Shoot-out at the JP Corral
07/05/2005
Originally published by Ferrante's Power Equipment
Roy Z is a multi-talented musician and record producer who has
worked with artists such as Iron Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson,
Rob Halford, Downset, and many more. He also plays mean-ass guitar
with his band Tribe of Gypsies. Roy stopped by the FPE showroom to
discuss his role as producer of the recently released reunited
Judas Priest CD, Angel of Retribution.
FPE: Roy, when you were tapped to be the producer for Angel of
Retribution, what was the first thing that went thru your
head?
Z: “I felt that now the game was on and it was time for me to get
ready mentally and physically to complete the task at hand. I was
ready to work and to be challenged. I grew up listening to Priest
and am a huge fan of their music, so I was also extremely excited.
I have worked previously with Rob Halford both as a producer and a
guitarist so I was aware of what is was like to work with him, but
I had not yet spent much time with the other band members.”
FPE: Halford is one of the top singers the rock world has ever
seen. What is it like recording such an amazing vocalist?
Z: “Rob Halford is an incredible talent. He takes his craft very
seriously and he is truly passionate about what he does. He is also
the loudest singer I have ever heard in my entire career. When he
sings it rattles my bones. During the Halford tour, we once had a
problem with the PA system during soundcheck. Rob sang two
blistering songs without a microphone or PA while the band was
playing at concert volume and his voice still cut thru!
FPE: What is your philosophy when it comes to producing an
artist?
Z: “Tap into the way the artist wants to work, capture that
performance, and know what to do with the tracks once you do
capture it.”
FPE: Angel of Retribution sounds incredible when listened to
on an iPod. What was the mixing process like?
Z: “When I mixed this record, for some songs, I would pan the tracks
from an audience perspective. I imagined I was sitting in a concert
hall dead center and 15 rows back watching the band. I also like
panning of solos and other sound elements as a means to keep the
music exciting and to juggle the listener’s ear.”
FPE: Where did you record Angel of Retribution?
Z: “We had a lot of fun making this record. We recorded in both LA
and England at various studios and we used all types of gear, both
modern and vintage. All the elements came together with ease.”
FPE: If you will, please tell us a bit about certain songs such as
Loch Ness.
Z: “I heard Loch Ness as a complete demo before we entered the
studio. We added a few things and tweaked the arrangement but stayed
very close to the demo. To me, that song’s chorus is like a
heavy-metal We Are the Champions (Queen). It is full of triumphant
and glorious melodies.”
FPE: Wheels of Fire?
Z: “When we were recording Wheels of Fire, I pictured myself on a
desert highway, riding a mean hog, with a beautiful redhead sitting
on the seat behind me. It is a song about freedom.”
FPE: Revolution?
Z: “The bass intro to Revolution is actually from a cassette tape the
band recorded back in the 1970’s. We loaded the riff into Pro Tools
and built the rest of the song around it. We went for a raw, modern
70’s vibe. It is a wide-open rock and roll song.”
FPE: Demonizer?
Z: “Demonizer is a like a heavy-metal vampire/demon fantasy movie.
That is some good shit there.”
FPE: Eulogy?
Z: “A lot of the great piano work on the CD is actually played by
Glenn Tipton. Eulogy is a good example. Whether on guitar or piano,
Glenn has vibe and he plays straight from the heart.”
FPE: Which previously released Priest album do you feel Angel of
Retribution most compares to in vibe?
Z: “To me, the Priest I grew up with and love could be interpreted
differently by another Priest fan so it is hard to say exactly.
Bottom line to me is that it’s all Priest!
FPE: Now that you have completed the CD, what impressed you most
about working with the members of Judas Priest?
Z: “I was impressed with how seasoned they are, how well they each
play their instruments, and how aware they are of the world. Judas
Priest does not fuck around. They are total pros. Both Glenn and KK
are still hungry guitar players and one listen to their playing on
this record is evidence of that. They challenge one another in a
good way. Its tombstone, gunslinger shit, like a shoot-out at the
JP corral! I am very fortunate and grateful to have worked with the
band. I learned so much from working with them. They are gracious
old souls.”
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