Neuer Anacrusis Song "Killer In My House"

[rapanzel]

There is no date set, but hopefully. In the next couple of months or so. We are still working on the cover art and I'm debating a self-release vs working with a label.

So looking forward to it
And PLEASE think about an official CRUEL APRIL CD release as well. Would love to have that one...

[AnacrusisVOX]

Kenn, thank you for the honest drum statement, appreciate this in times of lying and cheating regarding recording. I'd like to give the final mix and master more than one try and keep focused on the songs. Believe in a word of a real Anacrusis fan since the early days.

Again, I hate to be so defensive, but this has been a very long project that I have spent literally thousands of hours on, I'm sure and to see some of the the very first comments criticizing my use of "a drum machine" is very disheartening. I get it...we all get it...but sometimes pragmatism replaces desire.

These recent clips are more or less "final mixes" and I cannot understand anyone thinking they sound "terrible", drum-wise or otherwise. Hindsight is 100% real drums and some people hate the sound of that too. What can you do? We all try our best. We are not all in a position to make a phone call and hire Gene Hoglan (nor would I want that for this album). I had many very good drummers offer to do the recording, but that would have been even less of an Anacrusis album than what it is now. I've always written most of the drum parts and our drummers played what was on the demos. With Mike this is less the case as he is very creative and contributed most of the parts on many of these songs himself which I have copied. Other songs are 100% my arrangements. Just as I have always written most of the bass parts in Anacrusis (not that John did not execute them well and with his own touch). 95% of these songs came down to me attempting to teach him the parts in order for him to copy note-for-note what I had already recorded. What was the point? Some of these songs are quite different in style than the old Anacrusis material and often he struggled to play what I had written and already recorded simply because he could not or would not take the time to perfect them.

As I have said, I would have loved a new "Anacrusis" album (for me and our fans) with at least John, who does play bass on a few songs and Mike, who originally played drums on several songs (and trust me, no one would have know which ones by the sound had I left those tracks on the album). Things just didn't work out and they were either too lazy, too busy or too disinterested to help me do what needed to be done. Some fans would have criticized us for calling it "Anacrusis" without Kevin anyhow.

This album was a monumental undertaking and none of us has the time these days to be in a full-time band. Not everyone is as dedicated to this as I am as anyone who knows me will tell you. I work a normal job too and do this music whenever I can. I had hoped to record this while we were rehearsing for some of the reunion gigs/festivals, but could not get the cooperation I needed. Recording one drum track every month or so only to have Mike tell me later after I had spent many long hours incorporating it into the mix the was unhappy with what he had recorded was not getting us very far. I love and respect all the guys who have been in Anacrusis. We are like brothers, but we are not children and sometimes it is better to move on and do what makes us happy. Kevin did this after only 2 shows (STL & KIT) and that was fine. His heart was not really in it and we are just grateful to him for joining us for the Hindsight recordings and those two reunion gigs. Kevin and I are friends, but there is no way in hell that we could make music together anymore. Our tastes are light years apart now and neither of us is interested in the type of compromise it took to make Anacrusis "work".

It is honestly NOT my desire to even call this project "Anacrusis", though not one single person (fan or otherwise) has supported any other idea. Of course I know that the "brand" (even considering how small our loyal fan base is) means more than nothing. had the other guys joined me in this project I would have happily called it that, but even though it would have been virtually the exact same album it does not really feel right to me to do so. Even though I have been the obvious musical leader from the beginning, Anacrusis was never "one guy". Can I do it myself? yes; and this album proves that. Still, I am not at all comfortable with the Megadeth/Death approach of Dave or Chuck and "whoever else". At least not with the name "Anacrusis" on it.

IS this album "Anacrusis"? Yes and no. If I do release it under my own name or some other name SOME fans will say "this is Anacrusis" anyhow. if I DO call it Anacrusis SOME fans will say "this is not really Anacrusis". it is really a no-win situation.

I know I don't need to say all of this here, but I have always been very open about myself and the band. There is no wall between me and people who listen to music and love it just like I do. I am a fan of music and some happen to be fans of my music and we are all the same in that respect. I just hope that most of those old (and new) Anacrusis fans will appreciate this new music no matter what name it carries with it.

[Siebi]

Drums from man or machine? Doesn't matter. Only (drum)sound and songs do, no more no less. It's your decision to do whatever you want to do with your music and manage recording things like they are. You're the artist, you've got my respect as things keep on going. I'm only a fan of your music. So far I've never listened to your new songs and I've never mentioned that they sound terrible or anything else.
Finally it's always the same with art, some may prefer some don't. To stop this discussion from my side I'd like to wait for its release physically, get my copy and will listen to it more than one time.

[AnacrusisVOX]

Siebi, I agree that's the right attitude to have. The drum comments were not directed at you.

[Acrylator]

Gentlemen, I have now posted samples of all 28 songs from the up-coming new album. Yes, the title has changed and for very good reason. Parallax Error (an idea I've had since Manic Impressions) was just becoming too big a hindrance creatively for the cover concept and one I did not feel "fit" the project any longer. it was time to let go of that old idea for something else. Once the song is known (from which the title and concept come) it might make more sense to some of you. Either way, I would grow very old trying to please everyone. ;-) Such is life.

As for the drums. it is not a "drum machine", but rather sequenced drums using real drum samples recorded by my own hands using my former drummer's actual kit and painstakingly programmed by me. i did not use the standard DKFH samples used by every band under the sun these days. I made every effort to combine tightness with the sound of a real drummer and am happy with the results. Some people get hung up on my openness about my methods, but I can assure you that with Mike Owen or any other drummer playing, the sound would be virtually identical. it is as i want it to be and no two people agree on things like this, which is OK. I program as a drummer and not as a guitarist having spent hundreds of hours on detailed nuance. ;-) The sound of the first few demos posted was more raw as it was not my intention to use those tracks as more than a guide or skeleton to be replaced later. After the decision was made to complete the album on my own, I redid everything with the intent to bring out the very best in each song. If you think the drums sound "terrible" on these clips, then there is nothing else I can say...we simply disagree, but i hope listeners will be able to open their minds to the songs and music and not be hindered by this. Some of you would be surprised at what is "real" and what is not on some of your favorite albums. At least I have been honest about what I have done. This no more than can be said about this. We all try our best and no matter what, not everyone will like what we produce. Again...such is life.

Sorry to sound defensive, but believe it when I say that no one would have liked a real drummer (my drummer) playing on this album more than I, but it would have never happened and I chose to release something rather than nothing.

I do hope you enjoy what I have created though. Some of it obviously stretches beyond what some would expect from "Anacrusis", but I personally pity any artist or writer who does not change at all in twenty years time.

Enjoy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1FiM_FaRco

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfFXg9hRybY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzgwTLLVLrg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x2yXF70Kkw

Hey Kenn, I believe you that it was really a lot of work (but the result doesn't always equal the amount of work that was put into something) and I definitely appreciate your honesty. To be accurate: Ithink the drums and hi hats sound okay, I only dislike the bassdrum - it reminds me of Fear Factory etc.
But I have to say that I own hundreds of albums with a drumsound that I don't like (most Metal productions of the last 20 years or so), I didn't mean to offend you. And, as I said before, I only listened to the soundfiles through the small speakers of my computer, it may sound much better on my stereo sound system. I like the songs so far anyway and it's cool that you've compiled almost 20 years of work together on one album now.

[AnacrusisVOX]

Hey Kenn, I believe you that it was really a lot of work (but the result doesn't always equal the amount of work that was put into something) and I definitely appreciate your honesty. To be accurate: Ithink the drums and hi hats sound okay, I only dislike the bassdrum - it reminds me of Fear Factory etc.
But I have to say that I own hundreds of albums with a drumsound that I don't like (most Metal productions of the last 20 years or so), I didn't mean to offend you. And, as I said before, I only listened to the soundfiles through the small speakers of my computer, it may sound much better on my stereo sound system. I like the songs so far anyway and it's cool that you've compiled almost 20 years of work together on one album now.

That's totally cool. If it makes any difference those ARE his real kick drums, haha. Metal has always been tough music to mix and it still is (the reason nearly everyone switched to triggers in the first place). To let everything be heard is a challenge with so much going on.

BTW, I also own MANY metal albums with drum sounds I don't like (mostly from PRIOR to 20 years ago, haha) so you see, everyone has different taste.

Anyhow, thanks for reading the rant and for your response.

[Acrylator]

Hey Kenn, I believe you that it was really a lot of work (but the result doesn't always equal the amount of work that was put into something) and I definitely appreciate your honesty. To be accurate: Ithink the drums and hi hats sound okay, I only dislike the bassdrum - it reminds me of Fear Factory etc.
But I have to say that I own hundreds of albums with a drumsound that I don't like (most Metal productions of the last 20 years or so), I didn't mean to offend you. And, as I said before, I only listened to the soundfiles through the small speakers of my computer, it may sound much better on my stereo sound system. I like the songs so far anyway and it's cool that you've compiled almost 20 years of work together on one album now.

That's totally cool. If it makes any difference those ARE his real kick drums, haha. Metal has always been tough music to mix and it still is (the reason nearly everyone switched to triggers in the first place). To let everything be heard is a challenge with so much going on.

BTW, I also own MANY metal albums with drum sounds I don't like (mostly from PRIOR to 20 years ago, haha) so you see, everyone has different taste.

Anyhow, thanks for reading the rant and for your response.

Of course, there were also shitty productions in the Metal scene of the 80s, too, but I prefer shitty and raw over cheap computer sounds (I don't mean your recordings, of course). And there were also very good productions - METALLICA had a great sound on their first three albums, CANDLEMASS on their first two or three albums etc.
Btw, the best drumsounds for me can be heard on albums from the 70s (for example on NEKTAR's "A Tab In The Ocean"), I prefer theese natural, deep frequencies over the precise but weak "clicks" of many of the productions (mainly in Metal) from the 90s and later. Good examples for a perfect (drum)sound on recent albums come from MASTODON.
But, as you said, Metal is for sure hard to record and mix, especially when it's faster and more complex.

[AnacrusisVOX]

The funny thing is that producers spent 15 years trying to get drummers to sound like drum machines and the last 15 trying to make drum machines sound like drummers.

[rapanzel]

IS this album "Anacrusis"? Yes and no.

To me, definetely yes!

[Metalfranze]

The funny thing is that producers spent 15 years trying to get drummers to sound like drum machines and the last 15 trying to make drum machines sound like drummers.

[Hugin]

Hey Kenn,

I've listened to some of the samples, and I really like what I've heard. The drum sound doesn't bother me at all, but then, I'm not a big production geek anyways. As long as the drums are smoothly fitting in the whole sound of the album, I'm fine with it. And I actually don't think that the drums on these samples would sound to sterile or something. I like the overall soundscape the recordings do offer. But as Siebi said, I will also dig deeper into it, when the recordings are finally available on cd, giving them the full amout of attention and the right mood for discovering an album.

About the name: I surely wouldn't mind the album having the Anacrusis-Logo on it. Sure, that won't change the music, and some people might rant, but I like those small things standing for a certain tradition and familiarity... bandlogos and that kind of stuff. Anyways, yes, I would want to have a copy under any other name, too, of course.

Finally another point that has been made in a recent post of this thread: Yep, I would also be interested in a physical copy of the Cruel April album. I listen to the songs pretty often, and "A Little Light" is actually one of my all-time-favourite songs. I'm looking forward to the new version.

Foremost, I wish you the best of luck with the new album!

Rüdiger.

[AnacrusisVOX]

Rüdiger,

Thanks for your input and comments.

The Cruel April stuff will probably not ever be released "officially". It was really just a collection of demos recorded during a certain period of time and aren't the greatest sounding recordings. I would love to re-record some of that material someday and I am very proud of the songs themselves (as I have done with "A Little Light"). maybe some day. ;-)

And I will likely release the album under the name "Anacrusis" as this seems to be what the overwhelming number fans want.

[Klotzkowski]

When listening to the enitre lot of the new song fragements, the already known (Killer, Made, Blood In The Water, ...) were standing out. But now, after listening to each piece at least five times, all I can say is that this is going to be a masterpiece. Sure, judging those songs while not even knowing maybe a third, is rather a sin, I do it anyway.
What has changed? Sure, there a no Nardi/Heidbreder guitar solos. But apart from that, there are all the trademarks I love Anacrusis (keep that name!) for: aggresive thrashers along with the non-standard unpredictable song structures, sick unorthodox guitars, great lyrics, unique melodies, ... and there's this new emphasis on epic, majestic stuff which fits perfect. Even gothic/dark wave stuff, electronic beats - is there anyone around covering such a variety of styles and combining it to something that extraordinary? And above all, there are those vocals which are just indescribable, absolutely fantastic! All sums up to that unique vollatile, fragile atmosphere which I consider as the core of Anacrusis, this is what really counts for me. Who cares about the drum sound, honestly. Sorry for the repetition, this is going to be a masterpiece. Try me!
One conclusing queston: is there any little chance to see "Dancing with the past" live?

[AnacrusisVOX]

When listening to the enitre lot of the new song fragements, the already known (Killer, Made, Blood In The Water, ...) were standing out. But now, after listening to each piece at least five times, all I can say is that this is going to be a masterpiece. Sure, judging those songs while not even knowing maybe a third, is rather a sin, I do it anyway.
What has changed? Sure, there a no Nardi/Heidbreder guitar solos. But apart from that, there are all the trademarks I love Anacrusis (keep that name!) for: aggresive thrashers along with the non-standard unpredictable song structures, sick unorthodox guitars, great lyrics, unique melodies, ... and there's this new emphasis on epic, majestic stuff which fits perfect. Even gothic/dark wave stuff, electronic beats - is there anyone around covering such a variety of styles and combining it to something that extraordinary? And above all, there are those vocals which are just indescribable, absolutely fantastic! All sums up to that unique vollatile, fragile atmosphere which I consider as the core of Anacrusis, this is what really counts for me. Who cares about the drum sound, honestly. Sorry for the repetition, this is going to be a masterpiece. Try me!
One conclusing queston: is there any little chance to see "Dancing with the past" live?

Thanks. Don't worry, there are still plenty of guitar solos (even a few "noisy" ones) ;-) Though I admit that David Gilmour was on my mind a bit more than Kerry King while recording most of them. ;-)

I wanted to post long enough samples to give an impression of each song, but there are still plenty of surprises in the other 2 hours you haven't heard. As for the album overall, I tried to maintain enough of those Anacrusis trademarks only with more of an emphasis on the "songs" than ever before. No one can repeat the past, especially with such "youth-driven" music, but I am hoping Anacrusis fans' taste has changed a bot over the years too and that they will appreciate something "fresh" and still familiar.

As for "live"...I'd LOVE to play this music live with a great band. I have no plans to do this as of now though I have had several area musicians offer to do so. We''ll see what the future holds. Maybe a great offer for a good gig or two will be enough to assemble a project like this. I have no intention of putting together anything full-time though or to tour or anything like that. There was a lot of tension during the reunion shows and too many old wounds and too much old baggage to really enjoy much of it, so I would have to be with musicians who appreciate this music and really believe in it. I really feel that any of these songs would be even more dynamic and powerful onstage and I know that I would enjoy singing them more than the older stuff (most of which could still be mixed in quite easily).

As for "Anacrusis", I have put a lot of work into that name, not just 20 years ago, but in the years since and could use it without guilt if I wanted to, but at the same time, I'd really rather begin anew and without the trouble that comes along with "pulling a Dave Mustaine", if you follow me. Megadeth was always "his" band, but Anacrusis was always much more than one person. Fans are mostly insisting that I call this album "Anacrusis" though. Any label that I might work with would likely insist on this also, but if I do this as a self-release, that is not an issue. Why make enemies of life-long friends? I will not sell a million albums no matter if it was called "Led Zeppelin", so why mar the entire project with the drama? In the end, I will do what feels right.

[Klotzkowski]

Choosing the label is of course up to you. I am sure the fans would respect your decision even if it is not their favorite. In the end it is the music that counts and with that material you can be very very confident. Sound the alarm!