A few tid-bits about SS...
What will it sound like? Like Chuck singing on me and Darren's songs! No really, I mean it's definitely aggressive; it's definitely fist in the face metal. We're trying different things in the project that are aside of Sadus and Testament. But by the nature of those bands, it's gonna have recognizable elements to either or both.
Darren is the primary guitarist. We've talked all along about a guest on guitar. James' name has come up a few times, me and Chuck have both jammed on his albums in the past, it makes sense to keep it in the family..!
The release of the album...is very far off in the distance. Sadus and Testament have become very active lately. And those bands are the main focus for obvious reasons. Suicide Shift is a side band, so will have to wait on the side until the time is right. We still have a lot of composing and arranging, lyrics, recording all that stuff to do. It wasn't close to completion when we shelved it. So really, once there is free time after we've taken care of the demands of the main bands then we'll start again on something new.
It's totally a studio project. We have no plans on touring...ever! I would like to say we'll never hit the stage as Suicide Shift...but we already have! As an encore for a Sadus show last year. Chuck came up and we played one of our new ones (well, we tried...yuck!). So tours...no. But there's always a possiblilty of a surprize stage appearance or bonus performance as long as Testament and Sadus are inter-twined.
As much as I agree with the bass volume on The Gathering album, that was not my decision. I don't think the level will be that low on the SS album, I'm having a major hand in the writing of the songs so I'll be involved with the production more closely. Me and Darren have worked on getting a compatable coexisting sound guitar/bass wise over the years, I think so many years will benefit our mix in the studio again.
I really appreciate your interest in the side project. It's so hard to tell what it'll really be like when it's done. But it was fun when we were working on it, so it's bound to reflect that energy and emotion we created then.
But! It's not so hard to tell what the new Sadus and Testament will sound like. As we've been working on those albums recently. First things first!!!
SDG