Greetings.
3 beers down, a little tired but feeling good...let's get this 'dairy' started.


Here's a little personal account of my thoughts in regards to recording the new Enochian Theory record.
They aren't the 'official' band stance...but hell, nothing I write in any of my little diaries is an official band account...merely my own dribbling nonsense for y'all to sneer at...


We do have an album title...we are just saving it, as according to our official release plan.
(in other words, Shaun has forbid me from banding the title around...yet. )

So, I start this diary at the end of day two of recording...the drums are currently down in all their resplendent glory.

We have decided to record with Mr Rob Aubrey at his home studios, just outside Southampton (about 25 miles from our hometown of Portsmouth) after meeting him during our support slot on the Spock's Beard tour in Sept 2010, as he was the FOH engineer for SB and ourselves.

We'd also heard Rob's studio work and in all honesty, we didn't want to record where we've been before because it was a bit of a nightmare and sonically, the studios we used lacked the necessary 'know-how' to create what we wanted...but hey...many factors attributed to that...budget, time constraints and us actually knowing people who could do a professional job...but our first album was what it was on the minuscule budget we had to create it.

So...this leads us to Rob (or, Mr A...as I kept calling him) and his Aubitt Studios.
Oh, by the way...if you're not aware of Rob's work, the Google his studio (Aubitt Studios) and check his 'client list'...he's worked with some top prog bummers!


We just knew he'd get a good sound, as this is his job and well, after the first day...we knew we made a good choice.

Sam's drums were the first to go down, as with most recordings.
Things were set up effectively and once everything was mic'd up on the kit...it just sounding great...without any E.Q or studio tinkering.

I think it's the first time I've truly heard Sam's nice drum kit...so that filled me with optimism.
Sam had been practicing and felt mostly confident in the songs.

Now...this leads me to a little side track to explain something...so, bear with me.

The writing process of this new record was even more of a...how do I put it...ummm...'detachment', perhaps?
Yeah, that'll do...a 'detachment' from usual norm of writing.

With 'Evolution...', I wrote the music and we finalised it all as a band, spending time jamming together and ensuring everything I'd written was on the money...this time, I've written everything alone...and the guys have done their parts to my demos.

We rarely got together as a band and I guess I was just left to my own devices...or, as I like to look at it...the guys trust me enough to do my best and ensure things move along logically from record to record.

It's just how it came out...I guess I feel a little funny about it all in a way, not sure how I've distanced myself from my bandmates in this regards to writing...but I can say it's just how I work sometimes...or rather, how things turn out, perhaps?
I'm VERY creative and sometimes I just lose myself in my own world and off I go...new album done, wham bam, etc...

Sometimes I can write a few riffs and then it's put together...other times, the entire song from start to finish, including all instrumentation is done.
However...I do TRY to let the guys do their own things...it's just sometimes, I write things specifically and that needs to be done for the things to work.

Thankfully, my bandmates are amazing and embrace my suggestions, as they know I've spent time working on things to make them interesting.

EIther way, the guys like the material and that's that.
Side-tracking mind babble over!

As of today, the drums are done.
Sam did a killer job and only had a little mental blip with the last song, which in all honesty, is deceptively complex in the timing signature department...but after direction and a little trial and error, got it done nicely.

I really pleased with his performance and you'll all see exactly what the boy can do, when it's all finally committed to CD.

Next up is Shaun's bass...then I get to do my guitars and vocals...which in all honesty, I am loathing the thought of.
It all sounds great in my head...but I hate the sound of my own voice and I can't play guitar...so...bleh!

I've got about 10 days to finish all my lyrics and vocals...better get on it, ay?


Thanks for reading and they'll be more nonsense soon.

Here's some photos below of the drum sessions...I'll be putting together a little video of the sessions in my own 'inimitable' fashion'...


Thankfully, they'll be an 'official' recording video done too, at some point before the record is done.

B
17 Aug 2011

Some photos I took from the drum sessions.

"Base...
I like the base...
I like the buttery biscuit base..."

The (bass/base) I am talking about isn't actually light or fluffy, nor having a tasty yet crunchy layer...but what it does have is 5 strings of Warwick Thumb goodness.


Mr Shaun 'Dijon Ramon' Rayment got a majority of his bass down today, sounding pretty nifty and adds that depth to the songs.
From my point of view, it was good to hear what he is playing on the new songs.

Shameless gushing time...but I dig Shaun and Sam's rhythm exercises over the songs I've written, it's great to have them begin to bring these tunes to life.
Sure, I get anal sometimes and move things about but it's usually backed up by Rob, who (is doing a great job recording) aS it makes musical sense.

No real issues other than a little triplet run that was solved eventually in one song.
Two more tracks to nail after the Bank Holiday...then it's guitar time...which is going to be 'fun'...

Not going to say much about guitars till I've got some things down...going to try some ideas I have, as well as listen to the experienced ideas of our engineer, Mr Rob Aubrey.

I'm thinking about recording MANY guitar tones from many different amps and such.
Just want it a little beefier in the guitar department on this record than 'Evolution'...but still not stupidly metal...as let's face it, it's not what we're about.

Sure...we love the metal...but gotta dig that 70's/80's/90's vibe too.


Oerall, to date...it's been a good recording session.
The virtues of using a good studio with someone who actually knows what they are doing , ay?


Toodles, 'mon frere'...

B
28th August 2011

Shaun's bass is done and I started guitars today for the new record.


Again, I've got to stress how good is it to work with Rob...he knows his shizzle and is quick at getting results.

Dialed in some tones for the various sounds I'm using and got one song pretty much down today.

Had a bit of nightmare with one riff that I have been actually practicing incorrectly...then I had to force myself 'out' of that mindset and into understanding the correct riff...was getting frustrating but eventually got it before we finished for the day.

Sounding good when it's right!


The thickness of things is great, double-tracking guitars is a pain but it adds that 'beef' for when things need that thickness.

Back in tomorrow, Thursday and Friday to finish guitars...hopefully I'll be done before Friday, then it's vocal time...argh.


More nonsense to come.

B
30th August 2011

Wow...seemed like a long day today in the studio.
I can feel the tiredness behind my eyes...an in my hands and fingertips.

Only managed to get 2 songs down today...it would seem there is a lot more guitar parts than I thought...and playing them to a level we all feel is good enough is harder than it seems sometimes.
Mind you, I am a terrible guitarist...got good ideas, but not that hot really!


On the flip side of this, the songs that are completed are sounding MIGHTY...so, that's good...and their not even mixed it..

Looks like it's going to be more guitars recording for the next two days and then a 3 day dedicated vocal session the following week.

But hey, as long as it sounds great...I don't care how long it takes...
(recording budget dictating, of course!)


It's good to work on things in the studio with Rob and my friends, Shaun and Sam.
It's good to have the songs 'done' before we enter the studio, but it's VITAL to expand on things, try things and make them sound better.

Thankfully all the little extra guitar parts I've done, I believe, enhance the songs...and it's good to have people tell me to try things.

Sure, I ignore a lot of it ...but I always listen...as sometimes, it makes sense and works...with some fiddling, repetition and good old fashioned 'audio enigineering'...


We sung 'Happy Birthday' to Rob today, as our 'uber-engineer' turned the ripe young age of 48...seriously, I had him pegged for early 20's...
I ham'd my way through the song and we all gave hime a little rendition of the song in our own 'metal' style...think he was half embarassed and half entertained!

But yeah, I'm tired...but it's sounding good.
Roll on day 6 of recording this new album tomorrow...

B
31st August 2011

Here's some links to some short videos that are hosted on our Facebook page.

A snippet of the 'extended melody' from the song, 'Distances' pt.1

https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=2304848896300


A snippet of the 'extended melody' from the song, 'Hz'

https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=2301941543618


A snippet of some bass being recorded

https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=2294314392944


A snippet of some drums being laid down for the song, 'Nisi Crediteritis, Non Intelligetis'.

https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=2294314392944

So...all the guitars, drums and bass are done.
Sounding pretty nifty...but the perfectionist in all of us has already started making notes for the editing stage but if you want it 'just right'...it's got to be done.

Vocals and finalising 'The Lost Orchestra' next.

I've had a few days to reflect on things by getting away from the studio and my home time to 'sunnier climes'...not had a really good chance to observe the 'rough WAV files we've got to check, but I'm assured they are sounding pretty good by Shaun.

Still lots to do before it's sent to David in Sweden for the mixing process...vocals...bleh...

Speaking of which...I need to finish some lyrics.

Oh...and I'm 32 tomorrow...sometimes I feel old, other days not...such is life, ay?


Ben
5th Sept 2011

Exactly a week till I'll be laying down the vocals for the new record...I'm nervous, excited, confused and pretty much every other relative synonym alluding to such feelings!

Lyrics have always been a thing I've stuggled with...it needs to mean something to me.
And after years of writing about personal exploits and hopes/fears...it gets harder (or so it seems) to be abel to truly connect with myself and what I want to say.

Music...I seem to able to write like it's a flood...first you get the trickle of an idea and then I'm soon hearing the whole emsemble arranged in my head.

Words...especially for someone who claims to like talking...are harder.

It's always the same, have up and down days...some days it's all going superbly and I'm getting things done...then others where I can't write a word on paper without screwing it up and resorting to mind-numbing 'computer game' to allow me to process things.

Funny really.

Anywho...that aside, it's all going swimmingly.

I've finished (or rather, left 90% complete) all the interludes for the record.

Slightly different to the last records more 'music based' interludes, but they are still important to the flow and content of the record.
I'll be giving our prizes (not really) to anyone who works out what the interludes are about.
Answers on a postcard and all that...

I'm thinking of letting our 'mixerman', Mr David Castello have a ;field day' with one of them...see what he adds/brings to some of my compositions.
We'll see how it pans out.

So, anyway...best get back to worrying how many sonic booms and 60 inch gongs I can fit into the songs...

Ciao.

Ben
13 Sept 2011

Day one of vocals out the way.
3 songs done and it's sounding good.

I now have a sore throat and will mostly be eating lots of Strepsils!


I knew I was in for a tough start, having not sung properly for months...but soon got over that and we cracked on.

Sounding good...another 2 days to finish all the 'vokills' and then it's mix time.

Looking forward to hearing how it all sound when it is FINALLY mixed.


Toodles,

B

19th Sept 2011

That's it.
All the recording is finally done.


It's been a very sedate recording experience!
Rob Aubrey has been a pleasure to work with...go record with him, people!

Now the record is going to Sweden to mixed by David at his Ghostward Studio...and I really can't wait to hear the final mix.
Hoping for a powerful yet dense mix...really want to here all the orchestral parts 'sing'!


Right...bit bored now...suppose I better start writing the next record...



B

21st Sept 2011