NEWS
| Voivod blog - In the Studio |
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| Written by Chris French |
| Saturday, 10 December 2005 16:33 |
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February 21st, 2006 Hi there ! We just finished the mixing of the album. Glen, Jason, Snake and I worked some crazy shifts to make sure that all the parts blend properly. Of course, we gave the guitar a particular attention. We really didn't want Piggy to be low in the mix. Glen is back in NYC and he's taking the album to Howie Weinberg for mastering today. Now I have to finish the art ! Back to work... 'later, Away Visit the official VOIVOD site: www.voivod.com For an exclusive Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles interview with VOIVOD, go here [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Day 13 / January 23rd 2006 Voivod mixing sessions @ Multisons studios Hi everyone! Glen gave us a mix down of all the songs for us to listen to. Guess what? I was actually listening to the new Voivod in my car while I was driving home tonight. What a feeling! I was driving fast. It reminds me of when Piggy and I were driving back home after the Angel Rat mixing sessions, listening to the whole thing. All excited banging our heads on the dashboard. I can tell you this...Piggy was riding with me tonight. Comfortably sitting next to me...with a big fat joint! Also we did an interview with Sang-Frais tonight. Sang-Frais is Quebec's No.1 Metal-Magazine.Check out the next issue. The guys from Sans-Frais were the first test-listeners of this new album. They had a big smile on their faces. See ya! Snake Visit the official VOIVOD site: www.voivod.com For an exclusive Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles interview with VOIVOD, go here [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Day 12 / January 19th, 2006 Voivod mixing sessions @ Multisons studios Hello people ! I went to the studio today for a couple of hours. Glen had already built up the basic mix. It’s a really good start. Of course it's always a question of hearing everything and sometimes less is more. I was really concentrated on the vocals especially on doing the effects. When Away got in, he seemed more focused on the drums. He found the drums and vocals were kind of buried. Glen realized then that the bass was very loud. After adjusting the bass, the whole thing was together when I left. It is very touchy but I think we got such a wall of sound, I don't see too much of a problem ahead. This is so great...I mean while I'm listening and I let my mind go, I’m thinking...This is phenomenal! Specially the guitars. I really feel like we are transcending death...Breaking the laws of physics...no boundaries...Voivod, the Survivor! Cheers! Snake Visit the official VOIVOD site: www.voivod.com For an exclusive Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles interview with VOIVOD, go here [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Day 11 / January 16th, 2006 Voivod vocal sessions @ Multisons studios Hi everyone, This is it... it's done. Now I just have to listen to the whole thing. I might add a few things here and there. I spent my time doing it, not having time to listen to it with clear head, clean ears, with an objective point of view. Yeah I'm glad it's done. It's a relief. I’ve been holding it for so long. As I was packing my stuff tonight I couldn't believe that we were already entering in another process. ...Mixing. Thanks to Glen.... Amazing Job! Thanks to Piggy...You're GOD! Bye !!! Snake Visit the official VOIVOD site: www.voivod.com For an exclusive Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles interview with VOIVOD, go here [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] January 14th, 2006 Studio Photos Away working on electronics at Multisons Studios (by: Ron McGregor)   Away behind the drums at Piccolo Studios (by: Natalie Brown)  Snake doing vocals (the memory of Piggy in the background) at Multisons Studios (by: Ron McGregor)  Snake and Away at Multisons Studios (by: Ron McGregor)  [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Day 10 / January 13th, 2006 Voivod vocal sessions @ Multisons studios Hey what's up! I did my 2 songs... done... in the can. I' ve got 8 songs done so far in 5 days... not bad! I'm off for the weekend. I really have to relax a bit... I'm tired. Pretty intense week! Physically and psychologically. You know, as I live through this, there is a plentitude atmosphere englobing the whole thing. I was expecting a complex and difficult session. But no... It seems like I sing on a cloud where everything flows easily. It’s weird. I’ve never experienced that kind of feeling while recording. No matter how tough it is sometimes... I have a powerful magical strength that helps me go through it. It's like, nothing can stop this... nothing can stop me. Piggy is there, in my headphone and I have the impression of going into the outer limits. And while I sing, I'm thinking of... Who we are... What we were... and what we'll become.... That blows my mind! Take care, Snake Visit the official VOIVOD site: www.voivod.com For an exclusive Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles interview with VOIVOD, go here [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Day 9 / January 12th, 2006 Voivod vocal sessions @ Multisons studios Hi everybody ! I have 6 songs done completely. I'd like to finish 2 today.That's my goal but we'll see how it goes. Glen wants to take the weekend off and to tell you the truth, I don't blame him. Geesh... this guy drives it loud. I mean, it's loud all the time. Usually the producer waits until the song is done and compiled before blasting it in order to keep his ears fresh. But Glen.... If he has to play 3 seconds of it... it's BAM ! He's a deconer! He blows speakers everywhere he goes.That's what I like about the guy... Blast the motherfucker !!! Glen rules !!! See ya, Snake Visit the official VOIVOD site: www.voivod.com For an exclusive Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles interview with VOIVOD, go here [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Day 8 / January 11th, 2006 Voivod vocal sessions @ Multisons studios Hi everybody ! Good work yesterday, I talked to Jason and described the sound we have so far. Ripping, cuts like a knife guitar, crunchy and dirty bass sound just the way I like it, and massive thunder drums. The more I was talking to him, the more he was excited. At the end of the conversation I felt like he was about to jump on a plane right away. It such a big thrill to finally be delivered from the pressure on our shoulders and to see the excitement on everybody's face. After one listen Ron McGregor told me "You have a monster on your hands". I know... Now, time to go to the studio! See ya, Snake Visit the official VOIVOD site: www.voivod.com For an exclusive Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles interview with VOIVOD, go here [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Day 7 / January 10th, 2006 Voivod vocal sessions @ Multisons studios Hi! It went pretty well yesterday, but a bit hard... Glen really pushed me to the extreme limit. I sang my lungs out, but the results are great. I'm able to do a song and a half a day, including doubling and effects. That represents 5-6 hours of steady singing. Sometimes it really needs a lot of concentration: timing, pitching, pronounciation, attitude, all together in some parts can be bitchy. Glen is doing a good job on me, he knows how to let my demons out ! Every take I do, I watch the picture of Piggy and say to myself "this is the one, this is for you". Looking forward to another Rocking Day !! Talk to you tomorrow! Snake Visit the official VOIVOD site: www.voivod.com For an exclusive Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles interview with VOIVOD, go here [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Day 6 / January 9th, 2006Voivod vocal sessions @ Multisons studios Hi, I finally broke the ice. I sang 2 songs today. At studio Multisons, the speakers are really good, and at full blast, they really make your body shaking. Everything sounds massive. Talk to you tomorrow! Snake Visit the official VOIVOD site: www.voivod.com For an exclusive Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles interview with VOIVOD, go here [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Day 5 / January 8th, 2006 Drum Sessions @ Piccolo Studios 11:00 PM : I was finally able to finish the tracking of the album among the mayhem of the bonus DVD filming and interviews. Many thanks to Sam and his film crew, you guys are the best ! The last song had the most commercial riff of the album, with some heavier parts to balance it out. The drums are now packed. Your turn Snake ! I will keep the blog going throughout the vocal sessions. I will also ask Snake to write some stuff. See you tomorrow. See ya, Away Visit the official VOIVOD site: www.voivod.com For an exclusive Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles interview with VOIVOD, go here [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Day 4 / January 7th, 2006 Drum Sessions @ Piccolo Studios I tracked number 8 and number 9 today. Both are really heavy. Number 8 is sort of like The Dead Kennedys and number 9 is a speed-metal piece, with an insane kick drum pattern. The song was so intense to perform, it took me 13 takes to cut it ! I was actually getting a bit frustrated when Glen said 'OK we got it'. Sam Dunn and his crew filmed the whole thing. They also interviewed Snake, Glen and I. They'll be filming again all day tomorrow. Everybody should check out Sam's witty documentary "Metal: A Headbanger's Journey". Alright, two to go tomorrow and then it's Snake's turn. See ya, Away Visit the official VOIVOD site: www.voivod.com For an exclusive Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles interview with VOIVOD, go here [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Day 3 / January 6th, 2006 Drum Sessions @ Piccolo Studios 5:45 PM : I just finished songs 5 and 6. Both were pretty hard to perform. Song 5 has a very strange break in the middle, then it jumps into a killer finale. Song 6 has a weird beat going on, with a cool spy part in the middle. Snake pointed out that it's a great spot for electronic FX. I agree. Snake and I had a good chat with our management about filming the sessions this week-end, to be released as a bonus DVD with the new album. I just saw the wife of the injured miner on TV. She said she is playing Metallica's black album in the hospital room. It made me think of Jason. I can't wait for him to hear the drums and all... So far it's sounds epic. 11:00 PM : Just got back from the studio. I think I nailed number 7, another spaced-out Piggy track, with lots of double kick. It's what Piggy and I used to call a pyramidal song: a series of riffs that peek in the middle and then the same riffs in reverse order. I'll listen to it with a fresh ear first thing tomorrow. See ya, Away Visit the official VOIVOD site: www.voivod.com For an exclusive Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles interview with VOIVOD, go here [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Day 2 / January 5th, 2006 Drum Sessions @ Piccolo Studios 6:30 PM : Number 3 and number 4 down ! Snake showed-up with a few old friends. They are really impressed with the killer sound of the drum kit and the quality of the guitar and bass tracks. The first song I did today was a slow, heavy hard rock track. The second one was pure vintage space-metal Piggy. The intro reminds me of A Saucerful Of Secrets. Time to jump into the next one.... 11:00 PM : Back from the studio. I almost finished song number 5, but I was running out of gas so I decided to give it a better try tomorrow afternoon. It's a heavy Motorhead style composition, and I want to make sure it has the proper energy. So far, everything is on schedule, and the overall sound is already massive. Some photos were taken, which I'll post as soon as I can. See ya, Away Visit the official VOIVOD site: www.voivod.com For an exclusive Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles interview with VOIVOD, go here [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Day 1 / January 4th, 2006 Drum sessions @ Piccolo Studios 2:30 PM : Glen (Robinson) and I are testing the sound of the Gretsch drum kit, which we bought for the tours in USA with Sepultura and Ozzfest in 2003. Jason shipped it from the Chophouse to Piccolo studios. It hadn't been unpacked for 2 years and a half. So far, it's sounding great. That kit is amazing ! I showed up excited and prepared, but I'm very anxious to start tracking with Piggy's guitar in the headphones. There is no existing preparation for the emotional aspect of it. We'll see... Time to play now... 5:30 PM : First one down !! I feel a little bit rusted. It's been a long while since I played some metal. Even though Glen and I are alone in the studio, it feels great to hear Piggy's guitar, Jasonic's bass and Snake's scratch vocals in the headphones. It's still a bit weird for me to track without seeing Piggy jamming through the control room glass window. 8:00 PM : Second one done ! It's kind of difficult to play tight on top of guitar tracks recorded over shaky demoed drums. I hope I don't wave TOO much... At least it sounds HEAVY as hell ! Glen is still a fantastic producer. The first 2 songs had a hardcore/punk vibe with lots of double hi-hat action. I hope the next one I track goes into another direction, hopefully more Sabbath-ish. Right now, I'm tracking with scratch vocals recorded in Piggy's bathroom ! I can't wait for Snake to do the real thing. I guess that would be it for today. Tomorrow I'll take some photos. See ya, Away Visit the official VOIVOD site: www.voivod.com For an exclusive Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles interview with VOIVOD, go here  |
| Last Updated on Tuesday, 22 July 2008 17:10 |
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