Masterpeace takes you to another world with heavy 7 string riffs, with Cameron Fleury’s double bass madness, and an array of metal vocal styles. 

Lyrically, every song tells an insightful story. One that will captivate you and make you really think about the world we live in. 

Listen While You Read

About Heavy Masterpeace

There’s a LOT of ‘first-times’ with the Masterpeace album.

• My first album with 7 string guitars
• My first album with vocals!!
• Album features one of the top metal drummers, Cameron Fleury

So yeah, this album is extremely exciting!

Initially, you’ll hear hints of bands like Amon Amarth, Killswitch Engage, Trivium, and Arch Enemy. There’s a ‘heavy influence’ (okay, the pun was intended) of this melodic death metal meets metalcore.

But when you really dig in, there are the types of melodies you would expect from bands like Nightwish, Sonata Arctica, and Evergrey.  This is the ‘heart and soul’ of the album.

Pull back the curtain even further, and you’ll notice there’s also a prominent influence of thrash metal in the guitar playing and even some of the vocal parts. Think of Metallica, Megadeth, and Testament.

You’ll notice that there are several vocal styles in Masterpeace. There’s sort of a ‘Johan Hegg meets Dave Mustaine and James Hetfield’ kind of thing going on.

Track List

01 – Dragon’s Flame
02 – Peaceful War
03 – Anthem of Brutality
04 – Masterpeace
05 – Passing Through
06 – Never Enough
07 – The Metalizer
08 – Wings of Destruction
09 – Final Reign

Click Here to Listen on More Sources

Behind the Scenes: The Making of  Masterpeace

Now for the personal touch, you’ve been longing for. I’m going to take you behind the scenes of the writing and recording experience of the Masterpeace metal album.

Funny thing is almost half of this album was written several years ago, musically anyway. Back in 2013 when I released my first studio album Apocalyptic Dreams I was writing riffs like crazy. And fortunately, I kept most of them (specifically the core riffs for Dragon’s Flame, Passing Through, Never Enough, and Wings of Destruction, which was at one time called ‘The Dark Ages’).

Metal Album with 7 String Guitars

Being my first album recorded with 7 string guitars, I wanted there to be a melodic death metal vibe. So those songs that were written long ago were transposed, for the most part, to cater to my 7 string.

**The guitar I used for the majority of Masterpeace is the ESP E-II Horizon FR-7.

I also wanted more elements of that fast alternate picking yet keeping the melodic feel. There’s a certain growl you get with 7 string guitars, so I wanted to make sure that was captured but without going overboard on just playing the heaviest notes possible.

Since I had originally recorded the early songs with my 6 string, I naturally had to re-record the solo guitar parts since I re-rewrote the rhythms to fit my 7 string.

The extremely new songs that I had written within the year Masterpeace was released were Peaceful War, the song Masterpeace, and Final Reign. These song ideas literally just came out of nowhere at the time I had decided to start recording this album.

My First Album with Vocals

This was super scary, and I’ll admit I was nervous about recording an album with my vocals. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love singing. But I also know my limitations.

Since my music this round was much heavier than anything I had ever released before, I wanted to have some death metal style vocals. I love that style!

However, there were 2 rules, or standards I set for myself:

1. I did not want the entire album to consist of death metal vocals
2. I want to give you ‘quality’ death metal vocals (not off-key screams or ‘Cookie Monster’ vocals)

Hopefully, I achieved that! And I had a blast singing on this album!

All that said, you’ll notice there are 3-4 different vocal styles throughout the album. And there’s a contrast between these styles in different parts of certain songs.

Why I Hired a Real Drummer

Masterpeace is the first album that I used a real live drummer, and in my own words, I think I hired one of the absolute best metal drummers possible! I’m going to share why I went this route, but first…

Now let me back up and say that I have no regrets with the albums I released prior to Masterpeace. Those were all instrumental metal albums and guitar-driven. And to date, I’ve never heard any complaints about those albums.

But I knew that this album Masterpeace was a different beast. And with it having vocals, it was no longer just all about the guitars. This needed to be well-rounded and have all of the authentic metal components to be respected. And that was a priority to me (to deliver an awesome album to YOU, that YOU can be proud of!).

So I ended up getting connected with Cameron Fleury out of Canada. I met him through another dude in California who I was recording guitar tracks for his album. I saw (and heard) Cameron’s work, and I knew he was perfect for Masterpeace.

And I’m extremely, overly happy with the way Masterpeace turned out. Cameron took what was a great metal album and made it into a superior one (so Cam dude, when you read this, thank you again!).

**You can contact Cameron here on his Facebook (tell him Jason sent you!).

Masterpeace Lyrics

Dragon’s Flame

Fire rules the earth, it only leads to my death

Survival of the strong, crowned by the fear you breed

I’ll find a way to summon you to my world

Where the Dragon’s Flame consumes all that’s wrong

The castles and warriors you see, they all belong to me

Now that I own your soul, tell me, is it hard to breathe?

I find my solace in a place so far away, I’m not of this world

I’ll never fit your mold, and I’ll never try again

Consumed by the Dragon’s Flame

You think you have the right to push everyone around you

It’s just a matter of time, your fall followed by your pride

I’ve found a way to summon you to my world

Where the Dragon’s Flame consumes all that’s wrong

The walls that surround you, they belong to me

Now that you’re trapped inside, you’ll never be free

I find my solace in a place so far away, I’m not of this world

I’ll never fit your mold, and I’ll never try again

Consumed by the Dragon’s Flame

Peaceful War

Rush to the grave, every day’s the same

Trapped between two worlds, broken destiny

The one I always see, the one I can’t escape

Lost to my mind, losing all control

No more time to waste, yesterday is gone

No more running away, too close

Trying to escape mediocre life

Broken by the rules, perceived reality

The voice I always hear, the voice that haunts me

Lost to this war, dying hope inside

No more time to waste, yesterday is gone

No more running away, too close

My peaceful war, raging from within

Choice, always there, can’t see the other side

The one I always see, the one I cannot break

Lost to my mind, losing all control

No more time to waste, yesterday is gone

No more running away, too close the end

Anthem of Brutality

Instrumental

Masterpeace

Time, they sent me back, they created me, to destroy

You, everything you’ve built, sabotage your work, eradicate

Path, mission of deceit, eliminate the threat, that never existed

You, you’re the chosen one, end the wars of time, now I see

You see the light in me, and I see the light in you

And I know we’ll make it

Every step we’ve taken through this realm of time

We’ve created this Masterpeace

Lost, mind has gone astray, never knew the truth, of all you’ve done

Peace, we would never know, never could we see, behind the hate for

Those who do not believe, they cannot control, wretched lies

Fate rests upon our sword, hand in hand we hold, they will die

You see the light in me, and I see the light in you

And I know we’ll make it

Every step we’ve taken through this realm of time

We’ve created this Masterpeace

Now, I will bring you back, present from the past, we will pour our

Wrath, they will suffer wrath, together we attack, surely they will

Fall, they will take the fall, to the sword we hold, stand our ground

Firm, never shall we move, never will we die, eternal Masterpeace

You see the light in me, and I see the light in you

And I know we’ll make it

Every step we’ve taken through this realm of time

We’ve created this Masterpeace

Passing Through

Thoughts of judgement, sympathetic face

Questions arise, never knowing what lies beneath

This underworld, lies among your streets

Within the cracks, shunned away from society

Hand me your dollar bill, but don’t get too close

This disease has no cure, homelessness

I’ll take your change to spare, God bless you all

Failed to belong, hopelessness

Take what you want, and I’ll take what’s mine

The heart has failed, close your eyes and I’ll disappear

Never asked for much, just a little less time

There’s nothing left, a world of wrongs we’ll never make right

Hand me your dollar bill, but don’t get too close

This disease has no cure, homelessness

I’ll take your change to spare, God bless you all

Failed to belong, hopelessness

You see me from inside, but you’ll never know my name

Just waiting for the light, I’ve been waiting for mine

Can you see past all these lies, can you break this wall of shame

Tomorrow I’ll be moving on, I’m just passing through

Time’s a blur, and the years, they fade

Never stood a chance, this life is an unforgiving dream

Sometimes I think of what could have been

My bottle’s dry, take my soul before I wake

Hand me your dollar bill, but don’t get too close

This disease has no cure, homelessness

I’ll take your change to spare, God bless you all

Failed to belong, hopelessness

You see me from inside, but you’ll never know my name

Just waiting for the light, I’m still waiting for mine

Can you see past all these lies, can you break this wall of shame

Tomorrow I’ll be moving on, I’m just passing through

Never Enough

Embrace your unfulfilling gods, it’s never enough

Follow your dreams to the depths of hell, it will never be enough

Shallow heart and darkened soul, behind your eyes

Reveal the serpent you’ve become, death to your endless lies

You think it’s over, you’ve won the game

Your quest for power, rise to the top on the backs of slaves

You think it’s over, it’s just begun

The life you’ve wasted, blinded by darkness, the toll you must pay

Pursuit of a life filled with greed, your time will come

Deceit boils from deep within, the grave awaits you

You think it’s over, you’ve won the game

Your quest for power, rise to the top on the backs of slaves

You think it’s over, it’s just begun

The life you’ve wasted, blinded by darkness, the toll you must pay

In the next life, I’ll find you there

Naked before me, your soul laid bare

And as you reach out, your decrepit soul will fade

Embrace your unfulfilling gods, it’s never enough

Live out the dreams in the hell you’ve made, it will never be enough

You think it’s over, you’ve won the game

Your quest for power, rise to the top on the backs of slaves

You think it’s over, it’s just begun

The life you’ve wasted, blinded by darkness, the toll you must pay

The Metalizer

Instrumental

Wings of Destruction

Under siege, a fallen ancient empire

Invasion, Barbarics take control

Plague, famine, impending death to all

Ravaging, enslaved by their Master

Truths we’ll never know, just look the other way,

In ashes, we’re burning to the ground

They try to take control of our mind and soul,

It’s you that’s falling, falling down

Feeding lies to all, dust thrown in our eyes,

In ashes, we’re burning to the ground

Two opposing sides, deception is their game,

It’s you that’s falling, falling

This dark age, lives among us now

Bound to chains, driven to rebel

Morale falls, declined society

Ripped to shreds, all freedom stripped away

Truths we’ll never know, just look the other way,

In ashes, we’re burning to the ground

They try to take control of our mind and soul,

It’s you that’s falling, falling down

Feeding lies to all, dust thrown in our eyes,

In ashes, we’re burning to the ground

Two opposing sides, deception is their game,

It’s you that’s falling, falling

(Repeat)

It’s you that’s falling, falling down

Final Reign

One more fight, field of bones

One last rite, sacred ground

Loyalty, treachery, all start to fade

I’m the only one left standing, my final reign

It comes over me, at night while I sleep

They tell me to kill

Spirits appear, visions and dreams

They leave me with emptiness

Unspoken vow, cleanse the earth

Can’t control, must kill all

Battle between good and evil, which one prevails?

I’m the only one left standing, my final reign

It comes over me, at night while I sleep

They tell me to kill

Spirits appear, visions and dreams

They leave me with emptiness

Final chance, to make things right

Stake through my soul, I’m no more, no more

Gear used on Masterpeace

• Guitar: ESP E-II Horizon FR-7
• Guitar: ESP LTD M-1000 Deluxe (used on some Final Reign solos and clean intro to Masterpeace)
• Bass: ESP D5
• Acoustic Guitar: Takamine (used on Final Reign intro)
• Amps/Effects: Positive Grid BIAS Amp 2 and BIAS FX
• Bass Amp/Effects: Studio Devil Bass Amp Pro
• Recording Software: Presonus Studio One Pro
• Vocals: Shure SM7B for all vocals, sE Electronics Reflexion
• Core Studio Hardware: Presonus Quantum 2, KRK G5 Rokits, iMac
• Drums: Cameron Fleury recorded drums in his studio in Canada

I’m somewhat of a minimalist when it comes to gear. Part of that is you can find yourself obsessing over different components, taking your focus away from the song, the music, and the overall feel you’re looking for.

I wanted to give you a high-quality metal album, but I didn’t want it to sound ‘overproduced’ and sound like every other metal album out there.

Whereas I did use high-end gear, more focus was put on the structure and performance of the songs.

Click Here to Listen on More Sources

Special Thanks

• MY WIFE – I’m super fortunate to have her by my side! She’s always 100% supportive and balances me out when I tend to go over that edge!
• MY FOLLOWERS AND FANS!! I absolutely could not do this without your support, and I love all of you!!
• I thank God for that ‘thing’ that I can’t quite explain, but it’s always been there deep inside and has helped push me to this point of doing what I know I need to do with my life. And I only hope that I impact others in a positive way!
• Cameron Fleury for recording some kick-ass drums fro this album!
• Mike Olson, writer, and guitarist for Ariel’s Attic for another awesome album that he’s mastered! Hey dude, you ‘mastered’ Masterpeace! Ah, yes, bad pun!
• Elizabeth de Zeus for the authentic, genuine, and beautiful album artwork.
• Ed Aborn, drummer for Siren – thank you dude for the last minute suggestions! Those made a world of difference!
• My parents for realizing early on that this wasn’t just some hobby or phase. Thank you for your support, I love you!
• Eddie Gray and Tom Sherman for the honest feedback and what works and what doesn’t – you guys will always be family to me. *Eddie owns the Pipe Nook for you authentic pipe enthusiasts!

Keep it Metal,

Jason

The post Behind the Scenes: Masterpeace appeared first on Jason Stallworth.

I’m going to show you how listening to metal at work can make you more productive!

The way I see it is you have 2 options:

1. You can sit at work all day looking at screens and spreadsheets while spacing out every 5 minutes.
2. Or you can conquer the day by listening to metal while doing those mundane (and most of the time meaningless) tasks.

Oh, and a few of these tips I’m giving you are actually intended to help you escape your soul crushing office job! So pay attention!

1 – Metal Helps Motivate You at Work

When you’re sitting there staring at your inbox with 61 unread emails, you become extremely unmotivated.

In fact, that alone along with the meeting you have in 2 minutes and coffee you haven’t had, you’re on the edge of just walking out. Yeah, screw this place!

But if you’re blasting ‘Master of Puppets’ while pulling up your inbox, those messages don’t seem to have the same effect. Yeah, you still hate it, you’re also on this energetic kick because listening to metal motivates you.

And that motivation doesn’t have to be geared towards any one particular thing. In other words, I get it, you’re at work. The crap you’re doing probably isn’t that motivating.

If anything, it’s de-motivating, especially those meetings that go on for 20 minutes longer because someone wants to be heard and shine or whatever.

**Dale helped me release my first book! If you’re an author, or aspiring author, check him out here: https://selfpublishingwithdale.com/

Motivational Tip

DO NOT look at getting this motivation from listening to metal as motivation towards ‘the company.’ Take a step back and look at it as motivation for YOU!

Now you have the motivation to act and do what needs to be done for you (so the boss will stay off YOUR back, or you can get that promotion, or whatever the reason is…but it’s for you!).

Don’t see it as giving that energy to something you don’t really care about, like your job. Having this mentality will actually help you get that task done, and you won’t even feel it! So it won’t suck as much, and that’s good for both you and the company.

2 – Use Metal Aggression to Get Sh!t Done

Do you need to land that one major sale to that one major jerk…oops, I meant client that keeps blowing you off ?

Do you need to convince a room full of morons that the new project your team is assigned to needs more funding? By the way, they’ll still say no.

Then give yourself a good dose of metal music to build up your aggression prior to that!

Sometimes when you want something so bad but the results just aren’t happening, you have to get aggressive. You have to get a little pissed off. And there’s nothing better throwing in some ‘anger management metal ‘ like Pantera or Hatebreed to get those emotions flowing.

Once you have that aggressive mindset, harness it and let that fuel your confidence. You’ll make be sure to land that deal or sweep those overpaid executives off their feet with your new initiatives.

Harness the Aggression

Don’t juts harness the aggression from metal music for your boss. Use it for yourself when you need to kick it into high gear to get something done.

This could be a home project you’ve been dealing with, a business idea you’ve been dabbling in, or book that you’ve been putting off (that you know you should’ve started writing 2 years ago!).

Get a little bent out of shape. Get aggressive. And go after it!

3 – Listening to Metal Reduces Work Stress

Now this won’t make sense to people that don’t listen to metal (which people that don’t listen to metal don’t make sense to us!).

Sure, metal in it’s true nature is aggressive. You just learned that you can use metal to harness that emotion when it’s needed. It’s like having a secret weapon or ace up our sleeve that we can just whip out at any time.

However, listening to metal does something else for us Metalheads. It also soothes us, calms us, and puts us in an awesome mood. ​

Want proof? Turn on some Amon Amarth, Iced Earth, or Death Angel. Now, how do you feel? I bet you feel revived! And guess what you don’t feel? Stress.

Yes, listening to metal music reduces stress. This is largely due to it being our preferred genre of music. It’s what makes us tick. It’s in our blood, and it’s our lifeforce.

How does reducing stress impact you being productive?

When you’re stressed you tend to make decision based on or because of that stress. And stressed decision-making doesn’t always produce the best outcome, as I’m sure you’ve experienced (just like I have). So why have it?

By eliminating stress with metal music you’re going to think clearer and make better decisions. And this will help you be more productive, even in your tiny little cubicle that continue to suck the life out of you.

The Power of Metal

There’s an article ‘The Power of Music to Reduce Stress’ by Jane Collingwood that talks more about how listening to music in general reduces our stress levels in the below ways (this article can be found on psychcentral.com):

• Reduces anxiety
• Can relieve depression
• Can increase self-esteem
• Can reduce burnout
• Improves overall mood

All of these benefits are related to stress! So yeah, listen to metal!

4 – Metal Music Improves Efficiency in the Office

When you hear that song you love come on, like Helloween’s ‘I Want Out’ those wheels in your head start turning. Of course, you also probably really do ‘want out.’

Metal music has a way of making us think differently. If you take a problem you’ve been trying to solve and turn on some metal, you’re more apt to find a solution, quicker. Listening to metal can improve our efficiency.

Or if there’s a way your organization is doing things that’s completely inefficient due to one of senior management’s pets having a ‘bright idea’ (that ended up causing everyone more work), listening to metal can help you find an even better method that trumps theirs.

*By the way, the above scenario may not work out so well for you. Especially if you work for a larger corporation. In those places, if you do something that makes sense, you will be sought out and fired. 

Aside from that, it’s still good to be more efficient. And of course it’s good to always listen to metal!

Productivity Proven

Melissa Chu talks about research done at the University of Miami that has shown that people who listened to music during work completed their tasks faster, and come up with more ideas on how to do it more efficiently.

This can be found in her article ‘Research Shows Listening to Music Increases Productivity’ on Inc.com.

But you and I don’t need someone else’s research to back this up. We know that we’re far more efficient when listening to some Obituary and Morbid Angel!

5 – Listening to Metal Relieves You From Boredom from Your Job

Alright, I’m just going to say it – your job is freaking boring as hell!

Although I’m sure you do a little more than just pressing one button like Homer Simpson, I’m sure your day in the office is still filled with mundane tasks and quite lifeless.

There’s a few ways you can break up the monotony in the office so you don’t die of boredom overdose:

• Pretend to take a smoke break every hour
• Go to the coffee machine every 30 minutes even if you don’t need a refill
• Tell your coworkers you have the runs and hide out in the bathroom for an hour (make sure you scroll through Instagram and FB, because that’s what people do on the toilet)
• Just remain seated and space out every 10 minutes

All of those things sound kind of cool, and we’ve all done them. But there’s some potential repercussions that could creep up on you.

So why not just listen to metal instead?

The beauty of metal music is it takes you to another place, that realm where everything is ok in the world. And most metal songs tell a story you can get lost in. Albums like Operation Mindcrime from Queensryche, or Seventh Son of a Seventh Son from Iron Maiden or Endless Forms Most Beautiful from Nightwish – those are albums you can really escape with.

Metal can absolutely help you escape boredom at at the office. So don’t work without!

6 – Metalize Your Brain in the Office

How does listening to metal music impact ability to think at work? You’ve probably performed this experiment on yourself without realizing it.

See if this scenario sounds familiar…

• You have to update some information for a presentation that your boss has to present up the chain.
• It’s due by 3PM today.
• It’s now 2PM but you’re crashing from lunch and the last thing you want to do is work this report (by the way, your boss tasked you with this like a week ago!).

WTF do you do??

Try this…

• Plug your earphones into your phone
• Open whatever music platform you prefer (Spotify, iTunes, Amazon, etc)
• Find the latest album from Cannibal Corpse, Arch Enemy, or Kreator
• Feel the power of your brain kicking
• Get it done!

Seriously, you will magically pull a rabbit out of your rear and your boss will be happy. Well, he/she probably won’t be happy because they hate their job just as much as you. But it’s more bearable for them because they’re getting paid a little more.

The point is, metal will literally trigger your brain so that you can produce results.

Neuromusicology

What? Is ‘neuromusicology’ a real word? Yes, it is!

Neuromusicology is the study of how our central nervous systems reacts to music, according to Chad Grills’ article ‘The Science Backed Ways Music Affects Your Brain and Productivity’ on mission.org.

Chad further explains how music enters several parts of our brain, which includes cognitive parts. I thought that was pretty cool.

7 – Listening to Metal Gives You New Ideas

Listening to metal at work doesn’t just make the passing of the time more bearable. It takes your head to another place, another realm where ideas are flowing.

So even while you’re creating metrics for your boss so that they can give them to their boss, and they can then give this to their boss only to have their boss barely glance at it because they’re late for their tee time, you can have that creative side of your brain conjuring new ideas.

In fact, while you’ve got some Sabaton, Delain, or Primal Fear playing you may create a better way to produce those useless metrics! Or you may come up with a new process while listening to ‘Reign in Blood’ from Slayer.

Screw Working for ‘The Man’

Now take it to a new level that’s actually beneficial to you long-term. You may conjure up new business ideas for YOURSELF (while listening to Megadeth’s ‘The Conjuring’ of course!).

Take these ideas seriously! Even if it means you stop in mid-stream of writing that email that no one’s going to read, stop what you’re doing and write down your idea!

Or better yet since you’re probably in Outlook already, type it up and email it to your personal address so you can dig in deeper when you get home.

This is one of those moments where you can start to escape the every grind of working for someone else and making their dreams come true instead of your own!

That idea you got while listening to Metallica’s  ‘Trapped Under Ice’ (because that’s what work often feels like) could be the very thing that you launch to become self-sufficient!

What Metal Bands Do You Listen to at Work?

Does this post resonate with you?? Lol…well, I hope you got some laughs out of it.

And maybe your office job really isn’t that bad (uh, yeah…it’s that bad!!). On that note, I encourage you to read that last part again, about becoming self sufficient! Why spend your efforts making someone else rich and making their dreams come true?

Not to get too far off topic, but these jobs are quite draining and will suck the life out of you. Of course you need that income to survive. So this means you need to spend every waking moment you can outside of your normal job pursuing and pushing that one thing you really want to do with your life!

Back to the music…

Do you have a list of favorite metal bands you listen to while you’re grinding away at you soul-killing job? Are there certain songs that trigger your brain and motivate you more?

Let me know by leaving a comment below.

And it would be extremely cool if you SHARE this post with your metalhead friends on your social media!

Keep it Metal,

Jason

The post 7 Ways Listening to Metal Can Help You Be More Productive at Work appeared first on Jason Stallworth.

This is my third studio album—and it’s a heavier, more aggressive follow-up to its predecessor.

Heavy Metal Workout II delivers 13 hard-driving instrumental metal tracks made to fuel your workouts, push your limits, and keep that adrenaline firing. Stylistically, it’s a fusion of old-school thrash metal and melodic death metal… just without the vocals.

From brutal chugs to ripping solos, every track was crafted to hit hard and stay locked in the zone.

Listen While You Read

Or stream it anywhere you listen to music—Click here to listen on other platforms

About Heavy Metal Workout II

Like the first Heavy Metal Workout, this album is packed with melodic hooks and heavy riffs—but HMW II takes things to another level.

It’s faster, more aggressive, and delivers a more intense vibe overall. The riffs are sharper, the drums hit harder (performed by the insanely talented Ed Aborn), and the energy doesn’t let up from start to finish.

So what’s the difference between Heavy Metal Workout I and II?
This one’s juiced. If the first album was strong, this one’s straight-up beast mode. It’s still all-instrumental metal made for the gym—but with a thrashier edge and a heavier punch.

If you’re looking for extreme metal to fuel your workouts—or just love instrumental metal that keeps the adrenaline flowing—HMW II won’t disappoint.

Heavy Metal Workout II – Track List

Release Date: August 18, 2017
Pre-release Single: “Death Lift” – dropped August 4, 2017

1. Death Lift
2. Anabolica
3. One More Round
4. No Pain
5. F’n Brutal
6. Beast Mode
7. Last Rep
8. Go Heavy or Go Home
9. Lean Machine
10. Attack of Quadzilla
11. I Must Break You
12. Start Something
13. Back Off

Click here to listen on more sources

The Making of Heavy Metal Workout II

I never set out to create a series of albums, much less a sequel to the first Heavy Metal Workout. But something shifted right after I wrapped up the original album in February 2016…

The riffs I started writing next were heavier, faster, and way more aggressive.

I found myself drifting toward more extreme metal influences, especially melodic death metal. I had been listening to a ton of Amon Amarth, Arch Enemy, and other bands in that space. That energy just started pouring into my writing.

I was also spinning some old-school thrash like Exodus and Kreator—not death metal per se, but still raw, fast, and punishing. And all of that bled into the music for HMW II.

Drums Programmed by a Real Drummer (Wait, What?)

Writing those faster, more aggressive riffs—especially in that melodic death metal style—brought a new set of challenges. I’m not a drummer (not even close!), and the parts I was writing needed a legit metal drummer’s touch.

At that time, I didn’t personally know anyone who could handle the style I had in mind. But then something wild happened…

A dude reached out to me on my Facebook music page, saying he dug my music and videos. We started chatting, and as we got deeper into the convo, I found out I was talking to Ed Aborn—a professional producer and drummer.

Not just any drummer. Ed plays for the band Siren, a metal band with serious history.

Follow Siren:

• Siren on Facebook
• Siren on Instagram

I somehow talked Ed into helping with the drums on Heavy Metal Workout II. And man, he took it to the next level.

Ed Aborn = Game Changer

This was a huge relief. I finally had a real drummer’s perspective—even though we still programmed the drums, it was Ed who designed and arranged them. That made all the difference.

Honestly, HMW II would not be what it is without Ed’s input. Not even close.

Once Ed finished the drum tracks, things got really fun (cue sarcasm). I realized two things:

1. I had to re-record every single bass track to better match the updated drums.
2. Worse—some of my guitar parts weren’t tight enough, and I had to re-track those too.

Painful? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely.

Guitar Riffs and Solos

Most of the lead guitar tracks were recorded while I was laying down the rhythm guitars. I did go back and tweak a few solos here and there—but like the first Heavy Metal Workout album, I held back from soloing over every second of every song.

Trust me, it was tempting.

But I had to remind myself: this is a workout album. It’s designed to keep you focused and motivated—not distracted. And sometimes, shredding non-stop can break that groove. That said, you’ll still hear plenty of ripping solos… and even some dueling lead parts that bring extra fire.

But the rhythm guitars are the real meat and potatoes of this album. They’re the heartbeat. The engine. They keep the energy high and the momentum going.

Of course, you don’t have to only listen to Heavy Metal Workout II while you’re lifting. At the end of the day, it’s just a super heavy instrumental metal album—with a bit of a melodic death metal edge. But if you do throw this on during your workout, don’t be surprised if you crank out a few extra reps.

Album Artwork and Concept

For the Heavy Metal Workout II cover, I wanted something that screamed “lifting meets metal” — and that’s exactly what we created.

I hired my good friend and digital artist Dave Velez to bring the vision to life. I had a rough concept: a 45 lb weight plate with the album title where the brand name would normally go, and two killer metal guitars crossing behind it.

I pieced together some ideas using clip art and a few photos I’d taken, and Dave took it from there. He nailed it.

The cover perfectly captures what this album is all about — strength, intensity, and unapologetic heavy metal.

Gear Used on Heavy Metal Workout II

Here’s the lineup of gear that helped bring this album to life:

• Guitar: ESP M-1000 Deluxe
• Bass: ESP LTD D5
• Amps & Effects:
  • Positive Grid BIAS FX – Satan amp sim (modeled after the Randall Satan)
  • Studio Devil Bass Amp Pro for bass tones
• Drums: Performed/programmed by Ed Aborn
• Recording Software & Interface: Studio One + PreSonus Interface
• Monitors: KRK G5 Rokits

Minimal gear… maximum intensity. That’s the way I like to roll.

Click here to listen on more sources

Special Thanks

To Candy, my beloved soul mate — I’m living proof that it makes a massive difference when you have a spouse who believes in your vision and supports your passion. I couldn’t do this without you.

Huge thanks to Ed Aborn for stepping in and handling what seemed like the impossible — the drums for this aggressive, extreme metal album. Your input, advice, and support took this album to the next level.

To Mike Olson at JMO Services LLC, thank you for mastering this beast of an album with your signature precision (and for also mastering Apocalyptic Dreams).

Eddie Gray and Tom Sherman, you guys have been like brothers to me. Even with the miles between us, you’ve always been a huge part of my music journey. Thanks for your support and honest feedback.

To my parents, thank you for your unwavering belief in my dreams. And to Chuck and El, my in-laws — I appreciate your encouragement more than you know.

And to you, my fans and followers — thank you for listening, lifting, and supporting my music. I couldn’t do any of this without you.

The Bigger Picture

Heavy Metal Workout II was more than just a sequel—it was a breakthrough. I pushed harder, went heavier, and began collaborating with other musicians like drummer Ed Aborn to bring new life to the music. It’s where I started refining my workflow, tightening my tone, and thinking beyond just writing riffs.

If you’re someone who’s into both lifting and playing metal—this whole process might hit home for you.

Want the full story? I dive deeper into how I merged my two biggest passions—metal and weights—in my book, Heavy Metal & Weights. It covers my personal journey, struggles, and everything I learned while creating both Heavy Metal Workout albums.
Check it out on Amazon (Kindle & Paperback)

Up Next: Masterpeace

From the gym to the stage… my next release took things to a whole new level.

Masterpeace (2019) was my first album with vocals, and the first time I brought in a real drummer for the full project. It blends traditional heavy metal with thrash and melodic death metal, and features my first recordings using a 7-string guitar.
Behind the Scenes: Masterpeace (2019)

Keep it Metal,
Jason

The post Behind the Scenes: Heavy Metal Workout II – A Heavier, Faster, More Brutal Sequel appeared first on Jason Stallworth.

What if I told you there’s an original Christmas metal song you can listen to instead? 

Christmas music is cool, but you can only listen to the same song so many times before you get sick of it!

“So, what about that metal Christmas song you were talking about?”

It’s called Christmas Presence!

Listen to Christmas Presence Here
This will open a new browser, so you don’t lose this page

The Making of Christmas Presence

This all started back in 2012. I had this strong urge to write an original Christmas metal instrumental—something different from the same handful of songs we hear every year.

Naturally, Carol of the Bells was the first thing that came to mind. So I picked up my guitar and started riffing off that main melody. But it didn’t take long before things evolved. Within just a few sessions, I had created something with its own identity—still holding that Christmas spirit, but with a fresh metal vibe.

Some parts of the song clearly pay tribute to Carol of the Bells, but most of it grew into something unique. And that was the challenge—I didn’t want to just make another cover of a song that’s already been rehashed a thousand times.

I wanted Christmas Presence to stand out as its own track—recognizable as Christmas music, but not a traditional carol or even a metalized rendition. The structure, riffs, and melodies all came from a place of inspiration, not imitation.

Watch the Video

Evolution of an Original Metal Christmas Song

I sat on this track for a few years (okay, not literally sat on it—but I didn’t do anything else with it!). Occasionally, I’d go back and listen, and I’d even play it for a few friends during the holidays.

But every Christmas season, that itch came back—the urge to do something with it…

Then, in early 2016, it hit me:
Why not release it as a single?
It would be my first official single, and I had already released two full albums by that point. Plus, I had just dropped Heavy Metal Workout that February and had already started working on the next record. The momentum was there, and I’ve learned that when you’ve got momentum, keep moving.

I went back to my original recording of Christmas Presence and… it didn’t sit right with me anymore. Something was off. It felt too much like a cover of Carol of the Bells—which was the opposite of what I wanted.

So, I made a bold move…

I deleted everything.

I scrapped the old session, made some structural changes to the composition, and re-recorded the entire track from scratch.

The biggest change? That melodic nod to Carol of the Bells—I reworked it until it had just the right balance. The song still gives you that Christmas vibe, but it’s far from a cover. It’s got original melodies and progressions with just enough seasonal flavor to make it feel like the holidays…metal-style.

How I Recorded the Music for Christmas Presence

If you’re a guitar player or musician, you’ll dig this part. Even if you’re not, I think you’ll still find it cool to hear how the track came together behind the scenes.

I actually used three different amp sounds for the guitar tracks on this one:

• Fender Mustang IV miked with a Shure SM57 for the rhythm guitars and melodic leads
• Positive Grid BIAS FX (amp sim) for the solos
• Line 6 POD HD500 for the clean/ambient parts—there’s a specific reverb on this unit that I’ve still never been able to replicate anywhere else!

Bonus: Here’s a post where I talk more about the Mustang IV’s metal tones

For the acoustic guitar, I used a couple of simple effects in Studio One Pro—just a compressor and EQ—to give it a full, rich tone.

And for the bass, I’m pretty sure I used Studio Devil’s Bass Amp Pro (man, that plugin served me well back in the day!).

The recording process overall was smooth. This track came together naturally, almost effortlessly.
Now, I did spend some time tweaking and dialing in the solos—but hey, that’s par for the course!

Christmas Presence – The First Video (Pre-Release Version)

Fast forward about a year after I first wrote the song—I ended up playing an early version of Christmas Presence live at a church. Around that same time, I uploaded a video of the track to YouTube.

We actually shot the video in our old apartment. My wife and I used to make Christmas videos instead of sending cards (still love that idea!). In this one, we introduced the song and shared it with our friends and family.

Here’s the YouTube video below. Again, this is the first version of Christmas Presence before it was officially released on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, etc. So the below will sound a bit different from the official release.

Watch the first version of Christmas Presence:

This was way before the official release—and way before I knew what I was doing on YouTube. So please forgive the video quality!

Note: This version sounds a little different from the final mix that was released on Spotify, iTunes, and other platforms.

Where to Listen to Christmas Presence

Now for the good stuff—here’s where you can listen to and support the song!

Christmas Presence is available on all major streaming platforms like:

• Spotify
• iTunes
• Amazon Music
• YouTube Music
• …and more!

Click here to view and listen on all available platforms

Metal Christmas Music Brings Good Tidings (and Riffs!) of Comfort and Joy

Metal music is our passion. And for many of us, there’s something special about Christmastime. So, when you can combine the two…that’s magic.

The goal with Christmas Presence was to bring all those warm, nostalgic holiday emotions together with the powerful, spellbinding energy we get from metal. It’s a song from the heart—heavy and hopeful.

I hope you enjoy listening to Christmas Presence as much as I enjoyed creating it. Be sure to add it to your metal Christmas playlist this year!

Keep it Metal,
Jason

The post Behind the Scenes: Christmas Presence – My Original Christmas Metal Instrumental Song appeared first on Jason Stallworth.

Sure, there are tons of metal workout playlists out there. And hey, I love jamming to bands like Slayer, Exodus, Testament, or even old-school Metallica while training.

But here’s the problem…
A lot of those playlists are all over the place—different tempos, random transitions, and vocals that can pull you out of the zone.

That’s why I created Heavy Metal Workout.
A full album of consistent, high-energy instrumental metal made specifically for lifting, training, and pushing your limits in the gym.

If you love metal and you love to train, this was made for you.

Listen While You Read

Or stream it anywhere you listen to music—Click here to listen on other platforms

What Is Heavy Metal Workout?

Heavy Metal Workout is a 12-track instrumental metal album written specifically to fuel your gym sessions. It’s hard-hitting, melodic, and designed to keep you in the zone.

This album isn’t just metal you can lift to—it was built for lifting.

The vision was simple:
No distractions.
No out-of-place vocals.
Just heavy, driving metal with consistent grooves and energy to match your workout intensity.

Each song has its own vibe—different keys, varying BPMs—but the overall flow is steady and motivating. Whether you’re chasing that next PR or grinding through your early morning session, this is your soundtrack.

And even though it’s made for lifters, it stands strong as a straight-up metal album too. There’s plenty of that chuggy, riff-driven energy with nods to classic heavy and modern djent-style grooves.

Don’t lift? No worries—this might be the album that gets you started.

Heavy Metal Workout Track List

Released: February 2016

01 – Jacked
02 – Maxed Out
03 – Train Insane
04 – Mass Season
05 – Skull Crusher
06 – High Intensity
07 – Shut Up and Lift
08 – Weight of the World
09 – Hour of Power
10 – Grow Time
11 – Pushing and Pulling
12 – Shredded

Click Here to Listen on More Sources

The Making of Heavy Metal Workout

Heavy Metal Workout was my second studio album—and it came from merging two lifelong passions: metal and weights.

I actually had this idea in my head for a couple of years. But after returning from a trip to Thailand in late 2015, something just clicked. The vision sharpened, and I started writing and recording almost every night for about six weeks straight. The music poured out, and the concept came to life fast.

Backstory
Growing up, I was a skinny kid—and an easy target for being picked on. That’s what led me to start lifting weights in my mid-teens. At first, it was about protection and confidence. Over time, it became something much deeper: discipline, consistency, and growth.

Building muscle wasn’t easy, but I stuck with it. Now, decades later, I’m still at it—training five days a week, often before 5 AM.

These experiences are part of what shaped Heavy Metal Workout. The album was written with that inner beast mindset—turning pain into power and channeling your fire into something constructive.

If you want the full story behind both the music and training side of my journey, check out my book Heavy Metal & Weights on Amazon.

Writing and Recording the Music

Once the vision for Heavy Metal Workout was finally locked in, I hit the ground running.

To be honest, I went back and forth on how to position the album. Should it just be another instrumental metal album like Apocalyptic Dreams? Or should I lean into the whole workout music concept?

At first, I worried I might lose some listeners by focusing on the gym theme. But at the same time, I couldn’t shake the idea of making a metal album specifically for lifters. Something with intention. Something that pushed back.

Right after our Thailand trip in November 2015, it all became clear. I committed to the original vision, and it lit a fire under me.

I started writing and recording almost every night for about six weeks straight. Riff after riff. Track after track. It just poured out of me.

I don’t think I’ve ever written that much music in such a short time before. But when the inspiration hits and the purpose is real, you make time. And I’m glad I did—this was one of the most exciting and intense creative streaks I’ve ever had.

Guitar Tones

This time around, I didn’t struggle nearly as much with finding the right tone. I had already decided to go with Positive Grid’s BIAS FX for my amp sims and effects. That decision alone saved me a ton of time and second-guessing.

From there, it came down to picking the amp model that fit the sound I was chasing. I went back and forth between a few:

• EVH 5150 III
• Randall
• Mesa Dual Rectifier (aka Treadplate in BIAS FX)

I ultimately went with the Mesa Dual sim—Treadplate—and man, I’m glad I did. It had that perfect mix of punch, saturation, and clarity that matched the energy of the album.

I actually became a little obsessed with it. So much that I’ve already laid down tracks with it for future releases. It just works.

Other Instruments: Drums and Bass

The only real challenge I had outside of guitars was drums.

Ideally, I wanted to bring in a real drummer, but I was on a mission to get Heavy Metal Workout released by a specific date. Since it’s a concept album, I didn’t need crazy fills or flash—I just needed drums that were tight, punchy, and carried the groove.

I ended up going with Metal Machine by Toontrack and spent a lot of time tweaking and arranging grooves that matched the energy of each track. And honestly, I’m pumped with how it turned out. The drums serve the songs perfectly without stealing the spotlight.

I’ll admit—if I had it to do over again, I would’ve hired a real drummer for this album. Starting with Masterpeace, I made that shift, and it’s made a huge difference on every album since. I’ve never really been an advocate of fake drums.

For bass, I used Studio Devil’s Bass Amp Pro plugin. That thing is killer. I was able to dial in a tone that glued everything together—tight low-end, with enough grind to cut through the mix and complement the rhythm guitars.

Simple setup, heavy results.

Album Artwork

One thing I didn’t plan well was the logo and album cover. I had a cool idea in mind, but struggled to bring it to life visually.

So I did what any determined DIY metalhead would do—I took a photo of myself holding my guitar in front of a blank wall (yep, right out by the patio-pool area at our house). I used Apple Keynote to remove the background—free software, nothing fancy—and just started messing around with fonts, layout, and colors.

It definitely wasn’t perfect, but it got the job done. And honestly, the process taught me a lot. If I could go back, I’d hire a pro designer—but I wouldn’t trade the lesson.

Needless to say, I had a much tighter checklist and game plan for the next album!

Gear Used on Heavy Metal Workout

• Guitar: Ibanez RG1570
• Bass: ESP LTD D5
• Amps/Effects: Positive Grid BIAS FX (Treadplate/Mesa Dual amp sim)
• Drums: Toontrack Metal Machine (EZDrummer)
• Recording Software: PreSonus Studio One Pro 2 (hadn’t yet upgraded to 3)
• Interface: PreSonus AudioBox USB
• Monitors: KRK G5 Rokits

It might seem odd that I went with the Ibanez RG1570 for this album. I had my ESP LTD M-1000 Deluxe, which is an absolute beast of a metal guitar. But there was something special about the tone I was getting from the Ibanez—tight, punchy, and super heavy, even with the stock V7 and V8 pickups. And that guitar has a personal history too—it came from my close friend and bandmate Tom, and we’ve always said it would stay in the family.

Outside of the new bass and switching over to BIAS FX, everything else gear-wise was pretty much the same as I used on Apocalyptic Dreams. And just like that album, I kept it simple—minimal gear, maximum output. That’s how I like it.

Click Here to Listen on More Sources

Special Thanks

To Candy, my beloved soul mate—you’ve supported every crazy idea and dream I’ve had. Having a spouse who truly believes in what you’re doing makes all the difference, and I’m living proof of that.

To Mike Olson at JMO Services LLC—thank you for bringing this album to life with your mastering expertise (and for mastering Apocalyptic Dreams as well). Your attention to detail and guidance made a huge impact.

To Eddie Gray and Tom Sherman—you guys are more than friends, you’re brothers. You’ve always been part of this journey, giving honest feedback and pushing me to keep going, even from a distance.

To my parents, Miller and Sherri Stallworth—thank you for supporting my music from the very beginning and always believing in me.

And to Chuck and El, my in-laws—thank you both for your encouragement and support.

Finally, to you, my fans and followers—I couldn’t do this without you. Your support means everything and keeps the fire burning.

Keep it Metal,

Jason

The post Behind the Scenes: Heavy Metal Workout – The World’s First Instrumental Metal Workout Album appeared first on Jason Stallworth.

Listen While You Read

Or stream it anywhere you listen to music—Click here to listen on other platforms

What Is Apocalyptic Dreams?

This 12-track instrumental journey marries classic heavy metal intensity—think Metallica and Joe Satriani—with the soaring melodic tones of European power metal like Sonata Arctica, Nightwish, and Evergrey.

• Balanced solos—melodic, expressive, and fast, but never overpowering the core rhythm riffing.
• A mix of emotional and edgy hooks woven throughout riffs, progressions, and solos that stick with you.
• Ambient-driven textures, using clean and reverb-drenched guitar passages to add emotional depth and atmosphere where you’d usually expect keyboard or synth layers.

Apocalyptic Dreams Track List

Released December 2013

1. Redemption
2. End of Days
3. Facing the Guillotine
4. Apocalyptic Dreams
5. Dark Forces Shall Bow
6. Out There
7. Mission: Terminate
8. Legion of the Underworld
9. As Iron Sharpens Iron
10. Fire and Ice
11. The Healing
12. The Epicist

Listen anywhere: Find it on your favorite platform

The Making of Apocalyptic Dreams

Alright, here’s where I take you behind the scenes. Looking at this from a high level, it all seems fairly simple, and I like to keep things simple. But man, there was a huge learning curve that presented some challenges.

Adapting to Computer-Based Recording (Painful!)

This was my first time using a DAW—My only recording experience was back in the late-90s when I had an old school Fostex DMT-8 hardware recorder.

Now I had to learn something completely new – how to record on my laptop with a PreSonus AudioBox USB (I didn’t even know what an interface was before that). I started in Reaper, then moved to Studio One Artist (later upgraded to Pro). There were many frustrations and mistakes made, but I eventually figured it out.

The Search for Tone (and Sanity Test)

Dialing in the guitar sound drove me nuts. I started with a Line 6 POD XT Live and experimented with amp sims like LePou’s Legion and a few others (this was 2009, and amp sims were somewhat new). I upgraded to HD500 when it was released. Although the tones were much better, I was now going down a new rabbit hole of sounds. Kinda like starting from scratch.

The real breakthrough came with the HD 500 ENGL Fireball (Angel FBALL) in the HD500. That tone fit my vision for the album perfectly. Some clean and ambient parts came from HD500’s Fender clean tone with the HD500 ‘Particle Verb’ reverb (love this effect!). That’s what I used to replicate those ambient sounds you get from keyboards. Again, this is where my influences from bands like Nightwish and Evergrey came in.

No Drummer? No Problem

I didn’t want to use a basic drum machine or program—those just didn’t feel right for the vibe I was going for. But hiring a real drummer wasn’t in the cards at the time (tight budget and all that). After a ton of searching, I came across Beta Monkey’s Double Bass Mania (I used versions III and IV). These are real drum samples played by real drummers, and they sounded killer.

The challenge? Sifting through hundreds of loops to build full drum tracks that fit my riffs and progressions. It was time-consuming, but also kinda fun—it felt like piecing together a metal puzzle. In the end, I was blown away by how natural and aggressive the drums turned out. It gave the album the punch it needed without sounding overly programmed or robotic.

Mixing & Mastering

Mixing felt surprisingly smooth. I used KRK Rokit monitors and tested on headphones, laptop speakers, and in the car. I’m not one to layer guitars on top of guitars. My process is simple. I record two rhythm guitars and hard pan them. Then I have my bass and lead tracks up the middle (except the harmonizing solos you hear; this was not a pitch shift effect – I recorded both leads and hard-panned those).

In the end, I decided to send the project for mastering. Mike Olson (JMO Services LLC) did an incredible job—his ears polished the album into something I’ll always be proud of (thank you, Mike).

Gear Snapshot

• Guitars: Mainly the ESP M‑1000 Deluxe, though I used my Ibanez RG1570 on some ambient parts
• Bass: Dean 5‑string through Studio One plugins (I just built my own effects chain with EQ and compression)
• Interface: PreSonus AudioBox USB
• DAW: Studio One Pro (this was the FIRST Version!)
• Amp Sim: Line 6 POD HD500 w/ ENGL Fireball for the metal rhythms and leads, Fender for the cleans and ambient sounds
• Monitors: KRK G5 Rokits
• Drums: Beta Monkey Double Bass Mania loops
• Mastering: Mike Olson, JMO Services LLC

Crafted with minimal gear, in a small apartment-turned-studio over two years. Every note was written, recorded, and mixed by me in the living room. I’ll always be proud of this album.

Special Thanks

• Candy – Always believed and supported my dream—couldn’t have done it without your love
• Mike Olson – Mastering wizard and great friend
• Family & Mentors – My parents for supporting my musical interests from the beginning, my early mentor Ron Goodman (RIP, you were one of a kind), Ronnie Miller (you helped my dad pick out my first guitar and introduced my to Joe’s Flying in a Blue Dream, which had just come out at that time and to this day gives me chills), Uncle Fred, Will Pufall (RIP, it was so great playing music with you on stage all those years), Jon Castillo
• Close Friends/Old Bandmates (The Guys)– Eddie Gray, Tom Sherman, your feedback drove this forward

Why It Matters

This was more than an album. It was my initiation into writing, recording, and releasing music independently. I navigated technical challenges, guitar tone hunts, drum workaround, and perfectionism. Every step shaped how I teach and create today. If you’re diving into recording your own music, I hope this story inspires you to keep moving forward, no matter what.

Want More Metal Motivation?

Dive into my second instrumental album, Heavy Metal Workout — a hard-hitting 12-track record built specifically for lifting and pushing limits in the gym. Check out the story behind it and what gear I used here:
Behind the Scenes: Heavy Metal Workout (2016)

Keep it Metal,
Jason

The post Behind the Scenes: Apocalyptic Dreams (2013) appeared first on Jason Stallworth.