Lots to cover with this update!

Since the end of summer there has been some slow progress on the Bladesmith front. Since last update we returned to the studio and recorded two new songs which brings the total to 11 songs. Everything is complete except the vocals. As I usually do during the recording process I write the lyrics along side the music. This time around (aside for a few choruses and themes I already had in mind) I haven't touched the lyrics at all. Now that the music is completely done I can move on to the next part. I hope this doesn't bring any problems into the arrangement of the songs as new ideas could flourish from this attack method.

Still haven't decided if I should upload some instrumental samples yet. On the fence regarding that issue. It would be nice to finally have some new music uploaded for the first time in over 2 years but I wonder if vocals should be recorded first so the entire atmosphere is captured. Something still to decide on.

The new logo has been revealed. As much as I was fond of the last logo I felt it was too square and needed to be adjusted to better fit covers, shirts, etc. These modifications were done by myself in early summer 2008.

Also last Saturday I went out with a friend of mine and we took the promo photos for the new album. They have been posted on the Myspace, Facebook fan page as well as www.firesoulforge.com. It was the first professional photo shoot I was in and it was a real blast even if the weather was pretty cold and my hands got all numb. Well worth it I believe.

The cover art is done. Just doing some final touches. It along with a track listing and samples will be the next to follow.

All instruments have been recorded and final touches are being put on the mix. In spare time I have been working on lyrics but I haven't actually gotten deep into them yet. These means there is a good chance that there will be a gap between now and the completed product as vocals will take some time to record.

Instrumental samples will be posted soon in order to give a taste of what is ahead!

Everything is moving along at a fast pace. At the moment I am taking a break from writing bass lines in order to post this update:

Mid-morning yesterday we completed recording guitar tracks for 9 songs. A large burden has been lifted from the shoulders knowing that the guitars are done and can be hung up on their racks for the time being (taking for granted that there won't be any changes to record later on).

Today began bass guitar. With past Bladesmith releases I quickly ran bass with the rhythm section and never took any time to actually write worthy bass lines. Which was quite dumb of me since before starting Bladesmith I spent 5 years playing bass guitar (and since Bladesmith began 4 years without practising bass guitar). This time around, since there is a lot of melody on this raw piece of recording, I am taking the time today and tomorrow to come up with some melodies that will make the bass worth while.

During the guitar phase I wasn't sure if recording bass would be worth while considering how this is turning out. I felt (and some times still do) that the bass could be inaudible but plans are moving along and bass recording will take place in the next couple of days and hopefully only take that long.

With guitar tracks done and song arrangement in place I tell that the album is shaping as followed: 9 tracks clocking in around 35 minutes filled with surprises for anyone that has followed Bladesmith from the beginning.

Work on our new album grinds along at a slow but constant pace. I have spent a few months away from Bladesmith to let my vision clear and gather my ideas and certain influences I have on my music.

After returning from my time out of country I have returned to Bladesmith with a storm. In the last week guitars have been recorded for three new tracks. On average I record a song a day and once the guitars are finished I will move on to bass, final drum tracks and eventually vocals.

So far these songs include a lot of melody, riff variety and half the length of the songs found on "Legion of Swords".

The inspiration from the transition to autumn has been incredible.

More to come soon.

Erik

Last week I made myself comfortable in the new home for Firesoul Forge. This is the first recording session taking place in the new location so I spent the better half of a day last week getting a feel for the area and the type of sound I would be getting. The new Firesoul Soul Studio had been available for over a year already and i have taken advantage of the few opportunities i get to twist some knobs and bang out some riffs but this is the first time to really sit down and seriously think it out and experiment.

I have had three sessions in the last ten days. Like I said before, the first day was for getting use to my new settings and adjust my equipment. The second day I ran some tests and recorded guitar tracks for three songs. These were only samples to get an idea of the sound i am going to get and for myself to get a feel again for recording. The sound, by the way, is fantastic. A little louder and more ear piercing than "Legion of Swords". I am very pleased so far.

Today i had the third session. Got straight down to business today. Recorded the guitar tracks for "song11" (it is only a name, there is no set amount of songs yet) and am ready to move on to the next. The difference between both guitars in this recording is quite interesting. The settings are so minimal that it is quite easy to switch from one guitar to the other. So to get a better feel for my songs I decided to go with a different approach I have not yet taken with any of my sessions. Recording both guitars as I go through my songs then going back and recording bass the whole way though.

The official Bladesmith logo shirt is now available. Contact me through Myspace or e-mail if you are interested.

SIZES:
M, L, XL, XXL

PRICE:
15€

SHIPPING:
5€ inside Europe
7€ elsewhere
(these are sent by priority and will arrive in approximately a week)

You can find the official Bladesmith website at the location below. All future news updates will be added there and this page will be updated with new tracks to listen to and what releases are coming soon.

http://www.firesoulforge.com/