On this episode of The Metal Maniacs Podcast, hosts Jay Ingersoll and Modd sit down with special guest Chris Frankhouser — guitarist of No Sympatico and the owner / engineer behind Raygun Recording Studio in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Chris has been a major force behind the sound of countless heavy and alternative releases across the Michigan scene. From tracking crushing guitars to dialing in massive mixes, his work has helped shape records from bands like Lucius Fox, One With the Riverbed, Metzfire, Blisshead, and many more. In this conversation, we go deep into the origins of Raygun Recording Studio, Chris’s journey into recording, and what it takes to create records that actually hit.

We also talk about his role in No Sympatico, upcoming shows, studio gear obsession, and even building his own speakers. If you’re a band, producer, audio nerd, or just someone who loves behind-the-scenes conversations about heavy music, this episode is for you.

Topics we cover include:

The inception of Raygun Recording Studio

The story behind the studio’s name

Chris’s path into recording and production

Working with bands like Lucius Fox, One With the Riverbed, Metzfire, and Blisshead

Building custom speakers and chasing the perfect sound

Studio gear, production philosophy, and workflow

Advice for bands heading into the studio

Life in No Sympatico and recent / upcoming shows

Links & Resources:

🎛️ Raygun Recording Studio (Facebook):

https://www.facebook.com/raygunrecording

🎚️ Raygun Recording Studio (Official Website):

https://www.raygunrecording.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawO81PVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBuRnZVekVXckhINTdQRGFWc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHl9w5Zf40d_6qEcaVagv4k16JCCCvnL6mfIPp6MxqLiIfBId4gg4bxr0G5dy_aem_l0qaPSQBPLJyU7C6p79JGw

🎸 No Sympatico – New era / August 18, 2025

Support Michigan music, support local studios, and crank this one loud. 🤘

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