Create A kill is an extreme thrash metal band based out of Miami, FL., founded by former Malevolent Creation drummer Gus Rios, who is now also now on guitar. Create A Kill also features fellow ex-Malevolent Creation drummer Alex Marquez, stepping away from the kit this time around to handle vocals.
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The nucleus of the band is rounded out by Daniel Gonzalez of the legendary Possessed on guitar. The debut full-length album entitled, "Summoned To Rise," was recorded and mixed by Rios and features guest drummers Dirk Verbueren of Soilwork and Tobias Gustafsson of God Macabre & Torture Division (ex: Vomitory). The rest of the drums on the album were handled by Gus Rios and Alex Marquez. The sound of Create A kill can be described as extreme, non-melodic, and fast thrash metal with slight elements of grind… such as blast beats.
The album has yet to announce a release date, but plans are to have it out within 2014. This track is called 'Unleash All Hell,' and one of several crushing tracks we were fortunate enough to preview. You can keep up with the band and their plans to release the debut album on their official facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/createakill.
Check out some of our other Isolated drum tracks here, and bookmark the page, as there will be many more added soon.
Some Questions For Gus:
SDM: Do you remember the exact gear you were using during this tracking?
Gus: Yes of course. The drums are Tama Silverstar Customs 8", 10", 12", 16", 20" x 2, and a Starclassic brass snare drum. Assorted Sabian cymbals and Evans clear G2's on the toms, coated HD Dry on the snare and the kicks had EMADS. I use Pro Tools 9 and ran all the mics into ART pre's, which are fairly inexpensive and really decent sounding. On the toms I used Audix D2's, floor tom had an Audix D4, snare had Shure 57's top and bottom, kicks Samson Q Kick, and hi-hat, ride and overheads all had Samson CO2's. The interesting thing to note here is that I am not using TOP level gear, but I am still able to get solid sounds. The most important factor is playing drums with consistency! Decent gear and a solid drummer will always add up to more than the worlds best gear and a less than stellar drummer. This is part of the art that is getting lost today. I'm still a huge fan of getting good natural tones from a good drummer.
SDM: How long did tracking take and how was it tracked? mics, triggers, both, to tape or all digital?
Gus: Luckily I have my own studio and have the luxury of taking my time, and I've always been a fan of not preparing too much before I record my own material, other than the structure. I like to just press record and see what ideas come out, then I choose what I want to keep. Once I'm happy with everything, then I really record permanent takes. This way I capture some spontaneity and creativity before its had a chance to either get sterile or over think it. It usually takes me about an hour to record any given song.
I always track with mics on toms and snare. The kicks sometimes I'll just record straight from the trigger module depending on what sound I want to use in the end. For the Create A kill album I tracked with mics, then sound replaced with a sample of my kick. I did that because I wasn't 100% sure which direction I wanted to go, but in the end I decided to sample like Scott Burns did back in the day. Unfortunately I don't have a tape machine so this is all digital.
SDM: What's it like recording in your own studio, verses another studio?
Gus: It actually has some ups and downs, but the pros far outweigh the cons. I don't have to pay by the hour and can take my time, but I also have to do everything myself. That means I have my laptop on a bar stool set up right next to my hi-hats and am doing all my own punching in and out, pressing record, etc.
SDM: Has anything changed in your setup since this tracking?
Gus: Not at all. I'd love to upgrade ALL my gear but the industry just doesn't warrant that anymore. But that's another discussion all together!
SDM: Your thoughts on sound replacement software? wish it never existed?
Gus: Nah… it can definitely be a good thing when used with discretion! For instance if you record and in the end you simply don't like a particular sound or want to try something else, it is fixable. And of course when I ran a commercial studio and had real amateur drummers in there it was a life saver! I'm still a huge fan of 100% natural drum sounds, but also love the early 90's Scott Burns records with 100% natural toms and snare, but a kick sampled with the actual kick for consistency. What has become popular today I am not a fan of at all! I get it, its what the labels want and the younger generation is used to and was raised on, but it's just not for me.
SDM: What's your favorite old-school raw drum sound? Which band and album or albums?
Gus: Maaaan… there are so many! If I had to narrow them down to say, top 5…. I think its Slayer "South of Heaven", Dark Angel "Time Does Not Heal", Kreator "Coma of Souls", Gorguts "Considered Dead", Malevolent Creation "Retribution" and Sting "Ten Summoners Tale." Ok that's 6, but its TOUGH!
SDM: One piece of advice to younger kids about to record an album?
Gus: DON'T LET THE COMPUTER DO YOUR JOB!
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