Toontrack Death Metal EZX Expansion Pack

In the mid-to-late ’80s, death metal was a peripheral genre of underground bands. Then, by the early 1990s, acts like Death, Morbid Angel, Cannibal Corpse and a handful other US bands predominantly from the Florida and East Coast areas started gaining traction. At the same time on the opposite continent in the UK, the likes of Carcass, Benediction and Napalm Death advanced with their own breed of death. On the other shore of the North Sea, in Scandinavia, bands such as Entombed, Therion and At the Gates all added their own blend to the mix. By then, the rest of the world had caught on and death metal as a phenomenon was a fact. Ever since, trends in heavy music have come and gone, but death metal has stayed its course and stood its ground. Arguably no genre has evolved in a more organic way, with a constantly rejuvenating fanbase and steady increment of bands. Today, although fragmented and more of an umbrella to a host of sub-genres, death metal has never been more alive.

This is where the Death Metal EZX takes its vantage point – to bring you timeless drums, tailored for modern death metal production. It was recorded by acclaimed engineer/mixer/producer Mark Lewis at the impeccable room at Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, Texas, and sampled by legendary drummer Sean Reinert (Death, Cynic). The two featured kits, handpicked from the Death & Darkness SDX, display two kindred but fundamentally different beasts of razor-sharp, pristine and crystal clear drums designed to cut through in anything from rampant tempos to dense walls of guitars and extremely layered productions.

With the Death Metal EZX, you get the touch and stroke of a legendary drummer combined with Mark Lewis’ engineering applied on two meticulously sampled and tuned drum kits, ready to bring your music into the future and add some new life to your death metal.

FEATURE SPOTLIGHT

• Two complete kits
• Recorded by Mark Lewis (Cannibal Corpse, Whitechapel, The Black Dahlia Murder) at Sonic Ranch, TX
• Sampled by legendary drummer Sean Reinert
• Includes a collection of death metal-inspired drum MIDI grooves by Dave McGraw (Cattle Decapitation)

THE STUDIO - SONIC RANCH

In the midst of pecan orchards, grape vines and breathtaking panoramas, the Sonic Ranch has a truly a one-of-a-kind setting for a recording studio. Bordering the Rio Grande and Old Mexico, located on a a 2,300 acre secluded property, this is not just a place to record, it’s a place to create.

“Sonic Ranch has been one of my favorite places to work since I first did a record there. It’s one of the world’s premiere studios with the best gear, incredible rooms and the most focused and inspiring work environment I’ve ever been in. From the equipment to the people and the food to the vibe, it was a no-brainer to create this important project there. I am thrilled with the results,” commented Mark Lewis.

NOTABLE METAL MOMENTS.
Here are just some of the albums on which you can hear the sonic fingerprint of the Sonic Ranch.

Bullet for My Valentine “Scream Aim Fire” (2008)
DevilDriver “Beast” (2011)
Cannibal Corpse “Torture” (2012)

INSTRUMENT LIST

KIT 1
THE METALLIC BLACK.

KICK 1
16×24” Gretsch Square Badge 1980s

KICK 2
16×24” Gretsch Square Badge 1980s

SNARE
6×14” Sonor Artist Series Cast Bronze

RACK TOM 1
8×10” Gretsch Square Badge 1980s

RACK TOM 2
10×12” Gretsch Square Badge 1980s

RACK TOM 3
12×14” Gretsch Square Badge 1980s

FLOOR TOM 1
14×16” Gretsch Square Badge 1980s

FLOOR TOM 2
16×18” Gretsch Stop Sign Badge 1981

HI-HAT
14” Zildjian K Custom Session

RIDE
22” Zildjian K Dark Medium

CRASH 1
18” Zildjian A Custom

CRASH 2
18” Zildjian A Custom Fast

CRASH 3
19” Zildjian A Custom

CHINA 1
18” Meinl Byzance

CHINA 2
19” Zildjian A Ultra Hammered

SPLASH
10” Zildjian A Custom

KIT 2
THE BATHYAL BLUE.

KICK 1
18×22” Yamaha Recording Custom 1990s

KICK 2
18×22” Yamaha Recording Custom 1990s

SNARE
6.5×14” Tama Bell Brass

RACK TOM 1
9×10” Yamaha Recording Custom 1990s

RACK TOM 2
10×12” Yamaha Recording Custom 1990s

RACK TOM 3
12×14” Yamaha Recording Custom 1990s

FLOOR TOM 1
14×16” Yamaha Recording Custom 1990s

FLOOR TOM 2
16×18” Yamaha Recording Custom 1990s

HI-HAT
15” Meinl Byzance Medium

RIDE
20” Zildjian K Custom

CRASH 1
18” Meinl Byzance Medium Thin

CRASH 3
19” Meinl Byzance Medium Thin

SPLASH
12” Zildjian K Custom Dark

ADDITIONAL SNARES

6.5×14” Drumcraft Bell Brass
7×13” Dunnett Cast Iron
6.5×14” Ludwig Black Beauty