com/product/the-static-and-the-noise OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://irisdivineband.com/
Check out the official video for Taking Back the Fall!
Next up is Master Sword's, Shadow and Steel. Master Sword is a 5-piece progressive metal band that writes music inspired by the Legend of Zelda series. We met through gigs with Eyes of the Nile, struck up a friendship, and continue to support each other's musical efforts. We're finally sharing the stage next week!
I was asked to play on 2 tracks:
Master of the Seas: Chimes (tubular bells)
My Destined One: Wind Chimes
I've been waiting till this week and when I get my hard copy to give this a listen, so I can't write a "proper" review of it. What I heard from the demos I received were great and I can't wait to hear the whole thing. If you're reading this and want to see them live, they'll be at Magfest on January 4th (today since that's when I'm posting this!) They'll also be sharing the stage with Eyes of the Nile on January 13th at Metro Gallery in Baltimore!
Follow and purchase-https://masterswordband.bandcamp.com
My Destined One
This one called for some wind chimes in a couple of nicely placed spots.
Master of the Seas
Great chime part! Very effective. That's an old set of Deagan chimes you see.
Check out their new video Let Me Show You the Night!