7/9/2002
Scott
answers some questions about "Symphonic Extremeties", the black &
green colors and his vocals.
Hello Ultimaniacs,
We often get questions about our first album Why is it out of print, why are
the vocals so different, etc. Well, I answered a few of those questions recently
in a chat room and decided to post them here.
Question: Well, I got my sealed copy of "Symphonic Extremeties" that I
won on eBay. (The) production lacks, but I like it. I think I like Scott's
vocals better on this disc. (They are) a little cleaner, and not as ear-peircing.
Wasn't 'World of Sin' on another CD too? Hey Scott, what's your fascination
with Black and Green? Just curious. (Is it) just part of the logo/overall
concept of Ultimatum maybe?
Scott: "World of Sin" was written and recorded after 'Symphonic Extremities' was released independently by Ultimatum. When Juke Box Media decided they wanted to release 'Symphonic,' they asked for a bonus track. I guess they were hoping that people who already had the tape would invest in the cd if it had an extra track. We had recorded "World of Sin" for a compilation cd for Rowe Productions, but we were extremely unhappy with the mix. So we had Rex Carroll remix it for us as the bonus track. The record company really liked the idea of Rex Carroll and plastered his name right on the front cover, which irritated me. I would have been cool with a sticker that said "Bonus track mixed by Rex Carroll of Whitecross" instead of the yellow band they put on the actual album art.
Despite liking Rex's mix better, we were not happy with the overall performance of the track and thought it could be better. I guess 'W.O.S.' is a band favorite because we always play it. Once Sean Griego joined and added that missing element of double bass that we needed, we decided to re-record the song for our Rowe Productions release "Puppet of Destruction". We were also aware that Juke Box was going out of business, so we sort of figured that "Symphonic" would go out of print. (Which is did.) By re-recording it we were able to keep the song alive and continue to play it live. The vocals on that album are much less aggressive than the next two.
Most reviews back then said I sounded like a cross between Bon Scott and Dave Mustaine. I still sing those songs like that live. We have, as of this year (2002) resurrected "Megaton" and "Killing Fields" and may start playing those live again if we should get the opportunity to play a full set. We have always played the title track live. I still think it is one of the most aggressive songs we have ever written.
What most people don't know about "Symphonic Extremeties" is that it is the result of two demos being put together. There is actually some pretty rare five song demos floating around called "Symphonic Extremities by Ultimatum" that are a bit different than the final 10 song album released a year later. When we recorded those songs, we had no money and no studio experience. We just went in and pretty much played them live in this dudes garage that he converted into a makeshift studio. The drums are completely live and most of it is in one take, which says alot about Mike Lynch. He was a solid drummer. So despite the production problems, I like much of the material on that disc. If we had the money, we'd love to go back in the studio and re-record that whole album.
It's pretty funny seeing that album sell for so much on eBay. The last copy sold for some $26.
As for the green and black, well, I dunno. Our last two albums just turned out that way. It's become part of Ultimatum, so we just keep using it. Our new embroidered tour shirts are black with green stitching as well. It just looks good together I guess.
e-mail Scott: ultmetal@flash.net
