Chapter 12: Application Guide: Choosing Your Approach

The research presented in this guide documents multiple valid paths to achieving heaviness in metal production. These findings provide a framework for producers to make informed choices based on both musical context and technical resources, as well as artistic intent, rather than prescribing a single “correct” methodology. This section offers practical guidance for applying these insights to your own productions.

Assessing Musical Context

The first step in selecting appropriate production techniques is analyzing the compositional and performance characteristics of the material:

Subgenre Considerations

Different metal subgenres carry distinct production expectations.

Table 2: Tendential genre aesthetics

Subgenre	Typical Approach	Key Characteristics
Traditional Heavy Metal	Naturalistic	Performance dynamics, room sound, moderate editing
Doom/Stoner Metal	Naturalistic	Preserved dynamics, natural ambience, analogue warmth
Thrash Metal	Mixed	Aggressive transients, controlled but present dynamics
Death Metal	Mixed to Hyperreal	Clear articulation in fast sections, powerful impact
Technical Death Metal	Hyperreal	Maximum clarity, precise articulation, controlled dynamics
Progressive Metal	Context-dependent	Varying approach based on song section and intensity
Djent/Modern Metal	Hyperreal	Perfect rhythmic alignment, meta-instrument integration

Note: These are tendencies, not hard and fast rules.

Performance Capability

• Exceptional musicians may benefit from naturalistic approaches that showcase their abilities.
• Developing performers or extremely technical material may require more editing intervention.
• Consider whether precise timing is central to the composition’s effectiveness.

Compositional Intent

• Music featuring dynamic contrasts and mood shifts often benefits from naturalistic approaches.
• Material built around rhythmic precision and technical synchronization may be better served by hyperreal techniques.
• Consider whether heaviness derives from emotional intensity or technical precision in each section.

Balancing Philosophy and Practicality

Musical considerations aside, practical factors influence which approaches are most appropriate for a given project:

• Technical Resources: Not all productions have access to the extensive tools employed by elite producers. However, the research demonstrates that the philosophical approach matters more than specific equipment. Mike Exeter achieved competitive results through minimal but strategic processing, proving that sophisticated outcomes do not necessarily require complex signal chains.
• Time Constraints: Hyperreal techniques often require significant time investment, particularly for phase alignment and detailed editing. Productions with limited timeframes may benefit from more naturalistic approaches that preserve performance elements while enhancing key characteristics through focused processing.
• Long-Term Sustainability: Consider whether the production approach will serve the artist beyond the immediate project. Heavily edited productions may create expectations that cannot be met in live performances, while more natural approaches might better prepare listeners for the band's genuine sound.

Hybrid Implementation Strategies

Most real-world productions benefit from strategic hybridisation of naturalistic and hyperreal techniques, rather than adopting purist approaches:

• Element-Specific Application: Apply different philosophies to different instruments based on their role and characteristics. For example, drums might benefit from hyperreal precision to provide a solid foundation, while guitars maintain more natural dynamics to preserve expressive qualities.
• Section-Based Adaptation: Vary production approaches throughout the composition. Technical verses might employ hyperreal techniques for clarity, while atmospheric bridges maintain naturalistic qualities for emotional depth. Breakdowns might benefit from meta-instrument alignment for maximum impact, while solos preserve performance nuances.
• Selective Enhancement: Target specific aspects of the performance for enhancement rather than applying processing universally. A naturalistic base with strategic hyperreal moments often creates more engaging results than consistently processed material.

Workflow Considerations

Implementing these approaches effectively requires thoughtful workflow design:

• Early Decision-Making: Determine core production philosophy during pre-production rather than mixing. Recording decisions significantly impact which options remain available during later stages. For example, capturing multiple microphone positions provides flexibility for spatial approaches, while careful performance editing during tracking facilitates meta-instrument implementation.
• Reference Selection: Choose reference tracks that align with your intended production approach. Analyzing productions by Exeter or Nordström provides guidance for naturalistic approaches, while Odeholm, Middleton, or Getgood references inform hyperreal implementations. Using multiple references can help identify which elements benefit from each philosophy.
• Contextual Evaluation: Always evaluate processing decisions in the context of the full mix rather than in isolation. As Jens Bogren emphasized, ‘If you start to isolate things too much, it’s not going to work’. Processing that sounds extreme or, conversely, unspectacular in solo may function perfectly within the overall balance.

Future-Proofing Your Approach

As metal production continues to develop, developing a sustainable approach requires balancing innovation with fundamental principles:

• Evolving Standards: What constitutes “heavy” continues to shift with audience expectations and technological capabilities. Maintaining awareness of current production trends helps inform when to embrace new techniques and when to prioritize timeless qualities.
• Technical Foundation: Regardless of the philosophical approach, developing solid technical skills remains essential. Understanding phase relationships, frequency management, and dynamic control provides the foundation for implementing any production philosophy effectively.
• Artistic Identity: Perhaps most importantly, the production approach should serve artistic identity rather than technical perfection. Both naturalistic and hyperreal schools have produced landmark metal albums, demonstrating that philosophical consistency matters more than specific techniques.

The ultimate measure of successful metal production is emotional resonance, not just technical implementation. Whether through the organic power of naturalistic production or the engineered precision of hyperreal approaches, effective production serves the music's fundamental goal: creating an experience of heaviness that resonates with listeners.

'Building tension in the composition is like one of the best ways to then lead up to something because if you have loads of great riffs and they just all come in, and there's not much dynamics to the songwriting, you get a bit numb to it'.