Revelation and Against Nature

 

A Record of the Records

These are the technical details of the recording of every official Against Nature and Revelation release.

 

Against Nature


    Appease and Panoply

  • Rhythm tracks—bass guitar, rhythm guitars, drums—recorded by Chris Kozlowski at Polar Bear Lair, Middleton, MD.
  • Drums: White Ludwig Rocker, 5-piece.
  • Guitar: Epiphone Gold Top Les Paul. Orange OR120 amp head through Orange 4x12.
  • Bass: Fender Jazz 5-string through Sans Amp, directly into the board.
  • Remaining tracks recorded by John Brenner at home.
  • Lead guitars: Epiphone Gold Top Les Paul through Dean Stack-in-a-Box.
  • Vocals: Dynamic microphone directly into line-in on computer.

Safe Dissonance

  • Rhythm tracks—bass guitar, rhythm guitars, drums—recorded with Chris Kozlowski at Polar Bear Lair, Middleton, MD
  • Guitar: Epiphone Gold Top Les Paul. Laney Tony Iommi head through Orange 4x12. One guitar track recorded live and one overdubbed.
  • Bass: Fender Jazz 5-string though a Sans Amp, directly into the mixing board. Later run through an Ampeg bass amp, mic-ed, and recorded.
  • Drums: White Ludwig Rocker, 5-piece.
  • Remaining tracks recorded by John Brenner at home.
  • Lead guitars: Epiphone Les Paul Junior, Epiphone Gold Top Les Paul, through Dean Stack-in-a-Box. 
  • Additional guitars: Applause electric-acoustic.
  • Vocals: Dynamic microphone directly into line-in on computer.

Pluperfect/Confusion 7 inch single

  • Recorded at home, between Steve’s and John's house.
  • Drums recorded in Steve’s basement. Mackie mixing board, mixed to 2 (stereo) tracks, into computer (Adobe Audition 1.5).
  • Drums: White Ludwig Rocker, 5-piece.
  • Rhythm guitars: Danelectro Peach DC-59 through Laney GH100-TI amp head into generic white 4x12.
  • Bass: Fender Jazz 5-string through Bass Rockman.
  • Lead guitars: Epiphone Gold Top Les Paul, through Dean Stack-in-a-Box.
  • Vocals: Dynamic microphone directly into line-in on computer.

Ghosting I

  • Recorded at home, between Steve’s and John's house.
  • Drums recorded in Steve’s basement. Mackie mixing board, mixed to 2 (stereo) tracks, into computer (Adobe Audition 1.5).
  • Drums: White Ludwig Rocker, 5-piece.
  • Rhythm guitars: Danelectro Peach DC-59 through Laney GH100-TI amp head through generic white 4x12.
  • Bass: Fender Jazz 5-string and Rogue fretless 5-string through Bass Rockman.
  • Lead guitars: Epiphone Les Paul Junior Special, Sunburst Oscar Schmidt OE-30, Epiphone Gold Top Les Paul, through Dean Stack-in-a-Box.
  • Vocals: Dynamic microphone directly into line-in on computer.
  • All bongos, chimes, gongs, and sound effects are samples found on the Internet.

Crystal Logic

  • Drums recorded in Steve’s basement. Mackie mixing board, mixed to 2 (stereo) tracks, into computer (Adobe Audition 1.5).
  • Drums: White Ludwig Rocker, 5-piece.
  • Rhythm and lead guitar: Ibanez Iceman IC200 through Laney GH100-TI amp head, though Marshall 1x8.
  • Bass: Fender Jazz 5-string through Bass Rockman.
  • Vocals: Recorded by Butch at Brian Goodbread’s home studio in Pittsburgh.

Ghosting II

  • Recorded between Steve’s and John's house.
  • Drums recorded with Korg 8-track digital recorder in Steve’s basement.
  • Drums: White Ludwig Rocker, 5-piece.
  • Rhythm guitars: Epiphone Gold Top Les Paul through Laney GH100-TI into Bert’s generic white 4x12.
  • Bass: Rogue 5-string fretless and Danelectro Longhorn through SWR bass amp.
  • Leads: Epiphone Gold Top Les Paul, Oscar Schmidt OE-30, Ibanez Iceman through Dean Stack-in-a-box.
  • Electric sitar sound with from Roland GR-33 guitar synthesizer with Epiphone Tony Iommi SG.
  • Vocals: MXL 990 Condenser microphone through ART tube pre-amp, into line-in of computer.
  • All bongos, chimes, gongs, and sound effects are samples found on the Internet.

Ghosting III

  • (Drums, vocals, and bass tracks are the same recording as Ghosting II.)
  • Guitar: Epiphone Tony Iommi SG through Red 2x12 combo, with Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face. No overdubs.
  • “Organ”: Tony Iommi SB through Roland GR-33 guitar synthesizer, on Hammond B3 and "Purple Organ" settings.

Smoke on the Water

  • Drums recorded with Korg 8-track digital recorder in Steve’s basement.
  • Drums: White Ludwig Rocker, 5-piece.
  • Rhythm guitars: Ibanez Iceman IC200 through Marshall 1x8.
  • Bass: Fender Jazz 5-string through Bass Rockman.
  • Lead guitar: Ibanez Iceman IC200 through Laney GH100-TI amp head, though Marshall 1x8.
  • Vocals: Recorded by Butch at Brian Goodbread’s home studio in Pittsburgh.

Leer

  • Drums recorded with Korg 8-track digital recorder in Steve’s basement.
  • Drums: White Ludwig Rocker, 5-piece.
  • Rhythm guitars: Ibanez Iceman IC200 through Dean Stack-in-a-Box, modeled with Amplitube plug-in.
  • Bass: Danelectro Longhorn and Rogue 5-string fretless through SWR amp.
  • Lead guitars: Agile white Les Paul, Epiphone Les Paul Junior through Dean Stack-in-a-box, modeled with Amplitube plug-in.
  • Vocals: MXL 990 Condenser microphone through ART tube pre-amp, into line-in of computer.

Nigro Mantia tribute

  • (“Death Romance” recorded at Leer sessions.)
  • Drums recorded with Korg 8-track digital recorder in Steve’s basement.
  • Drums: White Ludwig Rocker, 5-piece.
  • Rhythm guitars: Ibanez Iceman IC200 through Dean Stack-in-a-Box.
  • Bass: Fender Bronco through Bass Rockman.

The Anxiety of Influence

  • Drums recorded with Korg 8-track digital recorder in Steve’s basement.
  • Drums: White Ludwig Rocker, 5-piece.
  • Rhythm guitars: Song 1: White Agile. Song 2: Sunburst Oscar Schmidt 335. Through Dean Stack-in-a-box, modeled with Amplitube plug-in.
  • Lead guitars: Epiphone Les Paul Jr., Ibanez Iceman, Red Oscar Schmidt 335, Epiphone Gold Top Les Paul, through Dean Stack-in-a-box, modeled with Amplitube plug-in.
  • Bass guitar: Fender Jazz 5-string Jazz through Dean Bass-in-a-Box, modeled with Amplitube plug-in.
  • Vocals: MXL 990 Condenser microphone through ART tube pre-amp, into line-in of computer.
  • Sitar, electric mandolin (unused in final mix).

Unfolded

  • Drums recorded with Korg 8-track digital recorder in John's basement.
  • Drums: White Ludwig Rocker, 5-piece.
  • Rhythm guitars: Ibanez Iceman IC200 through Dean Stack-in-a-Box, modeled with Amplitube plug-in.
  • Lead guitars: Epiphone Les Paul Jr., Ibanez Iceman, Red Oscar Schmidt 335, Epiphone Gold Top Les Paul, through Dean Stack-in-a-box, modeled with Amplitube plug-in.
  • Bass guitar: Fender Bronco through Dean Bass-in-a-Box, modeled with Amplitube plug-in.
  • Vocals: MXL 990 Condenser microphone through ART tube pre-amp, into Korg 8-track D888 digital recorder.
  • Sitar: MXL 990 Condenser microphone through ART tube pre-amp, into Korg 8-track D888 digital recorder.
  • Samples found on the Internet.

Much in Little

  • Drums recorded with Korg 8-track digital recorder in John’s basement.
  • Drums: White Ludwig Rocker, 5-piece.
  • Rhythm guitars: Red Oscar Schmidt ES-335 copy through Epiphone Valve Jr. 5w amp, variac, and Peavey 2x12 cabinet.
  • Lead guitars: Red Oscar Schmidt ES-335 copy, Black Fender Stratocaster through ART preamp, modeled with Amplitube plug-in.
  • Other guitars: Jay Turser ES-175 copy, Jay Turser Double Neck (12-string) through ART preamp, modeled with Amplitube plug-in.
  • "Organ": Blue Fender Stratocaster through Roland GR-33 guitar synthesizer, "Purple Organ" and "Electric Organ" settings.
  • Bass guitar: Fender Bronco through Epiphone Valve Jr. amp into Dean Markley 2x15 cabinet.
  • Vocals: MXL 990 Condenser microphone through ART tube pre-amp, into Korg 8-track D888 digital recorder.
  • Sitar: MXL 990 Condenser microphone through ART tube pre-amp, into Korg 8-track D888 digital recorder.
  • Moog Prodigy synthesizer into Korg 8-track D888 digital recorder.

  Descend 

  • Drums recorded with Korg 8-track digital recorder in John’s basement.
  • Drums: White Ludwig Rocker, 5-piece.
  • Rhythm guitars: Red Oscar Schmidt ES-335 copy through Epiphone Valve Jr. 5w amp, variac, and Peavey 2x12 cabinet.
  • Lead guitars: Red Oscar Schmidt ES-335 copy through ART preamp, modeled with Amplitube plug-in.
  • Other guitars: Jay Turser ES-175 copy, Jay Turser Double Neck (12-string) through ART preamp, modeled with Amplitube plug-in.
  • "Organ": Blue Fender Stratocaster through Roland GR-33 guitar synthesizer, "Purple Organ" and "Electric Organ" settings.
  • Bass guitar: Fender Bronco through Epiphone Valve Jr. amp into Dean Markley 2x15 cabinet.
  • Vocals: MXL 990 Condenser microphone through ART tube pre-amp, into Korg 8-track D888 digital recorder.
  • Moog Prodigy synthesizer into Korg 8-track D888 digital recorder.

   Natural Blue

  • Drums recorded with Korg 8-track digital recorder, on 4 tracks, in John’s basement.
  • Drums: White Ludwig Rocker 5-piece, recorded with 4 microphones.
  • Rhythm guitars: Red Oscar Schmidt ES-335 copy (modified with Vari-tone switch) through Epiphone Valve Jr. 5w amp, variac, and Peavey 2x12 cabinet, and Marshall JCM800 4x12 cabinet.
  • Lead guitars: Sunburst Oscar Schmidt ES-335 copy, Spalted Agile AL-2000, modeled with Amplitube plug-in.
  • Other guitars: Oscar Schmidt OE-60 resonator (recorded with MXL-990 microphone through ART tube pre-amp).
  • Mandolin: Harmony, fitted with electric pick-up.
  • Other various percussion: shaker, cymbals, tambourines, bongos.
  • Bass guitar: Fender Bronco and Danelectro Longhorn through Gallien-Kruger amp head, through Dean Markley 2x15 and Fender Bassman 2x15, or Kustom 2x15.
  • Vocals:  ES58 dynamic microphone through ART tube pre-amp, into Korg 8-track D888 digital recorder.
  • "Horns": Roland GR-33 guitar synthesizer.

   Accumulus

  • Drums recorded with Korg 8-track digital recorder, on 4 tracks, in John’s basement.
  • Drums: White Ludwig Rocker 5-piece, recorded with 4 microphones.
  • Rhythm guitars: Jay Turser ES-175 copy and Ibanez Iceman through Crate Blackheart 5w amp head, into Fender GE412 cabinet. Epiphone Les Paul Jr. Special into Big Muff Pi, direct into recorder, modeled with Waves and Amplitube plug-in. MXL 990 condenser microphone.
  • Lead guitars: White Agile AL-2000 and Sunburst Jay Turser ES-335 copy through ART pre-amp into Korg digital recorder, modeled with Amplitube plug-in. Red Danelectro DC-59 through Laney LH50-R amp head, into Sunn 3x12 cabinet.
  • Bass guitar: Fender Bronco and Danelectro Longhorn through Gallien-Kruger amp head, through Dean Markley 2x15 and Fender Bassman 2x15. Danelectro Longhorn into Ampeg B15 combo. ES-58 dynamic microphone. Big Muff Pi.
  • Moog Prodigy synthesizer into Korg 8-track D888 digital recorder.
  • Sitar and various samples.
  • Roland Juno 1 digital synthesizer.
  • SampleMoog program for PC.
  • Oxygen Midi-controller into Emu digital keyboard sampling unit.
  • Vocals: Apex condenser microphone through ART tube pre-amp, into Korg 8-track D888 digital recorder.

Action at a Distance

  • Drums recorded with Korg 8-track digital recorder, on 2 tracks, in Steve’s basement.
  • Drums: White Ludwig Rocker 5-piece, recorded with 2 condenser microphones.
  • Bass guitar: Fender Bronco and Fender Jazz 5-string recorded directly into board.
  • Keyboards: Roland Juno 1 used as a Midi controller for virtual instruments.

The First Rain

  • Drums recorded with Korg 8-track digital recorder, on 4 tracks, in Steve’s basement.
  • Drums: White Ludwig Rocker 5-piece, recorded with 4 microphones (2 ribbon, 2 dynamic).
  • Bass guitar: Fender Bronco through custom 1/2 watt amp into Dean Markley 2x15 cabinet.
  • Guitars: Epiphone Les Paul Jr. Special.
  • Keyboards: Roland Juno 1 used as a Midi controller for virtual instruments.
  • Vibraphone: Recorded with N-Sonic 1 ribbon microphone.

Drawing Arrows

  • Drums recorded with Korg D888 digital recorder, on 3 tracks, in John's basement.
  • Drums: White pearloid 1960s 4-piece Pearl set, black Ludwig snare, recorded with 1 dynamic and 2 condenser microphones.
  • Bass guitar: Danelectro Longhorn, DI into Korg recorder, modeled with Amplitube SVT.
  • Rhythm guitars: Fender 40th Anniversary Stratocaster (blue), into Epiphone Valve Jr. 5w amp head through Marshall JCM 800 4x12.
  • Lead guitars: Fender 40th Anniversary Stratocaster (blue), into Sunn Beta Lead 100w amp head, through Marshall 1960bv 4x12; Spalted Agile AL-2000 through Heil Talk Box.
  • Vocals: MXL 990 condenser microphone through ART tube pre-amp, into Korg 8-track digital recorder.

Chasing Eagles

  • Drums recorded with Korg D888 digital recorder, on 3 tracks, in John's basement.
  • Drums: White pearloid 1960s 4-piece Pearl set, black Ludwig snare, recorded with 1 dynamic and 2 condenser microphones.
  • Bass guitar: Danelectro Longhorn, DI into Korg recorder, modeled with Amplitube SVT.
  • Rhythm guitars: Spalted Agile AL-2000, through 1/2w Fender Champ clone with treble booster, into Marshall JCM800 4x12; Fender 40th Anniversary Stratocaster (blue) into Epiphone Valve, Jr. amp head, through Marshall 1960bv 4x12
  • Lead guitars: Spalted Agile AL-2000 and Epiphone SG Jr., through Sunn Beta Lead amp head, into Marshall JCM800 4x12; Spalted Agile AL-2000, through 1/2w Fender Champ clone with treble booster, into Marshall JCM800 4x12; Spalted Agile AL-2000 through Heil Talk Box.
  • Vocals: MXL 990 condenser microphone through ART tube pre-amp, into Korg 8-track digital recorder.

Cross Street

  • Drums recorded with Korg D888 digital recorder, on 3 tracks, in John's basement.
  • Drums: White pearloid 1960s 4-piece Pearl set, black Ludwig snare, recorded with 1 ribbon and 2 dynamic microphones.
  • Bass guitar: Rickenbacker 4003 and Ibanez 6-string, DI into Korg recorder, modeled with Amplitube SVT.
  • Rhythm guitars: Epiphone Les Paul Jr. Special, into Sunn Beta Lead amp head, through Marshall JCM 800 4x12; Agile AL-2000 (Spalted), into 1/2 watt Fender Champ clone (w/treble booster), into Marshall 1960bv 4x12; Fender Squier Stratocaster (white), into AIMS amp head, through Sunn 4x12; Agile AL-2000 (Cherry Sunburst), into Sunn Beta Lead amp head, through Marshall JCM 800 4x12.
  • Lead guitars: Agile AL-2000 (Cherry Sunburst), into Sunn Beta Lead amp head, through Marshall JCM 800 4x12 and into 1/2 watt Fender Champ clone, into Marshall JCM 800 4x12.
  • Vocals: MXL 990 condenser microphone through ART tube pre-amp, into Korg 8-track digital recorder.

Stone Over Stone

  • Drums recorded with Korg D888 digital recorder, on 3 tracks, in John's basement.
  • Drums: White pearloid 1960s 4-piece Pearl set, black Ludwig snare, recorded with 1 ribbon and 2 dynamic microphones.
  • Bass guitar: Danelectro Longhorn, DI into Korg recorder, modeled with Amplitube SVT.
  • Rhythm guitars: Red Danelectro DC-59 and Fender 40th Anniversary Stratocaster (blue) into Sunn Beta Lead amp head, into Marshall 1960bv 4x12; or into 1/2 watt Fender Champ clone into Marshall 1960bv 4x12; Epiphone SG Junior, into Danelectro distortion pedal, modeled with Amplitube 2.
  • Lead guitars: Fender 40th Anniversary Stratocaster (blue), into Sunn Beta Lead amp head, through Marshall 1960bv 4x12; Peach Danelectro DC-59 into Epiphone Valve Jr. amp, through Marshall 1960bv 4x12; White MIM Fender Stratocaster into Epiphone Valve Jr. amp, through Marshall 1960bv 4x12.
  • "Off the Cuff" recorded on a Fostex 80 1/4" 8-track reel to reel tape deck: Drums on 3 tracks, bass on 1 track, guitar on 1 track. No overdubs, Take 2.
  • Vocals: ES-57 dynamic microphone through ART tube pre-amp, into Korg 8-track digital recorder.

Ground Down

  • Drums recorded with Korg D888 digital recorder, on 3 tracks, in John's basement.
  • Drums: White pearloid 1960s 4-piece Pearl set, black Ludwig snare, recorded with 1 ribbon and 2 dynamic microphones.
  • Rhythm and Lead guitars: Spalted maple Agile AL-2000 into Crate Blackheart 5w amp head, through Marshall 1960a 4x12. "Evergreen": Spalted maple Agile AL-2000 into Sunn Beta Lead head, through Gretsch 2x12.
  • Bass guitar: Danelectro Longhorn, DI into Korg recorder, modeled with Amplitube SVT.
  • Vocals: ES-57 dynamic microphone through ART tube pre-amp, into Korg 8-track digital recorder.

Fallen Rock (coming soon)

  • Drums recorded with Korg D888 digital recorder, on 3 tracks, in Steve's basement.
  • Drums: Ludwig Rocker 5-piece, white.
  • Rhythm guitars: Spalted maple Agile AL-2000 into Sunn Beta Lead amp, through Gretsch 2x12.

 

 

Revelation

 

Face Reality

  • Drums: Blue acrylic 5-piece.
  • Drums recorded on Fostex 4-track cassette recorder in John's basement.
  • Bass guitar: Fender Precision through Fender Twin Reverb amp.
  • Rhythm and lead guitars: Kramer Strat-copy through Fender Twin Reverb amp.
  • Vocals: direct into Fostex 4-track cassette recorder.

Terminal Destiny

  • Drums: Blue acrylic 5-piece.
  • Drums recorded on Fostex 4-track cassette recorder at Mike Theiss's house.
  • Bass guitar: Fender Precision direct into recorder.
  • Rhythm and lead guitars: Kramer Strat-copy through Rockman X-100.
  • Vocals: direct into Fostex 4-track cassette recorder.

Images of Darkness

  • Drums: Blue acrylic 5-piece.
  • Drums recorded on Fostex 4-track cassette recorder at Steve's house.
  • Bass guitar: Fender Precision direct into recorder.
  • Rhythm and lead guitars: Kramer Strat-copy through Rockman X-100.
  • Vocals: Peavey 8-channel mixer, direct into Fostex 4-track cassette recorder.

The Illusion of Progress

  • Drums: Blue acrylic 5-piece.
  • Drums recorded on Fostex 4-track cassette recorder at Steve's house.
  • Bass guitar: Explorer bass direct into recorder.
  • Rhythm and lead guitars: Kramer Strat-copy through Rockman X-100.
  • Vocals: Peavey 8-channel mixer, direct into Fostex 4-track cassette recorder.

The Unbearable Vision

  • Recorded at Falling Sound Studio by Drew Mazurek, Baltimore, MD: 16-track DAT.
  • Drums: White Ludwig, 10-piece.
  • Bass guitar: Fender Jazz bass direct into recorder.
  • Rhythm and lead guitars: Ibanez Destroyer II through Marshall JCM800 100w amp head and JCM800 4x12 cabinet.
  • Vocals: Unknown recording gear (studio-owned).

Unreleased LP 1988

  • Recorded in Baltimore, MD: 8-track studio, digital mixer, 1/4 tape.
  • Drums: Blue acrylic 5-piece.
  • Lead and Rhythm guitars: White Kramer Stratocaster copy through Marshall JCM 800 amp head into Traynor 9x8.
  • Bass guitar: White Fender Squier directly into mixing board.
  • Vocals: Unknown recording gear (studio-owned).

Salvation's Answer (including "Blessed Realm" from the "Dark Passages" compilation)

  • Recorded in Pittsburgh, PA: 8-track studio, analog mixer, 1/4 in. tape.
  • Drums: White Ludwig, 10-piece.
  • Lead and Rhythm guitars: White Kramer Stratocaster copy through Traynor TS-200 200w sold state amp and two 9x8 cabinets.
  • Yamaha 12-string acoustic guitar.
  • Bass guitar: White Fender Jazz, Red Fender Jazz fretless.
  • Vocals: Unknown recording gear (studio-owned).

Never Comes Silence

  • Recorded at Falling Sound Studio by Drew Mazurek, Baltimore, MD: 16-track DAT.
  • Drums: White Ludwig, 10-piece.
  • Lead and Rhythm guitars: Red Ibanez Destroyer II through Marshall JCM800 100w amp head and JCM800 4x12 cabinet.
  • Yamaha 12-string acoustic guitar.
  • Other guitar: Red Ibanez Destroyer II direct into DAT machine.
  • Bass guitar: Sunburst 1976 Rickenbacker through Ampeg SVT amp and cabinet.
  • Vocals: unknown recording gear (studio-owned).

...Yet So Far

Mounring Sun

Frozen Masque

Release

  • Recorded at John's house.
  • Drums recorded with Korg 8-track digital recorder, on 7 tracks, in John’s basement.
  • Drums: White Ludwig, 7-piece.
  • Lead and Rhythm guitars: Ibanez Iceman IC200 through Peavey VTX Heritage 120w amp head, through Marshall 1960bv 4x12 cabinet.
  • Bass guitar: Fender Bronco through ART tube preamp into Korg D888 digital recorder.
  • Other guitars: Jay Turser double neck (12-string).
  • Vocals: MXL 990 Condenser microphone through ART tube pre-amp, into Korg 8-track D888 digital recorder.

For the Sake of No One

  • Recorded at John's and Steve's house.
  • Drums recorded with Korg 8-track digital recorder, on 4 tracks, in Steve's basement.
  • Drums: White Ludwig, 7-piece.
  • Rhythm guitars: Spalted Maple Agile AL-2000 through 1/2-watt Fender Champ clone, with treble booster and attenuator, into Marshall JCM800 4x12 cabinet.
  • Lead guitars: White Agile AL-2000 through Laney GH100TI, into Marshall JCM 800 4x12 cabinet.
  • Other guitars: Jay Turser double neck (12-string).
  • Bass guitar: Fender Jazz 5-string DI.
  • Vocals: Condenser microphone through ART tube pre-amp, into Korg 8-track digital recorder.