After I first wrote about boomer shooters final yr on Steam Deck and likewise on Change, other than New Blood and Nightdive, the commonest title was Andrew Hulshult who has executed some wonderful music through the years. He just lately was concerned with the DOOM + DOOM II re-release that included his IDKFA soundtrack with new music for DOOM II, and having wished to interview him for some time now, I lastly had an opportunity to speak with him on name for just a few hours to debate recreation soundtracks, composition, bands he likes, guitar strings, pickups, chilly brew espresso, his first movie soundtrack, video games he’s taking part in, and much more. This interview was executed on video name after which it was transcribed and edited for brevity. Identical to my interview with Dave Oshry from New Blood, this one was extra informal than standard, and that is doubtless the longest interview on TouchArcade so strap in and seize a chilly brew.
TouchArcade (TA): So for these unaware, inform us a bit bit about your self and what you do.
Andrew Hulshult (AH): Yeah, my title’s Andrew Hulshult. I’m a composer and sound designer for primarily video video games, however I’m beginning to transfer over into movie as properly. I like to simply write music on my own typically when it’s not for a recreation or movie. However that’s primarily what I do. I work within the recreation and movie trade doing sound design, soundtracks, and typically voice performing.
TA: How did you find yourself engaged on the canceled Duke Nukem undertaking and likewise Rise of the Triad 2013?
AH: Duke Nukem 3D Reloaded was really simply sort of like, I believe that was 2010. That’s, I’m reaching again right here a bit bit. So I believe Frederik on the time, Frederik Schreiber, the man who runs 3D Realms now, or I believe he nonetheless does, mainly he was remaking maps in the midst of Unreal Engine 3 of like a number of the unique Duke 3D maps and posting them on Gearbox boards, which I believe one in every of them that received numerous hits was like the entire 3D renders of like Hollywood Holocaust, which is like E1M1 for Duke 3D. That caught my consideration as properly. I used to be like, wow, that appears actually neat. , like I reached out on the boards, I used to be like, hey, do you want any music? Perhaps this may be enjoyable. Like, I actually preferred Duke 3D again within the day. And he stated, yeah, certain. , like if you wish to remake a number of the stuff and hand it off to me.
So I simply did a few of that. I simply had gear laying round and I wished to sort of learn to do that anyway. So I simply dove in head first and began sort of remaking a number of the previous Duke 3D tracks. That sort of spawned into, you already know, not so much, not so much was executed in Duke 3D Reloaded. It was similar to, you already know, like some odds and ends stuff. One way or the other that became Apogee, Terry Nagy, head looking us and saying, hey, I’ve an IP that I’d actually such as you to work on known as Rise of the Triad in case you guys need to give it a attempt. And he had an investor with him on the time who was named Dave Oshry And this was a really very long time in the past. And it’s loopy. Like all these folks now are like, you already know, on the, we have been all on the forefront of just like the retro FPS revival stuff.
However mainly after Duke 3D Reloaded, yeah, Apogee got here, stated, hey, we’re . And Fred stated sure on our facet. And we began making Rise of the Triad 2013.
TA: It was humorous you talked about Dave Oshry as a result of once I lastly received an interview with him, I believe it was simpler for me to fulfill Iron Maiden than get that interview, however after getting that executed, I had New Blood coated. I just lately additionally interviewed Nightdive about The Factor, however I wanted to finish the trifecta for boomer shooters: Andrew Hulshult. Now that’s lastly taking place.
We each snicker.
TA: I bear in mind in a previous interview you probably did, you talked about how once you have been doing the 3D realm stuff, you weren’t conscious of how a lot you have been in demand within the trade. So when that door closed, abruptly you had like a, like hundreds of alternatives and stuff like that. However, and clearly you’ve gone on to do a few of like some large titles since then. Clearly Doom Everlasting DLC is the one which lots of people take into consideration you. For me, it’s like different titles like Nightmare Reaper and Nightfall and stuff like that. I need to know the way you’ve modified as a musician and as an expert from again then to now.
AH: Oh, that’s an awesome query. Man, beginning off within the trade with, you already know, doing the entire stuff with Interceptor, like the place we have been, what we have been simply speaking about, it was a very recent expertise as a musician. So that you don’t know what you’re entering into. After which numerous occasions you’re like, I don’t even know what I ought to be getting paid, you already know, like you have got an concept, however you’re not, you don’t know. And so like wading by way of these waters is fascinating and likewise harmful territory. However the stuff that I’ve realized has been all from, you already know, tripping on agreements as you go ahead. You signal an settlement, you go for it, you make the cash, and on the again finish you’re both like, this didn’t actually work out, otherwise you’re like, hey, this labored out, we have to ensure that we do that once more, you already know.
It’s studying your complete time. As a result of that is the factor that I really feel like musicians get hung up on so much, which is, you already know, they only, they need to make actually, actually superior, lovely artwork for video games. And like, there’s completely nothing mistaken with that. It is best to, that ought to be the core precept that you simply do. However you need to just remember to receives a commission so as to proceed to do it. As a result of in any other case you burn your self out and also you don’t need to work within the trade anymore. And that, to return to what you have been speaking about with, I didn’t know the way a lot, like how in demand I used to be. I used to be proper at that time. I used to be about to stroll away from every part proper after the entire stuff with 3D Realms. I used to be executed with video games. I used to be like, you already know what, like there’s not numerous avenues right here and I’m simply getting extra bitter as time goes on. And the final handful of issues I’ve labored on have simply bombed so why am I placing all this effort into this?
I ought to try to do one thing else. And I didn’t notice till I stepped out from 3D Realms how many individuals wished to rent me. And like, it’s a type of bizarre issues the place like, I’m certain you’ll be able to most likely relate. When you have got a job, like a day job, in case you’ve ever simply held like a easy, easy day job, you will get sucked into that complete cycle of that job and nothing else issues round.
So an instance of this may be, I labored for a music retailer for about 15 years, okay. I used to be doing properly for them. They wished to provide me my very own shops. I used to be engaged on administration. And the cycle that comes with that the place you get so wrapped up within the enterprise of that makes you lose focus of a lot of different issues in life. And that’s sort of what occurred to me whereas I used to be working with 3D Realms. That’s nothing dangerous about them. It’s simply once you’re working for a corporation quite than working for your self, it turns into that.
From the begin to now has been like only a loopy studying course of. You do should stroll on landmines. You do should get blown up a few occasions till you determine what works and what doesn’t. Stepping out from 3D Realms after they stated, hey, we don’t have the money to pay you. It’s like, oh, okay, I suppose I’ll go determine this out now. After which swiftly, DUSK, you already know, like that’s actually the following factor that and AMID EVIL have been the very subsequent issues that I labored on. It was loopy.
TA: Clearly you get numerous questions on recreation music, however what’s like, because you introduced up this entire factor about the way you’ve modified, what’s the greatest false impression that folks each within the trade and just like the gamers have about video video games music proper now?
AH: The largest false impression. Oh, that anyone can do it and it’s a small half. laughs It’s like, you’ll be able to’t simply throw something in there. Like, man, it’s I’d say that from a public like standpoint of I don’t play video games that a lot and I’m informal sort of factor, a few of my buddies and a few of my household are like, you have got the simplest job. I’m like, you don’t have any f***ing concept. , stroll in my footwear for a day and let’s speak once more. Yeah, it’s actually tough since you, you actually should trick your self into entering into no matter ambiance or no matter world another person has painted already. Proper. Like they’ve already constructed every part out. That is their imaginative and prescient. You must step into it and you need to step into it with respect to their design philosophies. And also you additionally should have the arrogance to say, properly, that is what I believe we must always do and why we must always do it. And there’s numerous, there’s numerous social confidence that’s wanted to do a gig like this.
It’s complicated in numerous other ways. The artwork facet of it’s laborious sufficient, like pulling shit out of skinny air, is tough already, however then, um, explaining to folks why you need to go this path and typically even arguing to get that path generally is a problem in and of itself.
So yeah, I’d say the most important false impression is that it’s straightforward and that it’s not straightforward. I swear to God, so many occasions my buddies are like, ah, you’ve received the simplest job. I’m like, no, man, I dwell, I, I threw 100 pound bins from 6 AM to 4 PM. And typically I miss that.
Whiskey and occasional fueled half of the @RiseoftheTriad OST. Most songs have been composed between 9pm and 3am.
The extra you already know
— Andrew Hulshult (@AndrewHulshult) September 30, 2015
TA: So I additionally need to speak so much about your gear, however earlier than that, I believe we must always talk about a number of the recreation particular issues. So let’s begin with ROTT 2013. I’ve simply despatched you a tweet proper now, which I wished to reference. That is fairly an previous one (linked above). Nicely, I really didn’t know a lot about this soundtrack till just lately. I had heard about it and I had heard that numerous my buddies purchased that launch. They stated that it wasn’t that nice. I performed the unique on DOS however not the 2013 model, so I didn’t actually hear all of it in-game till the Ludicrous Version and when of us made an enormous deal about it having Andrew Hulshult’s music. I made a decision I wished to correctly attempt it then. I wished to speak about your thought course of between like, you already know, redoing these tracks and arising with your personal flare on them, as a result of anybody who, a minimum of any fan of yours, in the event that they hearken to that, they realize it’s your music. It’s not like, oh, this is rather like him doing a canopy of another person. It nonetheless feels prefer it’s you.
AH: The at the start factor was to be sure you respect your elders. I wished to ensure that no matter I did clearly served the fanbase and by proxy served every part that Lee Jackson had written. Lee Jackson and Bobby Prince, so far as I’m involved, that’s the de facto composers for FPS. The originators. You’re already entering into one thing properly established again within the day. Persons are very aware of this. If you happen to f*** it up, you might be toast. That was my first skilled gig. Entering into that sort of strain.
Simply actually what it got here to, it was all actually pure. I heard these songs and I noticed the sport and what they’re making and I’m like it’s kinda jank, however it’s enjoyable. It’s ridiculous. ROTT is so ridiculous. I used to be like man, I used to be speaking to Dave and Fred about it. What if we did like rock and steel stuff predominantly? That’s the sort of music I hearken to on a regular basis. They stated let’s attempt it. Even Terry was like it is best to do it.
Actually they only kinda gave me free reign to provide it a attempt on a few of these issues. The primary one I did as a demo to work on it was “Goin Down the Quick Approach” and I bear in mind I handed that to Terry. Terry is superior and he has been nice to me for my complete profession. By no means had a foul piece of recommendation from him. He’s the CCO for Apogee by the best way. I bear in mind handing him the very first demo of “Goin Down the Quick Approach”. His remark coming again to me was “It’s in the best path however it seems like a diarrhea of sound” As a result of it wasn’t combined appropriately. I used to be simply excited handy him one thing. I used to be like okay that is a type of moments the place I’m going to should learn to settle for suggestions even when it’s not from a musician and I do know that they imply properly. I remixed a few issues and I believe that is what he was speaking about and I despatched it again to him and he stated it was manner higher and it was superior. Okay cool, this man doesn’t simply hate me.
It sort of simply got here from the guts. All of the soundtracks I work on, it’s me. Even whether it is entering into another person’s footwear, I’ve to keep in mind that the supply materials comes first, then you definitely put your influences on. So the supply materials is the construction of the home however you’ll be able to put up no matter partitions you need and paint on it, and grasp and embellish, however simply ensure that the home continues to be the identical home that folks bear in mind.
Now to deal with the Tweet above, Whiskey and occasional fueled half of the Rise of the Triad soundtrack. Most songs have been composed between 9 p.m. and three a.m. That’s true. Right here’s one little tidbit with it too. Terry Nagy, the man I used to be speaking about, the CCO from Apogee, he would often take me all the way down to a bar known as Hula Palms. And he would purchase the drinks after which he would simply take me house and be like, “Alright, now go write some extra songs.” It was superior. I miss these days.
TA: This jogs my memory of that one observe in IDKFA the place you used a tremolo to duplicate a selected sound and it was the proper solution to do it.
AH: That was Darkish Halls in DOOM. It has the tremolo guitar that’s imagined to be the rolling bass synth from that sound. I like that music.
TA: After ROTT 2013, one other recreation I didn’t actually play till just lately was Bombshell and I actually solely purchased that recreation due to your soundtrack. I received it once I was researching boomer shooters for an article and was wanting on the video games I don’t personal. I purchased it and didn’t actually look after a lot of it, however the music was nice. I sort of consider that soundtrack with Nightmare Reaper the place they really feel like simply steel albums from Andrew Hulshult quite than devoted recreation soundtracks. Was this the purpose in your profession the place you realized you’re actually good at bringing steel into these sorts of video games? It felt like a turning level.
AH: That’s that’s an awesome query too like really yeah like proper round that point I used to be experimenting so much with simply you already know making huge atmospheric like synth stuff and like orchestral as you’ll be able to hear on that soundtrack in case you received far sufficient, laughs, but in addition like for the for the larger fights and stuff, I actually wished to begin dialing up you already know my very own sound and my very own writing and you already know I’d already executed the duvet stuff I wished to need to present folks what what I might do and so yeah that’s sort of actually the place my introduction to love my very own unique items began coming into place, so yeah that’s really proper. I by no means even thought of that that’s the place that began and likewise like I imply I gosh that’s if I give it some thought, that was 2013 is the tip of 2013 is when improvement began on that, and it initially began as a Duke Nukem recreation earlier than the lawsuit, and I had an eight string by that point. I used to be tuning down huge time at that time, and there’s numerous stuff that by no means made it perhaps I’ll put that up on Twitter in some unspecified time in the future however there’s numerous stuff that by no means by no means confirmed up on it as a result of it was a bit too aggressive you already know however that stuff would later present up in DOOM you already know. laughs
TA: When simply discovering your music a few years in the past, every part was actually good steel, and this was most likely across the time I used to be primarily listening to steel earlier than I began broadening my horizons. I went by way of this part once I was studying guitar and I began listening to extra Dream Theater after which received a seven string guitar, and ultimately received into Meshuggah. It received me eager about how once I hearken to your music now, you handle doing distinctive issues for every recreation and make the songs match the sport correctly. It isn’t simply steel anymore so there’s no fear about being typecast. Did you have got that concern that everybody is simply going to anticipate steel from you once you’re behind a selected soundtrack?
AH: Oh man. You simply saying that simply out loud makes me wow. I nonetheless fear about that typically. There are moments the place I’m like am I getting typecast at this level, and also you saying, yeah I don’t have to fret about that anymore, I’m like oh thank god I heard it from another person the place they have been you already know like, as a result of I don’t need to be like I don’t need to be like straight up often known as steel man you already know like I like steel I like taking part in it I’ll make these information all day lengthy as folks so long as folks will hearken to it and even when they received’t I’ll most likely make them, however yeah I like to color with completely different brushes like particularly once I grow old, like I actually take pleasure in mixing sound design with guitars.
I like mixing sound design with orchestral devices, I like simply going full hand on my Eurorack synth stuff over right here and simply getting misplaced. As a musician I’m lucky sufficient at this level the place I can simply experiment, and I do know I can discover, I’ve the arrogance now after engaged on all these video games and having some success with it the place I do know if I get misplaced I can discover a manner out as a result of I’ll discover one thing that I like, and likelihood is if I prefer it, I can most likely present it to some individuals who will dig it as properly. I’m so glad to listen to that you simply’re like I do know that I can get some selection. laughs
TA: I imply if somebody simply heard DUSK and I’d say in the event that they heard DUSK even that’s fairly completely different. I imply if somebody’s not into steel perhaps they assume nightfall sounds the identical as bombshell however you’ll be able to completely inform that DUSK was making an attempt to be like this center floor of what you want and 9 Inch Nails’ Quake. I believe it has one in every of my favourite guitar tones in gaming proper now, and it’s nonetheless fairly timeless. I need to transfer to AMID EVIL. I like the soundtrack to the principle recreation, however I need to ask concerning the DLC for 2 causes. Now the very first thing is sort of like a private matter as a result of I imagine you have been going by way of a household emergency throughout the time once you have been recording the soundtrack, proper? After I was taking part in Dragon Quest VIII on the 3DS and my grandfather was within the hospital earlier than he handed away, every time I take into consideration Dragon Quest VIII now it jogs my memory of that. So do you undergo the identical factor with the AMID EVIL DLC music?
AH: I don’t assume I’ve been in a position to sit down and digest it that manner but. However I do know precisely what you’re speaking about and I’m certain that’s what I’ll completely undergo. Yeah, to harp again to what you’re speaking about, to what you’re referencing, my father had a coronary heart assault. And it was simply out of nowhere. And it was on, gosh, I believe it was on New Yr’s Eve. It was like 9 PM on New Yr’s Eve. It was the yr earlier than it was launched And I used to be midway, I used to be like halfway by way of engaged on that soundtrack. And it simply scared the shit out of me. As anyone would. Your father’s dying And he ended up having like a, all 4 valves round his coronary heart have been like 90-95% clogged. So yeah, he needed to have a quadruple bypass. And fortunately, We’ve a very, actually good coronary heart hospital proper subsequent to us. They usually’re at an age now the place they’re on Medicare. I believe it’s Medicare. I can’t bear in mind. It’s like when you’re previous 64 at a sure age on this nation, you will get on Medicare. And you already know, like well being stuff isn’t as a lot of a nightmare because it usually is. However they received nice care, received taken care of. But it surely was months.
It took months for all that stuff to occur. And there’s like so many issues that occurred in between that. Like this was proper in the midst of COVID. So like every time he received, it was proper in the midst of the large Omicron spike for the world. In order quickly as he received admitted, he couldn’t get to an precise emergency room. He needed to sit in one other room for like two or three days they usually really needed to sedate him for just a few days earlier than they might switch him to a different hospital to get checked out. Prefer it was simply loopy. And I used to be out of my thoughts. I used to be loopy at that time. And so as soon as they received to a degree the place they stated we’re going to do surgical procedure and he got here out of surgical procedure, I simply wanted one thing to occupy myself. In any other case, I used to be going to self-destruct.
So I began writing so much on the AMID EVIL stuff and began actually discovering that previous like taking part in with a band and writing songs for you sort of vibe entering into. And numerous that stuff in a AMID EVIL, the stuff that’s like received numerous power behind it, that’s fairly private for me. There’s numerous feelings on that soundtrack. There’s additionally one thing else that I haven’t talked about in public but and I’m not going to speak about it right here that I began engaged on that has numerous that as properly. And that’ll nonetheless be some time earlier than that pops up. However I’d say that that was my fundamental outlet for some time. You’ve got one thing to look ahead to.
However yeah, like that soundtrack let’s wrap it up. That soundtrack did have numerous rigidity and numerous feelings tied to my father virtually passing away and me making an attempt to wrap my head round that. You’re proper. I hadn’t thought of that.
TA: The opposite factor concerning the AMID EVIL DLC is that this particular music I need to contact on: Splitting Time. This music is fascinating for just a few causes. It jogs my memory of a few of my favourite recreation trailers just like the music used within the Nioh 2 launch trailer, I’m unsure in case you’ve seen it. However extra fascinating than that’s I used to be taking part in Avenue Fighter 6 with a buddy of mine and listening to this within the background and he requested me if I used to be listening to Killer Intuition music? I stated it was the AMID EVIL DLC and he wished to know who made it. It jogged my memory fairly a little bit of Mick Gordon’s non DOOM music. We spoke about Killer Intuition and my buddy stated “they need to get Andrew for a brand new Killer Intuition album” and I wished to ask if Killer Intuition influenced that music?
AH: No I didn’t really. However there may be little hints of that forwards and backwards as a result of gosh, there are moments once I went again to that Killer Intuition reboot as a result of I believed Mick did such an awesome job on it. The place I’m like, man, the manufacturing right here is precisely what I’ve been making an attempt to do for like a handful of years, And like that soundtrack was simply actually inspiring to hearken to. I believe he’s simply, he’s a superb composer.
TA: That’s one other recreation I purchased due to the soundtrack as a result of once I performed DOOM 2016, I used to be like I must play extra video games with this man’s executed the music for and everybody was like Killer Intuition. I used to be like I’ve by no means heard this. I didn’t personal an N64. What the hell is that this recreation? I purchased it and preferred the music much more than the sport.
AH: That entire soundtrack slaps, man. He did a unbelievable job on that.
While you notice @AndrewHulshult put his entire bussy into the Nightmare Reaper OST as a substitute of saving it for DUSK 2 pic.twitter.com/tU1AsySok0
— Dave @ House (@DaveOshry) October 11, 2023
TA: OK, so now let’s go to Nightmare Reaper a bit. I already talked about how this could possibly be your personal steel album. I don’t even assume it must be associated to this recreation. And that is one other recreation I simply purchased as a result of the music was so good. And I used to be like there’s sort of like this disconnect between what I anticipated within the recreation and after I heard the music, as a result of I heard the music earlier than taking part in the sport and I used to be like, OK, I must get used to this. However so earlier than I ask you about your thought course of between doing the music, I need to simply carry up this different tweet (linked above) from New Blood’s Dave Oshry, which is fascinating for Nightmare Reaper. After I noticed that Tweet, I knew I needed to carry it up every time I interviewed you sooner or later and right here we’re.
Laughs
AH: Every time Bruno reached out to me, Bruno is the developer of Nightmare Reaper. Every time he reached out to me, we simply actually began speaking about a few of our favourite bands and we’d simply go off forwards and backwards as a result of he confirmed me a recreation that he was making. I used to be like, “That appears cool.” I used to be like, “Nicely, let me know in case you’re ever .” After which we simply began speaking about music. He’s like, “Would you be concerned with working with me on this?” And I stated, “Yeah, I believe that will be cool.” And he actually was like, “I simply need this to be like a steel report from you.” I used to be like, “Actually?” He was like, “Yeah.” He’s like, “You’ve received good influences.” He’s like, “I simply need it to sound such as you simply made a straight steel report.” I used to be like, “Nicely, it will possibly’t be simply that.” I used to be like, “But it surely’ll be largely that.” You continue to want to love, we have to, it must nonetheless be for a recreation. As a result of in any other case you’d have me, you already know, screaming over prime of every part as properly.
However yeah, it’s fairly near one thing I might have written at the moment. , as you go along with a, as time strikes on, tastes change. And you already know, however like at the moment, for certain, that’s what you’d have gotten for a steel report. I believe that’s fairly shut, yeah.
TA: How do you handle doing that and likewise conserving the soundtrack dynamic for a recreation then?
AH: Um, play by way of it numerous occasions the place you’ll be able to work out the place you’ll be able to have rests and lulls. And the place anyone’s gonna probably simply stroll round and search for issues. After which attempt to write one thing that you simply your self wouldn’t get tired of. And that’s nonetheless fascinating by way of like, you already know, like an ambient observe or like a low power observe that also strikes a bit bit. Simply music to discover to, proper? After which try to make a bit that enhances what that’s, however is tremendous excessive power or, uh, simply larger power for it. So like, in order that these two can work collectively. You actually have to consider it as like, you’re gluing two or three completely different items collectively. As a result of like Prodeus has like three items.
It has an ambient, it has a light-weight fight, and it has a heavy fight. They usually’re structured in triggers all through that recreation. So I’ve to consider how this ambient works with this low fight music after which work with this excessive fight music. Or this heavy fight music. And do all of them transfer properly between one another, um, in case you have been to simply crossfade them at random occasions, you already know? As a result of that’s what the engine goes to do. So yeah, it’s like, I don’t know, you simply, you gotta take a type of items of music, construct it out first, after which take into consideration the opposite piece.
TA: Because you introduced up Prodeus, that was the following recreation I used to be going to ask about. I don’t even bear in mind what occurred with Prodeus when it launched on Steam, as a result of I bear in mind being despatched a code for it and simply tried it out for overview, however was blown away by the music. I bear in mind I even joked about that when I wrote about boomer shooters. On the time, it felt like every part boomer shooters was all about New Blood, Nightdive, and Andrew Hulshult. So Prodeus seems like steel, industrial, bass heavy, and punchier typically. It really works properly with the aesthetic however I believe Cables and Chaos is my favourite. You’ve spoken so much about Prodeus, however I wished to know what your favourite observe is from that and whether or not you can provide us an fascinating anecdote from composing which individuals won’t find out about?
AH: Cables and Chaos is unquestionably my favourite one. Like, for certain. Like, that was the second. Um, so, like, they initially solely wished me to work on, like, the music that first shipped. Not lots of people know that I went by way of, like, this entire nightmare the place I needed to pull your complete soundtrack down throughout your complete, like, all this digital distribution and put it again up with all of the songs as a result of initially there was solely, like, ten items of music with Prodeus. After which after they have been getting nearer to launch they have been like, “Hey, we need to… we need to… we would like, like, ten extra.” And I used to be like, “Oh, uh, okay. Nicely, I’ve already put out the soundtrack.
We already agreed on this, so that is bizarre.” So, um, they confirmed me what else they have been engaged on by way of, like, the degrees and every part that I hadn’t seen and I used to be like, “Good lord, these look unimaginable!” So I received actually impressed with that and made a ton of actually simply extra aggressive items of music which became issues like Chaoscaster, Cables and Chaos, uh…I’m simply making an attempt to consider the opposite ones. Dystopian Dimension.
That entire soundtrack is superior. Like, that entire soundtrack, like, it was in-built an fascinating time the place it’s…it was… half of it was pre-pandemic and the opposite half was throughout isolation throughout pandemic. So, it’s received these actually fascinating tangents of, uh, the second half of the report’s far more aggressive than the primary half. Simply because, like, I don’t know, I used to be at house and I’m like, I can’t get something out. Like, by way of my outlet, I can’t exit. I can’t do that. So, like, all of my power was centered on how aggressive can I make the remainder of this, you already know? Like, after which we lastly get to place it out. I believe that was 2022.
Right here’s one factor from Prodeus that I believed was tremendous neat. So, Spent Gas is without doubt one of the solely occasions that I’ve been…Nicely, it was one of many first occasions I’d executed it in the mean time. The place I’d taken an concept and I used to be like, how do I write an idea round this? And actually, like, the map they confirmed me was simply, you already know, inexperienced sludge and radiated bullshit in all places. It seemed like Chernobyl. And, um…I used to be like, man, I actually need to discover methods to take issues like Geiger counters, uh, and, uh, pulses from, from, uh, from fission reactions and, like, perhaps even the sound of the, uh, the flash that occurs within the video every time they’re testing the atomic bomb stuff. Like, something that’s gamma or uh, radiation that’s audible, I need to take that and make a bit of music with it. So, there actually are all of these issues in that piece of…that piece of music. So, there’s the sound of a nuclear reactor turning on, doing what’s known as a pulse, uh, for the primary time. And that’s really utilized in a part of the beat. The Geiger counters used as parts of the beat that sort of seems like a drum machine a bit bit.
I reversed the sound of, uh, the atomic bomb, the preliminary flash hitting the digicam, making this “bzzz” sound. I reversed that and made it pulse forwards and backwards by way of the beat. After which, you already know, afterward the music is like numerous guitar stuff to go along with it and every part, however all that stuff that’s happening with the synthesizer is all primarily based round, you already know, like radiation. And I used to be like, “Ah, that is cool!”
Every time I received executed with it, I used to be like, “Lastly!” I had an concept, like an idea concept for a bit of music that stems from like an actual life factor and put all of it collectively. In order that was like, that’s one of many standout moments for me on that soundtrack. I used to be actually happy with that.
TA: Are you able to say something concerning the DLC music or is that simply as much as the devs for them to launch?
AH: Uh, that’s as much as the devs for them.
TA: Something that’s completely different or fascinating or ought to we simply anticipate one other banger soundtrack?
AH: I’m unsure in the event that they’re going to make use of the bottom recreation stuff or if they need me to work on something new. I’ve my suspicions that they’ll give me a shout most likely someplace within the close to future, however I haven’t heard from them but.
TA: I believe in a latest interview the place you spoke concerning the Iron Lung soundtrack, which you’re doing, clearly you’ll be able to’t speak a lot about it, however I, don’t need to know concerning the soundtrack particularly, I’ll await the film to come back out, however I need to know three issues: How is it engaged on a film soundtrack? How is it working with Markiplier? How has the funds accessible for the soundtrack modified the way you’re in a position to method music composition?
AH: So the primary one was, how’s it engaged on a film soundtrack? Fully completely different. Like, I believed that, I believed that I’d have the ability to stroll in and simply be like, “Eh, this received’t, this’ll be easy.” Oh. Like, it’s simply as difficult as the sport stuff, however in a very completely different path. The place I might know precisely to speak to a developer about “Let’s put a bit of music right here, let’s put a bit of music right here, let’s do this.” I can do this with Mark, however they’re fully completely different conversations. One is, you already know, I do know precisely what’s imagined to be taking place within the recreation right here, that is, you already know, you’re choosing up this weapon, otherwise you’re, this journey is occurring in entrance of you, that is the tone. The opposite is a movie that I’ll get one thing out of, however Mark could also be intending for a special emotion. So we’ve got to speak about these issues forwards and backwards earlier than I make a bit of music. So it’s actually fascinating. It’s a enjoyable problem, to be sincere with you.
The second was working with Mark? Mark is superior. He’s a lot enjoyable to work with. He hears issues that I don’t hear, uh, brings issues up in, in my very own music, the place I’m like, “Oh, I didn’t even take into consideration that.” And he’s very a lot, um, a musician with out, like, being a musician. Like, he doesn’t, he doesn’t write, like, so far as I do know, he doesn’t write a bunch of music, like, on the common, however he understands it very, very properly. And can, uh, often make selections once I hand him a bit of music, and he’s like, “Okay, that is, you already know, typically we should reduce these forwards and backwards, however I promise you, like, like, to make it work for a scene.” He’s like, “However I promise you, we’ll do it as finest as we are able to, or I’ll do it as finest as I can.” I’m like, “Uh, you already know, like, perhaps I ought to simply recompose the scene.” And each time he cuts one thing to, like, probably make it, like, a tiny bit shorter, I’m like, “No, that’s precisely what I might have executed. Like, how are you this good at enhancing these things?” Like, it’s, it blows my thoughts. Um, so he’s been unbelievable to work with.
The third is concerning the funds for the film soundtrack and the way it adjustments the way it impacts composition? Budgets have been so much greater. I’ll simply, I’ll simply hold it at that. They have been, they have been, they have been a lot greater. Um, simply due to how a lot, it wasn’t, like, because of, um, you already know, like, “Oh, you’re engaged on a movie now.” It was, it was due to how a lot music we went by way of. Um, I wrote demos with them on the set. So, like, they flew me all the way down to Austin and Mark stated, “Hey, you already know, why don’t you simply write music whereas I’m doing scenes?” I’m like, “Wow, that sounds really actually, actually f***ing cool, yeah.” So, I might go down there about as soon as each two weeks and spend about two or three days there, simply sitting at, uh, sitting out entrance whereas they’re, they’re doing scenes, and I’d be writing music with my headphones, simply watching on a monitor, you already know, what’s happening in entrance of me, like, 50 ft in entrance of me. And so, there was a ton of music from that, and there’s much more music that got here afterwards that we wrote, and in reality, um, I’m really about to leap on a name as a result of I believe they want yet one more, yet one more piece of music.
I’m gonna bounce on a name in like two hours, ’trigger I believe they want yet one more piece of music. Um, however it’s, it’s simply been so much. There’s so much there. And it’s choosing the feelings that go the place. So, like, there can be, I wrote all these songs for, you already know, um, catching a vibe of melancholy, and these songs for catching a vibe of anger, and these vibes for rigidity, and this, and this, and we’ve got this large palette to simply select from and choose the place we would like issues to go, and that’s what, that’s what Mark’s been doing. So, yeah, it’s, it’s just about, I imply, financially, the very same factor as, that I might agree on with video games, however it’s simply, there’s the amount that, like, we’ve executed with stuff is like, whoa, that’s so much! So, yeah.
So, yeah, it’s been nice. It’s helped me out a ton. I’d like to work with Mark once more after this.
TA: Going out of your first film soundtrack, let’s discuss your first chiptune album, which was Nightfall 82. So, was that truly the primary time you probably did any form of chiptune remixing or composition or association, I ought to say?
AH: Yeah, the primary actual one, like, I imply, like, you would, you would argue that, like, the Rad Rodgers stuff has a few of that on there, however that’s, like, nearer to synth wave greater than the rest, I really feel like. And, like, that sort of retro really feel. So, yeah, this was the primary actual time that I, like, approached, like, a chiptune. Like, that is, you need to keep inside these boundaries of restricted know-how. And it was actually, like, you already know, select your, select your sine wave. Would you like, you need sine, or select your audio wave. Would you like sine, sq., or, you already know, triangle? So, it’s one of many three. Simply constructing, like, drum kits primarily based off of that and, like, white noise and every part. And, yeah, that was, that was fascinating.
Like, when David approached me about that, I used to be like, “You wanna do what?” , like, fully make, like, the Nightfall soundtrack and chiptunes of, like, why don’t we simply, like, select a handful of, like, the hits and go from there. Like, those that folks bear in mind probably the most, you already know? And that was enjoyable. Uh, that was tremendous cool. Simply bouncing these forwards and backwards off Dave and David. However, yeah, that was, that was the primary time I ever did that. And it was, it was fairly cool. I’m glad folks prefer it.
TA: I believe, uh, Nightfall 82 was, like, this free pre-order bonus with the Nintendo Change launch. So once I began taking part in that, I used to be like, “Wait, did they really do that for the soundtrack?” After which I seemed it up and I’m like, “In fact they did!” I do know clearly you’re, like, tremendous busy with, like, a ton of tasks, however in case you had, like, limitless time and sources, would you do a chiptune demake of any of your different albums? And in case you would, which one would you choose?
AH: Gosh. Which one can be probably the most fascinating is absolutely the, uh, the query there. I believe the one that will be probably the most fascinating if I have been to do this can be most likely AMID EVIL. As a result of there’s a lot happening in a few of these, it will be, it will be numerous enjoyable to return and, like, hear a few of these melodies which are, like, on, like, all string sections and stuff, and right here I’m taking all the best way all the way down to, like, 8-bit, you already know? I believe that that will match rather well too. However yeah, if cash wasn’t a difficulty. Yeah, and time. Time’s the most important one there.
TA: Talking of money and time, I used to be going to ask you about remastering one in every of your previous soundtracks, like bringing it to the trendy Andrew Hulshult sound. You talked about that you simply’d do ROTT 2013 in the event that they paid you to remaster it.
AH: There’s a ton of labor concerned in that. Doing that only for IDKFA was a ton of labor. Like, that was months of getting that collectively. Um, yeah, I’d love to do this for ROTT if Apogee can be concerned with it, however, like, it’s a time factor greater than the rest. I believe it’s a time factor for them, and it’s a time factor for me. I imply, they’re actually down the road, so, like, they’ll open up that dialog anytime they need, and it’s only a matter of when, you already know? When’s the best time.
TA: WRATH: Aeon of Break, I believe is a recreation you composed a very long time in the past, a minimum of in gaming, like, just a few years in the past, and it lastly launched this yr. That’s a soundtrack the place if anybody hears it, I believe they most likely wouldn’t anticipate it to be you after they hearken to the soundtrack, and that’s one of many issues I like about it, as a result of right here, like, he does extra than simply steel, like, it’s essential get that into your head, like, that seems like a type of issues. How was it engaged on that soundtrack?
AH: It was fascinating forwards and backwards. Jeremiah, the developer on that, the unique developer, at first, I believe he’ll be okay with me saying this, at first we didn’t, we didn’t see eye to eye on issues, as a result of I wished straight up, like, virtually no guitar in any respect, Quake, Like, that is what you’re going for, that is the viewers, we have to harp even additional into this, and he wished some guitar combined in there, and like, we might butt heads forwards and backwards on it fairly a bit, till we lastly got here to love a mutual understanding, and I began listening to him out a bit bit extra, and he began listening to me out, and I used to be like, okay, okay, I believe we’re all good on this.
However yeah, it was, that one was a bit, a bit extra robust, simply because the, like, the event cycle was, wasn’t, you already know, as folks know, like, didn’t, it didn’t go as nice, like, in direction of about midway by way of, perhaps a bit, even a bit sooner than that, and I might see a few of that occuring in actual time, simply because I do know all these guys, so like, it was unavoidable.
In order that’s, that’s laborious to make artwork for when you already know that the product itself is having some issues. However I believe Christalynne Pyle did a superb job with wrapping every part up in direction of the tip of it, which was a job in and of itself, for certain. However, I don’t know, there have been some bizarre concepts pitched on the market at one level, the place like, I believe Fred wished like, like straight up, like actually excessive steel tracks at one level. I believe they even had a trailer at one level the place I used to be like, this isn’t the tone of this recreation. I don’t know the place you guys discovered that music, however like, that is, this isn’t that.
However I’m glad that every part in the long run was in a position to have some cohesiveness and, and meld collectively. I actually want that we had time to do some motion tracks, like, for that recreation. Like, I really feel like there are moments the place that might have, that might have been useful, but in addition on the identical time, that’s an enormous what if. , like, as a result of there’s two issues that you need to take into accounts. Which is, that’s the Quake engine. It’s just like the OG Quake engine. , what are the constraints that we’re working with right here? Can we dynamically swap music, and is it going to work properly, simply in addition to you’ve heard in different titles? And quantity two, um, would that take folks out of it?
As a result of all people remembers just like the OG Quake having like, you already know, each map had its music. Nicely, I say that. It was a disc operating that simply performed a bunch of music. However mainly, each map had a music for it. So, yeah, there’s, there’s a handful of issues there. However I just like the soundtrack. I believe it’s cool. I believe it’s, it’s, it’s received some actually fascinating moments in it the place like, one in every of them the place I used to be, I simply stated, “F*** it, no matter. We’re gonna, we’re gonna bow a guitar by way of a bunch of pedals and see what that comes out like.” That’s one in every of my favourite items from that. I believe that’s in direction of the tip. However, um, yeah, it was a bit little bit of a battle, however I’m glad I nonetheless went by way of it. I had enjoyable, and I believe that everyone that labored on it was fairly happy with it by the tip.
TA: Now, DOOM Everlasting’s DLC. How did it really feel for you doing IDKFA and now doing official DOOM music? Like, it’s your soundtrack with David Levy? Did id Software program really speak to you about IDKFA beforehand?
AH: I do know that IDKFA was, was handed round that studio a complete bunch, trigger I, I’d get, um, DMs from those who work there that at the moment are, like, I take into account nice buddies, the place they might attain out in, like, 2015, and 2016, and, like, all the best way again as 2014, the place they might be saying, you already know, hey, I’m working at id proper now, I simply need you to know that I’m listening to your, to your music whereas I work, and I used to be all the time similar to, oh, holy cow, that’s loopy, you already know? Um, and I, you already know, way back to that, I used to be similar to, hey, in case you ever, you already know, in case you ever, in case you ever want music, let me know, you already know? So, however, like, by no means, by no means, you already know, like, pushing like, the button or the boundaries, trigger like, I believe it was introduced that Mick was engaged on there in, like, 2015? Like, it was just like the yr earlier than, or one thing like that, after they actually began displaying a number of the music, and I used to be like, oh, they’ve, they’ve, they’ve received that dealt with, okay, cool. So, um, however I used to be all the time concerned with, to find a, a solution to work with that studio, trigger I like DOOM, and, like, it’s actually is, like, the core of my DNA desirous to work in video games, is DOOM, and like, Duke 3D, um, so, yeah,
I all the time wished to work with them, and IDKFA, I kinda checked out virtually as a resume, like, I used to be like, I’m gonna put this on the market, if it will get standard sufficient, it’ll converse for itself, and it did precisely that, as a result of, uh, in, gosh, that was, that was proper at, like, quarter one, quarter two of 2020, when, after they approached me, I believe it was, really it was, I believe it was quarter two of 2020, and stated, hey, we, uh, we’re able the place we want, we want music, the place we want music, and, uh, we want it rapidly, and would you be as much as the duty for this? They totally have been, they knew what they have been asking was, was a tall order, in a brief time period, they usually stated, you already know, we are able to completely use the bottom recreation stuff, however we wished to a minimum of attain out and, and ask you, as a result of we, we really feel like we are able to belief you, trigger I, I’d made relationships with, with, uh, with Marty, some mild ones with Hugo, with Chad Mossholder, their sound man, I knew all of these folks by then, and, um, I used to be like, hey, you already know what, it’s, it’s like 35 or 40 days, f*** it, we, let’s do it, it was like, this seems like a problem, I’m completely up for it, and, you already know, I needed to hold my composure your complete time, however within the inside I’m like, oh my god, you already know, like, I’m engaged on an official DOOM recreation, uh, and when, however once we received executed with that, like, I don’t know, it’s a type of bizarre moments the place you go, holy cow, we went from, uh, you already know, a mod undertaking, uh, all the best way to the official factor, and it’s simply, it’s insane, it’s, it’s loopy, I hold operating into these parts of my profession, I hope they by no means cease, there are, one thing all the time surprises me like that.
TA: I believe it’s secure to imagine that lots of people who inform you they love your music carry up Blood Swamps from DOOM Everlasting’s DLC. As a result of I believe each particular person I see on YouTube is like, everybody’s simply doing Blood Swamps, it looks as if the most well-liked factor and all, and for you that’s most likely a bizarre feeling as a result of you have got this music which lots of people love or one thing which you’re actually happy with, however you’ll be able to’t stream it or purchase it legally. Are you able to touch upon that in any kind? What do you inform individuals who ask about shopping for your music from DOOM Everlasting’s DLC?
laughs
AH: Nicely, Bethesda and id personal all that stuff, they paid me properly for it, so like I used to be blissful to do all that, um, that’s not like a bullshit PR factor, like, for actual, they took care of me. They personal all that, so you already know, in the event that they, in the event that they ever select to place that stuff out, that will be superior, I’d completely embrace it and get behind it with that, however typically studios do this, typically they don’t, and it’s simply fully as much as their name, however I’ll inform you that they haven’t any drawback with you, you already know, grabbing it off YouTube or something like that, so do this to your coronary heart’s content material, throw it in your cellphone, no matter you need to do, they only, they’re simply glad that you simply just like the stuff, and so am I, to be sincere, however hey, hopefully someday we are able to get an official launch, like, that will be cool.
TA: Yeah, as a result of I’ve the DOOM 2016 vinyl soundtrack, and I’d like to have DOOM Everlasting music on vinyl as properly. Anyway that’s one thing I’ve been eager about as a result of it’s most likely a tough state of affairs so that you can be in, as a result of folks would who need to assist you, like, clearly they’ll purchase DOOM Everlasting and purchase the DLC and stuff like that, however it’s an unlucky state of affairs for followers, is all, like, I’ll depart it at that.
AH: It’s not likely like a bizarre state of affairs in any respect. I’m completely okay with no matter, Bethesda and id need to do with that, as a result of they have been fully up entrance, they’re like, we’re gonna personal this, what we select to do with that’s…Yeah, yeah, and I used to be like, yeah, that’s positive, I simply need to assist, I need to make like, a cool DLC for everyone that’s caught at house, and I need to write like, some kick-ass music for it. And, so there’s no emotions of like, you already know, oh, that is bizarre as a result of this isn’t out, or something like that.
I do know persons are gonna rip it out of the sport, I do know, like, so do they, and like, that’s positive. However, you already know, hopefully, I wish to see an official launch someday, however that’s fully as much as them, and I’ll respect no matter they need to do, as a result of they’ve been nothing however superior.
TA: Now let’s simply discuss Blood Swamps for a bit, as a result of like, everybody loves the riffs and stuff like that, so, what was your thought course of in creating that music? Did they ask you to make one thing that match with the bottom recreation or inform you to simply go wild and be Andrew with the music?
AH: They instructed me to go wild and simply be me, which I used to be like, that felt fairly harmful to me, as a result of I used to be like, man, the, you already know, what’s established right here from Mick? I’m like, that’s fairly robust. Like, that’d be like anyone strolling into one other DUSK soundtrack, you already know, like, for the Indie Shooter, after which being like, we’re gonna do all synthwave, you already know, like, no, that’s not how that works. You must serve what got here earlier than you. You must present respect to what got here earlier than you. And that’s actually necessary for the followers earlier than anyone else. Doesn’t matter with an govt producer, doesn’t matter with the musician, doesn’t matter with the artist. It’s for the followers. Like, you need to ensure that no matter you’re going to do goes to, they’re gonna go, okay, cool, yeah, I perceive, you already know, why you selected this. So actually, for me, it after they have been like, hey, you simply be you, do no matter you need, what you assume serves Doom the most effective. I used to be like, properly, that’s a no brainer. I’m gonna, I’m gonna, you already know, I’m gonna supply some inspiration from 2016 and Everlasting, after which write what I might need to write.
So, the colours that I’m portray with are acquainted, however the writing that I’m utilizing, what I’m utilizing to color, or the image I’m portray is completely different. So there’s some familiarity there. As a result of, you already know, like, Blood Swamps is sort of a bit completely different than stuff that you’d hear on 2016 or Everlasting. It’s a bit bit extra, that is, uh, that is like virtually like a conventional steel music. And like, in reality, uh, I bear in mind handing that over to Chad the primary time and him being like, “Oh, steel. Alright.” And I used to be like, “Actually? That’s like, you’re shocked. However, um, the, uh, it’s just a bit bit extra virtually conventional. However, um, yeah, there’s, like, it was good having David and Chad to bounce stuff off of. As a result of the place I might hand them one thing, like Blood Swamps was initially like simply guitar, simply, simply bass, and simply drums. And it began, I began including issues in at, uh, after speaking to, um, to Chad and David fairly a bit. The place they might be like, you already know, “Have you considered any sound design stuff?” I’m like, “Nicely, what did you, you already know, what are you considering? Present me the devices that you simply’re working with and, you already know, like, let’s simply speak stuff out.”
We’d have like hour lengthy conversations each single day. And we’d all simply be taught from one another. It was, it was so cool. However, yeah, like Blood Swamps comes from a degree, I simply bear in mind, I’ve to jot down one thing that if that is the one DOOM recreation I work on, it must be simply, like, manner on the market. Like, I’ve to, I’ve to, I’ve to simply take my shot. And it has, I’ve to tear out the entire boundaries which are like, “Hey, ought to I do that? Shouldn’t I do that? Who provides a f***?” Simply, simply simply write the quickest, most aggressive factor that you can imagine at this time limit, and we’ll go from there. And that’s what, that’s what Blood Swamps was. After which every part else got here after it, I used to be like, “Okay.” It was like, “We will do various things now.” ?
TA: I believe you talked about the way you had just a few weeks to do the DLC soundtrack, however since you had the assist system of these two, it was all potential in the long run. I believe you talked about that in one of many different interviews.
AH: Yeah, as a result of David was dealing with, like, on the primary DLC, he was dealing with the cutscene work, and he had his personal, like, stuff the place he was engaged on a boss, and a stage, after which I received these two ranges, so that they break up up the work evenly between us on each DLCs. And there’d be so many occasions the place I’d name David or Chad and simply be like, “Hey, how are you doing at this time?” ? And one in every of us can be like, “Oh my God, I don’t know the place to go.” ? And we’d simply speak forwards and backwards, and someway we might give one another concepts. It was magical. Like, it was loopy. Simply after speaking to David, if I had nothing in my head on what I ought to write, after speaking to David or to Chad, I’d be like, “I do know what I must do now.” It was cool.
TA: Going again to IDKFA a bit, you talked about how a lot work you needed to put into revisit and, like, Remaster the unique soundtrack. What did you consider revisiting these songs? Like, did you’re feeling like, you already know, perhaps I ought to have executed one thing in another way? Or have been you want, “No, I’m proud of this. I simply need to protect it for followers of IDKFA.”
AH: Yeah, it was extra of a, it was a bit tiny little bit of, “I need to do issues a bit in another way.” However, like, I’m speaking to actually, actually small levels. It was extra about preservation than the rest. And if one thing was being damaging whereas making an attempt to protect it, these have been the issues that I might attempt to get rid of. An instance of that’s there was numerous compression on the unique IDKFA. Simply because I used to be nonetheless in my early 20s at that time, early to mid 20s at that time, mixing in an house that isn’t, like, acoustically sound or something like that. So I’m making combine selections that aren’t the best, however nonetheless maintain up. Like, that album nonetheless sounds nice, however simply a number of the compression facet, like, on the grasp of it, is a bit aggressive.
So once I went again this time round, I really went by way of each single a type of songs one after the other and simply gave it a bit bit extra head room, a bit bit extra respiration room, in order that in case you hearken to it sufficient occasions, you’re not going to get, like, ear fatigue or one thing like that. That’s actually what I used to be involved about. And that’s the entire Doom 1 stuff from the unique IDKFA all received that remedy the place the brink has been raised just a bit bit in order that it sounds a bit bit extra open and pure. And I changed a pair snares right here and there, and perhaps like a kick drum and a bass, however they’re so small I nonetheless haven’t seen anyone discover them.
TA: It is best to revisit Metallica’s St. Anger and do that for all of the followers.
AH: It’s not possible to repair that! laughs There’s been bands which have executed that. I’ve re-recorded that complete report and I see it on YouTube now and again. I’m like that is… this may have been a cool report if it will have sounded okay, and perhaps some construction adjustments have been completely different, however yeah, it’s no matter.
TA: I believe when Metallica did Dying Magnetic, they’d the Guitar Hero Metallica stems which individuals used to combine it higher than the precise album. How does this hold taking place?
AH: James attests to it. These guys are so huge that they legitimately have closing say on every part that they do. So every time they’re touring and you have already got Tinnitus and also you’re mixing in a tent, I bear in mind them speaking about “Yeah, no shit, the guitars are brilliant.” I used to be listening to mixes in a tent and making combine selections on the highway. I’m like, “Oh, that makes much more sense now.” Like, oh my god. As a result of the Guitar Hero mixes do sound manner higher.
TA: This jogs my memory of once I watched Deafheaven and the way wonderful they sounded dwell. You’ve got so many bands that launch albums with brickwall mastering ruining the sound of an in any other case good album. It’s a disgrace that some bands don’t get exterior assist for issues like mastering.
AH: Yeah, it’s…I imply I nonetheless do my very own mastering stuff so I’m the beginning and end with all my stuff however I completely get it every time I see a band that has a report that’s simply fully smashed. I’m like, “Yeah.” If I used to be only a musician who actually knew the right way to play guitar and that’s about it or actually knew the right way to play drums and that’s about it, I perceive how this occurs. It’s only a bunch of fellows within the room going, “Louder! This must be louder.” laughs
TA: So that you revisited IDKFA’s unique DOOM 1 music, however you additionally did virtually a whole Doom II soundtrack. I believe there was one observe which was on YouTube or two tracks. While you have been doing these new songs, how did it really feel for you as a result of now you’ve come up to now forward as a musician and did you’re feeling tempted to make it a contemporary Andrew Hulshult album versus making an attempt to be Doom II? How did you method that?
AH: Man. This entire IDKFA factor with id’s blessing has been an unimaginable expertise. It seems like I’m closing a chapter of my profession with the followers as a result of IDKFA is what received me so many roles and a lot recognition beforehand. Nicely, IDKFA and Rise of the Triad, however IDKFA was an enormous one and I nonetheless get folks which are like devs that attain out which are like, “I do know you from the DOOM stuff.” And I’m like, “What? DOOM Everlasting?” They’re like, “No, IDKFA. I performed that DOOM WAD.” And I’m like, “Oh my god.” So I nonetheless get jobs due to that. So every time I sat down… Every time Marty Stratton despatched me an e-mail a few yr and a half in the past to ask if I had time to sit down down at QuakeCon final yr and discuss some issues, I used to be like, “Uh oh. One thing’s both gone terribly mistaken or he simply desires to hang around.”
So we sat down and he was like, “Hey.” He’s like, “I’ve an concept.” And I used to be like, “What’s that?” He’s like, “What if we offer you a license for the DOOM soundtrack for IDKFA so as to put that out on the entire streaming platforms your self and do no matter you need and also you give us a license to do with what we’re engaged on, which was the DOOM and DOOM II remasters.” And I used to be like, “That sounds cool.” I used to be like, “I’d like to lastly get that out on official websites and every part.” And he was like, “Oh, it’s superior.” He’s like, “I hoped you’d say that as a result of this may simply be so cool to have this as a selectable factor. Wish to go from the Bobby Prince to this if folks wished to.” And I used to be like, “Yeah.” And I’ve been doing that with soundtracks just lately anyhow.
About midway by way of that entire factor, we have been simply buying and selling struggle tales concerning the trade and simply getting alongside. And I used to be having a blast. I used to be considering, “Man, that is actually going to be closing a chapter in my profession.” I used to be getting a bit emotional. I used to be like, “I’ll inform you what.” I used to be like, “I’ll do you one higher.” I used to be like, “Why don’t we end DOOM II and make it the actual deal?” Folks have requested for it endlessly. I’m like, “That might actually poke my viewers.” They’d be like, “Holy shit! Doom 2 is lastly completed!” And he was like, “If you happen to’re up for it, yeah, completely.” He’s like, “We’ll get you a license for something that you simply do on that as properly so as to put that out as properly.”
So, yeah. It was…strolling into doing DOOM II was a lot enjoyable. Each step of the best way. Adam Pyle, the man that labored with me on Quake Champions, was the man that I bounced all my mixes off of. He instructed me initially, he stated, “Hey, you already know, do no matter you need.” He’s like, “It’s you. It’s the explanation folks need to hearken to it, so I don’t actually have a lot of a say.” I used to be like, “Bullshit!” I used to be like, “You labored with me on Quake Champions. I’m going to bounce each combine that I do off of you, and I need to hear suggestions from you.” It’s like, “I respect your opinion as a result of we received stuff like we did on Quake Champions as a result of we talked forwards and backwards.” So we did. I’d ship him… I’d end Working from Evil and ship it to him, and he’d go, “This sounds nice, or, you already know, like, what in case you did this?” It was solely a pair occasions the place he was like, “What in case you did this?” I used to be like, “Oh!” They have been all the time cool concepts. However I actually respect Adam’s capacity to throw out issues now and again. He’s only a nice particular person to bounce mixes off of. So, simply doing these one after one other and attending to the tip of it.
As soon as it was all wrapped up, I’m not going to lie, as soon as it was all collectively, I used to be simply in my workplace and I used to be like, “Oh my god!” Having a second the place I had a grown man cry the place I used to be like, “I can’t imagine that that is taking place. I can’t imagine that, primary, I’m going to be a part of the unique DOOM in an official capability. Quantity two, they’re going to ask me to speak at QuakeCon, like, dwell on stage and announce every part. And quantity three, they gave me a license for all these things in order that I can put it out and I can really make some cash off of it. That doesn’t occur with an enormous studio. They don’t simply go, “Right here’s the soundtrack. Have enjoyable.”
I don’t know. It’s simply nonetheless so loopy. It hasn’t actually sunk in for me nonetheless. I’m nonetheless in that bizarre spot the place I’m like, “Yeah, that is on the market. We’re selling it.” And as soon as that’s over, I’m certain I’ll be like, “Oh my god.” , like, “Holy cow.” But it surely’s been enjoyable.
The DOOM II stuff, I wished it to be one thing a bit bit extra recent on the place I’m at as an artist. I didn’t need it to be precisely like IDKFA, like the unique DOOM I stuff. As a result of if I have been to do this, I’d have to return and fully remix all of DOOM I stuff, which I used to be like, “No, that must be preserved. Folks know what that’s.” So you’ll be able to’t contact that. That’s already executed. So I believed, “Okay, properly what if I simply gave them how I might do DOOM II proper now?” Which is precisely what it’s. All that stuff is like, “Yeah, f*** yeah.” These are the precise selections that I might make with synths, with guitars, with drums. I believe every part slams. I believe it sounds nice. So it’s only a image from 2011, 2012 with the unique IDKFA. It received formally launched in 2016, however it began engaged on it way back to again. So it’s an image of the place I used to be as a musician, that far again. After which this one is an image of 2024. So that you get it’s sort of like a time capsule.
TA: Was The Healer Stalks one of many new songs as a result of it undoubtedly seems like trendy Andrew Hulshult?
AH: Yeah, that was the second written. I believe I virtually went in chronological order doing that complete soundtrack.
TA: You and I’ve each been taking part in DOOM because the 90s. After I began studying guitar and taking part in so much, I began eager about the DOOM soundtrack and a number of the songs undoubtedly have bits that remind me of different band music like Pantera. While you did IDKFA and simply heard the music typically, what did you consider that and the way does it really feel revisiting a few of these songs now? Stuff like A New Stage and This Love from Pantera immediately spring to thoughts.
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AH: Yeah. A few of that stuff’s fairly shut. Like typically, proper? But it surely’s completely different sufficient the place you’re like, oh, okay. Yeah. However yeah, there’s undoubtedly some inspirations that have been taken from like thrash steel for certain. As a result of I imply, like they all the time talked about Romero having on like Slayer and Metallica and all that stuff like taking part in whereas they have been making the sport. So it solely is sensible that they’re like, you already know, hey, make one thing comparable round this. I don’t know precisely how that story went. I wasn’t there. I used to be like, you already know, I used to be like 4. However that makes full sense in my head. And yeah, going again and listening to them like, yeah, it’s there someplace within the ballpark of it for certain. Like
TA: So after DOOM II, have you ever gotten folks saying, when are we getting an IDKFA model of Quake and stuff? Since you did one music, proper?
AH: Yeah, yeah, yeah. I did the theme. I believe I did that only for enjoyable. And I believe I truthfully did that as folks have been, I noticed a bunch of discussion board posts. It was both discussion board posts or Discord about folks unsure like about me on DUSK of all issues. Prefer it wasn’t even like a completely introduced recreation, however they have been like, “I’m unsure Andrew”. And I used to be like, OK, you already know what? I used to be like, f*** you. I’ll simply remake the Quake theme. And then you definitely’ll see if I’m the best particular person for the f***ing job. laughs And so I put that out and other people have been like, oh, and I bear in mind like a bunch of the feedback have been like, oh yeah, okay, he can work on DUSK.
TA: Do you hearken to that soundtrack typically? The unique Quake?
AH: Oh, man. I don’t hearken to it. Hearken to it. However like each time I’m going fireplace up Quake, which is about like as soon as twice a yr. A bit greater than that if I’m taking part in multiplayer with buddies. That’s the factor I look ahead to probably the most in addition to like the extent design is the soundtrack simply because it’s so on the market. Reznor did such a superb job on that. It’s unimaginable. God, I want it’s a pipe dream, however I’d like to work with him on one thing and Atticus Ross on one thing in some unspecified time in the future. That might be loopy. However they’re like manner up there, you already know.
TA: Their film soundtracks are wonderful. I’ve really been watching a number of the films simply because they’ve executed the music as a result of I believe the audio design in The Social Community is unimaginable. I believe they did just like the latest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles factor, which I nonetheless want to observe.
AH: It’s so cool when artists step out of their consolation zone like that, the place it’s such as you’re identified for such as you’re offended and miserable music after which it’s like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It’s like now I’m . Yeah.
TA: Going again to your music, we coated Blood Swamps being the most well-liked music which individuals carry up after they meet you and stuff. I noticed this interview with Ultimate Fantasy 14’s composer Masayoshi Soken who was requested a few music which he actually preferred, however nobody really brings up, and that he thinks deserves extra consideration. He stated Recreation Concept. I need to know what’s that for Andrew Hulshult.
AH: Splitting Time. Like everytime you introduced that up, I used to be like, oh yeah, from the AMID EVIL DLC. I imply prefer it’s properly it’s DLC. So like by nature, DLC doesn’t get as a lot consideration, you already know. However just like the AMID EVIL DLC altogether earlier than I speak concerning the music, the DLC is unimaginable. Like that’s my that’s one in every of my favourite issues I’ve labored on like in latest reminiscence. Like all of the music’s nice. Prefer it was , it was a pleasure to place all of it collectively. All of the sound design, all of the traps and every part. It’s simply an unimaginable DLC. If you happen to don’t have it, it is best to go get it. That’s not me shilling and simply oh go purchase the sport. Prefer it’s f***ing superior. They did an unimaginable job.
TA: Everybody can buy that recreation and DLC.
AH: Nicely, I don’t need to appear like a shill. If you happen to prefer it, you prefer it. Like in case you don’t, in case you don’t dig it, don’t purchase it. we’re not not right here to love, you already know try to promote a bunch of stuff.
However like splitting time ending up that piece of music. It felt like an actual second the place I don’t know. I felt like sort of a shift as an artist the place I used to be. I used to be far more comfy with numerous the extra aggressive sound design components being combined in with compositions and discovering methods to make them gel higher. And every part actually got here collectively on that observe and out every time midway by way of I used to be like, that is the ultimate boss observe. I used to be like I don’t care what you’re designing. I’m like, that is the ultimate boss observe. And you already know, two seconds after they began listening to it, they’re like, oh yeah, that is the ultimate boss observe. We hadn’t even made the character but. I used to be similar to, right here it’s. That one hung round for a very long time. And yeah, that’s I really feel like that music may be very a lot a superb indicator of the place I’m musically proper now.
TA: Now let’s get a bit into the weeds. Let’s discuss your present guitar setup, your pedals, your amps, string gauge, pickups, I need to know no matter you’re utilizing.
AH: So the guitar I’m utilizing probably the most is a Caparison Dellinger 7. I really simply had a pickup swap on it the place I put some Seymour Duncans. I believe I put an SH5 within the bridge and an SH2 within the neck on this one. Particularly as a result of the SH5 on it has a very fascinating factor the place it doesn’t emphasize the low mids a complete bunch however they nonetheless reduce by way of rather well. So everytime you’re sitting there and like, you already know, like chugging on stuff and you need to observe that 4 occasions, it simply sits so much higher within the combine than in case you have been to simply use like inventory pickups. There’s nothing mistaken with Caparison inventory pickups. They’re nice. They’re tremendous, tremendous punchy. However for my mixing fashion I simply, I do know what I need by way of pickups so I simply, I swap these out.
I additionally did the identical factor really final week with the 8 string. It is a Caparison Brocken 8 string. I don’t assume they make this anymore. I swapped out the pickups on this one as properly to a gosh, what’s it? It’s Duncan. They’re actually, actually well-known 8 string pickups by Duncan. And I can’t bear in mind what they’re known as now.
TA: I didn’t know Seymour Duncan even had 8 string pickups.
AH: They do 8 and like, I used to be initially going to get some Fishman Fluences for it as a result of they appear like they might maintain the highest finish within the midrange a bit bit higher however after I don’t know, I’ve simply all the time been a Seymour Duncan man. And after discovering a pair that I actually preferred at a store known as Tone Store up the road from me. I used to be like, man, I actually need to put these in my 8 string they usually have a tech there that’s simply unimaginable at what he does with all my guitars. So I used to be similar to, hey, order these and I’ll simply depart the guitar with you and like per week later they got here again and I used to be like, yeah, that’s precisely what I wished, sounds unimaginable.
I’ve received my Caparison 7 and eight, and I nonetheless have all of the guitars that I’ve had through the years for probably the most half. I’ve received one other Schecter 8 string right here that may be a actually cool colour. It’s tremendous neat, like, it really adjustments from blue to purple.
TA: I believe it’s known as Prism or one thing like that. John Petrucci has one thing like that on one in every of his guitars.
AH: However yeah, this one has just like the EMGs in it and it’s a cool guitar. It nonetheless performs nice. Like, I nonetheless prefer it. However let me present you one thing that’s really fairly candy. So I nonetheless have, I purchased this in like 2004. And I nonetheless have it. That is the guitar that I really wrote all of IDKFA or most of it on and I wrote all of, I tracked all of Rides of the Triad with. It’s only a Schecter C6. It’s like simply inventory. It even nonetheless has the plastic within the again which is loopy. However yeah, that is like, I nonetheless have this guitar. I used to be like I used to be so near going as much as id, like which is simply on the road for me and being like after IDKFA was completed, I virtually was similar to, right here, you guys, you want this. , like, maintain on to this or one thing. Like that is the one. However like, I don’t know. It’s not like a mainline DOOM recreation, you already know? Like, it must be one thing like a mainline recreation the place I’d be like, I wrote this on this guitar right here. , if you need this, it feels prefer it belongs to you. And in addition, a part of me is like, no, don’t do this. Like, grasp on to it.
TA: Okay now string gauges.
AH: For string gauges, 10 to 59 on 7 strings. And on 8 strings, I believe it’s 10 to 65. After which sometimes on 6 strings, I similar to 10 to 46.
TA: Do you utilize D’Addario strings? I take advantage of them largely.
AH: I take advantage of D’Addario for probably the most half, however I bounce forwards and backwards typically to Ernie Ball.
TA: What about your amp setup and your pedals and stuff like that?
AH: So amps, I’ve bought virtually each amp I’ve ever owned. I had a JC-120. I had a few these Crate Blue Voodoos manner again within the day. Those that have been like, yeah, those that have been, have been mainly copies of these Ampeg tube amps that they made a very long time in the past. I had a Valve State 8100. I had a bunch of amps and a bunch of VHT cupboards as properly too. And I bought all of them years in the past. I’ve actually simply been like working contained in the field for probably the most half with like neural DSP plugins into an RME interface and I additionally went so far as getting one in every of these just lately, which is a Neural DSP Quad Cortex. So mainly that is all of their plugins constructed into like a very nice processor. However for a undertaking I’m engaged on just lately they have been like, hey you want an amp. And I used to be like, yeah, you’re most likely proper. I do want an amp. So I went and acquired this and I plug it into two 100 watt Seymour Duncan energy phases. Okay.
They’re like, they’re these little tiny like 100 watt energy amplifiers. They’re stable state energy amplifiers. And I run the stereo out from that factor into the left and proper facet of these and people go into two Engel 2×12 cupboards. Which, okay, Engel 2×12 cupboards are superior. Ever since I heard a Rammstein report that used them I all the time wished to seize one as a result of I used to be like, god, these issues sound large.
TA: I wasn’t certain about this as a result of a buddy of mine stated he was certain AMID EVIL was recorded on an Axe FX Extremely.
AH: Any guitar stuff I’ve executed has used both Native Devices Guitar Rig from manner again within the day. Like IDKFA used a ton of Native Devices Guitar Rig 5 and Guitar Rig 4. However just about every part since DUSK has used Neural DSP for guitar work. It’s simply me plugging immediately into my RME UFX and typically I’ll use pedals going into it just like the Unique BB Preamp however more often than not it’s only a dry DI sign getting manipulated contained in the field.
So, those that received probably the most use on DUSK have been the Moogerfooger low move filter. Consider it or not, like anytime you hear the sound of one thing changing into sort of lo-fi or something. It was all the time run by way of this filter. It was fairly cool. However the factor I like about it probably the most is the drive circuit on it. Like I don’t even prefer it that a lot as like a filter filter. The drive part on it’s simply so aggressive that it’s a very fascinating sound and like that sound that you simply hear on the DUSK soundtrack which is like the entire actually excessive excessive finish that’s like actually excessive power. It’s virtually just like the 9 Inch Nails stuff. A ton of that comes simply from driving the entrance finish of this factor. And identical manner with the Fulltone Catalyst. However yeah, it’s only a few of them. I believe there’s yet one more that I take advantage of so much. I don’t assume I’ve it right here. It’s the ZVEX Fuzz Manufacturing facility which is simply an insane sounding pedal. It simply seems like rubbish. And that’s why I prefer it. It simply seems like you might be destroying a sign which is ideal. I’m cool. That sounds cool. That’s an awesome impact. I like that.
TA: You’ve achieved so much in your profession up to now with recognizable music. As a musician, how have you ever been studying to enhance your personal abilities like programming drums, software program, and the way do you stability doing that when you have numerous of us who need to work with you on new tasks?
AH: Each day is rather like I don’t know. If you happen to’re not educating your self one thing daily, that is my practice of thought. If I’m not making an attempt to sound higher in my very own head, no matter I believe is healthier, I’m losing my time. So if I really feel just like the drum equipment I’ve used like two or thrice on two to a few completely different information, if I’m like that feels stale. If I then go if it feels stale and I do know the ends and outs of it and the right way to make it sound good then I want to alter that drum equipment. I want to search out one thing completely different and work with it and see if I can get some completely different sounds out of it. So I’ll change devices and simply purposefully put myself in positions the place I don’t know the place I’m at or what sounds good with it simply in order that I can discover my manner out of it.
It’s sort of like limiting your self, like placing your self in a field that’s actually necessary as an artist to just remember to are working inside a sure scope of issues and going hey, you already know, right here’s one thing that’s fully unfamiliar, get used to it and that is what you need to work with. So, yeah, like I don’t know, simply continuously difficult myself is a part of who I’m for probably the most half. So, it’s simply the way it all the time goes.
TA: I’m glad you introduced that particular bit up as a result of in one other interview of yours you talked about how as soon as you bought to your thirties a very powerful factor grew to become getting good sleep which lots of people take with no consideration of their twenties. So my query is that making an attempt to have a routine is essential even in case you can’t follow it 100%. What does a day in your life appear like proper now?
AH: A day proper now seems like about, a typical day is about wherever between 6 to 7 hours of sleep which is about what I want I’ve discovered, prefer it’s like someplace round there, typically 8 after which randomly I’ll have days the place it’s like, oh you want like 11 hours I don’t know why, however I really feel positive waking up fully recharged with like 6 and a half to 7 and a half hours of sleep. So what I’ll do each morning is I’ll get up, I’ll go take a bathe instantly, like that’s the one manner I can begin my day is like I really feel like I’ve received to it seems like I’m washing off yesterday I don’t know the way else to elucidate that after which I gotta have a espresso after which I gotta begin writing issues on a whiteboard that’s proper over beside me to the left as a result of in any other case I’m simply gonna spin my wheels all day lengthy and assume, oh I ought to do that, I ought to do this, I’ll be eager about every part I must do after which by no means really do something. I don’t know if that’s ADD, ADHD or no matter that’s undiagnosed, I’m certain it’s to some extent which I’ll get to that in some unspecified time in the future however till then I’ve the whiteboard and so long as I write stuff down on it on what I need to do this day, I’ll knock all of it out, each single piece of it. However what’s tremendous necessary for me to do is simply plan out the day early on after which every part simply involves it afterwards.
The opposite factor that’s sort of new for me too is round like 4 o’clock sometimes I’ll now try to do, this has been throughout the final 3.5 months, I’ll try to do about 20 to half-hour of cardio. Simply because I really feel like for some motive elevating my coronary heart price actually takes me from hey I might focus earlier than to now I’m tremendous laser centered and may get by way of no matter I must and it additionally places me in a significantly better temper if I’m having a shit day.
TA: You’ve beforehand talked about that you simply love taking part in Cities Skylines. Did you play Cities Skylines 2?
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AH: Yeah, however you already know like I haven’t gone again to it but. I must attempt it once more in some unspecified time in the future. However oh boy prefer it wanted some extra time within the oven every time I attempted it. Like no offense to them. I used to be similar to wow.
TA: I imply you most likely tried it on like your correct gaming PC. I similar to to play Steam video games on a Steam Deck and I might get it at 5 fps or one thing after a little bit of taking part in.
AH: Even with the 3080 I believe I used to be at factors I used to be sitting there at like 35 frames a second. I’m like actually? With the 3080? That is the place we’re at huh? Okay.
TA: Do you continue to play Hunt: Showdown and did you attempt the brand new Hunt: Showdown 1896 replace?
AH: Yeah. That they had some actually fascinating selections with their UI that they only pushed with this one which lots of people aren’t in favor of. I’m getting a bit extra used to it as time goes on. However man there are some issues they should hammer out with it. However yeah I nonetheless play that like a pair occasions per week with my buddies in New Blood. Like with Dylan who’s engaged on Gloomwood. I’ll play it with David now and again. I’ll play it with Mason who’s the developer on Religion. Like we’re all, similar to all of us simply hang around. We’re all simply buddies. So Leon, me and Leon play it I believe probably the most. Leon’s the lead on AMID EVIL. However yeah like New Zealand and America taking part in an internet fps recreation is a wild factor however we’ve got a good time doing it.
TA: Earlier than we wrap up, I need to know your favourite bands and artists proper now out and in of video video games.
AH: I’m fairly boring on this one to be sincere with you. I must department out a bit extra. Favourite bands exterior of video video games proper now like for certain they usually’ve sat there for some time is Gojira. I actually like their mixing. I like how tight they’re dwell. I like their selections on composition. I don’t really feel like they write a foul music. I might throw out the apparent ones. Metallica is one other one simply because James Hetfield’s proper hand is like what impressed me to play guitar. Like how briskly you are able to do these issues is loopy.
Outdoors of or in video video games I’d nonetheless say I nonetheless assume and it’s going to be a bizarre selection since you’re like properly you write all this aggressive music. What’s Jesper Kyd? That man is rather like nice on every part he touches and every part he touches is all the time distinctive. However I all the time return to his early stuff just like the Hitman franchise as a result of it’s simply so unusual and prefer it actually fits these early video games rather well. If you happen to hearken to it exterior of it, it seems like a very bizarre chilly sort of soundtrack. Even from the very first recreation which has numerous fascinating issues like virtually drum and bass selections. It nonetheless seems like a chilly entrance.
, like a Hitman. And I all the time simply discover that stuff fascinating. How he was in a position to take so many alternative genres of music between all these video games and nonetheless make them match appropriately for that character. So yeah and I believe he labored on the Darktide stuff extra just lately which I want to provide a hearken to. Everyone’s instructed me that’s unimaginable however I don’t know I used to be knee deep in like 4 energetic developments every time that recreation got here out. So I simply haven’t given it an opportunity.
TA: Hypothetical state of affairs, in case you had no time or funds constraints, in case you might compose for any single recreation and any single film which might you choose?
AH: So let’s see for any recreation if it had the best path I’d actually wish to take a shot at like a Duke recreation. As a result of I really feel like that’s an IP that could possibly be introduced again if it’s introduced again in the best manner. And you need to assume that’s actually going to be dictated by whoever the artistic manufacturing is on the time. So if it was executed in the best manner I’d like to step into that.
Both that or I’m going to throw one other one out to you. I’d like to work on Minecraft. Identical to sit back you already know. Like simply make one thing that’s fully chill. So these are fully two reverse sides of the spectrum.
However so far as a film, man, that’s an awesome query. Let me give it some thought for only a second. Man on Fireplace. Like I like Denzel Washington’s work as primary: as an motion hero I believe he’s nice. However quantity two every time he is ready to have sufficient time to place drama into issues. And like both I don’t know the way else to elucidate it aside from he does a f***ing loopy unbelievable job.
Both Man on Fireplace or American Gangster. A type of two soundtracks I believe I might do can be nice to work on. As a result of there’s so many alternative feelings between each of these movies. It’s an enormous curler coaster that doesn’t go up and down as soon as. It goes up and down and does like a loop. And like you already know, it takes you facet to facet. Like each of these movies do that actually properly.
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TA: You’ve got numerous bands you’ve been listening to for a very long time like Metallica. What are your ideas on their latest or new albums?
AH: I can discover issues I like on just like the information that they put out as a result of like I’m a die laborious. Even with this final Megadeth report. I might nonetheless discover stuff that I like I can chew on. No drawback. Completely. However you already know these guys aren’t going to jot down like one other Grasp of Puppets. That comes round as soon as in a lifetime. what I imply? They usually struck it 4 occasions. Like with Kill ‘Em All, Journey the Lightning, Grasp of Puppets and …And Justice for All. So wish to even simply get that’s loopy. However I do discover issues that I like on all their newer stuff. Like I believe What was the 2016 report that they’d? Hardwired to Self Destruct. Yeah I believe that that truly had some actual moments of actually actually good writing on it.
Particularly the final observe. I felt like Hardwired was an awesome observe. However I additionally thought Moth into the Flame was written tremendous properly. There’s a handful of simply actually actually actually good writing on that report. On 72 Seasons, there’s nonetheless a handful that I actually like. However they don’t sync as a lot for me. And I’m unsure if it’s as a result of I’m in search of one thing quicker or not. Which that’s simply not the place they’re at in the mean time. That’s not what they’re writing. And that’s okay. I’ll say the final observe on that report I really feel like is ideal. It’s so good. I can’t bear in mind what it’s known as off the highest of my head in the mean time. I’m horrible with music names typically. It’s loopy. It’s like 11 minutes and it seems like a 5 minute and 30 second music. I bear in mind listening to it the primary time. I used to be like gosh. There’s a lot emotion thrown into this music that it’s only a pleasure to hearken to. I like it once I can inform that somebody actually dumped all their feelings onto one thing. That’s when it actually strikes a chord for me.
However yeah even the final stuff from Slayer, there’s issues that I can discover that I take pleasure in. however I do know I’m not going to get the revolutionary report that we had rising up. That’s okay. I’m simply glad they’re nonetheless making music. And it’s nonetheless fairly sick.
TA: What’s probably the most random piece of music memorabilia that you simply’ve held onto for a very long time?
AH: I had a buddy that I labored with a very long time in the past who fell on laborious occasions at one level and he was buddies and and like labored with Pantera for a very long time. And he was like man he’s like I’m making an attempt to do away with these things I’m like why don’t you simply maintain on to it and like like right here’s right here’s you already know right here’s some money in case you want some money to get by. He’s like no no no he’s such as you maintain on to it simply pay me for it. I used to be like okay so I’ve received this vinyl of the Nice Southern Trendkill that’s one of many unique vinyl releases, however I even have a plaque that got here prefer it was given to one in every of their both their sound or their lighting crew at one level and it’s like for the tour in Japan for the Nice Southern Trendkill that very same time. And I used to be like the place did you get this you already know like what the hell. And he’s like yeah we simply you already know had him and I knew the man and he had like 5 – 6 of them that they gave him by chance so he gave me one. I used to be like oh okay all proper. So I’ve each of these issues in my closet they’ve frolicked with me for like gosh I need to say 15 16 17 years now however these previous ones won’t ever go away.
Some folks hold costly booze in a decanter. Teah and I hold hand-crafted chilly brew espresso. pic.twitter.com/7DJlgWcjaB
— Andrew Hulshult (@AndrewHulshult) October 10, 2020
TA: Okay for my final query, how do you want your espresso? I often ask this on the finish, however I bear in mind an previous Tweet of yours (linked above) made me much more inquisitive about your reply.
AH: Yeah man I just like the chilly brew stuff. I cherished scorching espresso endlessly however like chilly brew I don’t know the longer I’m going the better it’s to simply sit on a desk and sip on. I don’t should be like that’s scorching. I can simply be like no we’re simply getting the entire caffeine suddenly if I need to. So chilly brew espresso. Chilly brew black.
I’d wish to thank Andrew Hulshult for his time and assist with this interview over the previous few weeks.
You may sustain with all our interviews right here together with our latest ones with FuturLab right here, Shuhei Matsumoto from Capcom about Marvel Vs Capcom right here, Santa Ragione right here, Peter ‘Durante’ Thoman about PH3 and Falcom right here, M2 discussing shmups and extra right here, Digital Extremes for Warframe cellular, Group NINJA, Sonic Dream Group, Hello-Fi Rush, Pentiment, and extra. As standard, thanks for studying.