Ever wondered why your latest release doesn’t hit as hard as your favorite records—even though you “did everything right”? In this episode, I break down one of the most common (and costly) mistakes metal bands make: hiring the cheapest engineer they can find.

I share real stories from the trenches, including one band that ended up spending more time and money fixing a bad mix than if they had just invested in quality from the start.

In this episode, I cover:

• The hidden costs of hiring budget engineers
• What pro engineers actually bring to your music
• How a bad mix can kill your momentum, streams, and opportunities
• How to find a quality engineer even if you're on a budget
• Smart strategies for bands working with limited funds

Whether you're about to record your first EP or prepping your next album, this episode will help you avoid common traps and make decisions that truly move your band forward.

🔥 Ready to level up your sound?
Reach out to me for mixing, production, or just to get pointed in the right direction.

📩 Have questions or feedback? Hit me up!

🎧 Subscribe, rate, and review to support the show and keep the metal community strong.

In this episode, I’m joined by Alan Douches, a Grammy-winning mastering engineer who’s worked with heavy music icons like Converge, Mastodon, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Every Time I Die, and The Black Dahlia Murder. With over 16,000 albums under his belt and nearly four decades in the industry, Alan brings unmatched insight into the world of mastering—and why it’s a crucial final step for any serious metal band.

Whether you're prepping to release your first record or you’ve already logged years on the road, Alan breaks down what bands need to know if they want their music to hit hard and stand out.

What We Cover:

• What mastering really is—and what it isn’t
• Why collaboration between band, mixer, and mastering engineer is essential
• Common mistakes bands make before and during mastering
• How to avoid the “fix-it-in-mastering” mindset
• What bands should know about loudness normalization on streaming platforms
• The future of immersive audio (Dolby Atmos) and how it affects metal
• Staying original in an oversaturated scene

Key Quote:
"All the successful records I’ve been involved in came down to one thing—teamwork." — Alan Douches

Listen if you’re a:
🎸 Metal band prepping for a release
🎚️ Producer or engineer working in heavy genres
💡 Musician who wants to understand what really makes a record sound pro

Follow Alan Douches / West West Side Music:
🔗 [Website]
🔗 [Instagram]

Most metal bands are still thinking the old way: “Write the album. Record the album. Drop the album. Tour the album.” But here’s the problem:

In the age of short attention spans, social media algorithms, and weekly new releases—That strategy is just... outdated.

When you wait a year between projects, the hype dies.

Now imagine releasing a killer single every 6–8 weeks. Each one is an opportunity to promote. Each one gives fans something new to talk about. That’s how you build momentum.

In this week’s episode I break down the five reasons why singles beat albums for modern metal bands

The 5 reasons I discuss include:

• Attention spans are short
• Streaming algorithms favor consistency
• Every track gets its moment
• Faster feedback loop
• Budget - friendly

If you’ve got a finished album I want you to rethink your release strategy. Break it down into singles.Pick one track and go all in. Build hype, post content, run a promo. Make it a full-on event. Then do it again. And again.

If you don’t know where to begin, DM me on Instagram @liquid_studios I’ll help you sketch it out.