CA Bryers
Ancient Mariner
100%. Having a more minimalist drumming approach worked fine for Virtual XI--there shouldn't be an issue doing it for a song or two on a new album.
News 18th Studio Album discussion
- Thread starter Siddharth
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- #ironmaiden18
dickinson1978
Ancient Mariner
We have thinking about tjat before but in studio he can record his parts in many different ways even a fast song. The thing is if he should be there? And for me is 100% yes
Ruflux
Ancient Marinade
I think the problem with Nicko is that accommodating for him will inevitably mean they have to alter their approach in the studio. I don't think Steve wants to do that at all, he'd just prefer to show up, bang the songs together and record them mostly live, maybe in sections for the more tricky stuff and then be done with it. With Nicko they'd likely do songs in parts to get the best takes, probably with just the drums too.
dickinson1978
Ancient Mariner
The oficial statment was retired from touring. He has said in public that he wants to do a couple of songs. He plays with his band more than 1h . Sure he can play live 2 songs
Vaenyr
Ancient Mariner
Let's not forget that going on tour and having to play one-and-a-half hours every other night is very different to recording in the studio. Live the stakes were much higher. In the studio he can take as many breaks as he wants, he can start over if there's a mistake, he can try tricky part over and over, and so on. Those are luxuries that he obviously can't afford on tour. Also, live he had to play thing that he recorded decades earlier, and he wanted to get as close to them as possible. That won't be a factor in the studio, where the drum parts can be written exactly to the playing level he's comfortable with at the moment.
If they want to record with Nicko, there are ways to do that and get pretty good performances out of him still. The question, imo, is: Will Nicko record anything at all? Only a few tracks? Everything?
Given how they're bonding with Simon it would surprise me quite a bit if Simon wouldn't appear at all on any future studio work.
If they want to record with Nicko, there are ways to do that and get pretty good performances out of him still. The question, imo, is: Will Nicko record anything at all? Only a few tracks? Everything?
Given how they're bonding with Simon it would surprise me quite a bit if Simon wouldn't appear at all on any future studio work.
dickinson1978
Ancient Mariner
Bruce said he would like to record wirh simon too. So why not borh.
dickinson1978
Ancient Mariner
I m sure he would be much better in studio and in parts than in tour song after song.
Vaenyr
Ancient Mariner
I wouldn't mind that. But then the question becomes, how do they split duties? Half-half? Does everyone get entire songs or will both be heard on the same track? Do we get one "special" track (like how Journeyman was an all-acoustic song or how Empire Of The Clouds featured the piano) with Nicko on the drums, and the rest is played by Simon?
There's not really an easy answer to all that and they'll have to have some serious discussions about how to approach the next album.
dickinson1978
Ancient Mariner
Nicko said for a few songs.
harrisdevot
Priest of the Holy Wristband
He wrote 3 songs out of 8 on that record, and the shortest ones. So "stamp all over it" is a bit of an exaggeration.
Azas
Endless Summer
After revisiting Ghost's Skeletá today after a longer break, I was left with very conflicting emotions.
On one hand, it confirmed my belief that this is genuinely one of the very best melodic metal albums of the last decade or so. On the other, it rekindled my frustration - perhaps even bitterness - towards Maiden.
Because, surprise, surprise: it's still perfectly possible to achieve great-sounding production nowadays.
And I'm not talking about the "sterile, robotic type" of production that people often criticize Andy Sneap and many modern metal albums for. The production on Skeletá is fantastic and, imo, perfectly capable of standing alongside the classic '80s Maiden albums in terms of clarity, warmth, and punch.
Steve's stubbornness is truly a double-edged sword. It's one of the traits that made Maiden what they are, but in the latter part of their career, there's been a bit too much rust on the edge that's being used.
My only hope now is Bruce's upcoming solo album. Knowing that he was at a Ghost concert, perhaps he came away with a few ideas - maybe even about songwriting and album production.
#ALBUMPRODUCTIONSTILLMATTERS
On one hand, it confirmed my belief that this is genuinely one of the very best melodic metal albums of the last decade or so. On the other, it rekindled my frustration - perhaps even bitterness - towards Maiden.
Because, surprise, surprise: it's still perfectly possible to achieve great-sounding production nowadays.
And I'm not talking about the "sterile, robotic type" of production that people often criticize Andy Sneap and many modern metal albums for. The production on Skeletá is fantastic and, imo, perfectly capable of standing alongside the classic '80s Maiden albums in terms of clarity, warmth, and punch.
Steve's stubbornness is truly a double-edged sword. It's one of the traits that made Maiden what they are, but in the latter part of their career, there's been a bit too much rust on the edge that's being used.
My only hope now is Bruce's upcoming solo album. Knowing that he was at a Ghost concert, perhaps he came away with a few ideas - maybe even about songwriting and album production.
#ALBUMPRODUCTIONSTILLMATTERS
dickinson1978
Ancient Mariner
Im not sure if steve is rhe only one that is stubborn there. In setlist,in terms of recording. But he has changed a lot since reunion
Adrian may have ‘only’ solely written 3 of the 8 tracks, but 2 of those were the two singles from the album.
Also, by all accounts, Adrian was quite involved with working alongside Birch on the production of the album.
So, I think it is not an exaggeration to say that Adrian was all over the record.
Also, not an unreasonable speculation as to why that is probably the best sonically sounding of the bands album, imo.
Helmuth Von Moltke
Ancient Mariner
I believe it’s called ‘George Lucas Syndrome’. The creator who loses perspective, through an authentic love of their life’s work.
Ascendingthethrone
Ancient Mariner
Skeleta is a fantastic album. Cenotaph is one of the best songs I have heard in recent times.
Steve’s stubbornness is incredibly frustrating. If he was consistent with it, I could get on board. But he constantly makes poor decisions when it comes to production. E.g NOTD and DOD. He needs to leave H to make the decisions on that front. He had a better ear.
Ascendingthethrone
Ancient Mariner
Steve played drums on that album anyway. Not a fair comparison
Azas
Endless Summer
Continuing with the obvious production issues and a loss of perspective...
After so many years of gruelling touring, I don't believe Steve's hearing is still intact. If that's the case, and if he's aware of it, how can he justify continuing to take such a hands-on role in album production?
As a creator, you naturally want your work to sound as good as possible. Normally, you hire a producer with an impressive body of work behind them. You explain your vision and the overall sonic direction you want for the album, and, assuming there are no major creative clashes, you let the producer do their job—with the occasional discussion, guidance, or debate about what works best for a particular song.
If the producer is truly talented, understands what your band is about, and knows how your back catalogue sounds, I'm pretty sure they'll deliver the goods. As both a professional and an outsider, they may also offer valuable suggestions that nobody within the band would think of. ("Delete that!")
But if you're constantly looking over the producer's shoulder and second-guessing every decision, the law of diminishing returns may start to apply.
I completely understand that it's Steve's band. It's been his life's work and his greatest musical passion for decades, so it's only natural that he approaches it the way he does. That's perfectly understandable. Still, I sometimes wonder whether he ever asks someone, "Is this actually any good? I know what I want, but maybe I'm missing something. Could the production be better?"
It's his baby, without question. But with too much love and obsession, there's always the risk of smothering the baby—or leaving it permanently impaired.
If anyone from the Maiden camp happens to read this, please plant the idea in Steve's head that recording the 18th album might actually be great fun if he completely handed over the production reins to an experienced producer, ha. Someone from Tobias Forge's circle, for example.
No doubt Steve is the GOAT, and I'm nobody. These are just my two cents on the band's approach to album production.
After so many years of gruelling touring, I don't believe Steve's hearing is still intact. If that's the case, and if he's aware of it, how can he justify continuing to take such a hands-on role in album production?
As a creator, you naturally want your work to sound as good as possible. Normally, you hire a producer with an impressive body of work behind them. You explain your vision and the overall sonic direction you want for the album, and, assuming there are no major creative clashes, you let the producer do their job—with the occasional discussion, guidance, or debate about what works best for a particular song.
If the producer is truly talented, understands what your band is about, and knows how your back catalogue sounds, I'm pretty sure they'll deliver the goods. As both a professional and an outsider, they may also offer valuable suggestions that nobody within the band would think of. ("Delete that!")
But if you're constantly looking over the producer's shoulder and second-guessing every decision, the law of diminishing returns may start to apply.
I completely understand that it's Steve's band. It's been his life's work and his greatest musical passion for decades, so it's only natural that he approaches it the way he does. That's perfectly understandable. Still, I sometimes wonder whether he ever asks someone, "Is this actually any good? I know what I want, but maybe I'm missing something. Could the production be better?"
It's his baby, without question. But with too much love and obsession, there's always the risk of smothering the baby—or leaving it permanently impaired.
If anyone from the Maiden camp happens to read this, please plant the idea in Steve's head that recording the 18th album might actually be great fun if he completely handed over the production reins to an experienced producer, ha. Someone from Tobias Forge's circle, for example.
No doubt Steve is the GOAT, and I'm nobody. These are just my two cents on the band's approach to album production.