Quantum Catastrophe
Encyclopedia
Quantum Catastrophe is the second studio album
by American technical death metal
band Brain Drill
, released through Metal Blade
on May 11, 2010.
in February 2008, the band almost broke-up with the departure of drummer Marco Pitruzzella and bassist Jeff Hughell in March 2008. The remaining members, guitarist Dylan Ruskin and vocalist Steve Rathjen decided to continue with the band, and from May to September 2008, auditioned for bassists and drummers. In September 2008, the band announced drummer Joe Bondra and bassist Ivan Munguia as replacements. Bondra was replaced by drummer Ron Casey and this new lineup began work on Quantum Catastrophe in August of 2009. Quantum Catastrophe was recorded between December 2009 and January 2010 at Castle Ultimate Studios in Oakland, California
with co-producer Zach Ohren, who also engineered and mastered the album along with the band.
Although Quantum Catastrophe is not a concept album
, it's loosely based on the 2012 phenomenon
. The album's lyrics were written by vocalist Steve Rathjen, inspired by themes such as "Universal decimation
(black hole
s, galactic cosmic radiation), pandemic disease and zombie re-awakenings
." Rathjen further explained that "mankind is entering an age of mass speculation as foreseen by numerous ancient cultures. Space to all humanity still primarily remains a mystery even in our days of immense technological advancements
. We know this void is filled with infinite extremities which could occur at any instant; easily decimating all habitations. We also know our planet has fulfilled these mass extinctions
time and again centuries in the past. The question which remains, are we due for another apocalyptic transition?" Musically, Brain Drill continues to draw the attention of music critics with its over-the-top virtuosity
. Allmusic stated that Quantum Catastrophe is "in its own vicious, bombastic, skullcrushing way, [...] a celebration of virtuosity."
Production
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by American technical death metal
Technical death metal
Technical death metal is a musical subgenre of death metal that focuses on complex rhythms, riffs and song structures. Technical experimentation in death metal began in the late '80s and early '90s by bands such as Death, Atheist and Cynic...
band Brain Drill
Brain Drill
Brain Drill is an American death metal band formed in 2005 from Ben Lomond, California. They are signed to Metal Blade Records and released their full length debut album entitled Apocalyptic Feasting on February 5, 2008...
, released through Metal Blade
Metal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records is a record label which was founded by Brian Slagel in 1982. The U.S. corporate office for Metal Blade is located in Agoura Hills, California. It also has offices in Arizona, Germany, Japan, Canada, and the UK. The label is distributed in the U.S. by Sony BMG Music...
on May 11, 2010.
Background
After the release of their debut album Apocalyptic FeastingApocalyptic Feasting
Apocalyptic Feasting is the second release and debut album by the technical death metal band Brain Drill. It is the last release by the band to feature bassist Jeff Hughell and drummer Marco Pitruzella before their departure from Brain Drill during 2008....
in February 2008, the band almost broke-up with the departure of drummer Marco Pitruzzella and bassist Jeff Hughell in March 2008. The remaining members, guitarist Dylan Ruskin and vocalist Steve Rathjen decided to continue with the band, and from May to September 2008, auditioned for bassists and drummers. In September 2008, the band announced drummer Joe Bondra and bassist Ivan Munguia as replacements. Bondra was replaced by drummer Ron Casey and this new lineup began work on Quantum Catastrophe in August of 2009. Quantum Catastrophe was recorded between December 2009 and January 2010 at Castle Ultimate Studios in Oakland, California
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
with co-producer Zach Ohren, who also engineered and mastered the album along with the band.
Although Quantum Catastrophe is not a concept album
Concept album
In music, a concept album is an album that is "unified by a theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, narrative, or lyrical." Commonly, concept albums tend to incorporate preconceived musical or lyrical ideas rather than being improvised or composed in the studio, with all songs contributing...
, it's loosely based on the 2012 phenomenon
2012 phenomenon
The 2012 phenomenon comprises a range of eschatological beliefs that cataclysmic or transformative events will occur on December 21, 2012. This date is regarded as the end-date of a 5,125-year-long cycle in the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar...
. The album's lyrics were written by vocalist Steve Rathjen, inspired by themes such as "Universal decimation
Ultimate fate of the universe
The ultimate fate of the universe is a topic in physical cosmology. Many possible fates are predicted by rival scientific theories, including futures of both finite and infinite duration....
(black hole
Black hole
A black hole is a region of spacetime from which nothing, not even light, can escape. The theory of general relativity predicts that a sufficiently compact mass will deform spacetime to form a black hole. Around a black hole there is a mathematically defined surface called an event horizon that...
s, galactic cosmic radiation), pandemic disease and zombie re-awakenings
Zombie apocalypse
A zombie apocalypse is a particular scenario of apocalyptic literature that customarily has a science fiction/horror rationale. In a zombie apocalypse, a widespread rise of zombies hostile to human life engages in a general assault on civilization....
." Rathjen further explained that "mankind is entering an age of mass speculation as foreseen by numerous ancient cultures. Space to all humanity still primarily remains a mystery even in our days of immense technological advancements
Technological evolution
Technological evolution is the name of a science and technology studies theory describing technology development, developed by Czech philosopher Radovan Richta.-Theory of technological evolution:...
. We know this void is filled with infinite extremities which could occur at any instant; easily decimating all habitations. We also know our planet has fulfilled these mass extinctions
Extinction event
An extinction event is a sharp decrease in the diversity and abundance of macroscopic life. They occur when the rate of extinction increases with respect to the rate of speciation...
time and again centuries in the past. The question which remains, are we due for another apocalyptic transition?" Musically, Brain Drill continues to draw the attention of music critics with its over-the-top virtuosity
Virtuoso
A virtuoso is an individual who possesses outstanding technical ability in the fine arts, at singing or playing a musical instrument. The plural form is either virtuosi or the Anglicisation, virtuosos, and the feminine form sometimes used is virtuosa...
. Allmusic stated that Quantum Catastrophe is "in its own vicious, bombastic, skullcrushing way, [...] a celebration of virtuosity."
Track listing
All songs written and composed by Steve Rathjen, Dylan Ruskin, except where noted.- "Obliteration Untold" – 3:46
- "Beyond Bludgeoned" – 4:16
- "Awaiting Imminent Destruction" (Ivan Munguia, Rathjen, Ruskin) – 2:51
- "Nemesis of Neglect" – 4:28
- "Entity of Extinction" – 3:46
- "Mercy to None" (Munguia, Rathjen, Ruskin) – 3:14
- "Monumental Failure" – 3:25
- "Quantum Catastrophe" – 16:03
Personnel
Brain Drill- Dylan Ruskin – guitar, composition
- Steve Rathjen – vocals, lyrics, composition
- Ivan Munguia – bass guitar
- Ron Casey – drums and percussion
Production
- Zach Ohren – engineerAudio engineeringAn audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including...
, masteringAudio masteringMastering, a form of audio post-production, is the process of preparing and transferring recorded audio from a source containing the final mix to a data storage device ; the source from which all copies will be produced...
, mixingAudio mixing (recorded music)In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
, producerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music... - Pär Olofsson – cover artCover artCover art is the illustration or photograph on the outside of a published product such as a book , magazine, comic book, video game , DVD, CD, videotape, or music album. The art has a primarily commercial function, i.e...
- Brian Ames – layoutPage layoutPage layout is the part of graphic design that deals in the arrangement and style treatment of elements on a page.- History and development :...