Heaviness in three dimensions: the use of sonic space in Contemporary Metal Music production

Distinct challenges are posed when conveying Contemporary Metal Music’s (CMM) sounds and performance perspectives within a recorded and mixed form. Contemporary Metal Music often features down tuned, heavily distorted timbres, alongside fast and frequently complex subdivisions, and highly synchronized instrumentation. The combination of these elements results in a significant concentration of dense musical sound usually referred to as “heaviness.” Using my professional experience as a producer of Contemporary Metal Music as a case study, I provide theoretical analysis of the use of sonic space in current CMM production practice. The majority of this chapter’s production references—Godsized, Evocation, For Untold Reasons, and Motherload—therefore relate to my own production work.