Silent So Long is the second album by Emigrate. It was released on 14 November 2014.
| Silent So Long | |||||||
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| Album by Emigrate | |||||||
| Producer: | Olsen Involtini | ||||||
| Released: | 14 November 2014 | ||||||
| Label: | Universal | ||||||
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Information
First demo recordings for the album were made in November 2012. On December 5 December 2012, this update on the album was shared:[1]
In 2013 it was revealed January that the drums are being mixed already:[2]
The next update followed in April:[3]
Finally, I have decided to throw myself back into the process of making the second Emigrate album. It's quite a decision to make, knowing how much work it is and all the pain and suffering that lie ahead. But hey, the thing I love most is to be under pressure!
We had the whole band here rehearsing in to try out all of my song ideas. It was the usual suspects along with the addition of our new drummer January Mikko Siren from Apocalyptica. He did a great job laying down the drum tracks in the studio so that I can begin the process of laying down a million guitar tracks. So, that's where we are as of right now.
I do not know when this record will come out because I will be on tour with Rammstein so I kind of have to fit my recording time into little intervals throughout the year.
I will try to keep you updated more than I have in the past. Thanks for all the support and for being with me.
Richard ZKAlmost a year later, the next update was released:[4]
after almost a year of hard work, i arrived in the sunny world of california with 20 tracks of new emigrate material.
i decided to escape the grey skies of berlin to put some sunlight in my soul.
so here i am in hollywood mixing the next emigrate record with ben grosse.
i must say that i am quite excited about the results.
for me it was important to reach a new level of songwriting, singing and production, and i can honestly say, we made it.
so i am gonna stay here in los angeles for another 6 weeks to mix the album, then i think we can lock in a summer release.
so stay with me and i'll keep you updated.
Mixing was done in March 2014:[5]
Press release
With a succession of platinum albums, sold-out global tours, and headline festival appearances to his name, Rammstein's Richard Kruspe might choose to spend his off-duty hours re-booting his batteries and soothing the spirit. But 'resting on laurels', or the German equivalent isn't within the guitarist's primary frame of reference. "What I've discovered about myself is that I like to create - be it making records or building a house. That's what drives me. With Rammstein, there are six strong personalities, and it's a closed situation, which is fine, but I think it's good for the balance of the group that any one of us can have another outlet..."
Whilst Richard remains firmly ensconced within the ranks of Germany's premier rockers, EMIGRATE - his other "outlet" - stands as a way of keeping workaholic instincts comprehensively tapped; it's not a side or a solo project, more a musical collective - a much-needed conduit for a body of fresh ideas, musical and visual.
For the new album, 'Silent So Long', he has written, recorded and mixed 11 songs, all brand new, no 'carry-overs' or numbers once tagged for the parent group, with near half the tracks featuring guest vocals from some of music's most iconic names, alternative and metal. "When music becomes re-creation rather than creation, it is no longer enjoyable," he continues. "Like having sex with the same person for 20 years. That's why I find it hard to believe in monogamy..."
As a relatively new frontman and singer, recording the vocals (in English!) could potentially have pushed Richard even closer to the edge than the guitars, but in the event, it turned out to a liberating experience."Y'know, there were times when I was really surprised... where did THAT come from??! I almost felt like a child again, a free spirit. It just seemed easier for me to connect with my emotions - and I was surprised how much emotion was there! It's true that I like to be in control, but sometimes it's healthy for things to be a little unpredictable..."
'Silent So Long' was created along with the core EMIGRATE musicians: bassist/co-conspirator Arnaud Giroux, guitarist / producer Olson Involtini, new drummer Mikko Siran from Apocalyptica, and of course Richard himself to define the vision and set the tone, Margaux Bossieux - previously of New York punk band Dirty Mary - providing backing vocals, mixer Ben Grosse (Marilyn Manson, Slipknot, Disturbed, etc.), who worked on the tracks in his Los Angeles studio, with Kruspe in attendance, and Tom Baker from Precision Mastering, also in L.A.
There's no question that each of the album's special guests leaves their own particular mark; Peaches, easily evokes the sensual nature of the strip club Richard had in mind when composing the track ('Get Down'), whilst Frank Della, from chart-topping German collective Seed, another Berlin resident, makes a hugely memorable contribution to "Eat You Alive", the first single and video from the album, directed by Rammstein regular Zoran Bihać. With Korn's Jonathan Davis, who delivered his parts (for the album's title track, "Silent So Long") right at the eleventh hour, the main point of debate was a certain high note in the chorus that Richard was keen for him to conquer..."I just sent an email saying, 'grab hold of your balls!' - and it worked!". As for Marilyn Manson, Richard felt that 'Hypothetical' had his name all over it. In lights. "You know, I had already recorded vocals for the track myself," he explains, "and I was pretty happy with it, but I knew he could deliver something special. He's an artist with a great deal of charisma. We actually performed "The Beautiful People" together at the Echo Awards in Berlin back in 2012, Rammstein and Manson, and I felt that we connected..."
Of course, the 'will they, won't they?' question continues to be raised when it comes to EMIGRATE's live activity. What is certain, however, is that Richard will face up to the challenge if and when the time is right - just another thing to add to his healthy and ever-growing 'to do' list.
Unused songs
Other songs that were written or recorded during the album session are:
Formats
The album is available in two different formats: CD in a digipak and a 12" black vinyl.
Features
There are five different guest features on "Silent So Long". Those are:
- Frank Dellé (real name: Frank Allessa Dellé): One frontman of German band Seeed and also a solo artist.
- Peaches (real name: Merrill Beth Nisker): Solo artist from Canada.
- Lemmy Kilmister (real name: Ian Fraser Kilmister): Singer and bass player of Motörhead.
- Marilyn Manson (real name: Brian Hugh Warner): Singer of a rock band of the same name.
- Jonathan Davis (real name: Jonathan Houseman Davis): Singer of the rockband KoЯn.
Another planned feature was the German singer Arnim Teutoburg-Weiß by the German band Beatsteaks. But they were recording their own album, so he did not have any time to record a song with Richard.
Release
The official release date was changed two times. First, the album was supposed to be released on 16 October 2014, later that was changed to 31 October 2014, and again it was delayed to 14 November 2014. One month later as planned. In Japan the album was released on 14 December 2014.
Before the album release date, some songs were released on iTunes:
- 31 October 2014: Get Down
- 7 November 2014: Rainbow
Artwork
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Alternate artwork #1 -
Alternate artwork #2 -
Booklet #1 -
Booklet #2 -
Booklet #3 -
Booklet #4 -
Booklet #5 -
Booklet #6 -
Booklet #7 -
Back artwork
Tracklist
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| Vinyl |
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| Bonus tracks |
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iTunes/Japanese download:
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