Recording Sessions
In The Studio
Samhain recorded "live in
the studio" directly onto two-inch multi-track tapes, usually with 8 or 16
tracks. A multi-track tape plays and records in only one direction and has a
certain number of tracks or channels onto which music is recorded. For
instance, a song on an 8-track tape might have three tracks devoted to guitars,
one for bass, one for vocals, one for drums, and two for background vocals.
Multi-track tapes include almost everything recorded during the session, from
the band talking to alternate takes of the songs.
After recording, the band selected the best takes of each
song, mixed them, and transferred them to a 1/4 inch master tape. The mixing
process usually involved the band members and an outside producer selecting
which tracks to use in a song, which tracks to re-record, and where and when to
add new tracks. Mixing also involves adjusting the volume levels of the tracks
and adding effects, if necessary.
The producer than transferred the final mixes to a 1/4 inch master
tape. This mix-down tape, in turn, was mastered (by adjusting the high or low
end, for instance). In 2000, Glenn Danzig re-mastered all
Samhain tracks for the Samhain
Box Set.
Recording Sessions
The following section lists all recording sessions and all known mixes of the
songs produced. Each entry includes the song title, playing time, album of
release, and additional session information. The publishing credits listed are
for the original releases of the songs; all Glenn Danzig tracks were later
published by Evilive Music.
| Album Chart |
| BOX | Samhain Box Set |
| FD1 | Final Descent CD (Plan 9/Caroline) |
| FD2 | Final Descent CD (E-magine) |
| IN0 | Initium vinyl test pressing |
| IN1 | Initium vinyl/CD (Plan 9/Caroline) |
| IN2 | Initium/Unholy Passion cassette (Plan 9/Caroline) |
|
| IN3 | Initium/Unholy Passion CD (Plan 9/Caroline) |
| IN4 | Initium CD (E-magine) |
| NCF | November-Coming-Fire vinyl/CD (Plan 9/Caroline) and CD (E-magine) |
| UP1 | Unholy Passion vinyl (Plan 9/Caroline) |
| UP2 | Unholy Passion CD (E-magine) |
|
| 08//1983 |
Reel Platinum; Lodi, NJ |
| # |
Song |
Time |
Release |
|---|
| 1 |
Archangel |
6:15 |
|
| Format: |
16-track tape |
| Engineer: |
Bob Allecca |
| Overdub: |
| 1981 Mix-O-Lydian; Misfits
recording session |
|---|
| + Glenn Danzig: |
drums, vocals |
| + Al Pike: |
bass |
|
| Author: |
Glenn Danzig |
| Publisher: |
Hell-bent Music |
| Notes: |
Danzig and Jerry Only recorded an early version of "Archangel"
Mix-O-Lydian Studio in Boonton, NJ in 1981 for The
Misfits. At that session, Danzig provided the vocals, guitar, and
drums, and Jerry played bass.
At this August 1983 session, Danzig added background vocal tracks and an
additional bass drum track, and Al Pike recorded a new bass track directly over
Jerry's original. Mike Gutilla added keyboards and Eerie Von later added
his own bass tracks (see 01//1984). |
| 09//1983 |
Steve Zing's Bedroom; Lodi, NJ |
| # |
Song |
Time |
Release |
|---|
| 1 |
Initium |
1:48 |
IN1, IN2, IN3, IN4 |
| Format: |
4-track cassette |
| Engineer: |
Glenn Danzig |
| Producer: |
Glenn Danzig |
| Lineup: |
| Glenn Danzig: |
vocals |
| Steve Zing: |
special effects (bass noise) |
|
| Author: |
Glenn Danzig |
| Publisher: |
Hell-bent Music |
| Notes: |
For the background sounds, Steve played bass through a tape echo effect,
recording it at a fast speed. Playing it back at a normal speed slowed the
recording down, creating the gloomy atmosphere of the song. Danzig then
overdubbed his vocals. This song was later spliced into the Initium album master tape. |
| 11//1983 - 01//1984 |
Reel Platinum; Lodi, NJ |
| # |
Song |
Time |
Release |
|---|
| 1 |
Samhain |
1:50 |
|
| 2 |
All Murder, All Guts, All Fun |
2:40 |
|
| 3 |
He-Who-Can-Not-Be-Named |
1:35 |
|
| 4 |
The Howl |
2:48 |
|
| Format: |
16-track tape |
| Engineer: |
Bob Allecca |
| Producer: |
Glenn Danzig |
| Lineup: |
| Glenn Danzig: |
bass, guitar, keyboards (song 1), vocals |
| Steve Zing: |
background vocals, drums |
|
| Author: |
Glenn Danzig |
| Publisher: |
Hell-bent Music |
| 01//1984 - 05/15/1984 |
Reel Platinum; Lodi, NJ |
| # |
Song |
Time |
Release |
|---|
| 1 |
Archangel |
5:08 |
IN0 |
| 2 |
Samhain |
1:50 |
IN1, IN2, IN3, IN4, BOX |
| 3 |
All Murder, All Guts, All Fun |
2:40 |
IN1, IN2, IN3, IN4, BOX |
| 4 |
He-Who-Can-Not-Be-Named |
1:35 |
IN1, IN2, IN3, IN4, BOX |
| 5 |
The Howl |
2:48 |
IN1, IN2, IN3, IN4, BOX |
| 6 |
Black Dream |
1:58
1:56 |
(bootlegs)
IN1, IN2, IN3, IN4, BOX |
| 7 |
Macabre |
2:09 |
IN1, IN2, IN3, IN4, BOX |
| 8 |
Horror Biz |
2:36 |
IN1, IN2, IN3, IN4, BOX |
| 9 |
The Shift |
3:05 |
IN1, IN2, IN3, IN4, BOX |
| Format: |
16-track tape |
| Engineer: |
Bob Allecca |
| Producer: |
Glenn Danzig |
| Overdub: |
| 08//1983 Reel Platinum (song 1) |
|---|
| + Eerie Von: |
bass |
| + Mike Gutilla: |
keyboards |
| 11//1983 Reel Platinum (songs 2-5) |
|---|
| + Eerie Von: |
bass |
|
| Lineup: |
| (songs 6-9) |
| Glenn Danzig: |
guitar, keyboards (song 6), vocals |
| Mike Gutilla: |
keyboards (songs 6-7) |
| Lyle Preslar: |
lead guitar |
| Eerie Von: |
bass |
| Steve Zing: |
background vocals, drums |
|
| Author: |
Glenn Danzig |
| Publisher: |
Hell-bent Music |
| Notes: |
These songs were completed and mastered by 05/15/1984. Eerie began playing bass with the
band in 01//1984, when he overdubbed Danzig's bass tracks. Danzig paid Mike Gutilla
$150 to play the chimes portions on his Yamaha DX-7 keyboard. Song 1 is the
chimes version of "Archangel," only available on the Initium test pressing. It lacks background vocals, and was
later remixed (see 07//1984). The demo version of "Black
Dream" without chimes was played over the radio in March 1984 and
is only available on bootlegs such as Black Dream. Songs 3, 4, and 6 were purposely sped
up one half-step. During mixing, all songs were stored on betamax digital
tape. |
| 07//1984 |
Reel Platinum; Lodi, NJ |
| # |
Song |
Time |
Release |
|---|
| 1 |
Archangel |
5:10 |
IN1, IN2, IN3, IN4, BOX |
| Format: |
16-track tape |
| Engineer: |
Bob Allecca |
| Producer: |
Glenn Danzig |
| Overdub: |
|
| Author: |
Glenn Danzig |
| Publisher: |
Hell-bent Music |
| Notes: |
After discovering that the Initium test pressings
lacked the background vocals in "Archangel," Danzig remixed the song, removing
the chimes and including background vocals. He then spliced it into the
album master tape. |
| 10//1984 - 12//1984 |
Reel Platinum; Lodi, NJ |
| # |
Song |
Time |
Release |
|---|
| 1 |
Unholy Passion |
3:10 |
UP1, IN2 |
| 2 |
All Hell |
2:19 |
UP1, IN2 |
| 3 |
Moribund |
1:43 |
UP1, IN2 |
| 4 |
The Hungry End |
3:06 |
UP1, IN2 |
| 5 |
I Am Misery |
3:40 |
UP1, IN2 |
| Format: |
16-track tape |
| Engineer: |
Bob Allecca |
| Producer: |
Glenn Danzig |
| Lineup: |
| Damien: |
background vocals (song 2), guitar |
| Glenn Danzig: |
guitar (songs 1, 3-5), keyboards (songs 1, 3), vocals |
| Eerie Von: |
bass |
| Steve Zing: |
background vocals, drums |
|
| Author: |
Glenn Danzig |
| Publisher: |
Hell-bent Music |
| Notes: |
In the studio, Damien usually provided the feedback and lead guitar tracks.
Danzig always added his own rhythm guitar tracks as well. The album versions of
"The Hungry End" from this session and the 06//1987 session are slowed down a
half-step. Danzig later removed Damien's guitar tracks from the recording, and
added his own (see 06//1987). |
| 06//1985 - 08//1985 |
Reel Platinum; Lodi, NJ |
| # |
Song |
Time |
Release |
|---|
| 1 |
Windigo (incomplete)
Diabolos '88 |
1:24
1:24 |
NCF, BOX |
| 2 |
In My Grip |
2:44 |
NCF, BOX |
| 3 |
Mother Of Mercy |
3:09 |
NCF, BOX |
| 4 |
Birthright |
2:10 |
NCF, BOX |
| 5 |
To Walk The Night |
2:11 |
NCF, BOX |
| 6 |
Let The Day Begin |
2:36 |
NCF, BOX |
| 7 |
Halloween II |
3:15 |
NCF, BOX |
| 8 |
Novembers Fire |
2:47
2:48 |
NCF, BOX
(bootlegs) |
| 9 |
Kiss Of Steel |
1:29 |
NCF, BOX |
| 10 |
Unbridled |
1:48 |
NCF, BOX |
| 11 |
Human Pony Girl |
4:57 |
NCF, BOX |
| Format: |
16-track tape |
| Engineer: |
Bob Allecca |
| Producer: |
Glenn Danzig |
| Lineup: |
| Damien: |
background vocals (songs 3, 7), guitar |
| Glenn Danzig: |
drums (songs 1, 4, 6, 8, 11), drum machine (song 10),
guitar, keyboards (songs 1, 4-6, 8-9, 11), vocals |
| London May: |
background vocals (song 7), drums (songs 2-3, 5, 7, 9) |
| Eerie Von: |
background vocals (song 7), bass |
|
| Author: |
Glenn Danzig |
| Publisher: |
Hell-bent Music |
| Notes: |
When London May joined the band, he did not have enough time to learn all
the songs before recording began, so Danzig played drums on several songs. Even
Eerie played drums on several songs during rehearsals for the album. For the
chimes (songs 4 and 6) and gong (songs 6 and 9), Danzig used his Yamaha DX-7
synthesizer. The alternate version of "Novembers Fire" is currently
only available on bootleg recordings and is mixed differently. It includes a
more audible keyboard solo at the end of the song and has a different vocal
track. According to Damien, most of a song called "Windigo" was recorded but
never completed. It was later changed to "Diabolos '88." The guitar riff in the
bridge to "Unbridled" was taken directly from the cartoon theme song for
"Courageous Cat And Minute Mouse." |
| 09//1986 |
Reel Platinum; Lodi, NJ |
| # |
Song |
Time |
Release |
|---|
| 1 |
Trouble |
3:31 |
(bootlegs) |
| 2 |
Descent |
4:51 |
(bootlegs) |
| 3 |
Twist Of Cain |
4:13 |
FD2, BOX |
| 4 |
Lords Of The Left Hand: 2nd Version |
2:45 |
FD2, BOX |
| 5 |
Trouble |
3:21 |
FD2, BOX |
| 6 |
Possession |
3:49 |
FD2, BOX |
| 7 |
Night Chill |
2:14 |
FD1, FD2, BOX |
| Format: |
16-track tape |
| Engineer: |
Bob Allecca |
| Producer: |
Glenn Danzig |
| Lineup: |
| Glenn Danzig: |
drum machine (songs 2, 7), guitar,
keyboards (songs 1, 6-7), vocals |
| London May: |
drums (songs 1, 3-6) |
| Eerie Von: |
bass |
|
| Author: |
Glenn Danzig (songs 2-4, 6-7)
Jerry Leiber / Mike Stoller (songs 1, 5) |
| Publisher: |
Hell-bent Music (songs 2-4, 6-7)
Leiber Music / Stoller Music (songs 1, 5) |
| Notes: |
For the drums for "Night Chill," Danzig had Bob Allecca program drum
triggers. |
| 06//1987 |
Reel Platinum; Lodi, NJ |
| # |
Song |
Time |
Release |
|---|
| 1 |
Unholy Passion |
3:10 |
IN3, UP2, FD1, BOX |
| 2 |
All Hell |
2:19 |
IN3, UP2, FD1, BOX |
| 3 |
Moribund |
1:43 |
IN3, UP2, FD1, BOX |
| 4 |
The Hungry End |
3:06 |
IN3, UP2, FD1, BOX |
| 5 |
Misery Tomb |
3:25 |
IN3, UP2, FD1, BOX |
| 6 |
I Am Misery |
3:40 |
IN3, UP2, FD1, BOX |
| 7 |
Halloween II |
3:15 |
|
| Format: |
16-track tape |
| Engineer: |
Bob Allecca |
| Producer: |
Glenn Danzig |
| Overdub: |
| 10//1984 Reel Platinum (songs 1-5) |
|---|
| + Glenn Danzig: |
guitar, vocals (song 1) |
| 06//1985 Reel Platinum (song 6) |
|---|
| + John Christ: |
guitar |
|
| Author: |
Glenn Danzig |
| Publisher: |
Evilive Music |
| Notes: |
In June 1987, Glenn Danzig went into the studio to remove Damien's guitar
tracks from the Unholy Passion EP, adding his own
tracks where necessary. Danzig re-recorded the vocal track on "Unholy Passion"
and remixed all the songs from Unholy Passion.
In doing so, he created "Misery Tomb," a remixed version of the background
vocal and bass tracks to "I Am Misery." At this time, John Christ also
overdubbed his guitar tracks to "Halloween II" (see 06//1985). |
| 09//1987 |
Reel Platinum; Lodi, NJ |
| # |
Song |
Time |
Release |
|---|
| 1 |
Trouble |
3:31 |
|
| 2 |
Descent |
4:51 |
|
| 3 |
Twist Of Cain |
4:13 |
|
| 4 |
Lords Of The Left Hand: 2nd Version |
2:45 |
|
| 5 |
Trouble |
3:21 |
|
| 6 |
Possession |
3:49 |
|
| Format: |
16-track tape |
| Engineer: |
Bob Allecca |
| Producer: |
Glenn Danzig |
| Overdub: |
| 09//1986 Reel Platinum |
|---|
| + John Christ: |
guitar |
|
| Author: |
Glenn Danzig |
| Publisher: |
Evilive Music |
| Notes: |
At some point after John Christ joined the band, he overdubbed rhythm
and lead guitar tracks to the previously recorded (09//1986) session songs. The
final mix of "Descent" was done later (see 06/26/1990). |
| 1988 |
Hollywood Sound Recorders; Hollywood, CA |
| # |
Song |
Time |
Release |
|---|
| 1 |
Lords Of The Left Hand |
3:03 |
|
| 2 |
The Birthing |
3:26 |
|
| Format: |
16-track tape |
| Engineer: |
Martin Schmelze |
| Producer: |
Glenn Danzig |
| Lineup: |
| John Christ: |
guitar |
| Glenn Danzig: |
drum machine, guitar, vocals |
| Eerie Von: |
bass |
|
| Author: |
Glenn Danzig |
| Publisher: |
Evilive Music |
| Notes: |
After the band Danzig moved from Lodi to Los Angeles, Danzig, Eerie, and
John recorded and mixed the slow version of "Lords Of The Left Hand" and "The
Birthing." The final mixes of these songs were done later (see
06/26/1990). |
| 1990 |
Hollywood Sound Recorders; Hollywood, CA |
| # |
Song |
Time |
Release |
|---|
| 1 |
Death...In It's Arms |
3:03 |
FD1, FD2, BOX |
| Format: |
16-track tape |
| Engineer: |
Martin Schmelze |
| Producer: |
Glenn Danzig |
| Lineup: |
| Chuck Biscuits: |
drums |
| John Christ: |
guitar |
| Glenn Danzig: |
guitar, vocals |
| Eerie Von: |
bass |
|
| Author: |
Glenn Danzig |
| Publisher: |
Evilive Music |
| Notes: |
During the band Danzig's Danzig II - Lucifuge recording session, the band recorded
one last song for inclusion on the Final Descent
album. |
| 06/26/1990 - 06/27/1990 |
Hollywood Sound Recorders; Hollywood, CA |
| # |
Song |
Time |
Release |
|---|
| 1 |
Descent |
4:51 |
FD1, FD2, BOX |
| 2 |
The Birthing |
3:26 |
FD1, FD2, BOX |
| 3 |
Lords Of The Left Hand |
3:03 |
FD1, FD2, BOX |
| Format: |
16-track tape |
| Producer: |
Glenn Danzig |
| Remix: |
| 09//1987 Reel Platinum (song 1) |
|---|
| 1988 Hollywood Sound (songs 2-3) |
|---|
|
| Author: |
Glenn Danzig |
| Publisher: |
Evilive Music |