From mars to Sirius.

[GeertSamuel]

Currently this Gojira record and 4 Bergstrand mixes are on repeat in my car's cd changer.

I think this album is perfect the way it is, it's sometimes frustrating to see that some people are never satisfied and have some negative about every mix.
The way this album sounds gives it that special vibe.

Most of these songs would have sounded horrible on a TWOAF kinda mix.

 

[metalkingdom]

TWOAF is 5150III, Peavey 5150 cab, AKG414, straight from Joe's mouth.

This would be the most startling revelation here concerning the guitar recording between the two albums. I actually find this very hard to believe... Not saying that it's not true, though. Maybe the 414 was blended with something else...? It just sounds too warm and mid-rich for a solo 414. Not to mention that this would be an extremely bold and confident move on the part of the production team.

I really dig Gojira, but it was TWOAF (very flattering title to Mr. James Murphy, I might add) that did it for me. I couldn't take them "serious" with Mars to Sirius, because it was just too much of a blatant ripoff of Morbid Angel. That song "Heaviest Matter..." that you guys love so much is probably the most obvious one. The production is very good though from a recording standpoint, though and I'd love to hear more heavy bands use more room ambience on their albums like that.

I'm guessing that Gojira has fully realized their vision by now, and I expect the next record to be one for the ages.

 

[Taurean]

When I listen to Gojira, I'm hearing Morbid Angel elements but not a ripoff. Morbid Angel was less monolithic from a melodic progression standpoint. Where as Gojira's approach is more diatonic in nature interspersed with chromaticism, Morbid Angel was vice versa using 4ths and 3rds to introduce chromatic or completely other scales; yielding a more classic "death metal" sound. One can always tell them apart.

Also I don't see that much sense in trying to cement what equipment was used based on singular characteristics of a piece of gear. Needless to say there are acoustic, electrical, signal chain, and processing factors coupled with the crafting and production goals of engineers/artist involved that create new sonics that can't always be isolated to speculation of what was used exactly.

To add, in my opinion, MTS sounds perfect for the mood that was trying to be provoked. Not to mention, it's unique amongst other more commonplace sounding albums.

 

[JeffTD]

This would be the most startling revelation here concerning the guitar recording between the two albums. I actually find this very hard to believe... Not saying that it's not true, though. Maybe the 414 was blended with something else...? It just sounds too warm and mid-rich for a solo 414. Not to mention that this would be an extremely bold and confident move on the part of the production team.

I really dig Gojira, but it was TWOAF (very flattering title to Mr. James Murphy, I might add)

Yeah, it definitely shocked me when I heard it, as well. I asked if they used the TLM103 like usual and he said "No, this time 414."

That said, I'm not getting the Murphy reference? TWOAF was mixed by Logan Mader.

 

[Donovan S.]

I first heard this album a few years ago. To this very day I still listen to this album all of the time, and love it. It's probably one of my favorite albums of all time. Everything is just perfect, the lyrics, the production, the vocals, guitars, everything.

 

[metalkingdom]

That said, I'm not getting the Murphy reference? TWOAF was mixed by Logan Mader.

Ok, so I'm old as hell! Beyond The Flesh, not to be confused with TWOAF the book. Doh!

 

[metalkingdom]

When I listen to Gojira, I'm hearing Morbid Angel elements but not a ripoff.

Maybe "ripoff" isn't the right word... But still, riff after riff after riff on that album is directly from the Morbid Angel catalog of genius. There's no way to deny that. Hell, I don't even think the guys in Gojira would deny it.

 

[Taurean]

Well I suppose we again come right back to "Morbid Angel elements" - even if it is riff oriented. This elemental aspect they themselves most certainly wouldn't deny as MA is part of their major "influences". The approach however in how it's put together is undeniably different.

 

[Deus.exe]

I love their use of perpendicular pick scrapes and muted inverted 5th accents.

 

[ratsapprentice]

I don't think there is any intentional nod to Disincarnate.... unless you know something we don't?

MA is obviously/admitedly a huge influence on them, with the pick scrapes and generally earthy/ethereal feel probably being inspired directly by FFTF. I'm gonna agree that they definitely aren't a rip off though.

 

[Taurean]

I love their use of perpendicular pick scrapes and muted inverted 5th accents.

Yes good stuff, and those are good examples of using Morbid Angel elements within their own context.

 

[Vicioushead]

I love the sound of this album. It's heavy without being harsh to listen to.

 

[amarshism]

I'm pretty sure most metal bands borrow from MA. Let's get back to talking about the stellar production please.

 

[Ermz]

I find the tone of this album very unpleasant to listen to. I think I understand why some would like it, but I definitely don't. For me it's too loud, lacking in dynamics, and too mid-heavy to actually sound 'heavy'. Putting TWOAF on after it is like putting a soothing balm on my ears - instant relief.

 

[Uros]

Yeah, TWOAF sounds amazing (minus the ride tho; too much separated, with not enough zing).

 

[Harry Hughes]

^^I agree with Ermz on the sound, not even talking about the technical superiority of the mix, but TWOAF is literally a more pleasant listening experience.
I have to listen to it more quietly than I would TWOAF, because the harsh mids of FMTS and the sheer loudness and lack of dynamics make it a pretty unpleasant listen at anything resembling moderately loud volume.
It's a shame, because it's the only aspect I don't like about the album.

I tend to think the quite fast paced at times and sometimes technical nature of the playing would have been better matched to a more 'techically superior' type of mix too.
But I'll always come back to the album for the music, which I suppose is ultimately the most important thing

 

[amarshism]

Exactly. Whilst I like twoaf, I find there's a certain intimacy afforded by the rawer production aesthetic on fmts. Like I keep on saying, the vibe on flying whales just keeps grabbing me. I feel you ermz on the harshness of the mids on the opals, but let's be honest, most people aren't listening on such mid forward systems. The vibe of the music grabs me, and in a world over populated with bands all chasing the same production 'disguise', this song (and album) keep bringing me back into the music. After all that's what it's about. Right?

 

[Donovan S.]

Exactly. Whilst I like twoaf, I find there's a certain intimacy afforded by the rawer production aesthetic on fmts. Like I keep on saying, the vibe on flying whales just keeps grabbing me. I feel you ermz on the harshness of the mids on the opals, but let's be honest, most people aren't listening on such mid forward systems. The vibe of the music grabs me, and in a world over populated with bands all chasing the same production 'disguise', this song (and album) keep bringing me back into the music. After all that's what it's about. Right?

Huge +1 to this. When I first heard TWOAF I was pretty dissapointed by the production after hearing FMTS for so long. TWOAF ,technically speaking, is a superior mix, but in reality I'd much prefer FMTS any day, just because of how well the production fits the music and the overall vibe of it just makes it a superior release, in my opinion.

World to Come is a beautiful song, as well. It's so simple, yet incredibly unique.

 

[RLab]

I first heard this album a few years ago. To this very day I still listen to this album all of the time, and love it. It's probably one of my favorite albums of all time. Everything is just perfect, the lyrics, the production, the vocals, guitars, everything.

Then your avatar should be a whale and not the oroborus j/k
I love this album too, one of my all time favorite. I have the physical CD, I'll look into the booklet to see of there is any other info about the production, and I remember to see some gear brands name as Shinozoku said.

 

[Ermz]

I dig the idea of vibe mixes, that serve the music more than anything. I don't feel that they have to be unpleasant to listen to in order to serve that purpose though. The midrange on FMTS is so grating that it takes away from the music for me. I had similar feelings about Bloodbath's 'The Fathomless Mastery', but nonetheless a lot of people seem to like it.