Since you started touring with Judas Priest in 2018, you’ve been on the road non-stop. What’s it been like?
It’s been a lot of fun. It was a very steep learning curve in regards the amount of material and time we had before the first show, but I’d say after about ten to 15 shows it all started to settle in a bit. I really didn’t think I’d ever get the chance to travel and play at this level, so I’m enjoying the experience.

You also recorded and produced the band’s latest album. What’s it like recording a band that you’re so closely related to on a personal level?
It’s very relaxed actually, we took our time with this album by slotting sessions in between touring and we even tracked bits on the road during days off. You tend to waste a lot of time on the road, so it was nice having something to focus on in the downtime.

Since devoting a big chunk of your time to Judas Priest, you have stepped back a little from making records for other bands. Do you miss the back-to-back production schedule at all?
No absolutely not. I hate that and, in fact, this whole situation with Priest came along at the right time for me. I was getting so fed up with the studio side of things so it’s enabled me to step back from it a bit, which is great as its fun again when we do go into the studio. It’s a good balance for me now.

The products you recorded with us are amazing. Are those the sounds you usually turn to when using EZdrummer and/or Superior Drummer in your work?
Sometimes, it all depends what I’m after really. There’s such a great variation across all the different packs that if I need a different snare with more ring, for example, or a larger room, it’s usually pretty easy to dial in. I’ll make a MIDI track of each drum, so when it comes to mix it’s easy to create a fake room or audition or blend in another kick or snare in a just few minutes.

What’s next on your agenda?
I’ve just finished the new Saxon album and I’m just doing the mix on the new Accept album. I should have that done by the end of the month, so I’m taking December off. In January I’ll start learning new songs for the Priest tour. We start rehearsals mid February and then we begin the touring in the UK in March. We have the rest of the year lined up on the road then.