Exclusive Interview: Browbeat talk writing and recording “The Showdown”!

Pointing their fingers and raising their voices with weighted accusations against corrupt Governments and powerful multinational Corporations who are pursuing their own hidden agendas, illegally exploiting the environment and leaving humanity to pay the price before turning to the media who have brainwashed the public are Browbeat, an Italian Metallic Hardcore outfit of myth and legend. Returning after a decade to create music with intensity and integrity coupled with angst and aggression once more, they lit the blue touch paper with in 2019 with “Remove The Control” and now, in 2022 it’s personal with “The Showdown“! So here is the first of two brand new and exclusive interviews with them about that new record…

What did you learn from the recording of your 2019 album “Remove The Control” that helped when it came to recording “The Showdown“? “”Remove the Control” was our return to the scene after 10 years and we entered the studio with the intention of making a cool record in terms of sound while trying to maintain the imprint of our past. For “The Showdown” we had a very specific goal. To get a more raw and natural sound but at the same time powerful and massive. We are very satisfied with the result. We can say that this Ep is the right continuation of “Remove The Control”.”

The EP was recorded, mixed and mastered by your guitarist Luca Cocconi and Simone Sighinolfi at Audiocore Studio; How much easier was it to record with someone from inside the band at the boards, someone who perhaps has a clearer idea of your vision for the record? “Luca is our guitarist but also an established producer. He has been working in the studio for many years and has acquired enough experience to understand how the final product should be. This helps us a lot in writing and arranging to make the songs work at their best. We also had a very good time with Simone, who is a very competent professional person, who can understand from the beginning what a band wants to achieve. We have been working with Audiocore Studio for several years and we have always been very satisfied”

How does the writing process of a new Browbeat track start? Melody, riff or rhythm first? “Luca Cocconi is the main composer of the band. He takes care about the music, by writing the guitar, bass, and drums sessions. After the pre-production phase, we meet in the rehearsal room to rehearse the songs and fix the final details. Later when the musical part is complete, MV, the singer, writes the lyrics.”

Your rendition of “Slave New World” by Sepultura fits in really well with the overall theme of “The Showdown“; how important was it to find a cover that worked in the context of the record? Did you have any other alternatives or was it always going to be this one? “Sepultura represent one of the best bands of the 90s Metal scene, in their powerful and innovative sound, and for the lyrical concepts. “CHAOS AD” and “ARISE” are two absolute masterpieces. Even though almost 30 years have passed, the lyrics of ‘SLAVE NEW WORLD’ are still very relevant, especially for the period we are living. We wanted to summarize in a single image our purely hardcore attitude with the classic symbols and topics we deal with, that is the criticism of the culture of war and profit and the strong desire to fight for justice.”

For us gear nerds out there, can you tell us what you’re using gear wise (pedals, strings, drums etc) to get your sound? “For this album we used Tama drums, Remo powerstroke drumhead, pedal trigger and zlldijan cymbals. Mirko uses Schecter basses, D’addario strings with emg pick up, Ebs amp and Darkglass microtubes x7 pedal. The guitars were recorded with Schecter guitar c1 ex baritone with Emg Pick up, D’addario strings, Peavy 5150 block letter amp and Maxon OD808 overdrive pedal.”

What difference would it make to you as a band if you could land an endorsement from a gear manufacturer? “We currently have an artist price contract with Schecter for guitars and basses. We used Schecter products in the past and we are very happy to collaborate with them through the Italian importer. They are great products and perfect for the musical genre we play. We hope in the future to be able to obtain new collaborations with other brands.”

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