Nick Menza – Megadeth – Holy Wars – Isolating The Throne

Rust in Peace was the fourth studio album by Megadeth and was released on September 24, 1990 by Capitol Records. The album was produced by Mike Clink. Rust in Peace is the first album to feature guitarist Marty Friedman and drummer Nick Menza, following the departure of Jeff Young and Chuck Behler in 1989. This isolated drum track is 'Holy Wars', which was one of the two singles released from the album. The album was nominated for Best Metal Performance at the 33rd annual Grammy Awards.
 
A remixed and remastered version featuring four bonus tracks was released in 2004. In addition, in January 2010, the band announced a North American tour to commemorate the album's 20th anniversary. Their performance at the Hollywood Palladium was filmed and released as Rust in Peace Live on CD, DVD and Blu-ray later that year.
 
This is the first of three isolated tracks Nick Menza sent us, so be sure to bookmark this page and check back for the others, as well as other tracks on the way from many, many amazing drummers.
 
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Some Questions For Nick:
 
SDM:  Do you remember the exact gear you were using during this tracking?
 
Nick:  I used the Drum Doctor (Ross Garfield) He brought in the drumkit and tuned it every day for me. I learned so much from Ross, he has always got the drums and great knowledge of drums, gear and tuning. Everybody used Drum Doctor for most sessions in USA, mostly in the LA area anyway.
 
The Rust In Peace Kit:
 
(2) 24" Noble & Cooley kicks
14" Ludwig Black Beauty Snare (used on 6 or 7 of the tracks)
14" Custom Brass Snare (rest of the tracks )
10", 12", 14", 16", 18"  Gretsch Rosewood Toms
24" Zildjian Megabell Ride
(2) 18", (2) 19", (2) 20" Zildjian  Z Crashes     
15" Zildjian K-Brilliant Hi-hats 
 
It was a great sounding and playing drumkit.
 

SDM:  How long did tracking take and how was it tracked? mics, triggers, both, to tape or all digital?
 
Nick:  24 hours. Analog  2" tape and I did all the drums in 10 days 🙂   
 
SDM:  Has anything changed in your setup since this tracking?
 
Nick:  Of course, I'm always change my setup around. Always making it better
 
SDM:  Your thoughts on sound replacement software? wish it never existed?
 
Nick:  Lol It's cool, you still have to play it! If it sucks it's still gonna suck with sound replacement! you cant polish a turd!
 
SDM:  What's your favorite old-school raw drum sound? Which band and album or albums?
 
Nick: 
 
Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffetti
Rush – Carress of steel, Hemispheres, Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures
Van Halen – 1 & 2 and Diver Down
Ozzy Osbourne – Blizzard of Oz and Diary of a Madman
Scorpions – Blackout
Iron Maiden – Number of The Beast
Judas Priest – Screaming for Vengence,
Loudness – Thunder In The East
        
SDM:  One piece of advice to younger kids about to record an album?
 
Nick:  Be prepared, get new drumheads and most of all… have the most fun possible.

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