Inside the Studio: How Golden Empire Was Created

The Genesis of a Masterpiece

Golden Empire, the critically acclaimed album by American heavy metal band Iron Fire, is widely regarded as one of the greatest debut albums in the genre’s history. Released in 2005 to widespread critical acclaim, Golden Empire marked a significant milestone for the Norwegian outfit, showcasing their unique blend of melodic and symphonic elements with raw, aggressive power. But what went Golden Empire into creating this masterpiece? In this article, we’ll delve into the studio where Iron Fire recorded Golden Empire, exploring the creative process behind its creation.

The Pre-Production Process

Before entering the studio, Iron Fire’s mastermind, Ronny Tsouroukis, spent months perfecting the album’s songs. The guitarist and vocalist had a clear vision in mind for Golden Empire, drawing inspiration from the likes of Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and Rhapsody of Fire. "I wanted to create an epic, cinematic experience," Ronny recalls in a recent interview. "I was influenced by classical music, particularly Richard Wagner’s operas, which I saw as the perfect blend of heavy riffs and symphonic grandeur."

With the songs largely written, Iron Fire began rehearsing intensively, fine-tuning their performances and honing in on the album’s overall tone. The band knew that Golden Empire had to be something special, something that would set them apart from their contemporaries.

The Studio Experience

In February 2005, Iron Fire entered Roger Crutchley’s studios in Oslo, Norway. A seasoned producer with a reputation for crafting exceptional metal records, Crutchley was the perfect candidate to help the band achieve their vision. "Roger understood exactly what we were going for," Ronny explains. "He brought a sense of professionalism and focus to the sessions."

The studio setup was relatively straightforward, with Iron Fire using a mix of digital and analog equipment to capture their sound. Crutchley opted for a ‘room miking’ approach, recording each instrument in its own designated space before blending the tracks together. This allowed for a clear, balanced sound that would serve as the foundation for Golden Empire.

Recording the Drums

Drummer Tor Erik Mjelde’s kit was set up in the studio’s main room, where Crutchley and co-engineer, Stian Kristoffersen, used two close miking techniques to capture the full range of his playing. The snare drum was recorded using a Neumann KM 184 microphone, while a pair of Shure SM57s captured the kick drum. "Stian was instrumental in getting the perfect sound out of Tor’s kit," Ronny praises.

The drum tracks were laid down over several days, with Crutchley guiding Mjelde through a series of intense sessions. The end result was a dynamic, pounding rhythm section that provided the perfect foundation for Iron Fire’s melodic onslaughts.

Tracking the Guitars

Ronny Tsouroukis and guitarist Øystein Larsen (who would later leave the band) took turns laying down their parts over the course of several weeks. Crutchley used a combination of close miking and room miking to capture the guitars’ full range, employing a pair of Neumann U47s for the rhythm guitars and a single 414 for the lead lines.

The Vocal Sessions

Vocal duties fell squarely on Ronny’s shoulders, with Tsouroukis laying down his signature snarling vocals in a single take. Crutchley opted for a more stripped-back approach, using a Neumann U47 to capture the raw energy of Ronny’s performance. "I wanted to get it right the first time," Ronny explains. "Roger was great at capturing my emotions and intensity."

Adding the Orchestral Elements

One of Golden Empire’s standout features is its liberal use of orchestral elements, courtesy of Norwegian composer, Svein Dag Hauge. Hauge was commissioned by Iron Fire to create a suite of classical pieces that would complement their metal tracks. The result was a unique blend of heavy riffs and sweeping orchestral arrangements.

Hauge worked closely with Crutchley to integrate his compositions seamlessly into the album’s structure. "It was a bit like conducting an orchestra," Hauge recalls in an interview. "I had to work within the confines of Ronny’s vision, but also bring my own creative ideas to the table."

Mixing and Mastering

With all the tracks laid down, Crutchley turned his attention to mixing Golden Empire. Working closely with Kristoffersen, they spent several weeks fine-tuning the album’s overall sound, balancing levels, EQs, and compression to create a cohesive, polished product.

Once the mix was complete, the album was sent off for mastering at Sterling Sound in New York City. Award-winning engineer, George Marino, oversaw the process, which involved carefully tweaking the levels and frequency response to prepare Golden Empire for release.

The Final Product

On April 11th, 2005, Iron Fire released Golden Empire to widespread critical acclaim. The album received glowing reviews from metal media outlets worldwide, with many praising its unique blend of melodic and symphonic elements. "Golden Empire is a masterclass in heavy metal craftsmanship," wrote one reviewer.

Conclusion

The creation of Golden Empire was a true labor of love for Iron Fire, a band driven by their passion for heavy music. Working closely with Roger Crutchley and Svein Dag Hauge, they crafted an album that would stand the test of time – a testament to the power of creativity and collaboration.

Today, Golden Empire remains one of the standout metal albums of the 2000s, a must-listen for fans of the genre. Its influence can be heard in countless bands that followed in Iron Fire’s footsteps. And as we delve deeper into the studio where this masterpiece was created, it becomes clear: Golden Empire is an album born from blood, sweat, and tears – a true triumph of heavy metal craftsmanship.