Subject: Re: Cianide vs Recording..    Thu Nov 12, 2009 5:59 pm |      
  |  
  |  
Update # 3 
 
The campaign for Metal domination has begun! 
 
At  approximately 1900 I entered the war room. I immediately observed Mike  making final preparations.  We discussed some logistics as we geared up  for Scott to arrive. 
 
Time:1920 Scott arrives –With his beer in  hand but, with no microphone cord as promised (last week). After  debriefing Scott concerning the failure to deliver, it is determined  that he simply forgot. No reprimand is necessary as this was deemed an  isolated incident.  For the record, it’s also determined that an email  reminder to him would have helped. 
 
Not having the mic cord is a major setback as the war machine is stalled without it.   
 
Time:1940 Mike volunteers to take point for the mission to Sam Ash.  Mike’s fervor is noted and a return favor is justified. 
 
Time  unknown. As the planning for our Deathstrike continues, Scott’s weapon  is chosen- The Gibson SG.  With Battle ax in hand and tuned to gutter,  all systems appear operational. 
 
Approx 2045. My first attempts to  finish the song were futile. I had some problems with the headphone  mix. Hence, the insulting headgear that I’m wearing. (Feeling a gay  Vinnie Paul vibe)  Yep, it’s a towel wrapped around the headphones.   Mike thought it be really cool to draw a pentagram on it.  The pentagram  really gives it scary effect! After listening to the play back a few  times, I wasn’t a bit surprised at what parts needed to be tightened and  zeroed in. 
 
After a few more necessary retreats, the song was  finally finished! We started celebrating our first victory..  Listening  to the song over and over,,, with drinks in hand, the commanding review  authority (Mike) noticed that the song ended a bit premature for his  liking.  The overwhelming feeling of disappointment that came over me  was like getting rejected by the hottest girl from high school on your  birthday. Scott and I were so sure the fucker was done. Could we  convince Mike to leave  it?----------------------------------------------Um no… 
 
What a bag of dicks situation we were in. Knee deep in the dung! Was it time to re-record the song again?  
 
Some  thinking about this was desperately needed.  Swift action is needed!   Swift action is not a Cianide strong point.  But, since we are a bunch  of lazy fuckerz, we are always looking for an easy way out. A new plan  of attack was hatched. 
 
Fortunately, the way the song is  written/structured, in this rare situation, I was able to punch in 4  more counts for the end - the song is finished-More drinks.. 
 
Hopefully, with everything set, the process will be smoother but certainly not any faster… 
 
Phil Rudd would be proud. 
 
FIST! 
 
Below are some reconnaissance photos.   
  
 
 
Subject: Re: Cianide vs Recording..    Thu Nov 19, 2009 6:05 pm |      
  |  
  |  
11/18/09 
 
Update #4   
 
19:00  Deep asleep in my bunker, I was startled awake by a phone call via the  Cianide hotline. I was immediately uneasy knowing the call was from  Scott.  I never receive calls from Scott.  My knee jerk thought was that tonight’s plans may have been compromised. 
He  relayed to me there was no prior communication between himself and  Cianide Headquarters confirming tonight’s mission.  I told him all is  well. Rendezvous is set for 20:00. 
 
20:00 Arrival at Cianide HQ.  My first observation was Mike field-testing some Budweiser (note: as the night progressed, the Budweiser had it’s usual end result)As  we waited for Scott to arrive, we secretly questioned Scott’s morale.  We both had the impression that he was fishing for an excuse to call  off..   
 
Approximately  20:30 Scott arrives. We headed down to the  War Room.  As we prepared the equipment, we engaged in the usual  chatter.  Unexpectedly, Mike presented us with the new Slayer cd.  He  surprisingly stated that he liked it.  As Scott and I inspected the  packaging, we immediately started to critique Slayer’s efforts without  actually hearing it.  We imagined a few scenarios.  1st. Tom Araya will  annoyingly sing over every single riff..  2. Tom will use the same vocal  pattern that has used for the last four records.  
3. It will not be an “Evil” record.  And lastly, there will be at least one “groove riff” somewhere on the album.  
 
20:50 Signal check.  Everything appears operational.  For some unknown reason, Scott switches out equipment.   
He  switched the * Bass POD for the Metal Muff.  I have learned through the  years not to be surprised or, question the actions of a guitar player.  They just do things like that… 
 
“Dead and Rotting”  This tune is  >7.10 minutes in length as rehearsed. As if it wasn’t bad enough the  tune is 7 minutes long,,  Mike wants to double the length of the last  riff.  That’s when I really started to shit myself.  I was already  concerned about playing for 7 minutes consistently without tripping over  my feet. Now I have to add a part to fucking thing? After 5 or 6  disastrous attempts, I finally completed it. 
 
Our ears were pinned  to the monitors listening to the playback, screening for timing issues,  inconsistent double bass, sloppy fills etc,etc  Typical drummer shit  that could ruin the take.   It seemed all good...  The commanding review  authority signed off on the recording. Thus, the mission is complete! 
 
Drinks… 
 
After  a few more giggles at Slayers expense, and throwing Metallica’s new  record under the bus, it was time to jump into my Death Machine and head  home… 
 
  *  “Bass POD and Metal Muff” LOL! -------Why is that funny? 
 
Recon Pix below..  No captions needed. 
 
FIST!   
  
 
 
Subject: Re: Cianide vs Recording..    Thu Nov 19, 2009 9:23 pm |      
  |  
  |  
....Andy was gettin' a bit annoyed here and there  but, he pulled through as usual. fuckers a stickler to playing exactly  in time to our always hidden fourth member, Thee Click Trick, whom Mike  hates. tones all sound good and were another week closer to guitars.  this is gonna take us a looonngg time to record, due to alot of shit  but, the end result i'm thinking is gonna be a mighty Slab-O-Metal.  
 
new title for the record...."Dat Shit Iz Organized.....Daayyyumm!" -Scott   
 
Subject: Re: Cianide vs Recording..    Sat Nov 28, 2009 1:04 pm |      
  |  
  |  
Update #5 
Terror Strikes! 
This  metal masterpiece was 90% written by Scott.  Usually most Cianide tunes  are a shared effort in real time at practice.  This one in particular  was brought down to Mike and I and was pretty much was a “song” by the  end of that nights practice. I’m sure Terror Strikes had it’s share of  revisions but I honestly can’t remember because the tune is over 3 yrs  old.
 
At the time, I roughly remember we going through a major  writing slump for months! Everything we tried to put together just  wasn’t cool enough.  A shitload of riffs were worked and nothing seemed  honest enough.  Everyone knew the riffs that we were coming up with were  shitty, but noone was saying it. After months of the Cianide war  machine being stuck in mud, and most likely due to Scott frustration, he  took his work home.  Scott dug in deep and wrote the tune that finally  ended the depressing slump.
 
We fired up the equipment and  everything seems to be operational.  My first few attempts were  unsuccessful as usual.   Even more attempts to accomplish my directive  were ineffective.  The Metal Gods seemed to be absent.  Finally, I had a  take that was deemed worthy.  After listing to it a few times it was  decided that it was a keeper. The commanding review authority was  pleased.
 
Drinks…..
 
Rare picture of Scott sitting behind the Doom Cannons.
 
I have been in Cianide for 15 years. 
 
In that 15 years, this maybe the 6th time he’s wandered back there..
 
FIST  
 
Subject: Re: Cianide vs Recording..    Mon Nov 30, 2009 10:30 pm |      
  |  
  |  
yeah...tricky  song this one. full on fast headbanger but, i have issues with some of  it, riff rise.....well, the way i play it anyway. song fuckin' rules and  is heavy as fuck. i just gotta step up a bit and make it a bit more  evil in a place or two. Andy played the fucker like no-ones business.  infact..it was told to me that he didn't even really need me for a  scratch track for this one. he would;ve nailed this one on his  own....just wanted me down there to press record. can't blame 'em that  though..Mike's a fucking caveman. he has great ears and all but, for the  'work' process of recording..uh uh....hands off.    
 
this whole album is being done on this thing and a couple other apparatuses too.      fuck studio guys and there bullshit 'knowledge'. a joke really.  
 -Scott 
 
Subject: Re: Cianide vs Recording..    Tue Dec 01, 2009 6:11 pm |      
  |  
  |  
this  board is a beast for sure.  Mixing down on it is just about impossible  for us.  Not friendly like modern shit- (Pro Tools, Cakewalk etc).  Was  pretty high tech when Scott bought it about 8+ years ago.  Technology  really jumped soon after he bought it and we missed out on the whole  record/Mixing on your PC .  It's really a pain in sack for sure. -FIST 
 
 
Subject: Re: Cianide vs Recording..    Thu Dec 03, 2009 6:56 pm |      
  |  
  |  
 The reason I titled the thread Cianide vs Recording is bc Scott used to  get so frustrated with the 2816.  in the past, Scott would get soooo  frustrated with this beast.  I have known the bloke for quite some time  and I have never seen him get so pissed off.     Some of vulgar language he used even scared me and Mike a little. -FIST 
 
Subject: Re: Cianide vs Recording..    Thu Dec 03, 2009 7:17 pm |      
  |  
  |  
i  hate that fucking board and i hate the manual even more. it sucks but,  in the end it proves its self...somehow. its about mic placement anyway  and being a good sounding band helps too.  
 
would be interested in  some sorta updated free wav program though...if anyone has any tips on  how to get some free software somewhere. gimmie some links...     |  
 -Scott  
 
Subject: Re: Cianide vs Recording..    Fri Dec 11, 2009 6:22 pm |      
  |  
  |  
Update #6 
Written a few days ago. Too busy to post.
Man,  its nut bustin’ cold outside. Today is really first day that the  extreme cold stormed into Chicago. -19F with the wind. And of course im  wearing shorts. I have lived through this winter shit all my life and  I’ll never get used to how friggin cold it gets here. My nuts are like  freeze dried raisins.
 
Mike was his usual self, drinking and  indirectly laughing at my new over the top HTC cell phone. (Mike has  never owned a cell phone)
 
Getting down to it. We signal checked all the gear - so far, so good. All equipment appears operational.
 Desecration Storm!  As Scott and I started to fiddle around with the tune. Scott suddenly  can’t play the main riff of the song. Now, it’s very possible that he  can’t play it because we haven’t practiced in 6 weeks or, is it because  he drank too much last night at home with his BFF Al Famine?
 
Here’s proof of the party…
  
So  it was decided I have to play this one solo with no scratch. Should be  no big deal right? Well not so easy… The first few takes sounded very  unconfident. It sounded bit shakey and with no aggression. Then it  started sounded better, than worse again.. Drumwise this tune is not  very high on the difficulty scale. Actually the drumming is on this one  is standard or “stock” as Lars would say. But, all the changes in  structure is whats throwing me off somehow. It’s the transitions between  the changes that aren’t coming off smooth. After a few more tries at  it, I figured I’d play with the “I don’t give a fuck” philosophy and  guess what; it worked! Sounds good and finished!
 
The commanding review authority was buzzed...
 
Drinks..
 
Mike snapped a few pix but he's still using dial up-so they may never appear...
  
Subject: Re: Cianide vs Recording..    Thu Feb 11, 2010 5:35 pm |      
  |  
  |  
Victory! 
Fellow  countrymen, after a long and slow battle with recording, on this day  February 11th Two Thousand Ten- I am proud to say with profound delight-  The Deathdrums of Cianide has once again become the conqueror!  
 
Throughout this campaign, there were many scheduling setbacks and unforeseen circumstances. 
 
With  100% of my objective achieved, the Cianide artillery has ceased fire.  The Maple shell Doom Cannons will be dispatched across the city border  to Andy HQ. They will de-commissioned and be placed in dry storage. 
 
Recording proved to be a cold, calculated and merciless adversary. 
 
Many  fucked fills, and dishonorable blast beats hit the cutting room floor.  All was corrected but, hopefully with the next LP, time will be on my  side…  
 
No “friendly fire” incidents were reported. Although, I  could sense some frustration from my comrades, truthfully,- they have  been very supportive.
 
I will no longer be involved in front line  engagement. I will take a supporting/advisory role as Scott steps  forward into the front line assault.   
 
Some logistics still need  to be worked out for the SSA deployment. (Scott’s Sonic Arsenal).  I  expect every weapon in the hold will be utilized in his Metal Assault.  
 
Scott’s reputation as the “Hunter” makes his enemies uneasy. His Plan of Attack will most certainly be “Divide and Conquer”.
 
As he prepares his assault, I’m sure many meetings of the Metal Militia will be held. 
 
His  Axe’s will be tuned to “Dead” as he will charge at close range with the  Horns of Satan in one hand and clutching a beer in the other.
 
He promises to make his campaign swift and Merciless!  
 
Will keep ya’ll posted as the Scourging continues.. 
 
FIST  
 
Subject: Re: Cianide vs Recording..    Sun Feb 21, 2010 12:26 pm |      
  |  
  |  
a  hellava rocky start yesterday and after many many traps I almost have  one song done. guitars sound heavy and dirty as fuck. resorted back to  my standard way of mic'in the Amp and ruled out the possibility of using  my Ampeg or JCM800 for recording. the JCM2000 with a Boss EQ will be  once again the tools needed.  pics below..  
Mike taking a break...he was engineering the board.
beer break. 
 |  
  |  
 
 
Subject: Re: Cianide vs Recording..    Wed Mar 17, 2010 2:40 pm |      
  |  
  |  
Thinking this album's gonna be called, "Darkness at the Edge of 103rd St."  
Recording  has been at a standstill this past week since Scott had to indulge in  some Spring Break frolics in Florida.  We were rolling along at a pretty  good pace there too.  Well a good pace for us anyway.  Only 3 songs of  guitars left to do.    Andy already lost $10.00 in a bet to me regarding  ol' Hunters recording attendance,  (I was on Scott's side.  Huzzah!)  and I was getting a bit loopy myself regarding the "engineering" part.   So the break in action is almost welcome.  Plus I get a chance to  reaquaint myself with these fucking songs  again and callous up the  fingertips.  Sheesh. It's been awhile.  Before he left Scott expressed  that he wanted to start right back up this Saturday, a day after he  returns.  I'm guessing he's gonna be too hung over from drinking with  Famine on Friday.            So I'm not taking Andy's bet this time.  We shall see though.  In the meantime, here's some more pics to tide you over...  |  
  |  
 -MIKE 
I've come to the realization that this is probably the only official  band pic we're gonna do for this record.  We all felt like homo's  before, during and after taking it:
 
 |  |  
 |  
 |  
 |  
 |  
 |  
 |  
 |  
 |  
 |  
 |  
 |  
 |  
 
 |  
Subject: Re: Cianide vs Recording..    Sat Mar 27, 2010 9:00 am |      
  |  
  |  
3/25/10 - Night of the Hunter. 
 
Just  a quick update.  Scott knocked out 2 songs on Thursday. An unprecented  feat so far in this recording.  So we decided to drink until 2am to  celebrate.    I don't know how I made it to work yesterday.  Last song  would've been completed today if OFC and ARES KINGDOM weren't playing  here tonight.  Priorities.  Probably be another celebration next  Thursday.  Then it's time for some bass..... -MIKE 
 
Subject: Re: Cianide vs Recording..    Sun Apr 04, 2010 3:05 pm |      
  |  
  |  
Guitars  are fucking done.  Well aside from solos and shit.    If this album's  gonna be anything, it least it will be well documented. -MIKE 
 
Some "Good Friday" pics: Tuning up w/hardrocker glasses 
"Let's just get this fucking thing done already." 
 
Subject: Re: Cianide vs Recording..    Wed Apr 14, 2010 1:08 am |      
  |  
  |  
Bass  was set up tonight and sounds like a Sherman Tank! Mike bulldozed  through three tunes in a couple hours and yours truly engineered and  bulldozed through a 12pk of Rolling Rock....Mike of course did the same  with his beloved Budweiser whilst playing the tunes. shit is getting  close to the end and sounds heavy as all fuck. not bad for a school  night, pics next time..... -Scott   
 
Subject: Re: Cianide vs Recording..    Sat May 01, 2010 10:52 am |      
  |  
  |  
well,  after a very very drunken session last night i'm proud to say that ya  can put a fork in this recording, as its DONE! all up to the mixing team  now...hope Mute Lange won't take to long to make any sense of it all.  
 
Mike will post some pics of the final festivities. -Scott 
 
Subject: Re: Cianide vs Recording..    Mon May 03, 2010 2:47 pm |      
  |  
  |  
You  probably woundn't be wrong if you said, "If these guys spent half as  much time seriously recording as they did drinking and taking pictures  of themselves they would've  been done 4 months ago."  Eh you're right  and big deal.    This is more fun. -Mike Notice the toothpick...
I don't think he used any of those pedals either, except for the volume and wah.. (eq/wah & volume only-Scott)
Lotta mileage out of that issue of HAWK..
 I don't remember this one  being taken.
THIS should be our album cover!!
Hmmm, do I wanna sing it like die or DIE!!!!!!!!!
Maybe St Vitus needs a bass player??-The End   |  
  |  
  
  
  |  
  |  
  |  
  |  
  
  
  
  |  
  |  
  |  
  |  
  |  
  |  
  |  
  |  
 |