What’s the story on this project? Give us a brief background on how it all started.
The project just started by me getting back into music after a three-year hiatus. I just started writing music and wanted to also tackle the production side of it. I was determined to produce it entirely myself, which was pretty daunting and I was pretty close to calling it quits but I’m glad I didn’t.

The song was recorded using a whole slew of Toontrack sounds: Metal! EZX, Metal Machine EZX, Superior Drummer and The Metal Foundry SDX. Is the mixing and recording process a big part of your outlet when making music? What phase in the process do you enjoy the most?
I love the mixing/mastering part of it, creating sounds and experimenting with tones, effects, plugins, etc. can be a ton of fun. I’m not sure I really have a part of the whole process that I enjoy the most; however the part that I dislike the most would definitely be when I hit writer’s block. Also, having my wife do some clean vocals on the record was awesome!

How do Toontrack’s sounds and software help you in your creative process and how important are these for you seeing as you’re a one-man band?
What I love most about Toontrack’s products is that the tones are a very clean and high quality foundation to build off of. The user interface and workflow are incredibly simple and intuitive but most importantly, effective in its result. I love mixing the different libraries and layer a couple different snares or kicks together!

This song is actually off a seven-song concept EP with a theme you’re continuing for your next release. Tell us more about the concept!
The theme of “Overture” is a first person narrative, depicting the thoughts of several main characters immediately before the death of Alton Nayan. Alton Nayan is the King of Gnara, residing in Stonegate Castle, located in the vast land known as Ezerath. The next record will take place right after Alton Nayan’s death. Each song with follow different characters and more characters, places, creatures, empires, kings, etc. will be introduced. There will also be a lot more “concept” album elements, such as the use of recurring music themes/reprises, etc.

Any plans on getting together with others to form a band version and do some live shows?
I may eventually decide to bring together a band to form a live line-up, but not until the next record is out!

What does your writing spot look like in terms of gear and setup?
My current home studio is pretty basic:
Guitars/bass: Ibanez UV777P with Bareknuckle Warpigs, Ibanez AJ307CENT, custom luthier 5-string bass made by Pierre Laporte in Montreal.
Amp: Kemper. Looking to get some heads/cabs to make profiles eventually.
Focusrite 6i6, upgrading to a RME UCX soon.
Mics: Shure SM7B, Audio Technica ATM610A, Rode NT1A
Monitors: Yamaha HS7s, Audio Technica ATH-M50s.
PC with a bunch of plugins from Toontrack, Plugin Alliance, Slate Digital, East West Hollywood, etc.!

What is the ultimate goal with your music and this project in particular?
My goal with Ezerath is just to share my music with other fans of death metal and help other artists with the production side of things!