Resources Linked More Visibly

The HiMMP project website has undergone significant enhancements to improve accessibility to research resources. All audio files, producer mixes, interview videos, and educational materials have been reorganised with more prominent placement on relevant pages. The comprehensive dataset containing multitrack recordings, producer mixes, and interview footage is now directly accessible through a prominent button on the homepage, facilitating ease of access for researchers, educators, and music producers. This update reflects our commitment to maximising the impact and utility of the research outputs from the project.

Upcoming Publication in Sound on Sound

We are pleased to announce that our article "Masters of the Art of Mixing: 8 Producers – One Song – Infinite Insights" has been accepted for publication in Sound on Sound magazine, issue 9/2025. This article represents a collaboration between Dr. Mark Mynett and Prof. Dr. Dr. Jan Herbst, sharing key findings from our producer interviews and mixing analyses with the wider music production community.

Sound on Sound is one of the most respected publications in the field of music technology and production, and this feature will include audio examples that demonstrate the different approaches to achieving heaviness in metal production. The article will be available both in print and online editions in September 2025.

Videos Uploaded

All producer interview videos and mixing sessions have now been uploaded to the HiMMP YouTube channel and embedded on the project website. This comprehensive collection features in-depth discussions on the concept of heaviness with eight world-renowned metal producers, as well as detailed documentation of their mixing approaches to our project song "In Solitude." These materials constitute a valuable educational resource for aspiring producers, researchers in metal music production, and the wider academic community, offering unprecedented insights into professional metal production practices.

Conference Presentation at ARP 2025

The HiMMP research team will present their findings at the prestigious Art of Record Production (ARP) Conference in London, scheduled for June 2025. Our presentation, titled "Heaviness as a Production Value: Empirical Findings from the HiMMP Project," will share insights from our extensive analysis of eight different producer approaches to mixing the same metal track.

This presentation will focus on the technical, aesthetic, and cultural aspects of heaviness in metal music production, highlighting the diverse strategies employed by producers to achieve this quality. The conference provides a valuable opportunity to engage with peers in the academic community and receive feedback on our research methodology and conclusions.

We Are Going to Spain

The HiMMP research team will present findings at the International Conference on Metal Music and Culture in Barcelona, Spain (14-16 March 2025). Our presentation, "Heaviness as Cultural Capital in Metal Music Production," will examine how different production approaches to heaviness function within the field of metal music. This presentation builds upon our analysis of the production approaches documented through the HiMMP project and situates them within broader discourses of cultural authenticity and value in metal music communities.

New Book Contract with Routledge

We are thrilled to announce that Routledge Press has contracted Prof. Dr. Dr. Jan Herbst and Dr. Mark Mynett to write two books based on the HiMMP project findings:

1. Heaviness in Metal Music Production: How and Why It Works – A scholarly analysis of the concept of heaviness, exploring its theoretical foundations, historical development, and contemporary applications in metal music production.
2. Heaviness in Metal Music Production: Learn from the Masters – A practical guide for producers and engineers, featuring insights and techniques from the eight world-class producers who participated in our research.

Both books are scheduled for publication in early 2026 and will include access to audio examples and additional digital resources. These publications represent a significant milestone in our efforts to document and disseminate the knowledge gained through the HiMMP project.

Book Updates

The manuscript for our first scholarly monograph, "Heaviness in Metal Music Production: How and Why It Works," is progressing well, with six chapters completed and submitted to the publisher for initial review. The theoretical framework developed through our research has been refined following feedback from the international advisory board and will incorporate additional insights from our most recent producer interviews. The book remains on schedule for publication in early 2026 and will serve as a comprehensive academic resource on the sonic characteristics and production techniques that contribute to heaviness in recorded metal music.

Data Analysis Phase Completed

The HiMMP research team has completed the comprehensive analysis of all producer interviews and mix comparisons. This milestone marks the conclusion of the data collection and primary analysis phase of the project, enabling us to move forward with the preparation of our final outputs.

Key findings from this phase include the identification of consistent approaches to achieving heaviness across different subgenres, as well as some surprising variations in technique and aesthetic priorities. We have also documented the evolution of these approaches over time and their relationship to technological developments in music production.

Research Featured in Metal Hammer Magazine

Our research on heaviness in metal music production has been featured in a four-page spread in the December 2024 issue of Metal Hammer magazine. The article, titled "The Science of Heavy," introduces readers to the HiMMP project and includes interviews with Prof. Herbst, Dr. Mynett, and producer Jens Bogren.

This feature represents an important step in communicating our research to the wider metal music community and acknowledges the cultural significance of our work. The article includes QR codes linking to audio examples and video interviews on our website, potentially bringing new visitors to our research resources.

Project Completed

The HiMMP project has officially reached its conclusion after four years of intensive research. All producer sessions, interviews, and analyses have been completed, with a comprehensive dataset now available through our online repository. The project has exceeded its initial research objectives, documenting the approaches of eight world-class producers to mixing the same metal track and developing a sophisticated theoretical framework for understanding heaviness in metal music production. We would like to express our gratitude to the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) for their generous funding support, as well as to all the producers, musicians, and researchers who contributed to the success of this project.

Final Producer Session Completed

We are pleased to announce that Andrew Scheps has completed the final producer session for the HiMMP project. This milestone means that all eight renowned producers have now contributed their mixes of "In Solitude" and participated in in-depth interviews about their approach to creating heaviness in metal music.

The complete collection of producer mixes, stems, and interview footage is now available in our data repository. These resources provide unprecedented insight into the technical and creative processes employed by leading figures in the field and will serve as a valuable reference for both academic researchers and practicing producers.

Sound on Sound Magazine

The editorial team at Sound on Sound magazine has confirmed that our feature article on the HiMMP project will appear in the October 2024 issue. This six-page feature will include an overview of the project methodology, key findings, and sonograms illustrating different spectral characteristics of the producer mixes. The article represents a significant opportunity to disseminate our research to a wider audience of audio professionals and music producers beyond the academic community.

A Second Book Is Coming!

We are pleased to announce a contract with Routledge for a second book based on the HiMMP project. While our first book focuses on the theoretical aspects of heaviness in metal music production, this companion volume, "Heaviness in Metal Music Production: Learn from the Masters," will take a more practical approach. The book will distil insights from our producer interviews into actionable techniques for achieving heaviness in different metal subgenres, providing a valuable resource for working producers and audio engineering students. Publication is anticipated for late 2026.

Sound on Sound Article

Work has commenced on an article for Sound on Sound magazine based on the HiMMP project findings. This article will focus on the practical aspects of achieving heaviness in metal music production, drawing on specific examples from our producer interviews and mix analyses. The inclusion of our research in this prestigious publication will significantly extend the impact of the project beyond academic circles to reach professional producers and engineers working in the field.

Another Video Shoot

The research team has completed an additional video shoot documenting the comparative analysis of the eight producer mixes of "In Solitude." This video examines spectral characteristics, dynamic processing approaches, and spatial treatments employed by different producers, providing a detailed technical analysis of contrasting approaches to heaviness. The video will be made available on the project YouTube channel and website in conjunction with the release of our forthcoming article on mix comparison methodologies.

Back from Stockholm

The research team has returned from a productive session in Stockholm, where we conducted interviews and mixing sessions with Jens Bogren and Fredrik Nordström. Both producers offered valuable insights into the Swedish approach to metal production, which has been influential in defining the sound of several metal subgenres. The contrasting approaches of these two renowned producers provide a fascinating study in how different technical and aesthetic priorities can achieve comparable perceptions of heaviness through distinct sonic signatures.

Two More Field Trips in December

The project has scheduled field trips to Stockholm, Sweden, and Cardiff, Wales, in December to work with multiple producers. The Stockholm session will involve collaborations with seminal Swedish metal producers Jens Bogren and Fredrik Nordström, while the Cardiff session will focus on the mixing approach of Mike Exeter, known for his work with Black Sabbath and Judas Priest. These sessions will provide valuable comparative data on regional variations in metal production aesthetics and technical approaches to creating heaviness.

New Chapter

We have submitted our chapter "Contemporary Approaches to Metal Music Mixing and Production: Heavy Metal, Death Metal, and Metalcore" for the forthcoming Routledge Companion to Metal Music Composition. This chapter examines subgenre-specific production techniques identified through the HiMMP project and contextualises them within broader compositional frameworks. The publication will provide an important resource for understanding the relationship between composition and production in contemporary metal music.

A New Article Is Out

Our article "Lorna Shore's 'To the Hellfire': A Study in Heaviness" has been published in Metal Music Studies (9:2). This case study applies analytical frameworks developed through the HiMMP project to examine how contemporary extreme metal production techniques contribute to perceptions of heaviness. The article represents an important application of our theoretical models to current metal production practices and has been made available through open access to maximise its reach and impact.

Recruiting the Next Producers

We are in advanced negotiations with two additional producers to join the HiMMP project. These appointments will complete our producer cohort, bringing diverse perspectives on metal production aesthetics and techniques. The final lineup will represent various metal subgenres and regional production approaches, ensuring comprehensive coverage of contemporary metal production paradigms. Confirmation of these appointments is expected within the coming weeks.

New Article Accepted for Publication

Our article "Lorna Shore's 'To the Hellfire': A Study in Heaviness" has been accepted for publication in Metal Music Studies journal. This research applies analytical frameworks developed through the HiMMP project to examine production techniques in contemporary deathcore, demonstrating the practical application of our theoretical models to current metal production. The article is scheduled to appear in the September 2023 issue (9:2) and will be made available through open access.

Producer Interviews 5 and 6 Done

The fifth and sixth producer interviews and mixing sessions have been completed successfully. These sessions documented contrasting approaches to achieving heaviness in metal production, with particular focus on dynamic processing strategies and spectral balance considerations. The recorded material provides valuable comparative data for our analysis of production techniques across different metal subgenres and production philosophies.

Another Article Publication

Our article "'I Just Go with What Feels Right.' Variance and Commonality in Metal Music Mixing Practice" has been published in El Oído Pensante (11:1). This research examines the balance between technical standards and creative freedom in metal music production, based on preliminary findings from the HiMMP project. The article has been published open access and is available on our website, contributing to the growing body of literature on metal music production practices.

Sixth Producer

Josh Middleton of Architects and Sylosis has confirmed his participation as the sixth producer for the HiMMP project. Middleton brings valuable expertise in modern metalcore production, complementing the diverse range of metal subgenres represented by our producer cohort. His approach to achieving heaviness through layered guitar textures and precise rhythmic articulation will provide important insights into contemporary metal production aesthetics.

Fifth Producer Confirmed

We are pleased to announce the confirmation of the fifth producer for the HiMMP project. This addition to our research team brings valuable expertise in a distinct metal subgenre, further enhancing the comparative scope of our study. The producer's specialised knowledge will contribute significantly to our understanding of subgenre-specific approaches to creating heaviness in metal music production.

Mike Exeter

Renowned producer and engineer Mike Exeter has joined the HiMMP project. Known for his work with Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, and Tony Iommi, Exeter brings extensive experience in traditional heavy metal production. His participation will provide valuable historical context and insight into the evolution of heaviness in recorded metal music, particularly in relation to the foundational British heavy metal sound that influenced subsequent developments in the genre.