Heaviness in Metal Music production

The PI and Co-I have recently finished an AHRC-funded research project which investigated the different mixing and production approaches used to make heavy metal music, even heavier. From cultural and musicological perspectives right through to vocational and practice-based production studies, there is still a lack of understanding of what ‘heaviness’ is, and how it is most effectively created, captured, and manipulated, therefore, the academic team aim to use the research findings to contribute to the development of educational material, and workshops in this area.

The academic team believe that a way to further accelerate the global impact of the research, would be the production of a docuseries focusing on the key themes that emerged in the project (Foundations, Distortion, Technology, and Composition), providing a world first detailed understanding of perceptual heaviness. The Docuseries titled ‘Half a Century of Heaviness’ will widen the engagement of end-users (heavy metal artists, music producers etc) and educate new talent on the metal scene to add extra weight to their songs and tracks. The proposed docuseries will be a 4-part series, where, in addition to producer contributions, the world’s most successful metal music artists, genre enthusiasts, and psycho-acousticians will contribute via interviews. To provide some context to the proposed docuseries, the following ‘Watch the Sound’ with Mark Ronson trailer is worth referencing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILJH80RLu_Q.

To enable this opportunity, the research team firmly believe that a Proof of Market is required to validate the market opportunities, and to engage with potential production companies who can take the AHRC funded research on ‘Heaviness of Heavy Music’ forward, with the production of the proposed docuseries. The research team have had initial discussions with production/ Television companies, such as Sky Arts and ENTs, who have shown interest in the docuseries concept, however, the academic team lack the experience in the production industry to be able to progress this further themselves. Therefore, it is necessary to commission a company to undertake in market validation activities e.g., engaging with production companies to understand if there is a market for this type of docuseries. Northern Music Co. Ltd (NMC) which includes sister companies Film 24 Productions NMC Live, Omerch, Graphite Records and AMF Music Publishing are perfectly placed to facilitate this international impact opportunity. Through decades of broad music-industry and new media marketing experience, NMC have discovered, built, and developed a ground-breaking and diverse roster of bands that have long term international careers. Furthermore, NMC have recently brokered a licensing deal for a Scandinavian (Nordic-Noir) series to Netflix. For this Proof of Market project, Andy Farrow, Managing Director of Northern Music Co Ltd, will be commissioned to engage with high-level music and film industry representatives that operate with a ‘gate-keeping/no unsolicited-material’ approach that precludes the research team dealing with them directly.

The key activities that would be engaged with and facilitated by Northern Music are initial discussions with potential key players/partners; in addition to this being other high-level management companies that would provide access to their artists being interviewed, representations would be made to SKY ARTS, Netflix and Apple TV, as well as other streaming, and visual arts distribution services. The docuseries will also work closely with Adam Foster and Katherine Hogarth from 5B Artists and Media (Slipknot, Megadeth, Architects, Lamb of God) (https://5bam.com).

By considering and developing data and evidence that capture the value and effects of arts and culture – in many ways through a broadly collaborative approach - this project aligns with various components that contribute to the elusive phenomenon of ‘cultural value’.

Likewise, the project identifies and tackles fundamental challenges involved in engineering and producing metal music. By stimulating creativity and cross-disciplinary connections with production approaches for producing other genres, this has potential to provide lasting benefit to not only the UK, but internationally.