drummer | MetaQuorum

0 SIMPLE MINDS: History in the making – First drum takes, 2016

We’re getting some thumbs ups for our new track Simple Minds, released 9 October on Bandcamp & YouTube and going global on all major streaming platforms 4 November. Many of you guys are telling us you get the message it’s putting out, so we thought we’d let you into a little secret: it was written back in 2003! In Moscow. But sad to say humanity is still sleepwalking around today, 20 years on.

But back to the music. The first draft was recorded in Bath, UK, in 2005 and then when drummer Koos joined Dmitry in 2016, they discussed the track. Koos even laid down some impromptu drums. But then the song got put on a back burner to make way for the instrumental album Witchcraft Jazz (2018).

So here’s a little video from that early session, 2016. History in the making!

0 Interview with MetaQuorum on Progarchy

Interview with METAQUORUM

A UK based progressive rock project by Dmitri Ermakov and Koos van der Velde recently put out two new songs: “Jonathan Livingston” and “Migration.” The band that grabs inspiration from plenty of different genres talked with Progarchy about their creative chemistry.

0 VINTAGE IS BACK!

Koos shared his treasure trove of vintage microphones – great collection, including a Tesla AMK 102 and an Astatic Model K-2.

Here’s Dmitry checking out a Krundaal Dynamic Cardioid Microphone Mod. 607. We used it for the low frequencies in a recent session to record percussion for a new track.

For the top side of the drum we used a Samson Q4. Quite a cheap mic, but stuck into a convenient hole in a chair back, it did the job. In fact, the whole set-up was pretty makeshift, as you can see! Improvisation? We love it! 😉

Koos playing his vegan Djembe – custom built by his Dad! @ Market Place Studio, North Pennines, UK.

0 JAMMING :)

Although we have a quite tough recording/mixing/mastering schedule, we also find time for some live play here and there – here’s Koos trying out the Steven Slate Drums VST plug-in, metal style!

And another video of a sound check before a recording session.

0 SUMMER IS HERE!

Summer’s made a late entry here in the North Pennines and ‘rain stopped play’ at the home studio for a while, too, as we tussled with technical trouble. Back on track now, though – treated ourselves to an upgrade, so MetaQuorum are now the proud owners of Cubase 8 Pro! The interface had been totally reworked, plus there’s lots of cool sounds to explore, so we’re looking forward to experimenting with them.

0 Drummer Koos is back!

Drummer Koos is back!

Drummer Koos is back in the North Pennines, the Home Studio now includes his Roland V-Drums, and a whole load more cables 😉

Pre-production on a couple of new tracks is underway, with more to follow – watch this space!

But it’s not all work…

0 Now drumming with MetaQuorum: Koos van der Velde

Koos van der Velde, born 1973 in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands, began playing the snare drum at the early age of six. He got his first full drum kit four years later, and by the time he was thirteen, he was already playing in his first metal band, Lunacy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QULMxnFK_30

During his six years with this popular Frisian band, Koos also drummed for Disgrace and various other local metal and punk bands, gaining plenty of experience in playing live gigs.

In 1993 Koos joined experimental jazz-core band Megakronkel http://vimeo.com/102509114, a Dutch group which opened the way for bands such as Victims Family Megakronkel1993-2 and NoMeansNo. Together with Megakronkel, Koos toured extensively throughout Europe and recorded the album ‘Neurotransmitter’ (Konkurrel, 1994) as well as a song for ‘Project Fake, A Tribute to the Minutemen’ (Easy Money Records, 1997).

With over 25 years working as a freelance drummer, Koos has recorded drums for a wide range of bands and artists from all corners of the globe, and has also led several workshops. But when asked what he loves most, well, it has to be playing progressive music styles like fusion, so that’s why we’re really pleased to welcome him on board at MetaQuorum!