What was the recording process like for your upcoming record? We recorded with Jonny Renshaw (Guitar) at Bandit Studios in Tetbury. We recorded the last two albums with Jonny. He really is a great producer and he has recorded, mixed and produced this new album. The recording process this time was fairly quick. Of course we had a few set backs due to illness and such, but on the whole we got the recording done much quicker than we have in the past. It probably took about three months to record and mix the album.
When you entered the studio, what would you say were the main ideas for this record, or just what you wanted the album to sound like in general? In terms of recording, we were a lot quicker with decision making. We didn’t spend days on getting sounds right, as inevitably you go round in circles anyway. We got things sounding how we like them and just started to record. I guess you could say that we have our own sound. We did tryout some different amps to see if it would sound any different, but ultimately we stuck with our usual setup. The only change was using different guitars.
How would you say this record compares to your prior release 'Blessed and Cursed' ? I think it is a denser record and a bit more varied. We have faster songs on this new album and perhaps a little bit more energy throughout. We have also used some effects pedals that we would never have thought of using before, such as pitch shifters and whammy pedals - there is also a slide guitar part on there too. So we really did try to broaden our techniques on this record. Vocally, this album is very strong for Ed and showcases how good a vocalist he is.
“We seem to work out ideas a lot quicker and creativitiy seems to flow a lot more” What do you think you have learnt the most as a band from recording this album? Probably that sometimes you can over-think things way too much. You can go round in circles and discuss a certain point to death, but ultimately you will end up where you started so it's best to go with the flow and move on to the next issue. I also think we have really developed as a writing team. We seem to work out ideas a lot quicker and creativitiy seems to flow a lot more.
You guys have been on the UK metal/hardcore scene since 2004, so with this in mind how would you say the scene has progressed/changed since you first started out? I would say that when we started, post-hardcore was probably in the background of the scene, but it seems now that it is becoming more and more popular. I hope this is a good thing, but at the same time we run the risk of it becoming too saturated. I am sure it will spawn some great bands and music. But we will always strive to be different - we always have.
What do you want your upcoming 3rd record to do for the representation of Devil Sold His Soul? Perhaps open us up to a broader audience. We feel that sometimes people don’t listen to certain music because of the image surrounding it - if we can try and knock down some of those barriers, I think it will help more people get involved with heavy, atmospheric music. Mainstream has to get used to screaming.
What else does 2012 hold for Devil Sold His Soul? We will be doing a video for the next single which will be out before the album drops in September and then we plan to tour it as much as possible. We want to try and get to countries we have never been to before and play to as many people as possible. If we can do that, then we will be happy.