Mike Mushok Could not Be Happier With Staind’s New Album

Staind guitarist and founding member Mike Mushok chatted with Chuck Armstrong on Wednesday night time’s version of Loudwire Nights, opening up in regards to the band’s new music, “Lowest in Me,” and their upcoming album, Confessions of the Fallen.

“It has been a very long time coming,” Mushok admitted to Chuck. “It took us some time to get to the tip, however I am actual proud of the ultimate end result. Hear, it has been 12 years since our final report, however I wish to say, actually, issues began coming collectively most likely once we have been on the Korn tour in 2021. I spent a number of time engaged on music [and] I used to be in a position to get along with Aaron [Lewis] on that tour and play him some concepts and sort of undergo and determine what he appreciated and the place he was and get some path as to the place to go. A whole lot of it got here collectively on that tour and it was the next yr that we employed [producer Eric Ron] and actually began placing issues collectively.”

The top result’s Staind’s first full-length launch since 2011’s self-titled album. Over the course of the final 12 years, the band has shifted a bit with the addition of drummer Sal Giancarelli whereas the opposite members have expanded their very own work, whether or not it is Lewis and his solo profession or Mushok working with bands corresponding to Newsted and Saint Asonia.

And simply as your complete world confronted a brand new actuality within the face of a worldwide pandemic, Staind needed to adapt to new, sudden adjustments, too.

“We had a number of plans for 2020 that clearly obtained placed on maintain and moved round,” Mushok mentioned. “Actually, although, for me, I look again at the moment—the youngsters have been residence, it was truly a extremely cool time as a household. We have been collectively, going for hikes, we obtained a brand new canine. I sort of fondly look again at the moment. There was nothing else to do, we have been simply collectively and made probably the most of what it was. It was undoubtedly a really unusual time, although, and I am actually glad we’re on the opposite aspect of it.”

The Subsequent Staind Album is “Positively Totally different”

As Mushok contemplates the “different aspect” of the pandemic, he reiterates that issues started to really feel “regular” with Staind’s tour with Korn in ’21 and continues now as they put together to launch their eighth studio album later this yr, an album that packs some surprises for followers.

“[Confessions of the Fallen] is unquestionably completely different,” he informed Chuck. “One factor that Aaron wished to experiment with…He had a programmer that he had labored with and he had introduced a couple of of the concepts to him and people guys took what the songs have been and sort of interpreted them with extra digital components in them. Once we lastly obtained [our producer], he helped develop that even additional. Though there’s not a number of that in [“Lowest in Me”], there are another songs which have extra of an digital ingredient to them. A whole lot of that is sort of a guitar half I wrote performed on a synthesizer, so it’s not thus far eliminated—it is simply completely different textures and completely different sounds.”

Moreover the addition of some digital components and the extremely heavy breakdown with Lewis within the again a part of “Lowest in Me,” the lead single from the brand new report is a contemporary however acquainted sound for Staind.

“It is us in 2023,” Mushok mentioned. “We have grown a bit of, we have developed. Right here we’re.”

The New and Acquainted Sounds on Confessions of the Fallen

Mushok defined on Loudwire Nights that “Lowest in Me” was one of many songs he introduced to Lewis whereas on tour with Korn and it got here collectively actually easily. Whereas some writers could also be hesitant so as to add electronics to a music they created once they’re not used to that type of factor, the Staind guitarist was completely open to the brand new path Lewis wished to take.

“No matter goes to make it higher and make all people blissful,” Mushok defined, confidently and comfortably. It helps that with the addition of new issues, Mushok was by no means restricted or restricted in his guitar enjoying. Whereas there are new components to the 2023 model of Staind, there are additionally a number of acquainted sounds, too, like his trademark harmonics within the midst of his heavy riffs.

“I truly get producers who make me add extra of that in,” he admitted. “Even Eric was doing that, there have been components I wasn’t doing issues like that and he was like, ‘Oh, do a few of these harmonic issues.'”

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On the finish of the day, Mushok is blissful to not solely be making new music, however he is blissful that he is having fun with making new music along with his band. Whereas his soon-to-be tour mates and fellow New Englanders Godsmack are slowing down on recording new music following their current album, Lightning Up the Sky, Mushok would not appear able to shut the door on the studio anytime quickly.

“I’ve no main announcement to make,” he mentioned, laughing. “For me, let’s get this report out. We’ve got these exhibits developing and let’s get by means of that and let’s examine the place we find yourself. I used to be actually blissful making this report…I used to be on a flight the opposite day coming residence and I simply sat and listened to the entire report. I used to be blissful it was achieved and proud of the best way it got here out and there’ll come a time once I do not hearken to it for years. Proper now, I am having fun with that we completed it and what it’s. I undoubtedly get enjoyment out of making one thing like that that I like.”

With each assertion he made about Staind, their new report and what the long run holds, Mushok’s happiness was evident on Loudwire Nights. And when Chuck requested him if he at all times felt that manner when releasing a report, Mushok was fast to reply within the constructive.

“You sort of need to really feel like that on any report earlier than you set it out,” he defined. “I’ve at all times mentioned—I’ve heard different individuals say the identical factor—selfishly, you write it for your self. You wish to create one thing that provides you enjoyment and also you’re proud of and also you’re pleased with. Over time, we have been fortunate that different individuals have appreciated what we do as nicely. I hope that continues.”

Mike Mushok joined Chuck Armstrong for Loudwire Nights on Wednesday, April 20; the present replays on-line right here, and you may tune in reside each weeknight at 7PM ET or on the Loudwire app; you can even see if the present is obtainable in your native radio station. Take a look at Staind’s full tour schedule right here.