Haake Breaks Down Meshuggah’s ‘Immutable’ Songwriting Process

Meshuggahof Tomas Haake He was the latest guest on a full metal Jackie weekend radio show. The drummer talked about how the band deviated a bit from their typical recording approach on their new album, Immutable And the importance of multiple factors in the title.

This is the first new record in six years since the Swedish icon, following 2016. Violent sleep for a reason And in the conversation, Hake details the process of writing Meshuggah. This gives credibility to the often long gaps between studio releases. They head to the rehearsal room and aren’t the type of band that stuffs ideas, instead many processes are done through computer software and drum programming.

Please read the full chat below.

Immutable Mankind, the band … can explain a lot. What is your resistance to changing the central theme throughout the album?

It’s not necessarily the central theme, but it’s certainly tied to the lyrical content of the album and the band itself. We set out long ago to open up our niche and do our thing. I think we were able to stay true to it, and in that sense you can see the band as immutable.

What’s happening around us, and how humans appear to be immutable in the sense that you’re still looking at violence as a way of some meaningful communication. As a social commentary, it’s very sad to see it. It’s like being tied to the cover of an album — the guy is on fire, but do you still reach the knife?

Six years have passed since the last album. Pandemics aside, creating an album has always been a long-standing process for Meshuggah. Why is the extended creative process comfortable for this band?

We are not a band that writes anything on tour. As long as you have a tour cycle, even months between shows, you tend not to go into writing mode when you’re in the middle of it. At the end of the tour cycle, we really need to focus — we have a month or two of rest, and we start by flushing our brains. We started writing this at the end of 2019 and then spent all of 2020 writing.

It’s like it was done by January 2021. We spend a lot of time on it, but I think it’s also something unique to music. I think it makes sense for our fans that we are not a band that releases albums every two years. We really need to take the time. For the king of music, it’s essential that the tracks make sense and you have to spend time to bring them to life. There are some differences, and we are older and slower than we are now. [laughs] Our brain isn’t that fast, so you have that aspect too.

This time, I spent time not only on writing, but on the whole process and everything of recording. I didn’t want to get into the stressful atmosphere I experienced with many album recordings. We definitely took the time to do everything, mixing and so on. The deadline was July 1, 2021, but I think we spent another four months mixing.

Meshuggah, “Abyss Maruai” Music Video

The technology of making music can evolve over time and maturity.Throat side ImmutableDoes it reflect Meshuggah’s new thinking, whether it’s a songwriting performance or a production?

It’s probably more than anything else in the production of this album. The way we write songs, the way we work on songwriting, and the time we write, hasn’t changed much over the last 15 years.

At the start, I’m still working in a computer environment. We do not participate in rehearsals or interfere with things. We always start from scratch. You start by having an idea for a riff, program a drum into it, and take it from there. It has been the same for many years.

The main difference I say is probably more than in production, and Fredrick [Thordendal], Our guitarist has left the band for several years from the tour. He is now back in the band and will be on tour again, but this time he wasn’t very involved in recording or production.

It must make some difference, whether you make it positive or negative. There is no doubt that there are few voices about where you want the sound to go, what role you want the bass to play, and what kind of sound you are aiming for with your guitar.Jens [Kidman, vocals] I wasn’t with the studio recording the album — he recorded the vocals in his home studio, so he could spend more time on the vocals. I think this worked for this album.

It was me and Dick [Lövgren, bass] And Mårten [Hagström, guitar] It did its best to direct what we wanted, at least with respect to individual instruments and things. Combining all of these, I think it’s no exaggeration to say that they are a little different. If you want to use simpler terms, it’s clear that this album has a more rounded, slightly jarring sound, but a slightly thicker production.

Meshuggah, “Broken Gear” Music Video

Fredrik was dormant. What did his absence reveal about the importance of his role in the band?

We were very fortunate to find another Swede, Per Nilsson, who actually lives not far from the rehearsal site. He is a great musician and guitar player. I’ve been very happy to have him take on Fredrick’s role for several years, but Fredrick is a lead in his very distinctive style and something that is very difficult for everyone to emulate. I have.

Obviously, that’s a big thing. He created a solo for this album, and our fans, especially those who have been with us for a long time, will soon see Fredrick playing them. That is a very important aspect. He is one of the founding members and I have something to say about his former members. If you can keep it, it’s always cool for your fans.

Not long ago, Wolfgang Van Halen expressed his love for Meshuggah, especially your drumming. What does it say about your music that another similar musician appreciates and enjoys it?

I’m humble in the sense that I realize the longevity of the band and the fact that I’ve heard from people over the years that I don’t always expect to hear or even give them this kind of music. .. That’s very cool.

If nothing else, at least it’s a sign that you’re doing something that’s getting people’s attention. Whether it’s drumming or another aspect of the band is more than just the question of being able to make such an impact. That’s what most bands are trying to do. That’s certainly what we were trying to do when we were young — at least to be acknowledged for doing something unique in a way. It’s not the practice of your mill metal sound, as we’re doing it a little differently. In that sense, I think people are grateful to hear that. It’s so cool and so humble.

Thanks to Tomas Haake for the interview.Follow Meshuggah Facebook, twitter, Instagram When Spotify.. Get a copy of “Immutable” here Find out where you can listen to Full Metal Jackie’s weekend radio show here..