As previously reported, BOLT THROWER are currently working on their 8th studio album with producer Andy Faulkner.

Drummer Martin (Kiddie) Kearns has issued the third installment of the ongoing studio reports via the group’s website (www.boltthrower.com):

“Ok, another update for you...

Today I put my final drum track down for the album’s ‘bonus track’, it was a real blaster (no, not blast-beat) of a song, so quite a nice one to end my recording on. Whether it makes it onto the album or not we’ll see, but it’s there anyway. Now it’s time for the sad part, where I have to pack away my drums until we start the tour rehearsals. Overall I am (and apparently everyone else is) really chuffed with how my drums went down. I had a few nightmare moments with the record, and have had to push myself but I definitely think this is my best drumming so far, can’t wait till this album is finally finished. Anyway, we’re a good few weeks off that...

The next couple of days we spent going through the drum tracks I’d recorded, picking out the best takes for future reference. Not much to say about that, I guess you have to ‘be there’...haha...

OK, we’re ready for some guitars!! Baz is up first, doing his rhythm tracks. I heard he took 4 days to find his guitar sound when he recorded ‘...For Victory’, so I hadn’t got a clue when he’d actually start laying some tracks down! Much to my amazement, I turned up to find him actually cleaning his guitar! I’ve been in the band on and off for 10 years, and I think I’ve only seen it happen twice. Anyway, we made sure we took a photo of it as proof!!

Baz cleaning his guitar!

The following day, Baz is still on the search for his ultimate guitar sound. There’s cables everywhere, and I think just about every piece of equipment we own is being tried out. I think it’s sounds killer anyway, but apparently there’s still a frequency that needs adjusting. The sound seems to really suit the chugging stuff, but lacks clarity when played fast – or something?! I’m glad I’m a drummer, that’s all I can say!

Baz’s recording set-up.

Right, well a few adjustments later and Baz is a happy man again, I’ve got no idea what set-up he finally decided on, and I don’t wanna ask in case it gets changed again!! A change of strings and it looks like we’re ready for some riffs!!

Baz jams along with the first song and to be honest it’s already blowing me away. He puts couple of rhythms down and we call it a day. Time to give our ears a break and come back in the morning to check that we’re all happy with the sound.

Checking the guitar sound

Next morning comes, we listen back and yes, we’ll all very happy with the sound. Baz plugs in and we’re ready to roll again, more on that next time...”