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IRON MAIDEN Bassist Decides Against Mastering New Album
- July 9, 2006
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Producer Kevin Shirley ( IRON MAIDEN, DREAM THEATER) has posted the following message on his official web site: Spoke to 'Arry [ IRON MAIDEN bassist Steve Harris] on Friday, who has decided against mastering the IRON MAIDEN album, and I'm quite pleased about that, although I did like the mastering job we did in [New York City]. It means that you will get to hear the new album exactly as it sounded in the studio, no added EQ, compression, analog widening, etc., and I must say, I am pretty happy with the end result. I think some tracks could use a smidge more top end, and others a bump of bottom — but I know 'Arry well enough now to know how wary of outsiders he is, and I fully expected he may have done that, so I made sure I was happy with the results when I printed the mixes in the studio. So, that'll fire you guys on the BB's right up, no doubt! :) "He's off taking a break before all hell breaks loose and the Beast is back on the road, and I, for one, plan to see the shows when they hit the States in the fall. Just a word of advice, make sure you've listened to the album a number of times before you come to a show — it'll make the concert experience unforgetable!" As previously reported, the cover artwork for IRON MAIDEN's upcoming album, "A Matter of Life and Death", has been posted online at this location. "A Matter of Life and Death" is scheduled for release in early September via EMI. The album's first single, "The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg", will precede the album on August 14. "A Matter of Life and Death" was recorded at Sarm West Studios in London with producer Kevin Shirley, who also worked on the last two MAIDEN albums, 2000's "Brave New World" and 2003's "Dance of Death". The complete track listing for both the single and the album is as follows: Limited-Edition Two-Track CD: 01. The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg 02. Hallowed be thy Name (Radio 1 "Legends" Session) Limited-Edition 7" Picture Disc (To Include "Crossed Gun Logo" Sticker): 01. The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg 02. Run to the Hills (Radio 1 "Legends" Session) 03. The Trooper (Radio 1 "Legends" Session) "A Matter of Life and Death" track listing: 01. Different Worlds (Smith/Harris) (4:17) 02. These Colours Don't Run (Smith/Harris/Dickinson) (6:52) 03. Brighter Than a Thousand Suns (Smith/Harris/Dickinson) (8:44) 04. The Pilgrim (Gers/Harris) (5:07) 05. The Longest Day (Smith/Harris/Dickinson) (7:48) 06. Out Of the Shadows (Dickinson/Harris) (5:36) 07. The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg (Murray/Harris) (7:21) 08. For The Greater Good of God (Harris) (9:24) 09. Lord Of Light (Smith/Harris/Dickinson) (7:23) 10. The Legacy (Gers/Harris) (9:20)
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COMMENT |
posted by :
7/9/2006 11:44:04 AM
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Good thinking
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COMMENT |
posted by :
7/9/2006 11:44:54 AM
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badass, Maiden are a fucking great band, can't wait to hear this album
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COMMENT | raw production
posted by : Al Bundy
7/9/2006 11:45:47 AM
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KICK FUCKING ASS!!!!!!!!
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COMMENT | PLEASE......................
posted by :
7/9/2006 11:48:02 AM
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...................Im begging you Kevin.DONT HAVE THE SOUND QUALITY SOUND LIKE SHIT!!!!!!The "sound" on DOD was crap.It was like you had the treble turned all the way down.It needed more treble AND that "full" sound.I hope this cd will be different.
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COMMENT |
posted by : Al Bundy
7/9/2006 11:51:15 AM
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i say let the production be raw. It's a good choice.
n/p Godflesh-Dream Long Dead
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COMMENT | wam
posted by :
7/9/2006 11:51:51 AM
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are you kidding, dance of death was totally trebley..
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COMMENT | Bad decision.
posted by :
7/9/2006 11:54:43 AM
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If Steve was unhappy with the way the mastered version of a new album sounded - he should have hired another producer and booked a different mastering studio.
That is all.
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COMMENT | shirley you ass
posted by :
7/9/2006 11:55:00 AM
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he ruined tidewater grain i wouldnt let mix a jingle for toys r us
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COMMENT | curious
posted by :
7/9/2006 12:05:03 PM
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if this was metallica, all you guys would crucify them in an instance for not mastering the album. Fuckin hypocrits!!!
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COMMENT |
posted by : Al Bundy
7/9/2006 12:07:41 PM
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the problem with st anger was the drum sounds and boring long songs not the production. the production was fine. i say DONT MASTER THE ALBUM!
KEEP IT RAW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
\m/IRON MAIDEN\m/
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COMMENT | ^
posted by :
7/9/2006 12:08:11 PM
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Most people don't know what mastering is and/or don't realize how important it is.
In many cases mastering is equally, if not more important than a recording process and mixing.
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COMMENT | still
posted by : Al Bundy
7/9/2006 12:12:51 PM
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dont master the album. i dont want clear production. keep it raw.
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COMMENT | can't wait
posted by :
7/9/2006 12:13:49 PM
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can't wait for the new album but will skip the tour, since I am over 40 and drink beer.
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COMMENT | royalking18
posted by :
7/9/2006 12:15:54 PM
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royalking18
That was an ignorant thing to say. The difference between Metallica and Maiden is that Metallica NEEDS to be Pro-Tooled and EQed to sound good. Ever hear them live? They suck! Maiden on the other hand own... their performance during last Ozzfest nearly matched the studio quality performances.
Before you start calling people hypocrites, get a clue.
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COMMENT | iron maiden is pig shit bollocks
posted by :
7/9/2006 12:15:56 PM
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he should just decide against THE ALBUM FULL FUCKING STOP
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COMMENT | octave....
posted by :
7/9/2006 12:17:58 PM
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you stupid fucking IDIOT!!!!!how can you say Metallica are shit live????you obviously haven't seen them being to busy watching your Good Charlotte and LostProhets-or youre just trying to wind everybody up.fool.
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COMMENT | Up The Shizer
posted by :
7/9/2006 12:25:30 PM
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Up The Shizer
Fuck you. Go listen to "Orion" on You Tube and tell me with a straight face Metallica still got it live. Go listen to St. Anger, jackass.
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COMMENT |
posted by : CladInThorns
7/9/2006 12:29:23 PM
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COMMENT | octave....
posted by : Up The Shizer
7/9/2006 12:17:58 PM
you stupid fucking IDIOT!!!!!how can you say Metallica are shit live????you obviously haven't seen them being to busy watching your Good Charlotte and LostProhets-or youre just trying to wind everybody up.fool.
Sorry but Metallica is horrible live. There is no arguing that. They play half-assed and James sings like he rather be somewhere else, just look at the mess he does with the Puppets and Justice album songs.. egad! I've seen Metallica 3x and the first was by far their best but the other 2 was misery. I've seen & heard live concerts of them throughout the years and no, my mind has still not changed.
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COMMENT |
posted by :
7/9/2006 12:43:06 PM
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st anger? > kill em all,reign in blood,everything iron maiden has ever done
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COMMENT | Up The Shizer
posted by :
7/9/2006 12:44:03 PM
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Hahaha thanks, you just proved you are an idiot.
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COMMENT |
posted by :
7/9/2006 12:45:53 PM
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sorry-but kill em all has good songs but the album production is appalling,reign in cum is the most overrated album EVER and iron maiden are the 3rd most overrated band ever,behind acdc and 1st place beatles
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COMMENT | "st anger? > kill em all,reign in blood,everything iron maiden has ever done"
posted by : Al Bundy
7/9/2006 12:47:37 PM
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http://achan.animelink.com/f/src/1143838350395.jpg
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COMMENT |
posted by : Al Bundy
7/9/2006 12:50:33 PM
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the production on kill em all kicked ass. reign in blood is the greatest thing to ever happen to music. iron maiden is not overrated and they kick your ass.
this is for you
http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/shut_the_fuck_up.jpg
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COMMENT |
posted by : Hothead666
7/9/2006 1:08:35 PM
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This means it's going to sound wildly different on every system, from headphones to car steroes. That's WHY you master in the first place. This is going to wind up sound like a high-quality demo. Very dad.
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COMMENT |
posted by : Al Bundy
7/9/2006 1:20:06 PM
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i dont want clear production.
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COMMENT |
posted by : Al Bundy
7/9/2006 1:20:59 PM
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then again demanufacture had clear production and it was breath taking. so either way it's fine.
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COMMENT | ^ true
posted by : Al Bundy
7/9/2006 1:23:40 PM
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.
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COMMENT | IM REALLY
posted by :
7/9/2006 1:49:23 PM
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LOOKIN FOWARD TO THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NEXT TO THE MONKEY PUZZLE BY UFO.
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COMMENT |
posted by : MatthewPhillips
7/9/2006 1:59:51 PM
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Kevin ;(
"exactly as it sounded in the studio,"
It sounded good in the studio.... because it was IN A STUDIO.
Raise your hand if your home stereo setup or the deck in your car sounds anywhere close to the fidelity of a professional recording studio.
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COMMENT |
posted by : Al Bundy
7/9/2006 2:06:26 PM
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*raises hand*
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COMMENT |
posted by :
7/9/2006 2:13:52 PM
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eughh please NO rawness!!!!!!!!!!!
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COMMENT |
posted by : Al Bundy
7/9/2006 2:16:16 PM
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:(
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COMMENT |
posted by : MatthewPhillips
7/9/2006 2:26:04 PM
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Al Bundy, you so crazy.
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COMMENT |
posted by : Al Bundy
7/9/2006 2:30:05 PM
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:D lol.
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COMMENT |
posted by : Al Bundy
7/9/2006 2:33:21 PM
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really they can do what they want with the production. i just like my black metal that way. piss poor production. adds more to the grimness and atmosphere.
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COMMENT |
posted by : DanSullivan
7/9/2006 2:34:35 PM
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you guys in this thread really dont know what youre talking about.
i think theyre over reacting to the SUPER limited sound of DOD with this decision.
but mastering doesnt change the tone of the instruments, or the tone of the record(well it does, but minimally). it affects the overall picture of teh sounds(level, eq-ing).
techically, just recording the music to CD is mastering in itself.
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COMMENT |
posted by :
7/9/2006 3:09:26 PM
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No the Brave New World cover was bloody cool. But I dunno if that was or wasnt riggs
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COMMENT | New album cover
posted by :
7/9/2006 3:52:46 PM
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I sure hope the new album cover doesn't have their website across it like it does on the link to the cover. That would be just stupid!
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COMMENT | people are WAY too hard on DoD
posted by :
7/9/2006 4:32:41 PM
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great songs AND great production!!
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COMMENT |
posted by : DanSullivan
7/9/2006 4:52:08 PM
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the way the instruments sound on DOD is great.
the level of teh cd is way too loud.
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COMMENT | Master the fucking thing!
posted by :
7/9/2006 5:14:33 PM
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Why does my fave band on the planet purposely make their albums sound like shit? It's 2006! In this day and age of technology, there is no fucking reason in hell that any album should sound like trash. Especially with Maiden's budget and experience! It's fucking ridiculous already! Come on, Steve. Wake the fuck up!
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COMMENT | Adrian Smith
posted by : kid_natas
7/9/2006 5:43:12 PM
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i see Adrian has several song credits.....this is a good sign for quality maiden tunes!!!
up the freaking irons
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COMMENT |
posted by :
7/9/2006 6:47:40 PM
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who knows the disturbed dragon force hate breed and system of a down setlists for ozzfest o and black lable socity
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COMMENT | Iron Maien
posted by :
7/9/2006 7:45:22 PM
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Who knows how this album will end up. I believe Mixed or unmixed Iron Miaden will work out a masterpeice. They are one of the greatest classic rock bands thats has stepped foot on the earth, with dave murrays melodic guiar peices and steve harris's elite bass technique, i would say they know what they are doing........THEY HAVE ONLY BEEN IN THE BUSINESS FOR THREE DECADES!!! So to sum it up, everyone stop making comments and let maiden brew up a masterpiece.....They did it with "Number of The Beast".
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COMMENT |
posted by : aaron.
7/9/2006 7:58:20 PM
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There is a trend in mastering right now to make everything as loud as possible, this comes at great expense to the fidelity of the music in some cases. peaks in the sound are cut off and in many cases digital distortion (essentially static) is present. This is probably what the band are trying to avoid. Interesitng choice. Here's a really good article to read if you want to understand more about this stuff: http://www.prorec.com/prorec/articles.nsf/articles/8A133F52D0FD71AB86256C2E005DAF1C
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COMMENT | Great Idea Maiden...
posted by :
7/9/2006 9:00:56 PM
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...Megadeth's 'Killing is my Business...' is one hell of an album and I think the rawness and shite mixing on it actually adds to it.
Today, all music seems to be is an overly-polished turd - excessive mastering has made it all seem so bland. I think it's a brilliant idea not to master the album - it'll retain Maiden's energy and aggression they put into the music when they play it live.
Don't polish 'A Matter of Life and Death' and let the shit rub off onto it - keep it PURE MAIDEN :)
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COMMENT | did anyone at all notice this..
posted by : rainmaker_2413
7/9/2006 9:08:34 PM
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I, for one, plan to see the shows when they hit the States in the fall.
Thats good to hear. Anyways about the mastering, Steve Harris knows what he's doing.
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COMMENT | MAIDEN RULES
posted by : RiotAct666
7/9/2006 10:30:32 PM
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Can't wait for the new album it is gonna kick ass!
UP THE IRONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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COMMENT |
posted by : Firefly
7/10/2006 12:00:41 AM
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That's bit of a risk not mastering the record but I we'll see. And as for the new cover....IMO it's one of their worst. I still love Maiden nonetheless.
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COMMENT | I can't wait to hear the new album
posted by :
7/10/2006 12:18:15 AM
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"Brave New World" and "Dance of Death" were just brilliant.
Maiden NEVER disappoint. I already have tickets to go see them in Milan AND in London.
UP THE IRONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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COMMENT |
posted by :
7/10/2006 12:25:50 AM
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"if this was metallica, all you guys would crucify them in an instance for not mastering the album. Fuckin hypocrits!!!"
BECAUSE THEY SUCK!!!!!!!!
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COMMENT |
posted by : CallousedDrummer
7/10/2006 12:31:20 AM
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Mastering catches the mistakes from recording and mixing, and ensures that the album will sound fantastic on any player you put the album on. The album will sound like shit. It is a horrible mistake that they're making.
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COMMENT |
posted by : AnselmoTrendkiller
7/10/2006 5:41:56 AM
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Bundy, you are a joke.
GayOwar heavey metal nerd you.
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COMMENT | I HOPE FOR THE BEST!!!
posted by :
7/10/2006 6:34:46 AM
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IRON MAIDEN ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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COMMENT |
posted by : Rich376
7/10/2006 8:57:06 AM
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No Mastering????
Yeah, That worked well for METALLICA on "St. Anger"!!
Hopefully, Nicko's drums don't sound like he's beating on aluminum trash cans.
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COMMENT | Al Bundy
posted by :
7/10/2006 9:21:18 AM
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I agree with your comment about the drum sound on St. Anger. Sounded like he was hitting a bunch of pots and pans. Very clangy.
Cant remember the length of the songs. Gave up on it rather quick.
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COMMENT | AnselmoTrendkiller
posted by : Al Bundy
7/10/2006 10:02:50 AM
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go blow your father.
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COMMENT |
posted by : Al Bundy
7/10/2006 10:04:41 AM
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"Cant remember the length of the songs"
All I remember is they were extremely long and boring.
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COMMENT |
posted by : Meaney
7/10/2006 10:54:27 AM
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i think these guys know what they are doing
all we can do is wait for the album...or until its leaked anyway
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COMMENT | ...
posted by :
7/10/2006 12:47:47 PM
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Most mixes could use a little compression and EQ. This is a weird decision indeed. But to go against the compress-everything-to-hell mentality that is so pervasive in metal is definitely going against the grain. Fuck yeah!
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COMMENT | it's not that weird
posted by : g@u55
7/11/2006 12:07:03 AM
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alot of artist never get over finished tracks being 'ruined' or 'altered' in the mastering process.
one good example is orgasmatron.
lemmy swears to this day that roughs and finished tracks sounded better than the "mastered" product.
i say bring it on.
a more raw maiden sounds good to me. they will always sound like themselves.
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COMMENT | to master or not?
posted by :
7/12/2006 2:47:44 AM
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Most likely this album has been mastered but in a rough form. What I mean by that is that you cannot release an album with the lo dynamic range that you would have before mastering so most likely they slammed a mastering compressor on the finished tracks to get the volumes equal. We're suckers to believe that the CD won't be "mastered".
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