9.-11.9.2006
3rd Session: Back to the Bassics Today I had the weirdest experience: I was about to enter the studio for the fourth time to record bass for the new asskicking Thunderstone album and I wasn’t a bit hung over. If you’ve followed the studio diaries of previous recordings, that has been the one uniting theme with each album’s bass tracks. Despite the awkward feeling of soberness and well-being, I started putting the bass tracks together with unprecedented enthusiasm. The reason for this was that unlike with the previous albums, we had actually rehearsed most of the songs live and I actually knew what to play! It might sound funny, but when you step into the studio and start learning your lines at that point, it just isn’t the same as knowing the song inside out – especially in metal, where I think the atmosphere is a very special and important thing. My setup was the same as on the two previous albums (on the first I played a bass borrowed from Jari Kainulainen): A Fender P Bass with active EMG mics through a Boss Bass Overdrive into a Hughes & Kettner 400 w bass head and a H & K 4x10 cabinet. And again, the combination proved to be perfect. The crunch you will hear is my favorite sound, if you don’t mind me saying it myself =). The actual session went really smoothly. After the first day, we already had six (or seven?) songs ready, and after a day’s break we finished the rest of the songs. The only one that proved to be a little challenging was the second cover song we decided to do. Without revealing its title yet, I can tell you that the bridge in the song has about all the chords imaginable – very not-metal… but still I think it will be a kick-ass cover! We have still some things to go over (vocal lines, arrangements, some guitar parts, etc.) when I get back from Amsterdam next time – that’s in October – but as far as I am concerned, most of my playing on this album is done. Can’t wait to hear the final result! The songs kick some serious ass already, and I am sure that Kari’s keys and Pasi’s killer voice will add depth and strength unheard of in Thunderstone history! Drink Beer and Get Naked! -Titus- |