Considering the overall relative crappiness of EoR's production, I wanted to get opinions on Nevermore's production.
Personally, although I enjoyed Kernon's work on PoE and DNB, I think Sneap's work on DHiaDW resulted in Nevermore's best sounding album, as well as one of the best sounding metal albums I've ever heard.
Upon retrospect, Kernon's recordings sound sort of synthetic, particularly on guitars (clean and distorted), which is odd, because I think at least part of it was analogue... Still, his mixes were very well layered and clear, all the instruments were distinct and powerful.
Andy Sneap created power. The drums are monstrous, the guitars powerful and organic, and the voice was so full and lush and... (enter superlatives). Again, odd since he works all-digital. And the mix is classic sneap, layered while sounding simple, clear...
Now, Mr. Gray... I can' be certain, but I have the suspicion he was mixing with $5 computer speakers... No but seriously, I understand that Nevermore was on a tight budget and couldn't afford Sneap or Kernon, but this Gray guy is supposed to be a seasoned professional. And the result? The snare disappears sporadically, the cymbals are lost in the noise floor, the bass drums sound like cardboard boxes, the voices are thin and too often distorted, I forgot that tere was a bassist in the band...
Don't get me wrong, this is awesome material, everyone is at the top of their game (although I find some of Loomis's leads are lacking in melodicism), and Dane kicks ass, but it took me 6 listens to understand what was going on in some songs!
End of rant. Who Decides is one of their best songs to date
Personally, although I enjoyed Kernon's work on PoE and DNB, I think Sneap's work on DHiaDW resulted in Nevermore's best sounding album, as well as one of the best sounding metal albums I've ever heard.
Upon retrospect, Kernon's recordings sound sort of synthetic, particularly on guitars (clean and distorted), which is odd, because I think at least part of it was analogue... Still, his mixes were very well layered and clear, all the instruments were distinct and powerful.
Andy Sneap created power. The drums are monstrous, the guitars powerful and organic, and the voice was so full and lush and... (enter superlatives). Again, odd since he works all-digital. And the mix is classic sneap, layered while sounding simple, clear...
Now, Mr. Gray... I can' be certain, but I have the suspicion he was mixing with $5 computer speakers... No but seriously, I understand that Nevermore was on a tight budget and couldn't afford Sneap or Kernon, but this Gray guy is supposed to be a seasoned professional. And the result? The snare disappears sporadically, the cymbals are lost in the noise floor, the bass drums sound like cardboard boxes, the voices are thin and too often distorted, I forgot that tere was a bassist in the band...
Don't get me wrong, this is awesome material, everyone is at the top of their game (although I find some of Loomis's leads are lacking in melodicism), and Dane kicks ass, but it took me 6 listens to understand what was going on in some songs!
End of rant. Who Decides is one of their best songs to date
