Adam "Nolly" Getgood Interview - Heaviness in Metal Music

Renowned producer and musician Adam “Nolly” Getgood shares his deep insights into the art of crafting heaviness in contemporary progressive metal. Known for his work with Periphery, Animals as Leaders, Architects, and many other prominent acts, Getgood discusses his artist-centred approach to production, his innovative use of digital tools, and his sonic philosophy, which combines precision with visceral impact. Getgood offers a compelling interpretation of heaviness, from its cultural roots in classical music to its modern manifestations in metal. Drawing on examples like Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, he explores how concepts of size, power, and mechanical precision shape the sound of heaviness. For Getgood, this is achieved through low-end frequencies, industrial textures, and synchronized performances that create a powerful, immersive sonic experience. He also contrasts this with the atmospheric and emotional heaviness of lo-fi black metal, highlighting the diversity of approaches within the genre. This interview is part of Heaviness in Metal Music Production (HIMMP), a research project funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), grant reference AH/T010991/1. The project, hosted at the University of Huddersfield, UK, in the Schools of Arts and Humanities and Computing and Engineering, ran from 1 September 2020 to 31 August 2024, led by Dr Jan Herbst and Dr Mark Mynett. 📢 Watch the full interview to explore Nolly’s production philosophy and the science of sonic weight. Learn more about HIMMP at www.himmp.net. 🔔 Subscribe for more interviews, insights, and research into the world of metal music production. #MetalMusic #NollyGetgood #MusicProduction #HIMMP #ahrcresearch Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Early Experiences 02:00 - Defining Heaviness Beyond Metal 04:52 - Producing and Reproducing Heaviness 09:15 - Representing Musicians' Intentions 12:19 - Navigating Performance Challenges 14:34 - Textural Elements Contributing to Heaviness 16:01 - Lo-Fi vs. Hi-Fi Production Aesthetics 18:21 - Production Challenges and Solutions 20:58 - Reflections on Overproduction 24:19 - Mixing Trade-offs and Evolution Detailed Timestamps 00:08 - Introduction with Adam "Nolly" Getgood 00:20 - Early experiences with harmonically distorted guitars 00:49 - Influence of classical music in childhood 01:23 - Connection between classical instruments and distorted guitars 02:00 - Reframing the concept of heaviness 02:29 - Heaviness as the sound of massive objects 03:18 - Natural and industrial sources of heaviness 03:50 - Different subgenres embodying different forms of heaviness 04:26 - Progressive metal's approach to heaviness 04:52 - Core components that translate heaviness in recordings 05:47 - Tightness in performances contributing to heaviness 06:33 - Impact of synchronization on heaviness perception 07:42 - Genre-specific approaches to heaviness 08:24 - Metal core's relationship with classical themes 09:15 - Balancing musicians' intentions with technical precision 10:36 - Avoiding imposing personal vision on artists' music 11:22 - Evolution as an engineer beyond formula 12:19 - Navigating the challenges of fast performances with downtuned instruments 13:37 - Error-spotting approach to mixing 14:00 - Relationship between performance tightness and clarity 14:34 - Textural elements contributing to heaviness 15:04 - Sub drops and synth reinforcement in modern metal 16:01 - Comparing lo-fi and hi-fi approaches to heaviness 17:15 - Black metal's different emotional delivery of heaviness 18:21 - Challenges of dense productions 19:35 - Managing competing elements in complex arrangements 20:04 - Using automation and dynamic processing solutions 20:58 - Defining overproduction in metal 21:53 - The issue of drum sounds lacking cohesion 22:47 - The importance of integrity in production 24:19 - Trade-offs in metal production 25:32 - Technological advancements reducing traditional compromises 26:46 - Risks of overreliance on sampling and editing 27:36 - The importance of dynamic contrast in production