Update On DEATH Tribute Album
Misc
JAMES MURPHY Issues Update On DEATH Tribute Album, Guest Appearances
Renowned metal guitarist/producer James Murphy (ex-TESTAMENT, DEATH, OBITUARY) has issued the following update on his recent activities:
"Hi everyone,
"DEATH tribute:
"Finally... the majority of the drums are done as of this past Friday. One of death metal's most accomplished players, Dave Culross (MALEVOLENT CREATION, SUFFOCATION), laid down the drum tracks for four DEATH favorites to be included on the 'Within The Mind' tribute album in what was one of the most amazing sessions I've been privileged to be a part of... all four tracks were 'one takes', that is to say no 'punching in' at all!! Punching in at various points in a song to get a perfect performance is a totally common procedure in music recording and is usually the norm rather than the exception, and it is by no means a sign of a bad player or performance to do so. But it is amazing to witness such intense music as this being handled so flawlessly by a performer as to require no punch-ins whatsoever! It was a very late night at the studio (ARS again, the Orlando facility where we recorded Richard Christy's tracks) and we had been up all day, so please forgive the fact that we don't look more enthusiastic in the photos (photo#1, photo#2, photo#3)... we had to wait around for many hours for all the drum kit pieces to arrive and the late start left us exhausted after the short, intense session. Next up: Nick Barker [ex-DIMMU BORGIR, CRADLE OF FILTH] and Martin Lopez [OPETH] will round out the drum sessions and bring them to a close. I'll keep you updated on that."
Guest solos and more:
"I have recently had the honor and privilege of recording several guest solos for some friends' CD projects. I love this kind of work because it gives me a chance to improvise and create music with a totally different back-drop. The most recent guest solo i have completed is for a band headed by DREAM EVIL and NIGHTRAGE guitarist Gus G. called FIREWIND so check that one out coming up on their 3rd album release which is currently being mixed by Fredrik Nordström.
"I also just laid down one solo for Deron Miller and Jess Margera from CKY's side-project band FOREIGN OBJECTS. Deron and Jess were really into what I did and asked me to play the solos for the entire album and be a part of the project on an ongoing basis, to include some possible short runs of live dates. I really enjoyed the project as it is quite different from the norm... 'neo-technical' death-metal, as it has been described. I can tell you that it's heavy and very musical, so I'm down to work with them on it into the future and will be recording the rest of the solos for the album within the next couple weeks. However, it is a side-project, and as such it will not keep either Deron or Jess from CKY or me from the DEATH tribute or, following that, DISINCARNATE.
"Another project I've recently contributed some solo work to is the second solo album of SUN CAGED bassist Rob Van Der Loo. Rob has gathered a killer collection of guests on this project and to top it off he's an awesome bassist, so check it out.
"Here's a list of all the other guest solo stuff i have done since my surgery for those who are interested:
* 2 solos and some other various bits for SUMMON's 'And The Blood Runs Black' album, out now on Moribund.
* 2 solos for MALEVOLENT CREATION's 'The Will To Kill' album, out now on Nuclear Blast.
* 1 solo for ENFORSAKEN's 'The Forever Endeavor' album, out now on Olympic/Century Media.
* 1 solo for the up-and-coming Polish death-metal band DEMISE's 'Torture Garden' album for which they are now looking for a record contract.
* 2 solos for SINGLE BULLET THEORY's 'Behind Eyes Of Hatred' album, coming soon from Crash Music.
* 5 solos for the young band MEMORAIN from Greece on their newest release, 'White Line'.
Guitars:
"I've recently started using Caparison guitars exclusively!! I'm very excited about my new guitars... Caparison has sent me three of these beauties so far and they are extraordinary guitars both in craftsmanship and cosmetic appearance.... and they play great! The primary model i'm playing now is the Dellinger, of which I have two, but i am also using an Angelus which is also an incredible guitar."
Show:
"Castle Blakk is hosting a show for my benefit on Sept, 17th and 18th. My thanks go out to them for their efforts, as I am still terribly in debt due to my illness. Visit the site they have set up for the show: International Metalfest. I'm going to make every effort to be at the show and, if possible, perform a song or two with one or more of the bands. Once again, I am humbled at the kindness being shown to me and the willingness to help. Thanks as well to everyone who has taken the time to help me, even if it was only through a supportive letter... you have been the primary reason i have been able to continue with music!"
"Hi everyone,
"DEATH tribute:
"Finally... the majority of the drums are done as of this past Friday. One of death metal's most accomplished players, Dave Culross (MALEVOLENT CREATION, SUFFOCATION), laid down the drum tracks for four DEATH favorites to be included on the 'Within The Mind' tribute album in what was one of the most amazing sessions I've been privileged to be a part of... all four tracks were 'one takes', that is to say no 'punching in' at all!! Punching in at various points in a song to get a perfect performance is a totally common procedure in music recording and is usually the norm rather than the exception, and it is by no means a sign of a bad player or performance to do so. But it is amazing to witness such intense music as this being handled so flawlessly by a performer as to require no punch-ins whatsoever! It was a very late night at the studio (ARS again, the Orlando facility where we recorded Richard Christy's tracks) and we had been up all day, so please forgive the fact that we don't look more enthusiastic in the photos (photo#1, photo#2, photo#3)... we had to wait around for many hours for all the drum kit pieces to arrive and the late start left us exhausted after the short, intense session. Next up: Nick Barker [ex-DIMMU BORGIR, CRADLE OF FILTH] and Martin Lopez [OPETH] will round out the drum sessions and bring them to a close. I'll keep you updated on that."
Guest solos and more:
"I have recently had the honor and privilege of recording several guest solos for some friends' CD projects. I love this kind of work because it gives me a chance to improvise and create music with a totally different back-drop. The most recent guest solo i have completed is for a band headed by DREAM EVIL and NIGHTRAGE guitarist Gus G. called FIREWIND so check that one out coming up on their 3rd album release which is currently being mixed by Fredrik Nordström.
"I also just laid down one solo for Deron Miller and Jess Margera from CKY's side-project band FOREIGN OBJECTS. Deron and Jess were really into what I did and asked me to play the solos for the entire album and be a part of the project on an ongoing basis, to include some possible short runs of live dates. I really enjoyed the project as it is quite different from the norm... 'neo-technical' death-metal, as it has been described. I can tell you that it's heavy and very musical, so I'm down to work with them on it into the future and will be recording the rest of the solos for the album within the next couple weeks. However, it is a side-project, and as such it will not keep either Deron or Jess from CKY or me from the DEATH tribute or, following that, DISINCARNATE.
"Another project I've recently contributed some solo work to is the second solo album of SUN CAGED bassist Rob Van Der Loo. Rob has gathered a killer collection of guests on this project and to top it off he's an awesome bassist, so check it out.
"Here's a list of all the other guest solo stuff i have done since my surgery for those who are interested:
* 2 solos and some other various bits for SUMMON's 'And The Blood Runs Black' album, out now on Moribund.
* 2 solos for MALEVOLENT CREATION's 'The Will To Kill' album, out now on Nuclear Blast.
* 1 solo for ENFORSAKEN's 'The Forever Endeavor' album, out now on Olympic/Century Media.
* 1 solo for the up-and-coming Polish death-metal band DEMISE's 'Torture Garden' album for which they are now looking for a record contract.
* 2 solos for SINGLE BULLET THEORY's 'Behind Eyes Of Hatred' album, coming soon from Crash Music.
* 5 solos for the young band MEMORAIN from Greece on their newest release, 'White Line'.
Guitars:
"I've recently started using Caparison guitars exclusively!! I'm very excited about my new guitars... Caparison has sent me three of these beauties so far and they are extraordinary guitars both in craftsmanship and cosmetic appearance.... and they play great! The primary model i'm playing now is the Dellinger, of which I have two, but i am also using an Angelus which is also an incredible guitar."
Show:
"Castle Blakk is hosting a show for my benefit on Sept, 17th and 18th. My thanks go out to them for their efforts, as I am still terribly in debt due to my illness. Visit the site they have set up for the show: International Metalfest. I'm going to make every effort to be at the show and, if possible, perform a song or two with one or more of the bands. Once again, I am humbled at the kindness being shown to me and the willingness to help. Thanks as well to everyone who has taken the time to help me, even if it was only through a supportive letter... you have been the primary reason i have been able to continue with music!"