Death Metal may have been birthed in England and California and popularized in Florida, but a case can be made for it having been perfected in Sweden.
Many of the most influential bands of the genre (Dismember, Entombed, Grave, Treblinka, Carbonized, Carnage, Grotesque, Therion, Afflicted, Dark Throne, Cemetery, Refused, At the Gates, Katatonia, to name just a few), not only got their start in Sweden, but recorded at the same studio under the guidance of the same producer/recorder; Tomas Skogsberg of Sunlight Studio in Stockholm.
Skogsberg, while working with Entombed on their debut album, Left Hand Path in 1989, innovated the sound of the buzzsaw guitar, which has become a staple of the genre ever since. This essential sound has come to be referred to as the Sunlight Studio Tone.
It was an
honor to be able to interview the Godfather of the Buzzsaw, or as another
publication once described him the “Uber-god of Death Metal”, Tomas Skogsberg.
Danny at Glacially Musical: What were your musical tastes and musical influences prior to establishing Sunlight Studio? What bands were you listening to before becoming a part of the industry yourself?
Tomas Skogsberg: Black Sabbath,The Beatles,Yes
GM: Are there any producers or sound engineers whom you consider to be a particular influence?
TS: Rick Rubin,George Martin,Trevor Horn
GM: How did you learn the business and process of music recording?
TS: I learn myself, and watching and listening to the masters.
GM: How did the establishment of Sunlight Studio come about?
TS: I was tired of hearing that it could not proceed with things in the studio because of a tired sound engineer.
Danny at Glacially Musical: What were your musical tastes and musical influences prior to establishing Sunlight Studio? What bands were you listening to before becoming a part of the industry yourself?
Tomas Skogsberg: Black Sabbath,The Beatles,Yes
GM: Are there any producers or sound engineers whom you consider to be a particular influence?
TS: Rick Rubin,George Martin,Trevor Horn
GM: How did you learn the business and process of music recording?
TS: I learn myself, and watching and listening to the masters.
GM: How did the establishment of Sunlight Studio come about?
TS: I was tired of hearing that it could not proceed with things in the studio because of a tired sound engineer.
