ABSTRACT
This chapter contains interviews with US-American metal producer Dave Otero (Archspire, Khemmis, Allegaeon, Wayfarer, Cattle Decapitation) regarding his interpretation of heaviness in metal music and his approach to mixing ‘In Solitude’. For Otero, heaviness is a multifaceted concept defined by sensations of weight, dread, sorrow, excitement, or power. He argued that the perception of heaviness is highly subjective and not exclusive to metal. For example, electronic dance music can evoke heaviness through powerful bass sounds, synthesizers, and bass drops, while classical music achieves a sense of weight and sorrow through atmospheric depth and musical development. Otero observed that the core qualities of heaviness in metal music have remained fundamentally unchanged since the 1970s. Contemporary bands, he noted, build on these foundations while exploring new directions. He emphasized that production plays a crucial role in creating heaviness and must align with the song’s structure and intent. Song structure itself is central for guiding the listener through an emotional journey, with production acting as a vehicle to enhance and elevate the musical material. Sonically, Otero identified sonic weight as one of the key components of heaviness. Unlike some producers, he maintained that all tempos can convey heaviness, rejecting the notion that slower tempos are inherently heavier. Regarding the role of performance editing and quantization, Otero acknowledged the complexity of this relationship. Some bands require extreme precision and synchronization to maximize their impact, while others resonate more strongly with listeners through the imperfections and human feel of less-polished performances. Otero’s mix of ‘In Solitude’ blends contemporary mixing techniques with the authenticity of natural acoustic recordings and tones. Distortion plays a central role in achieving the desired sonic density and power required for a ‘heavy’ metal production.
