Once I first wrote about boomer shooters final yr on Steam Deck and in addition on Change, apart from New Blood and Nightdive, the most typical identify was Andrew Hulshult who has accomplished some wonderful music through the years. He lately was concerned with the DOOM + DOOM II re-release that included his IDKFA soundtrack with new music for DOOM II, and having wished to interview him for some time now, I lastly had an opportunity to talk with him on name for a number of hours to debate recreation soundtracks, composition, bands he likes, guitar strings, pickups, chilly brew espresso, his first movie soundtrack, video games he’s enjoying, and much more. This interview was accomplished on video name after which it was transcribed and edited for brevity. Similar to my interview with Dave Oshry from New Blood, this one was extra informal than ordinary, and that is possible the longest interview on TouchArcade so strap in and seize a chilly brew.
TouchArcade (TA): So for these unaware, inform us somewhat bit about your self and what you do.
Andrew Hulshult (AH): Yeah, my identify’s Andrew Hulshult. I’m a composer and sound designer for primarily video video games, however I’m beginning to transfer over into movie as properly. I like to only write music on my own generally when it’s not for a recreation or movie. However that’s primarily what I do. I work within the recreation and movie trade doing sound design, soundtracks, and generally voice appearing.
TA: How did you find yourself engaged on the canceled Duke Nukem mission and in addition Rise of the Triad 2013?
AH: Duke Nukem 3D Reloaded was truly simply form of like, I feel that was 2010. That’s, I’m reaching again right here somewhat bit. So I feel Frederik on the time, Frederik Schreiber, the man who runs 3D Realms now, or I feel he nonetheless does, principally he was remaking maps in the course of Unreal Engine 3 of like a number of the authentic Duke 3D maps and posting them on Gearbox boards, which I feel one in every of them that bought loads of hits was like the entire 3D renders of like Hollywood Holocaust, which is like E1M1 for Duke 3D. That caught my consideration as properly. I used to be like, wow, that appears actually neat. You recognize, like I reached out on the boards, I used to be like, hey, do you want any music? Possibly this may be enjoyable. Like, I actually favored Duke 3D again within the day. And he stated, yeah, certain. You recognize, like if you wish to remake a number of the stuff and hand it off to me.
So I simply did a few of that. I simply had gear laying round and I wished to form of discover ways to do that anyway. So I simply dove in head first and began form of remaking a number of the outdated Duke 3D tracks. That form of spawned into, you understand, not quite a bit, not quite a bit was accomplished in Duke 3D Reloaded. It was similar to, you understand, like some odds and ends stuff. One way or the other that became Apogee, Terry Nagy, head looking us and saying, hey, I’ve an IP that I’d actually such as you to work on known as Rise of the Triad when you guys need to give it a attempt. And he had an investor with him on the time who was named Dave Oshry And this was a really very long time in the past. And it’s loopy. Like all these individuals now are like, you understand, on the, we have been all on the forefront of just like the retro FPS revival stuff.
However principally after Duke 3D Reloaded, yeah, Apogee got here, stated, hey, we’re . And Fred stated sure on our aspect. And we began making Rise of the Triad 2013.
TA: It was humorous you talked about Dave Oshry as a result of once I lastly bought an interview with him, I feel it was simpler for me to fulfill Iron Maiden than get that interview, however after getting that accomplished, I had New Blood coated. I lately additionally interviewed Nightdive about The Factor, however I wanted to finish the trifecta for boomer shooters: Andrew Hulshult. Now that’s lastly occurring.
We each snicker.
TA: I bear in mind in a previous interview you probably did, you talked about how once you have been doing the 3D realm stuff, you weren’t conscious of how a lot you have been in demand within the trade. So when that door closed, immediately you had like a, like hundreds of alternatives and stuff like that. However, and clearly you’ve gone on to do a few of like some enormous titles since then. Clearly Doom Everlasting DLC is the one which lots of people take into consideration you. For me, it’s like different titles like Nightmare Reaper and Nightfall and stuff like that. I need to know the way you’ve modified as a musician and as an expert from again then to now.
AH: Oh, that’s an ideal query. Man, beginning off within the trade with, you understand, doing the entire stuff with Interceptor, like the place we have been, what we have been simply speaking about, it was a very recent expertise as a musician. So that you don’t know what you’re entering into. After which loads of occasions you’re like, I don’t even know what I ought to be getting paid, you understand, like you’ve an thought, however you’re not, you don’t know. And so like wading by means of these waters is attention-grabbing and in addition harmful territory. However the stuff that I’ve discovered has been all from, you understand, tripping on agreements as you go ahead. You signal an settlement, you go for it, you make the cash, and on the again finish you’re both like, this didn’t actually work out, otherwise you’re like, hey, this labored out, we have to ensure that we do that once more, you understand.
It’s studying your complete time. As a result of that is the factor that I really feel like musicians get hung up on quite a bit, which is, you understand, they only, they need to make actually, actually superior, stunning artwork for video games. And like, there’s completely nothing unsuitable with that. It’s best to, that ought to be the core precept that you simply do. However you need to just remember to receives a commission so as to proceed to do it. As a result of in any other case you burn your self out and also you don’t need to work within the trade anymore. And that, to return to what you have been speaking about with, I didn’t know the way a lot, like how in demand I used to be. I used to be proper at that time. I used to be about to stroll away from the whole lot proper after the entire stuff with 3D Realms. I used to be accomplished with video games. I used to be like, you understand what, like there’s not loads of avenues right here and I’m simply getting extra bitter as time goes on. And the final handful of issues I’ve labored on have simply bombed so why am I placing all this effort into this?
I ought to attempt to do one thing else. And I didn’t notice till I stepped out from 3D Realms how many individuals wished to rent me. And like, it’s a type of bizarre issues the place like, I’m certain you’ll be able to most likely relate. When you’ve a job, like a day job, when you’ve ever simply held like a easy, easy day job, you may get sucked into that complete cycle of that job and nothing else issues round.
So an instance of this may be, I labored for a music retailer for about 15 years, okay. I used to be doing properly for them. They wished to present me my very own shops. I used to be engaged on administration. And the cycle that comes with that the place you get so wrapped up within the enterprise of that makes you lose focus of a number of different issues in life. And that’s form of what occurred to me whereas I used to be working with 3D Realms. That’s nothing unhealthy about them. It’s simply once you’re working for a corporation moderately than working for your self, it turns into that.
From the begin to now has been like only a loopy studying course of. You do should stroll on landmines. You do should get blown up a few occasions till you determine what works and what doesn’t. Stepping out from 3D Realms after they stated, hey, we don’t have the money to pay you. It’s like, oh, okay, I suppose I’ll go determine this out now. After which abruptly, DUSK, you understand, like that’s actually the subsequent factor that and AMID EVIL have been the very subsequent issues that I labored on. It was loopy.
TA: Clearly you get loads of questions on recreation music, however what’s like, because you introduced up this entire factor about the way you’ve modified, what’s the greatest false impression that individuals each within the trade and just like the gamers have about video video games music proper now?
AH: The most important false impression. Oh, that anyone can do it and it’s a small half. laughs It’s like, you’ll be able to’t simply throw something in there. Like, man, it’s I’d say that from a public like standpoint of I don’t play video games that a lot and I’m informal form of factor, a few of my mates and a few of my household are like, you’ve the best job. I’m like, you don’t have any f***ing thought. You recognize, stroll in my sneakers for a day and let’s speak once more. Yeah, it’s actually tough since you, you actually should trick your self into entering into no matter ambiance or no matter world another person has painted already. Proper. Like they’ve already constructed the whole lot out. That is their imaginative and prescient. You need to step into it and you need to step into it with respect to their design philosophies. And also you additionally should have the boldness to say, properly, that is what I feel we must always do and why we must always do it. And there’s loads of, there’s loads of social confidence that’s wanted to do a gig like this.
It’s complicated in loads of other ways. The artwork aspect of it’s arduous sufficient, like pulling shit out of skinny air, is tough already, however then, um, explaining to individuals why you need to go this route and generally even arguing to get that route is usually a trouble in and of itself.
So yeah, I’d say the largest false impression is that it’s simple and that it’s not simple. I swear to God, so many occasions my mates are like, ah, you’ve bought the best job. I’m like, no, man, I dwell, I, I threw 100 pound bins from 6 AM to 4 PM. And generally I miss that.
Whiskey and occasional fueled half of the @RiseoftheTriad OST. Most songs have been composed between 9pm and 3am.
The extra you understand
— Andrew Hulshult (@AndrewHulshult) September 30, 2015
TA: So I additionally need to speak quite a bit about your gear, however earlier than that, I feel we must always talk about a number of the recreation particular issues. So let’s begin with ROTT 2013. I’ve simply despatched you a tweet proper now, which I wished to reference. That is fairly an outdated one (linked above). Nicely, I truly didn’t know a lot about this soundtrack till lately. I had heard about it and I had heard that loads of my mates purchased that launch. They stated that it wasn’t that nice. I performed the unique on DOS however not the 2013 model, so I didn’t actually hear all of it in-game till the Ludicrous Version and when people made a giant deal about it having Andrew Hulshult’s music. I made a decision I wished to correctly attempt it then. I wished to speak about your thought course of between like, you understand, redoing these tracks and developing with your individual flare on them, as a result of anybody who, at the least any fan of yours, in the event that they hearken to that, they comprehend it’s your music. It’s not like, oh, this is rather like him doing a canopy of another person. It nonetheless feels prefer it’s you.
AH: The firstly factor was to be sure you respect your elders. I wished to ensure that no matter I did clearly served the fanbase and by proxy served the whole lot that Lee Jackson had written. Lee Jackson and Bobby Prince, so far as I’m involved, that’s the de facto composers for FPS. The originators. You’re already entering into one thing properly established again within the day. Persons are very acquainted with this. For those who f*** it up, you might be toast. That was my first skilled gig. Moving into that form of strain.
Simply actually what it got here to, it was all actually pure. I heard these songs and I noticed the sport and what they’re making and I’m like it’s kinda jank, however it’s enjoyable. It’s ridiculous. ROTT is so ridiculous. I used to be like man, I used to be speaking to Dave and Fred about it. What if we did like rock and metallic stuff predominantly? That’s the form of music I hearken to on a regular basis. They stated let’s attempt it. Even Terry was like you need to do it.
Actually they only kinda gave me free reign to present it a attempt on a few of these issues. The primary one I did as a demo to work on it was “Goin Down the Quick Method” and I bear in mind I handed that to Terry. Terry is superior and he has been nice to me for my complete profession. By no means had a foul piece of recommendation from him. He’s the CCO for Apogee by the way in which. I bear in mind handing him the very first demo of “Goin Down the Quick Method”. His remark coming again to me was “It’s in the precise route however it feels like a diarrhea of sound” As a result of it wasn’t combined appropriately. I used to be simply excited handy him one thing. I used to be like okay that is a type of moments the place I’m going to should discover ways to settle for suggestions even when it isn’t from a musician and I do know that they imply properly. I remixed a few issues and I feel that is what he was speaking about and I despatched it again to him and he stated it was manner higher and it was superior. Okay cool, this man doesn’t simply hate me.
It form of simply got here from the guts. All of the soundtracks I work on, it’s me. Even whether it is entering into another person’s sneakers, I’ve to do not forget that the supply materials comes first, then you definitely put your influences on. So the supply materials is the construction of the home however you’ll be able to put up no matter partitions you need and paint on it, and hold and adorn, however simply ensure that the home continues to be the identical home that individuals bear in mind.
Now to deal with the Tweet above, Whiskey and occasional fueled half of the Rise of the Triad soundtrack. Most songs have been composed between 9 p.m. and three a.m. That’s true. Right here’s one little tidbit with it too. Terry Nagy, the man I used to be speaking about, the CCO from Apogee, he would frequently take me all the way down to a bar known as Hula Arms. And he would purchase the drinks after which he would simply take me residence and be like, “Alright, now go write some extra songs.” It was superior. I miss these days.
TA: This jogs my memory of that one observe in IDKFA the place you used a tremolo to duplicate a particular sound and it was the right strategy to do it.
AH: That was Darkish Halls in DOOM. It has the tremolo guitar that’s purported to be the rolling bass synth from that sound. I like that music.
TA: After ROTT 2013, one other recreation I didn’t actually play till lately was Bombshell and I actually solely purchased that recreation due to your soundtrack. I bought it once I was researching boomer shooters for an article and was wanting on the video games I don’t personal. I purchased it and didn’t actually take care of a lot of it, however the music was nice. I form of consider that soundtrack with Nightmare Reaper the place they really feel like simply metallic albums from Andrew Hulshult moderately than devoted recreation soundtracks. Was this the purpose in your profession the place you realized you’re actually good at bringing metallic into these sorts of video games? It felt like a turning level.
AH: That’s that’s an ideal query too like truly yeah like proper round that point I used to be experimenting quite a bit with simply you understand making massive atmospheric like synth stuff and like orchestral as you’ll be able to hear on that soundtrack when you bought far sufficient, laughs, but in addition like for the for the larger fights and stuff, I actually wished to start out dialing up you understand my very own sound and my very own writing and you understand I’d already accomplished the duvet stuff I wished to need to present individuals what what I might do and so yeah that’s form of actually the place my introduction to love my very own authentic items began coming into place, so yeah that’s truly proper. I by no means even thought of that that’s the place that began and in addition like I imply I gosh that’s if I give it some thought, that was 2013 is the top of 2013 is when improvement began on that, and it initially began as a Duke Nukem recreation earlier than the lawsuit, and I had an eight string by that point. I used to be tuning down massive time at that time, and there’s loads of stuff that by no means made it perhaps I’ll put that up on Twitter sooner or later however there’s loads of stuff that by no means by no means confirmed up on it as a result of it was somewhat too aggressive you understand however that stuff would later present up in DOOM you understand. laughs
TA: When simply discovering your music a few years in the past, the whole lot was actually good metallic, and this was most likely across the time I used to be primarily listening to metallic earlier than I began broadening my horizons. I went by means of this part once I was studying guitar and I began listening to extra Dream Theater after which bought a seven string guitar, and ultimately bought into Meshuggah. It bought me desirous about how once I hearken to your music now, you handle doing distinctive issues for every recreation and make the songs match the sport correctly. It isn’t simply metallic anymore so there’s no fear about being typecast. Did you’ve that concern that everybody is simply going to anticipate metallic from you once you’re behind a particular soundtrack?
AH: Oh man. You simply saying that simply out loud makes me wow. I nonetheless fear about that generally. There are moments the place I’m like am I getting typecast at this level, and also you saying, yeah I don’t have to fret about that anymore, I’m like oh thank god I heard it from another person the place they have been you understand like, as a result of I don’t need to be like I don’t need to be like straight up often known as metallic man you understand like I like metallic I like enjoying it I’ll make these data all day lengthy as individuals so long as individuals will hearken to it and even when they gained’t I’ll most likely make them, however yeah I like to color with totally different brushes like particularly once I become old, like I actually get pleasure from mixing sound design with guitars.
I like mixing sound design with orchestral devices, I like simply going full hand on my Eurorack synth stuff over right here and simply getting misplaced. As a musician I’m lucky sufficient at this level the place I can simply experiment, and I do know I can discover, I’ve the boldness now after engaged on all these video games and having some success with it the place I do know if I get misplaced I can discover a manner out as a result of I’ll discover one thing that I like, and likelihood is if I prefer it, I can most likely present it to some individuals who will dig it as properly. I’m so glad to listen to that you simply’re like I do know that I can get some selection. laughs
TA: I imply if somebody simply heard DUSK and I’d say in the event that they heard DUSK even that’s fairly totally different. I imply if somebody’s not into metallic perhaps they suppose nightfall sounds the identical as bombshell however you’ll be able to completely inform that DUSK was making an attempt to be like this center floor of what you want and 9 Inch Nails’ Quake. I feel it has one in every of my favourite guitar tones in gaming proper now, and it’s nonetheless fairly timeless. I need to transfer to AMID EVIL. I like the soundtrack to the principle recreation, however I need to ask in regards to the DLC for 2 causes. Now the very first thing is form of like a private matter as a result of I imagine you have been going by means of a household emergency throughout the time once you have been recording the soundtrack, proper? Once I was enjoying Dragon Quest VIII on the 3DS and my grandfather was within the hospital earlier than he handed away, every time I take into consideration Dragon Quest VIII now it jogs my memory of that. So do you undergo the identical factor with the AMID EVIL DLC music?
AH: I don’t suppose I’ve been in a position to sit down and digest it that manner but. However I do know precisely what you’re speaking about and I’m certain that’s what I’ll completely undergo. Yeah, to harp again to what you’re speaking about, to what you’re referencing, my father had a coronary heart assault. And it was simply out of nowhere. And it was on, gosh, I feel it was on New Yr’s Eve. It was like 9 PM on New Yr’s Eve. It was the yr earlier than it was launched And I used to be midway, I used to be like halfway by means of engaged on that soundtrack. And it simply scared the shit out of me. As anyone would. Your father’s dying And he ended up having like a, all 4 valves round his coronary heart have been like 90-95% clogged. So yeah, he needed to have a quadruple bypass. And fortunately, We now have a extremely, actually good coronary heart hospital proper subsequent to us. They usually’re at an age now the place they’re on Medicare. I feel it’s Medicare. I can’t bear in mind. It’s like when you’re previous 64 at a sure age on this nation, you may get on Medicare. And you understand, like well being stuff isn’t as a lot of a nightmare because it usually is. However they bought nice care, bought taken care of. However it was months.
It took months for all that stuff to occur. And there’s like so many issues that occurred in between that. Like this was proper in the course of COVID. So like every time he bought, it was proper in the course of the massive Omicron spike for the world. In order quickly as he bought admitted, he couldn’t get to an precise emergency room. He needed to sit in one other room for like two or three days and so they truly needed to sedate him for a number of days earlier than they might switch him to a different hospital to get checked out. Prefer it was simply loopy. And I used to be out of my thoughts. I used to be loopy at that time. And so as soon as they bought to some extent the place they stated we’re going to do surgical procedure and he got here out of surgical procedure, I simply wanted one thing to occupy myself. In any other case, I used to be going to self-destruct.
So I began writing quite a bit on the AMID EVIL stuff and began actually discovering that outdated like enjoying with a band and writing songs for you form of vibe entering into. And loads of that stuff in a AMID EVIL, the stuff that’s like bought loads of power behind it, that’s fairly private for me. There’s loads of feelings on that soundtrack. There’s additionally one thing else that I haven’t talked about in public but and I’m not going to speak about it right here that I began engaged on that has loads of that as properly. And that’ll nonetheless be some time earlier than that pops up. However I’d say that that was my major outlet for some time. You’ve got one thing to stay up for.
However yeah, like that soundtrack let’s wrap it up. That soundtrack did have loads of stress and loads of feelings tied to my father nearly passing away and me making an attempt to wrap my head round that. You’re proper. I hadn’t thought of that.
TA: The opposite factor in regards to the AMID EVIL DLC is that this particular music I need to contact on: Splitting Time. This music is attention-grabbing for a number of causes. It jogs my memory of a few of my favourite recreation trailers just like the music used within the Nioh 2 launch trailer, I’m undecided when you’ve seen it. However extra attention-grabbing than that’s I used to be enjoying Road Fighter 6 with a buddy of mine and listening to this within the background and he requested me if I used to be listening to Killer Intuition music? I stated it was the AMID EVIL DLC and he wished to know who made it. It jogged my memory fairly a little bit of Mick Gordon’s non DOOM music. We spoke about Killer Intuition and my buddy stated “they need to get Andrew for a brand new Killer Intuition album” and I wished to ask if Killer Intuition influenced that music?
AH: No I didn’t truly. However there is perhaps little hints of that backwards and forwards as a result of gosh, there are moments once I went again to that Killer Intuition reboot as a result of I believed Mick did such an ideal job on it. The place I’m like, man, the manufacturing right here is strictly what I’ve been making an attempt to do for like a handful of years, And like that soundtrack was simply actually inspiring to hearken to. I feel he’s simply, he’s a superb composer.
TA: That’s one other recreation I purchased due to the soundtrack as a result of once I performed DOOM 2016, I used to be like I have to play extra video games with this man’s accomplished the music for and everybody was like Killer Intuition. I used to be like I’ve by no means heard this. I didn’t personal an N64. What the hell is that this recreation? I purchased it and favored the music much more than the sport.
AH: That entire soundtrack slaps, man. He did a incredible job on that.
Once you notice @AndrewHulshult put his entire bussy into the Nightmare Reaper OST as a substitute of saving it for DUSK 2 pic.twitter.com/tU1AsySok0
— Dave @ Residence (@DaveOshry) October 11, 2023
TA: OK, so now let’s go to Nightmare Reaper a bit. I already talked about how this could possibly be your individual metallic album. I don’t even suppose it must be associated to this recreation. And that is one other recreation I simply purchased as a result of the music was so good. And I used to be like there’s form of like this disconnect between what I anticipated within the recreation and after I heard the music, as a result of I heard the music earlier than enjoying the sport and I used to be like, OK, I have to get used to this. However so earlier than I ask you about your thought course of between doing the music, I need to simply deliver up this different tweet (linked above) from New Blood’s Dave Oshry, which is attention-grabbing for Nightmare Reaper. Once I noticed that Tweet, I knew I needed to deliver it up every time I interviewed you sooner or later and right here we’re.
Laughs
AH: Each time Bruno reached out to me, Bruno is the developer of Nightmare Reaper. Each time he reached out to me, we simply actually began speaking about a few of our favourite bands and we might simply go off backwards and forwards as a result of he confirmed me a recreation that he was making. I used to be like, “That appears cool.” I used to be like, “Nicely, let me know when you’re ever .” After which we simply began speaking about music. He’s like, “Would you be enthusiastic about working with me on this?” And I stated, “Yeah, I feel that may be cool.” And he actually was like, “I simply need this to be like a metallic report from you.” I used to be like, “Actually?” He was like, “Yeah.” He’s like, “You’ve bought good influences.” He’s like, “I simply need it to sound such as you simply made a straight metallic report.” I used to be like, “Nicely, it could actually’t be simply that.” I used to be like, “However it’ll be largely that.” You continue to want to love, we have to, it must nonetheless be for a recreation. As a result of in any other case you’d have me, you understand, screaming over high of the whole lot as properly.
However yeah, it’s fairly near one thing I’d have written at the moment. You recognize, as you go along with a, as time strikes on, tastes change. And you understand, however like at the moment, for certain, that’s what you’ll have gotten for a metallic report. I feel that’s fairly shut, yeah.
TA: How do you handle doing that and in addition protecting the soundtrack dynamic for a recreation then?
AH: Um, play by means of it loads of occasions the place you’ll be able to determine the place you’ll be able to have rests and lulls. And the place any person’s gonna probably simply stroll round and search for issues. After which attempt to write one thing that you simply your self wouldn’t become bored with. And that’s nonetheless attention-grabbing when it comes to like, you understand, like an ambient observe or like a low power observe that also strikes somewhat bit. Simply music to discover to, proper? After which attempt to make a chunk that enhances what that’s, however is tremendous excessive power or, uh, simply greater power for it. So like, in order that these two can work collectively. You actually have to think about it as like, you’re gluing two or three totally different items collectively. As a result of like Prodeus has like three items.
It has an ambient, it has a light-weight fight, and it has a heavy fight. They usually’re structured in triggers all through that recreation. So I’ve to think about how this ambient works with this low fight music after which work with this excessive fight music. Or this heavy fight music. And do all of them transfer properly between one another, um, when you have been to only crossfade them at random occasions, you understand? As a result of that’s what the engine goes to do. So yeah, it’s like, I don’t know, you simply, you gotta take a type of items of music, construct it out first, after which take into consideration the opposite piece.
TA: Because you introduced up Prodeus, that was the subsequent recreation I used to be going to ask about. I don’t even bear in mind what occurred with Prodeus when it launched on Steam, as a result of I bear in mind being despatched a code for it and simply tried it out for evaluation, however was blown away by the music. I bear in mind I even joked about that once I wrote about boomer shooters. On the time, it felt like the whole lot boomer shooters was all about New Blood, Nightdive, and Andrew Hulshult. So Prodeus seems like metallic, industrial, bass heavy, and punchier basically. It really works properly with the aesthetic however I feel Cables and Chaos is my favourite. You’ve spoken quite a bit about Prodeus, however I wished to know what your favourite observe is from that and whether or not you can provide us an attention-grabbing anecdote from composing which individuals won’t learn about?
AH: Cables and Chaos is certainly my favourite one. Like, for certain. Like, that was the second. Um, so, like, they initially solely wished me to work on, like, the music that first shipped. Not lots of people know that I went by means of, like, this entire nightmare the place I needed to pull your complete soundtrack down throughout your complete, like, all this digital distribution and put it again up with all of the songs as a result of initially there was solely, like, ten items of music with Prodeus. After which once they have been getting nearer to launch they have been like, “Hey, we need to… we need to… we would like, like, ten extra.” And I used to be like, “Oh, uh, okay. Nicely, I’ve already put out the soundtrack.
We already agreed on this, so that is bizarre.” So, um, they confirmed me what else they have been engaged on when it comes to, like, the degrees and the whole lot that I hadn’t seen and I used to be like, “Good lord, these look unimaginable!” So I bought actually impressed with that and made a ton of actually simply extra aggressive items of music which became issues like Chaoscaster, Cables and Chaos, uh…I’m simply making an attempt to think about the opposite ones. Dystopian Dimension.
That entire soundtrack is superior. Like, that entire soundtrack, like, it was inbuilt an attention-grabbing time the place it’s…it was… half of it was pre-pandemic and the opposite half was throughout isolation throughout pandemic. So, it’s bought these actually attention-grabbing tangents of, uh, the second half of the report’s far more aggressive than the primary half. Simply because, like, I don’t know, I used to be at residence and I’m like, I can’t get something out. Like, when it comes to my outlet, I can’t exit. I can’t do that. So, like, all of my power was targeted on how aggressive can I make the remainder of this, you understand? Like, after which we lastly get to place it out. I feel that was 2022.
Right here’s one factor from Prodeus that I believed was tremendous neat. So, Spent Gasoline is likely one of the solely occasions that I’ve been…Nicely, it was one of many first occasions I’d accomplished it for the time being. The place I’d taken an thought and I used to be like, how do I write an idea round this? And actually, like, the map they confirmed me was simply, you understand, inexperienced sludge and radiated bullshit in all places. It appeared like Chernobyl. And, um…I used to be like, man, I actually need to discover methods to take issues like Geiger counters, uh, and, uh, pulses from, from, uh, from fission reactions and, like, perhaps even the sound of the, uh, the flash that occurs within the video every time they’re testing the atomic bomb stuff. Like, something that’s gamma or uh, radiation that’s audible, I need to take that and make a chunk of music with it. So, there actually are all of these issues in that piece of…that piece of music. So, there’s the sound of a nuclear reactor turning on, doing what’s known as a pulse, uh, for the primary time. And that’s truly utilized in a part of the beat. The Geiger counters used as parts of the beat that form of feels like a drum machine somewhat bit.
I reversed the sound of, uh, the atomic bomb, the preliminary flash hitting the digicam, making this “bzzz” sound. I reversed that and made it pulse backwards and forwards by means of the beat. After which, you understand, in a while the music is like loads of guitar stuff to go along with it and the whole lot, however all that stuff that’s happening with the synthesizer is all based mostly round, you understand, like radiation. And I used to be like, “Ah, that is cool!”
Each time I bought accomplished with it, I used to be like, “Lastly!” I had an thought, like an idea thought for a chunk of music that stems from like an actual life factor and put all of it collectively. In order that was like, that’s one of many standout moments for me on that soundtrack. I used to be actually pleased with that.
TA: Are you able to say something in regards to the DLC music or is that simply as much as the devs for them to launch?
AH: Uh, that’s as much as the devs for them.
TA: Something that’s totally different or attention-grabbing or ought to we simply anticipate one other banger soundtrack?
AH: I’m undecided in the event that they’re going to make use of the bottom recreation stuff or if they need me to work on something new. I’ve my suspicions that they’ll give me a shout most likely someplace within the close to future, however I haven’t heard from them but.
TA: I feel in a latest interview the place you spoke in regards to the Iron Lung soundtrack, which you’re doing, clearly you’ll be able to’t speak a lot about it, however I, don’t need to know in regards to the soundtrack particularly, I’ll anticipate the film to return out, however I need to know three issues: How is it engaged on a film soundtrack? How is it working with Markiplier? How has the finances out there for the soundtrack modified the way you’re in a position to strategy music composition?
AH: So the primary one was, how’s it engaged on a film soundtrack? Utterly totally different. Like, I believed that, I believed that I’d be capable of stroll in and simply be like, “Eh, this gained’t, this’ll be easy.” Oh. Like, it’s simply as difficult as the sport stuff, however in a very totally different route. The place I’d know precisely to speak to a developer about “Let’s put a chunk of music right here, let’s put a chunk of music right here, let’s do this.” I can do this with Mark, however they’re utterly totally different conversations. One is, you understand, I do know precisely what’s purported to be occurring within the recreation right here, that is, you understand, you’re selecting up this weapon, otherwise you’re, this journey is going on in entrance of you, that is the tone. The opposite is a movie that I could get one thing out of, however Mark could also be intending for a distinct emotion. So we’ve got to speak about these issues backwards and forwards earlier than I make a chunk of music. So it’s actually attention-grabbing. It’s a enjoyable problem, to be trustworthy with you.
The second was working with Mark? Mark is superior. He’s a lot enjoyable to work with. He hears issues that I don’t hear, uh, brings issues up in, in my very own music, the place I’m like, “Oh, I didn’t even take into consideration that.” And he’s very a lot, um, a musician with out, like, being a musician. Like, he doesn’t, he doesn’t write, like, so far as I do know, he doesn’t write a bunch of music, like, on the common, however he understands it very, very properly. And can, uh, frequently make selections once I hand him a chunk of music, and he’s like, “Okay, that is, you understand, generally we should minimize these backwards and forwards, however I promise you, like, like, to make it work for a scene.” He’s like, “However I promise you, we’ll do it as greatest as we will, or I’ll do it as greatest as I can.” I’m like, “Uh, you understand, like, perhaps I ought to simply recompose the scene.” And each time he cuts one thing to, like, probably make it, like, a tiny bit shorter, I’m like, “No, that’s precisely what I’d have accomplished. Like, how are you this good at enhancing these items?” Like, it’s, it blows my thoughts. Um, so he’s been incredible to work with.
The third is in regards to the finances for the film soundtrack and the way it modifications the way it impacts composition? Budgets have been quite a bit larger. I’ll simply, I’ll simply preserve it at that. They have been, they have been, they have been a lot larger. Um, simply due to how a lot, it wasn’t, like, because of, um, you understand, like, “Oh, you’re engaged on a movie now.” It was, it was due to how a lot music we went by means of. Um, I wrote demos with them on the set. So, like, they flew me all the way down to Austin and Mark stated, “Hey, you understand, why don’t you simply write music whereas I’m doing scenes?” I’m like, “Wow, that sounds truly actually, actually f***ing cool, yeah.” So, I’d go down there about as soon as each two weeks and spend about two or three days there, simply sitting at, uh, sitting out entrance whereas they’re, they’re doing scenes, and I’d be writing music with my headphones, simply watching on a monitor, you understand, what’s happening in entrance of me, like, 50 ft in entrance of me. And so, there was a ton of music from that, and there’s much more music that got here afterwards that we wrote, and in reality, um, I’m truly about to leap on a name as a result of I feel they want another, another piece of music.
I’m gonna soar on a name in like two hours, ’trigger I feel they want another piece of music. Um, however it’s, it’s simply been quite a bit. There’s quite a bit there. And it’s selecting the feelings that go the place. So, like, there could be, I wrote all these songs for, you understand, um, catching a vibe of despair, and these songs for catching a vibe of anger, and these vibes for stress, and this, and this, and we’ve got this large palette to only select from and decide the place we would like issues to go, and that’s what, that’s what Mark’s been doing. So, yeah, it’s, it’s just about, I imply, financially, the very same factor as, that I’d agree on with video games, however it’s simply, there’s the amount that, like, we’ve accomplished with stuff is like, whoa, that’s quite a bit! So, yeah.
So, yeah, it’s been nice. It’s helped me out a ton. I’d like to work with Mark once more after this.
TA: Going out of your first film soundtrack, let’s discuss your first chiptune album, which was Nightfall 82. So, was that really the primary time you probably did any form of chiptune remixing or composition or association, I ought to say?
AH: Yeah, the primary actual one, like, I imply, like, you can, you can argue that, like, the Rad Rodgers stuff has a few of that on there, however that’s, like, nearer to synth wave greater than the rest, I really feel like. And, like, that form of retro really feel. So, yeah, this was the primary actual time that I, like, approached, like, a chiptune. Like, that is, you need to keep inside these boundaries of restricted know-how. And it was actually, like, you understand, select your, select your sine wave. Would you like, you need sine, or select your audio wave. Would you like sine, sq., or, you understand, triangle? So, it’s one of many three. Simply constructing, like, drum kits based mostly off of that and, like, white noise and the whole lot. And, yeah, that was, that was attention-grabbing.
Like, when David approached me about that, I used to be like, “You wanna do what?” You recognize, like, utterly make, like, the Nightfall soundtrack and chiptunes of, like, why don’t we simply, like, select a handful of, like, the hits and go from there. Like, those that individuals bear in mind probably the most, you understand? And that was enjoyable. Uh, that was tremendous cool. Simply bouncing these backwards and forwards off Dave and David. However, yeah, that was, that was the primary time I ever did that. And it was, it was fairly cool. I’m glad individuals prefer it.
TA: I feel, uh, Nightfall 82 was, like, this free pre-order bonus with the Nintendo Change launch. So once I began enjoying that, I used to be like, “Wait, did they really do that for the soundtrack?” After which I appeared it up and I’m like, “In fact they did!” I do know clearly you’re, like, tremendous busy with, like, a ton of initiatives, however when you had, like, limitless time and assets, would you do a chiptune demake of any of your different albums? And when you would, which one would you decide?
AH: Gosh. Which one could be probably the most attention-grabbing is de facto the, uh, the query there. I feel the one that may be probably the most attention-grabbing if I have been to do this could be most likely AMID EVIL. As a result of there’s a lot happening in a few of these, it might be, it might be loads of enjoyable to return and, like, hear a few of these melodies which are, like, on, like, all string sections and stuff, and right here I’m taking all the way in which all the way down to, like, 8-bit, you understand? I feel that that may match rather well too. However yeah, if cash wasn’t a difficulty. Yeah, and time. Time’s the largest one there.
TA: Talking of money and time, I used to be going to ask you about remastering one in every of your outdated soundtracks, like bringing it to the fashionable Andrew Hulshult sound. You talked about that you simply’d do ROTT 2013 in the event that they paid you to remaster it.
AH: There’s a ton of labor concerned in that. Doing that only for IDKFA was a ton of labor. Like, that was months of getting that collectively. Um, yeah, I’d love to do this for ROTT if Apogee could be enthusiastic about it, however, like, it’s a time factor greater than the rest. I feel it’s a time factor for them, and it’s a time factor for me. I imply, they’re actually down the road, so, like, they’ll open up that dialog anytime they need, and it’s only a matter of when, you understand? When’s the precise time.
TA: WRATH: Aeon of Smash, I feel is a recreation you composed a very long time in the past, at the least in gaming, like, a number of years in the past, and it lastly launched this yr. That’s a soundtrack the place if anybody hears it, I feel they most likely wouldn’t anticipate it to be you once they hearken to the soundtrack, and that’s one of many issues I like about it, as a result of right here, like, he does extra than simply metallic, like, that you must get that into your head, like, that seems like a type of issues. How was it engaged on that soundtrack?
AH: It was attention-grabbing backwards and forwards. Jeremiah, the developer on that, the unique developer, at first, I feel he’ll be okay with me saying this, at first we didn’t, we didn’t see eye to eye on issues, as a result of I wished straight up, like, nearly no guitar in any respect, Quake, Like, that is what you’re going for, that is the viewers, we have to harp even additional into this, and he wished some guitar combined in there, and like, we’d butt heads backwards and forwards on it fairly a bit, till we lastly got here to love a mutual understanding, and I began listening to him out somewhat bit extra, and he began listening to me out, and I used to be like, okay, okay, I feel we’re all good on this.
However yeah, it was, that one was somewhat, somewhat extra powerful, simply because the, like, the event cycle was, wasn’t, you understand, as individuals know, like, didn’t, it didn’t go as nice, like, in the direction of about midway by means of, perhaps somewhat, even somewhat sooner than that, and I might see a few of that taking place in actual time, simply because I do know all these guys, so like, it was unavoidable.
In order that’s, that’s arduous to make artwork for when you understand that the product itself is having some issues. However I feel Christalynne Pyle did an excellent job with wrapping the whole lot up in the direction of the top of it, which was a activity in and of itself, for certain. However, I don’t know, there have been some bizarre concepts pitched on the market at one level, the place like, I feel Fred wished like, like straight up, like actually excessive metallic tracks at one level. I feel they even had a trailer at one level the place I used to be like, this isn’t the tone of this recreation. I don’t know the place you guys discovered that music, however like, that is, this isn’t that.
However I’m glad that the whole lot in the long run was in a position to have some cohesiveness and, and meld collectively. I actually want that we had time to do some motion tracks, like, for that recreation. Like, I really feel like there are moments the place that might have, that might have been useful, but in addition on the identical time, that’s a giant what if. You recognize, like, as a result of there’s two issues that you need to consider. Which is, that’s the Quake engine. It’s just like the OG Quake engine. You recognize, what are the constraints that we’re working with right here? Can we dynamically swap music, and is it going to work properly, simply in addition to you’ve heard in different titles? And quantity two, um, would that take individuals out of it?
As a result of everyone remembers just like the OG Quake having like, you understand, each map had its music. Nicely, I say that. It was a disc operating that simply performed a bunch of music. However principally, each map had a music for it. So, yeah, there’s, there’s a handful of issues there. However I just like the soundtrack. I feel it’s cool. I feel it’s, it’s, it’s bought some actually attention-grabbing moments in it the place like, one in every of them the place I used to be, I simply stated, “F*** it, no matter. We’re gonna, we’re gonna bow a guitar by means of a bunch of pedals and see what that comes out like.” That’s one in every of my favourite items from that. I feel that’s in the direction of the top. However, um, yeah, it was somewhat little bit of a battle, however I’m glad I nonetheless went by means of it. I had enjoyable, and I feel that everyone that labored on it was fairly pleased with it by the top.
TA: Now, DOOM Everlasting’s DLC. How did it really feel for you doing IDKFA and now doing official DOOM music? Like, it’s your soundtrack with David Levy? Did id Software program truly speak to you about IDKFA beforehand?
AH: I do know that IDKFA was, was handed round that studio an entire bunch, trigger I, I’d get, um, DMs from folks that work there that are actually, like, I take into account nice mates, the place they might attain out in, like, 2015, and 2016, and, like, all the way in which again as 2014, the place they might be saying, you understand, hey, I’m working at id proper now, I simply need you to know that I’m listening to your, to your music whereas I work, and I used to be all the time similar to, oh, holy cow, that’s loopy, you understand? Um, and I, you understand, way back to that, I used to be similar to, hey, when you ever, you understand, when you ever, when you ever want music, let me know, you understand? So, however, like, by no means, by no means, you understand, like, pushing like, the button or the boundaries, trigger like, I feel it was introduced that Mick was engaged on there in, like, 2015? Like, it was just like the yr earlier than, or one thing like that, once they actually began displaying a number of the music, and I used to be like, oh, they’ve, they’ve, they’ve bought that dealt with, okay, cool. So, um, however I used to be all the time enthusiastic about, find a, a strategy to work with that studio, trigger I like DOOM, and, like, it’s actually is, like, the core of my DNA desirous to work in video games, is DOOM, and like, Duke 3D, um, so, yeah,
I all the time wished to work with them, and IDKFA, I kinda checked out nearly as a resume, like, I used to be like, I’m gonna put this on the market, if it will get fashionable sufficient, it’ll converse for itself, and it did precisely that, as a result of, uh, in, gosh, that was, that was proper at, like, quarter one, quarter two of 2020, when, once they approached me, I feel it was, truly it was, I feel it was quarter two of 2020, and stated, hey, we, uh, we’re able the place we want, we want music, the place we want music, and, uh, we want it rapidly, and would you be as much as the duty for this? They absolutely have been, they knew what they have been asking was, was a tall order, in a brief time frame, and so they stated, you understand, we will completely use the bottom recreation stuff, however we wished to at the least attain out and, and ask you, as a result of we, we really feel like we will belief you, trigger I, I’d made relationships with, with, uh, with Marty, some gentle ones with Hugo, with Chad Mossholder, their sound man, I knew all of these individuals by then, and, um, I used to be like, hey, you understand what, it’s, it’s like 35 or 40 days, f*** it, we, let’s do it, it was like, this feels like a problem, I’m completely up for it, and, you understand, I needed to preserve my composure your complete time, however within the inside I’m like, oh my god, you understand, like, I’m engaged on an official DOOM recreation, uh, and when, however once we bought accomplished with that, like, I don’t know, it’s a type of bizarre moments the place you go, holy cow, we went from, uh, you understand, a mod mission, uh, all the way in which to the official factor, and it’s simply, it’s insane, it’s, it’s loopy, I preserve operating into these parts of my profession, I hope they by no means cease, there are, one thing all the time surprises me like that.
TA: I feel it’s protected to imagine that lots of people who let you know they love your music deliver up Blood Swamps from DOOM Everlasting’s DLC. As a result of I feel each individual I see on YouTube is like, everybody’s simply doing Blood Swamps, it looks as if the preferred factor and all, and for you that’s most likely a bizarre feeling as a result of you’ve this music which lots of people love or one thing which you’re actually pleased with, however you’ll be able to’t stream it or purchase it legally. Are you able to touch upon that in any kind? What do you inform individuals who ask about shopping for your music from DOOM Everlasting’s DLC?
laughs
AH: Nicely, Bethesda and id personal all that stuff, they paid me properly for it, so like I used to be pleased to do all that, um, that’s not like a bullshit PR factor, like, for actual, they took care of me. They personal all that, so you understand, in the event that they, in the event that they ever select to place that stuff out, that may be superior, I’d completely embrace it and get behind it with that, however generally studios do this, generally they don’t, and it’s simply utterly as much as their name, however I’ll let you know that they don’t have any downside with you, you understand, grabbing it off YouTube or something like that, so do this to your coronary heart’s content material, throw it in your telephone, no matter you need to do, they only, they’re simply glad that you simply just like the stuff, and so am I, to be trustworthy, however hey, hopefully someday we will get an official launch, like, that may be cool.
TA: Yeah, as a result of I’ve the DOOM 2016 vinyl soundtrack, and I’d like to have DOOM Everlasting music on vinyl as properly. Anyway that’s one thing I’ve been desirous about as a result of it’s most likely a tough scenario so that you can be in, as a result of individuals would who need to help you, like, clearly they’ll purchase DOOM Everlasting and purchase the DLC and stuff like that, however it’s an unlucky scenario for followers, is all, like, I’ll depart it at that.
AH: It’s probably not like a bizarre scenario in any respect. I’m completely okay with no matter, Bethesda and id need to do with that, as a result of they have been utterly up entrance, they’re like, we’re gonna personal this, what we select to do with that’s…Yeah, yeah, and I used to be like, yeah, that’s nice, I simply need to assist, I need to make like, a cool DLC for everyone that’s caught at residence, and I need to write like, some kick-ass music for it. And, so there’s no emotions of like, you understand, oh, that is bizarre as a result of this isn’t out, or something like that.
I do know persons are gonna rip it out of the sport, I do know, like, so do they, and like, that’s nice. However, you understand, hopefully, I want to see an official launch someday, however that’s utterly as much as them, and I’ll respect no matter they need to do, as a result of they’ve been nothing however superior.
TA: Now let’s simply discuss Blood Swamps for a bit, as a result of like, everybody loves the riffs and stuff like that, so, what was your thought course of in creating that music? Did they ask you to make one thing that match with the bottom recreation or let you know to only go wild and be Andrew with the music?
AH: They instructed me to go wild and simply be me, which I used to be like, that felt fairly harmful to me, as a result of I used to be like, man, the, you understand, what’s established right here from Mick? I’m like, that’s fairly robust. Like, that’d be like any person strolling into one other DUSK soundtrack, you understand, like, for the Indie Shooter, after which being like, we’re gonna do all synthwave, you understand, like, no, that’s not how that works. You need to serve what got here earlier than you. You need to present respect to what got here earlier than you. And that’s actually essential for the followers earlier than anyone else. Doesn’t matter with an govt producer, doesn’t matter with the musician, doesn’t matter with the artist. It’s for the followers. Like, you need to ensure that no matter you’re going to do goes to, they’re gonna go, okay, cool, yeah, I perceive, you understand, why you selected this. So actually, for me, taking a look at it once they have been like, hey, you simply be you, do no matter you need, what you suppose serves Doom the very best. I used to be like, properly, that’s a no brainer. I’m gonna, I’m gonna, you understand, I’m gonna supply some inspiration from 2016 and Everlasting, after which write what I’d need to write.
So, the colours that I’m portray with are acquainted, however the writing that I’m utilizing, what I’m utilizing to color, or the image I’m portray is totally different. So there’s some familiarity there. As a result of, you understand, like, Blood Swamps is kind of a bit totally different than stuff that you’d hear on 2016 or Everlasting. It’s somewhat bit extra, that is, uh, that is like nearly like a standard metallic music. And like, the truth is, uh, I bear in mind handing that over to Chad the primary time and him being like, “Oh, metallic. Alright.” And I used to be like, “Actually? That’s like, you’re shocked. However, um, the, uh, it’s just a bit bit extra nearly conventional. However, um, yeah, there’s, like, it was good having David and Chad to bounce stuff off of. As a result of the place I’d hand them one thing, like Blood Swamps was initially like simply guitar, simply, simply bass, and simply drums. And it began, I began including issues in at, uh, after speaking to, um, to Chad and David fairly a bit. The place they might be like, you understand, “Have you considered any sound design stuff?” I’m like, “Nicely, what did you, you understand, what are you pondering? Present me the devices that you simply’re working with and, you understand, like, let’s simply speak stuff out.”
We’d have like hour lengthy conversations each single day. And we might all simply be taught from one another. It was, it was so cool. However, yeah, like Blood Swamps comes from some extent, I simply bear in mind, I’ve to put in writing one thing that if that is the one DOOM recreation I work on, it must be simply, like, manner on the market. Like, I’ve to, I’ve to, I’ve to only take my shot. And it has, I’ve to tear out the entire limitations which are like, “Hey, ought to I do that? Shouldn’t I do that? Who provides a f***?” Simply, simply simply write the quickest, most aggressive factor that you can imagine at this time limit, and we’ll go from there. And that’s what, that’s what Blood Swamps was. After which the whole lot else got here after it, I used to be like, “Okay.” It was like, “We will do various things now.” You recognize?
TA: I feel you talked about the way you had a number of weeks to do the DLC soundtrack, however since you had the help system of these two, it was all attainable in the long run. I feel you talked about that in one of many different interviews.
AH: Yeah, as a result of David was dealing with, like, on the primary DLC, he was dealing with the cutscene work, and he had his personal, like, stuff the place he was engaged on a boss, and a degree, after which I bought these two ranges, in order that they break up up the work evenly between us on each DLCs. And there’d be so many occasions the place I’d name David or Chad and simply be like, “Hey, how are you doing immediately?” You recognize? And one in every of us could be like, “Oh my God, I don’t know the place to go.” You recognize? And we might simply speak backwards and forwards, and in some way we’d give one another concepts. It was magical. Like, it was loopy. Simply after speaking to David, if I had nothing in my head on what I ought to write, after speaking to David or to Chad, I’d be like, “I do know what I have to do now.” It was cool.
TA: Going again to IDKFA a bit, you talked about how a lot work you needed to put into revisit and, like, Remaster the unique soundtrack. What did you consider revisiting these songs? Like, did you’re feeling like, you understand, perhaps I ought to have accomplished one thing otherwise? Or have been you want, “No, I’m proud of this. I simply need to protect it for followers of IDKFA.”
AH: Yeah, it was extra of a, it was somewhat tiny little bit of, “I need to do issues somewhat otherwise.” However, like, I’m speaking to essentially, actually small levels. It was extra about preservation than the rest. And if one thing was being damaging whereas making an attempt to protect it, these have been the issues that I’d attempt to remove. An instance of that’s there was loads of compression on the unique IDKFA. Simply because I used to be nonetheless in my early 20s at that time, early to mid 20s at that time, mixing in an residence that isn’t, like, acoustically sound or something like that. So I’m making combine selections that aren’t the best, however nonetheless maintain up. Like, that album nonetheless sounds nice, however simply a number of the compression aspect, like, on the grasp of it, is somewhat aggressive.
So once I went again this time round, I truly went by means of each single a type of songs one after the other and simply gave it somewhat bit extra head room, somewhat bit extra respiration room, in order that when you hearken to it sufficient occasions, you’re not going to get, like, ear fatigue or one thing like that. That’s actually what I used to be involved about. And that’s the entire Doom 1 stuff from the unique IDKFA all bought that therapy the place the edge has been raised just a bit bit in order that it sounds somewhat bit extra open and pure. And I changed a pair snares right here and there, and perhaps like a kick drum and a bass, however they’re so small I nonetheless haven’t seen anyone discover them.
TA: It’s best to revisit Metallica’s St. Anger and do that for all of the followers.
AH: It’s inconceivable to repair that! laughs There’s been bands which have accomplished that. I’ve re-recorded that complete report and I see it on YouTube now and again. I’m like that is… this may have been a cool report if it might have sounded okay, and perhaps some construction modifications have been totally different, however yeah, it’s no matter.
TA: I feel when Metallica did Loss of life Magnetic, that they had the Guitar Hero Metallica stems which individuals used to combine it higher than the precise album. How does this preserve occurring?
AH: James attests to it. These guys are so massive that they legitimately have last say on the whole lot that they do. So every time they’re touring and you have already got Tinnitus and also you’re mixing in a tent, I bear in mind them speaking about “Yeah, no shit, the guitars are shiny.” I used to be listening to mixes in a tent and making combine selections on the highway. I’m like, “Oh, that makes much more sense now.” Like, oh my god. As a result of the Guitar Hero mixes do sound manner higher.
TA: This jogs my memory of once I watched Deafheaven and the way wonderful they sounded dwell. You’ve got so many bands that launch albums with brickwall mastering ruining the sound of an in any other case good album. It’s a disgrace that some bands don’t get outdoors assist for issues like mastering.
AH: Yeah, it’s…I imply I nonetheless do my very own mastering stuff so I’m the beginning and end with all my stuff however I completely get it every time I see a band that has a report that’s simply utterly smashed. I’m like, “Yeah.” If I used to be only a musician who actually knew the best way to play guitar and that’s about it or actually knew the best way to play drums and that’s about it, I perceive how this occurs. It’s only a bunch of men within the room going, “Louder! This must be louder.” laughs
TA: So that you revisited IDKFA’s authentic DOOM 1 music, however you additionally did nearly a whole Doom II soundtrack. I feel there was one observe which was on YouTube or two tracks. Once you have been doing these new songs, how did it really feel for you as a result of now you’ve come to this point forward as a musician and did you’re feeling tempted to make it a contemporary Andrew Hulshult album versus making an attempt to be Doom II? How did you strategy that?
AH: Man. This entire IDKFA factor with id’s blessing has been an unimaginable expertise. It seems like I’m closing a chapter of my profession with the followers as a result of IDKFA is what bought me so many roles and a lot recognition beforehand. Nicely, IDKFA and Rise of the Triad, however IDKFA was a giant one and I nonetheless get individuals which are like devs that attain out which are like, “I do know you from the DOOM stuff.” And I’m like, “What? DOOM Everlasting?” They’re like, “No, IDKFA. I performed that DOOM WAD.” And I’m like, “Oh my god.” So I nonetheless get jobs due to that. So every time I sat down… Each time Marty Stratton despatched me an electronic mail a few yr and a half in the past to ask if I had time to sit down down at QuakeCon final yr and discuss some issues, I used to be like, “Uh oh. One thing’s both gone terribly unsuitable or he simply desires to hang around.”
So we sat down and he was like, “Hey.” He’s like, “I’ve an thought.” And I used to be like, “What’s that?” He’s like, “What if we provide you with a license for the DOOM soundtrack for IDKFA so as to put that out on the entire streaming platforms your self and do no matter you need and also you give us a license to do with what we’re engaged on, which was the DOOM and DOOM II remasters.” And I used to be like, “That sounds cool.” I used to be like, “I’d like to lastly get that out on official websites and the whole lot.” And he was like, “Oh, it’s superior.” He’s like, “I hoped you’d say that as a result of this may simply be so cool to have this as a selectable factor. Prefer to go from the Bobby Prince to this if individuals wished to.” And I used to be like, “Yeah.” And I’ve been doing that with soundtracks lately in any case.
About midway by means of that entire factor, we have been simply buying and selling struggle tales in regards to the trade and simply getting alongside. And I used to be having a blast. I used to be pondering, “Man, that is actually going to be closing a chapter in my profession.” I used to be getting somewhat emotional. I used to be like, “I’ll let you know what.” I used to be like, “I’ll do you one higher.” I used to be like, “Why don’t we end DOOM II and make it the true deal?” Folks have requested for it perpetually. I’m like, “That will actually poke my viewers.” They’d be like, “Holy shit! Doom 2 is lastly completed!” And he was like, “For those who’re up for it, yeah, completely.” He’s like, “We’ll get you a license for something that you simply do on that as properly so as to put that out as properly.”
So, yeah. It was…strolling into doing DOOM II was a lot enjoyable. Each step of the way in which. Adam Pyle, the man that labored with me on Quake Champions, was the man that I bounced all my mixes off of. He instructed me initially, he stated, “Hey, you understand, do no matter you need.” He’s like, “It’s you. It’s the explanation individuals need to hearken to it, so I don’t actually have a lot of a say.” I used to be like, “Bullshit!” I used to be like, “You labored with me on Quake Champions. I’m going to bounce each combine that I do off of you, and I need to hear suggestions from you.” It’s like, “I respect your opinion as a result of we bought stuff like we did on Quake Champions as a result of we talked backwards and forwards.” So we did. I’d ship him… I’d end Working from Evil and ship it to him, and he’d go, “This sounds nice, or, you understand, like, what when you did this?” It was solely a pair occasions the place he was like, “What when you did this?” I used to be like, “Oh!” They have been all the time cool concepts. However I actually respect Adam’s means to throw out issues now and again. He’s only a nice individual to bounce mixes off of. So, simply doing these one after one other and attending to the top of it.
As soon as it was all wrapped up, I’m not going to lie, as soon as it was all collectively, I used to be simply in my workplace and I used to be like, “Oh my god!” Having a second the place I had a grown man cry the place I used to be like, “I can’t imagine that that is occurring. I can’t imagine that, primary, I’m going to be a part of the unique DOOM in an official capability. Quantity two, they’re going to ask me to speak at QuakeCon, like, dwell on stage and announce the whole lot. And quantity three, they gave me a license for all these items in order that I can put it out and I can truly make some cash off of it. That doesn’t occur with a giant studio. They don’t simply go, “Right here’s the soundtrack. Have enjoyable.”
I don’t know. It’s simply nonetheless so loopy. It hasn’t actually sunk in for me nonetheless. I’m nonetheless in that bizarre spot the place I’m like, “Yeah, that is on the market. We’re selling it.” And as soon as that’s over, I’m certain I’ll be like, “Oh my god.” You recognize, like, “Holy cow.” However it’s been enjoyable.
The DOOM II stuff, I wished it to be one thing somewhat bit extra recent on the place I’m at as an artist. I didn’t need it to be precisely like IDKFA, like the unique DOOM I stuff. As a result of if I have been to do this, I’d have to return and utterly remix all of DOOM I stuff, which I used to be like, “No, that must be preserved. Folks know what that’s.” So you’ll be able to’t contact that. That’s already accomplished. So I believed, “Okay, properly what if I simply gave them how I’d do DOOM II proper now?” Which is strictly what it’s. All that stuff is like, “Yeah, f*** yeah.” These are the precise selections that I’d make with synths, with guitars, with drums. I feel the whole lot slams. I feel it sounds nice. So it’s only a image from 2011, 2012 with the unique IDKFA. It bought formally launched in 2016, however it began engaged on it way back to again. So it’s an image of the place I used to be as a musician, that far again. After which this one is an image of 2024. So that you get it’s form of like a time capsule.
TA: Was The Healer Stalks one of many new songs as a result of it positively seems like trendy Andrew Hulshult?
AH: Yeah, that was the second written. I feel I nearly went in chronological order doing that complete soundtrack.
TA: You and I’ve each been enjoying DOOM for the reason that 90s. Once I began studying guitar and enjoying quite a bit, I began desirous about the DOOM soundtrack and a number of the songs positively have bits that remind me of different band music like Pantera. Once you did IDKFA and simply heard the music basically, what did you consider that and the way does it really feel revisiting a few of these songs now? Stuff like A New Degree and This Love from Pantera immediately spring to thoughts.
laughs
AH: Yeah. A few of that stuff’s fairly shut. Like generally, proper? However it’s totally different sufficient the place you’re like, oh, okay. Yeah. However yeah, there’s positively some inspirations that have been taken from like thrash metallic for certain. As a result of I imply, like they all the time talked about Romero having on like Slayer and Metallica and all that stuff like enjoying whereas they have been making the sport. So it solely is smart that they’re like, you understand, hey, make one thing comparable round this. I don’t know precisely how that story went. I wasn’t there. I used to be like, you understand, I used to be like 4. However that makes full sense in my head. And yeah, going again and listening to them like, yeah, it’s there someplace within the ballpark of it for certain. Like
TA: So after DOOM II, have you ever gotten individuals saying, when are we getting an IDKFA model of Quake and stuff? Since you did one music, proper?
AH: Yeah, yeah, yeah. I did the theme. I feel I did that only for enjoyable. And I feel I actually did that as individuals have been, I noticed a bunch of discussion board posts. It was both discussion board posts or Discord about individuals undecided like about me on DUSK of all issues. Prefer it wasn’t even like a totally introduced recreation, however they have been like, “I’m undecided Andrew”. And I used to be like, OK, you understand what? I used to be like, f*** you. I’ll simply remake the Quake theme. And then you definitely’ll see if I’m the precise individual for the f***ing job. laughs And so I put that out and other people have been like, oh, and I bear in mind like a bunch of the feedback have been like, oh yeah, okay, he can work on DUSK.
TA: Do you hearken to that soundtrack typically? The unique Quake?
AH: Oh, man. I don’t hearken to it. Hearken to it. However like each time I’m going fireplace up Quake, which is about like as soon as twice a yr. A little bit greater than that if I’m enjoying multiplayer with mates. That’s the factor I stay up for probably the most in addition to like the extent design is the soundtrack simply because it’s so on the market. Reznor did such an excellent job on that. It’s unimaginable. God, I want it’s a pipe dream, however I’d like to work with him on one thing and Atticus Ross on one thing sooner or later. That will be loopy. However they’re like manner up there, you understand.
TA: Their film soundtracks are wonderful. I’ve truly been watching a number of the motion pictures simply because they’ve accomplished the music as a result of I feel the audio design in The Social Community is unimaginable. I feel they did just like the latest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles factor, which I nonetheless want to look at.
AH: It’s so cool when artists step out of their consolation zone like that, the place it’s such as you’re identified for such as you’re offended and miserable music after which it’s like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It’s like now I’m . Yeah.
TA: Going again to your music, we coated Blood Swamps being the preferred music which individuals deliver up once they meet you and stuff. I noticed this interview with Closing Fantasy 14’s composer Masayoshi Soken who was requested a few music which he actually favored, however nobody truly brings up, and that he thinks deserves extra consideration. He stated Sport Idea. I need to know what’s that for Andrew Hulshult.
AH: Splitting Time. Like everytime you introduced that up, I used to be like, oh yeah, from the AMID EVIL DLC. I imply prefer it’s properly it’s DLC. So like by nature, DLC doesn’t get as a lot consideration, you understand. However just like the AMID EVIL DLC altogether earlier than I speak in regards to the music, the DLC is unimaginable. Like that’s my that’s one in every of my favourite issues I’ve labored on like in latest reminiscence. Like all of the music’s nice. Prefer it was , it was a pleasure to place all of it collectively. All of the sound design, all of the traps and the whole lot. It’s simply an unimaginable DLC. For those who don’t have it, you need to go get it. That’s not me shilling and simply oh go purchase the sport. Prefer it’s f***ing superior. They did an unimaginable job.
TA: Everybody should purchase that recreation and DLC.
AH: Nicely, I don’t need to appear to be a shill. For those who prefer it, you prefer it. Like when you don’t, when you don’t dig it, don’t purchase it. You recognize we’re not not right here to love, you understand attempt to promote a bunch of stuff.
However like splitting time ending up that piece of music. It felt like an actual second the place I don’t know. I felt like form of a shift as an artist the place I used to be. I used to be far more snug with loads of the extra aggressive sound design parts being combined in with compositions and discovering methods to make them gel higher. And the whole lot actually got here collectively on that observe and out every time midway by means of I used to be like, that is the ultimate boss observe. I used to be like I don’t care what you’re designing. I’m like, that is the ultimate boss observe. And you understand, two seconds after they began listening to it, they’re like, oh yeah, that is the ultimate boss observe. We hadn’t even made the character but. I used to be similar to, right here it’s. That one hung round for a very long time. And yeah, that’s I really feel like that music may be very a lot an excellent indicator of the place I’m musically proper now.
TA: Now let’s get a bit into the weeds. Let’s discuss your present guitar setup, your pedals, your amps, string gauge, pickups, I need to know no matter you’re utilizing.
AH: So the guitar I’m utilizing probably the most is a Caparison Dellinger 7. I truly simply had a pickup swap on it the place I put some Seymour Duncans. I feel I put an SH5 within the bridge and an SH2 within the neck on this one. Particularly as a result of the SH5 on it has a extremely attention-grabbing factor the place it doesn’t emphasize the low mids an entire bunch however they nonetheless minimize by means of rather well. So everytime you’re sitting there and like, you understand, like chugging on stuff and you need to observe that 4 occasions, it simply sits quite a bit higher within the combine than when you have been to only use like inventory pickups. There’s nothing unsuitable with Caparison inventory pickups. They’re nice. They’re tremendous, tremendous punchy. However for my mixing fashion I simply, I do know what I need when it comes to pickups so I simply, I swap these out.
I additionally did the identical factor truly final week with the 8 string. It is a Caparison Brocken 8 string. I don’t suppose they make this anymore. I swapped out the pickups on this one as properly to a gosh, what’s it? It’s Duncan. They’re actually, actually well-known 8 string pickups by Duncan. And I can’t bear in mind what they’re known as now.
TA: I didn’t know Seymour Duncan even had 8 string pickups.
AH: They do 8 and like, I used to be initially going to get some Fishman Fluences for it as a result of they appear like they might maintain the highest finish within the midrange somewhat bit higher however after I don’t know, I’ve simply all the time been a Seymour Duncan man. And after discovering a pair that I actually favored at a store known as Tone Store up the road from me. I used to be like, man, I actually need to put these in my 8 string and so they have a tech there that’s simply unimaginable at what he does with all my guitars. So I used to be similar to, hey, order these and I’ll simply depart the guitar with you and like per week later they got here again and I used to be like, yeah, that’s precisely what I wished, sounds unimaginable.
I’ve bought my Caparison 7 and eight, and I nonetheless have all of the guitars that I’ve had through the years for probably the most half. I’ve bought one other Schecter 8 string right here that may be a actually cool colour. It’s tremendous neat, like, it truly modifications from blue to purple.
TA: I feel it’s known as Prism or one thing like that. John Petrucci has one thing like that on one in every of his guitars.
AH: However yeah, this one has just like the EMGs in it and it’s a cool guitar. It nonetheless performs nice. Like, I nonetheless prefer it. However let me present you one thing that’s truly fairly candy. So I nonetheless have, I purchased this in like 2004. And I nonetheless have it. That is the guitar that I truly wrote all of IDKFA or most of it on and I wrote all of, I tracked all of Rides of the Triad with. It’s only a Schecter C6. It’s like simply inventory. It even nonetheless has the plastic within the again which is loopy. However yeah, that is like, I nonetheless have this guitar. I used to be like I used to be so near going as much as id, like which is simply on the road for me and being like after IDKFA was completed, I nearly was similar to, right here, you guys, you want this. You recognize, like, maintain on to this or one thing. Like that is the one. However like, I don’t know. It’s not like a mainline DOOM recreation, you understand? Like, it must be one thing like a mainline recreation the place I’d be like, I wrote this on this guitar right here. You recognize, if you would like this, it feels prefer it belongs to you. And likewise, a part of me is like, no, don’t do this. Like, hold on to it.
TA: Okay now string gauges.
AH: For string gauges, 10 to 59 on 7 strings. And on 8 strings, I feel it’s 10 to 65. After which sometimes on 6 strings, I similar to 10 to 46.
TA: Do you utilize D’Addario strings? I take advantage of them largely.
AH: I take advantage of D’Addario for probably the most half, however I bounce backwards and forwards generally to Ernie Ball.
TA: What about your amp setup and your pedals and stuff like that?
AH: So amps, I’ve bought nearly each amp I’ve ever owned. I had a JC-120. I had a few these Crate Blue Voodoos manner again within the day. Those that have been like, yeah, those that have been, have been principally copies of these Ampeg tube amps that they made a very long time in the past. I had a Valve State 8100. I had a bunch of amps and a bunch of VHT cupboards as properly too. And I bought all of them years in the past. I’ve actually simply been like working contained in the field for probably the most half with like neural DSP plugins into an RME interface and I additionally went so far as getting one in every of these lately, which is a Neural DSP Quad Cortex. So principally that is all of their plugins constructed into like a very nice processor. However for a mission I’m engaged on lately they have been like, hey you want an amp. And I used to be like, yeah, you’re most likely proper. I do want an amp. So I went and acquired this and I plug it into two 100 watt Seymour Duncan energy phases. Okay.
They’re like, they’re these little tiny like 100 watt energy amplifiers. They’re strong state energy amplifiers. And I run the stereo out from that factor into the left and proper aspect of these and people go into two Engel 2×12 cupboards. Which, okay, Engel 2×12 cupboards are superior. Ever since I heard a Rammstein report that used them I all the time wished to seize one as a result of I used to be like, god, these issues sound enormous.
TA: I wasn’t certain about this as a result of a buddy of mine stated he was certain AMID EVIL was recorded on an Axe FX Extremely.
AH: Any guitar stuff I’ve accomplished has used both Native Devices Guitar Rig from manner again within the day. Like IDKFA used a ton of Native Devices Guitar Rig 5 and Guitar Rig 4. However just about the whole lot since DUSK has used Neural DSP for guitar work. It’s simply me plugging instantly into my RME UFX and generally I’ll use pedals going into it just like the Unique BB Preamp however more often than not it’s only a dry DI sign getting manipulated contained in the field.
So, those that bought probably the most use on DUSK have been the Moogerfooger low go filter. Consider it or not, like anytime you hear the sound of one thing turning into form of lo-fi or something. It was all the time run by means of this filter. It was fairly cool. However the factor I like about it probably the most is the drive circuit on it. Like I don’t even prefer it that a lot as like a filter filter. The drive part on it’s simply so aggressive that it’s a extremely attention-grabbing sound and like that sound that you simply hear on the DUSK soundtrack which is like the entire actually excessive excessive finish that’s like actually excessive power. It’s nearly just like the 9 Inch Nails stuff. A ton of that comes simply from driving the entrance finish of this factor. And identical manner with the Fulltone Catalyst. However yeah, it’s only a few of them. I feel there’s another that I take advantage of quite a bit. I don’t suppose I’ve it right here. It’s the ZVEX Fuzz Manufacturing unit which is simply an insane sounding pedal. It simply feels like rubbish. And that’s why I prefer it. It simply feels like you might be destroying a sign which is ideal. I’m cool. That sounds cool. That’s an ideal impact. I like that.
TA: You’ve completed quite a bit in your profession to this point with recognizable music. As a musician, how have you ever been studying to enhance your individual expertise like programming drums, software program, and the way do you steadiness doing that whilst you have loads of people who need to work with you on new initiatives?
AH: Each day is rather like I don’t know. For those who’re not educating your self one thing each day, that is my practice of thought. If I’m not making an attempt to sound higher in my very own head, no matter I feel is best, I’m losing my time. So if I really feel just like the drum equipment I’ve used like two or 3 times on two to 3 totally different data, if I’m like that feels stale. If I then go if it feels stale and I do know the ends and outs of it and the best way to make it sound good then I want to vary that drum equipment. I want to search out one thing totally different and work with it and see if I can get some totally different sounds out of it. So I’ll change devices and simply purposefully put myself in positions the place I don’t know the place I’m at or what sounds good with it simply in order that I can discover my manner out of it.
It’s form of like limiting your self, like placing your self in a field that’s actually essential as an artist to just remember to are working inside a sure scope of issues and going hey, you understand, right here’s one thing that’s utterly unfamiliar, get used to it and that is what you need to work with. So, yeah, like I don’t know, simply continually difficult myself is a part of who I’m for probably the most half. So, it’s simply the way it all the time goes.
TA: I’m glad you introduced that particular bit up as a result of in one other interview of yours you talked about how as soon as you bought to your thirties crucial factor turned getting good sleep which lots of people take with no consideration of their twenties. So my query is that making an attempt to have a routine is essential even when you can’t stick with it 100%. What does a day in your life appear to be proper now?
AH: A day proper now appears like about, a typical day is about wherever between 6 to 7 hours of sleep which is about what I want I’ve came upon, prefer it’s like someplace round there, generally 8 after which randomly I’ll have days the place it’s like, oh you want like 11 hours I don’t know why, however I really feel nice waking up utterly recharged with like 6 and a half to 7 and a half hours of sleep. So what I’ll do each morning is I’ll get up, I’ll go take a bathe instantly, like that’s the one manner I can begin my day is like I really feel like I’ve bought to it seems like I’m washing off yesterday I don’t know the way else to elucidate that after which I gotta have a espresso after which I gotta begin writing issues on a whiteboard that’s proper over beside me to the left as a result of in any other case I’m simply gonna spin my wheels all day lengthy and suppose, oh I ought to do that, I ought to do this, I’ll be desirous about the whole lot I have to do after which by no means truly do something. I don’t know if that’s ADD, ADHD or no matter that’s undiagnosed, I’m certain it’s to a point which I’ll get to that sooner or later however till then I’ve the whiteboard and so long as I write stuff down on it on what I need to do this day, I’ll knock all of it out, each single piece of it. However what’s tremendous essential for me to do is simply plan out the day early on after which the whole lot simply involves it afterwards.
The opposite factor that’s form of new for me too is round like 4 o’clock sometimes I’ll now attempt to do, this has been inside the final 3.5 months, I’ll attempt to do about 20 to half-hour of cardio. Simply because I really feel like for some purpose elevating my coronary heart charge actually takes me from hey I might focus earlier than to now I’m tremendous laser targeted and might get by means of no matter I have to and it additionally places me in a significantly better temper if I’m having a shit day.
TA: You’ve beforehand talked about that you simply love enjoying Cities Skylines. Did you play Cities Skylines 2?
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AH: Yeah, however you understand like I haven’t gone again to it but. I have to attempt it once more sooner or later. However oh boy prefer it wanted some extra time within the oven every time I attempted it. Like no offense to them. I used to be similar to wow.
TA: I imply you most likely tried it on like your correct gaming PC. I similar to to play Steam video games on a Steam Deck and I might get it at 5 fps or one thing after a little bit of enjoying.
AH: Even with the 3080 I feel I used to be at factors I used to be sitting there at like 35 frames a second. I’m like actually? With the 3080? That is the place we’re at huh? Okay.
TA: Do you continue to play Hunt: Showdown and did you attempt the brand new Hunt: Showdown 1896 replace?
AH: Yeah. That they had some actually attention-grabbing decisions with their UI that they only pushed with this one which lots of people aren’t in favor of. I’m getting somewhat extra used to it as time goes on. However man there are some issues they should hammer out with it. However yeah I nonetheless play that like a pair occasions per week with my buddies in New Blood. Like with Dylan who’s engaged on Gloomwood. I’ll play it with David now and again. I’ll play it with Mason who’s the developer on Religion. Like we’re all, similar to all of us simply hang around. We’re all simply mates. So Leon, me and Leon play it I feel probably the most. Leon’s the lead on AMID EVIL. However yeah like New Zealand and America enjoying a web-based fps recreation is a wild factor however we’ve got a good time doing it.
TA: Earlier than we wrap up, I need to know your favourite bands and artists proper now out and in of video video games.
AH: I’m fairly boring on this one to be trustworthy with you. I have to department out somewhat extra. Favourite bands outdoors of video video games proper now like for certain and so they’ve sat there for some time is Gojira. I actually like their mixing. I like how tight they’re dwell. I like their decisions on composition. I don’t really feel like they write a foul music. I might throw out the plain ones. Metallica is one other one simply because James Hetfield’s proper hand is like what impressed me to play guitar. Like how briskly you are able to do these issues is loopy.
Exterior of or in video video games I’d nonetheless say I nonetheless suppose and it’s going to be a bizarre selection since you’re like properly you write all this aggressive music. What’s Jesper Kyd? That man is rather like nice on the whole lot he touches and the whole lot he touches is all the time distinctive. However I all the time return to his early stuff just like the Hitman franchise as a result of it’s simply so unusual and prefer it actually fits these early video games rather well. For those who hearken to it outdoors of it, it seems like a extremely bizarre chilly form of soundtrack. Even from the very first recreation which has loads of attention-grabbing issues like nearly drum and bass decisions. It nonetheless seems like a chilly entrance.
You recognize, like a Hitman. And I all the time simply discover that stuff fascinating. How he was in a position to take so many various genres of music between all these video games and nonetheless make them match appropriately for that character. So yeah and I feel he labored on the Darktide stuff extra lately which I want to present a hearken to. Everyone’s instructed me that’s unimaginable however I don’t know I used to be knee deep in like 4 lively developments every time that recreation got here out. So I simply haven’t given it an opportunity.
TA: Hypothetical scenario, when you had no time or finances constraints, when you might compose for any single recreation and any single film which might you decide?
AH: So let’s see for any recreation if it had the precise route I’d actually prefer to take a shot at like a Duke recreation. As a result of I really feel like that’s an IP that could possibly be introduced again if it’s introduced again in the precise manner. And you need to suppose that’s actually going to be dictated by whoever the inventive manufacturing is on the time. So if it was accomplished in the precise manner I’d like to step into that.
Both that or I’m going to throw one other one out to you. I’d like to work on Minecraft. Similar to relax you understand. Like simply make one thing that’s utterly chill. So these are utterly two reverse sides of the spectrum.
However so far as a film, man, that’s an ideal query. Let me give it some thought for only a second. Man on Hearth. Like I like Denzel Washington’s work as primary: as an motion hero I feel he’s nice. However quantity two every time he is ready to have sufficient time to place drama into issues. And like both I don’t know the way else to elucidate it aside from he does a f***ing loopy incredible job.
Both Man on Hearth or American Gangster. A kind of two soundtracks I feel I might do could be nice to work on. As a result of there’s so many various feelings between each of these movies. It’s a giant curler coaster that doesn’t go up and down as soon as. It goes up and down and does like a loop. And like you understand, it takes you aspect to aspect. Like each of these movies do that basically properly.
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TA: You’ve got loads of bands you’ve been listening to for a very long time like Metallica. What are your ideas on their latest or new albums?
AH: I can discover issues I like on just like the data that they put out as a result of like I’m a die arduous. Even with this final Megadeth report. I might nonetheless discover stuff that I like I can chew on. No downside. Completely. However you understand these guys aren’t going to put in writing like one other Grasp of Puppets. That comes round as soon as in a lifetime. You recognize what I imply? They usually struck it 4 occasions. Like with Kill ‘Em All, Trip the Lightning, Grasp of Puppets and …And Justice for All. So prefer to even simply get that’s loopy. However I do discover issues that I like on all their newer stuff. Like I feel What was the 2016 report that that they had? Hardwired to Self Destruct. Yeah I feel that that really had some actual moments of actually actually good writing on it.
Particularly the final observe. I felt like Hardwired was an ideal observe. However I additionally thought Moth into the Flame was written tremendous properly. There’s a handful of simply actually actually actually good writing on that report. On 72 Seasons, there’s nonetheless a handful that I actually like. However they don’t sync as a lot for me. And I’m undecided if it’s as a result of I’m in search of one thing quicker or not. Which that’s simply not the place they’re at for the time being. That’s not what they’re writing. And that’s okay. I’ll say the final observe on that report I really feel like is ideal. It’s so good. I can’t bear in mind what it’s known as off the highest of my head for the time being. I’m horrible with music names generally. It’s loopy. It’s like 11 minutes and it seems like a 5 minute and 30 second music. I bear in mind listening to it the primary time. I used to be like gosh. There’s a lot emotion thrown into this music that it’s only a pleasure to hearken to. I like it once I can inform that somebody actually dumped all their feelings onto one thing. That’s when it actually strikes a chord for me.
However yeah even the final stuff from Slayer, there’s issues that I can discover that I get pleasure from. however I do know I’m not going to get the revolutionary report that we had rising up. That’s okay. I’m simply glad they’re nonetheless making music. And it’s nonetheless fairly sick.
TA: What’s probably the most random piece of music memorabilia that you simply’ve held onto for a very long time?
AH: I had a buddy that I labored with a very long time in the past who fell on arduous occasions at one level and he was mates and and like labored with Pantera for a very long time. And he was like man he’s like I’m making an attempt to do away with these items I’m like why don’t you simply maintain on to it and like like right here’s right here’s you understand right here’s some money when you want some money to get by. He’s like no no no he’s such as you maintain on to it simply pay me for it. I used to be like okay so I’ve bought this vinyl of the Nice Southern Trendkill that’s one of many authentic vinyl releases, however I even have a plaque that got here prefer it was given to one in every of their both their sound or their lighting crew at one level and it’s like for the tour in Japan for the Nice Southern Trendkill that very same time. And I used to be like the place did you get this you understand like what the hell. And he’s like yeah we simply you understand had him and I knew the man and he had like 5 or 6 of them that they gave him by chance so he gave me one. I used to be like oh okay all proper. So I’ve each of these issues in my closet they’ve frolicked with me for like gosh I need to say 15 16 17 years now however these outdated ones won’t ever go away.
Some individuals preserve costly booze in a decanter. Teah and I preserve hand-crafted chilly brew espresso. pic.twitter.com/7DJlgWcjaB
— Andrew Hulshult (@AndrewHulshult) October 10, 2020
TA: Okay for my final query, how do you want your espresso? I normally ask this on the finish, however I bear in mind an outdated Tweet of yours (linked above) made me much more interested in your reply.
AH: Yeah man I just like the chilly brew stuff. I cherished sizzling espresso perpetually however like chilly brew I don’t know the longer I’m going the simpler it’s to only sit on a desk and sip on. I don’t should be like that’s sizzling. I can simply be like no we’re simply getting the entire caffeine all of sudden if I need to. So chilly brew espresso. Chilly brew black.
I’d prefer to thank Andrew Hulshult for his time and assist with this interview over the previous few weeks.
You possibly can sustain with all our interviews right here together with our latest ones with FuturLab right here, Shuhei Matsumoto from Capcom about Marvel Vs Capcom right here, Santa Ragione right here, Peter ‘Durante’ Thoman about PH3 and Falcom right here, M2 discussing shmups and extra right here, Digital Extremes for Warframe cellular, Staff NINJA, Sonic Dream Staff, Hello-Fi Rush, Pentiment, and extra. As ordinary, thanks for studying.