here are some things to consider

if you want your recorded music to convey

MIGHT and POWER

          r.i.p. might and power, 1993-2020

• VIBRATION - playing softer lets the sound bloom and resonate at full strength; playing loudly is authentic sometimes, but taken too far will choke and truncate the vibration of the instrument

• TRANSIENTS - shorter, controlled transients for more snap, longer transients for more thud

• CONTRAST - surround your loud elements with quiet parts in both the mix and the arrangement, to make them seem even more huge in comparison

• LOFI/HIFI - similar to the above, create a lo-fi section of the mix so when everything comes back in full spectrum, there's a dramatic rush of energy

• SATURATION - helps on everything, particularly useful for getting guitars and bass to punch through forcefully even when the listener doesn't have the volume cranked up

• EXTREME STEREO - use both of the speakers in dynamic and unexpected ways to create unsettling contrasts and physically occupy the listener's space

• CLIPPING - clip the drum bus or even the master for a louder, more consistent aggressive sound (use a dedicated clipping plugin, don't just push everything into the red)

• TOO LOUD - make one element obviously, conspicuously, way too loud. it will feel like it is breaking the 'fourth wall' and escaping the confines of the recording

• MAKE IT WRONG - leave some rough edges in the mix, such as cues and shouts from the band, a door slamming, annoying loud amp buzzing, maybe even have a prominent track suddenly cut out mid chord and reappear later; hearing things 'going wrong' in this way creates the feeling of chaos and wild energy

keep some of these tips in mind and no doubt you'll amp up the visceral energy of your mixes until they slap hard. happy thrashing!

👻