Celebrating Two Decades‍ of Innovation: Sikth’s Impact and Adam ‘Nolly’ Getgood’s Journey

Sikth is currently marking the 20th anniversary of⁤ their groundbreaking 2006 album, Death⁣ of a ‍Dead Day, a record that ‌has left an indelible mark on the music scene.

The band’s core members,⁤ including guitarists Dan Weller and ‌Pin, along‍ with bassist ⁢James Leach, were heavily ‌influenced by ‌iconic artists such as Joe Satriani, Iron Maiden, and even Level 42. Their ⁤shared enthusiasm for exceptional musicianship has shaped their⁣ unique sound.

In a‍ 2004 interview with Total Guitar, Weller expressed their ambition: “we aim ⁤to craft music that makes listeners exclaim, ‘Wow, where did that come from?’⁢ While success isn’t guaranteed, if we resonate with audiences, we could ignite a new wave of intricate music.”

Death of a Dead Day ⁤is a genre-defying ‌album that blends metal,progressive rock,punk,emo,and performance poetry,captivating ⁢a dedicated underground following.

For one devoted fan, this album, along with their debut The Trees Are Dead And Dried Out – Wait For Something Wild, sparked a series of events that ⁣led to a flourishing career as ‍bassist and producer for the modern metal band⁢ Periphery, collaborating closely with guitarist Misha Mansoor.

“Sikth played a pivotal role in ​my​ transition to‍ a more complex style of metal,” reflects Adam ‘Nolly’ Getgood. “At the time, I wasn’t ⁢especially interested in bass guitar, but I‍ was instantly struck by the ‌bass ‌lines James Leach crafted on⁢ both albums.”

“I could hear ⁤he was doing something remarkable, effectively connecting the intricate ⁤guitar work with the highly technical drumming,” he adds.”His innovative use of slap-and-pop techniques, tapping, and melodic lines was incredibly influential for me.”

As a seasoned ‌producer for bands like Animals as Leaders, Devin Townsend‌ Project,‍ and Sleep token, Getgood possesses a ‌deep understanding of the⁣ speed, dynamics, sonic textures, and⁣ polyrhythmic intricacies that⁤ progressive metal demands. Thus, when⁢ Leach​ was unavailable for‌ the current ⁢anniversary tour, Getgood was the obvious choice to‍ step in.

“I last performed ‌with Sikth at the ArcTanGent festival in 2023, but playing this album live is a entirely different experience,” ‌he shares. “This album has been immensely‍ influential; it serves‍ as the connective tissue between me, Misha, and ​Periphery. It truly was a game ⁢changer for us.”

Emulating a legacy

“With sikth, I’m channeling James’ bass style. His early work featured a lot of slapping and popping,and while there’s some slap bass in the set,I primarily use ​a pick,” Getgood explains.‌ “This approach feels natural, but I’m intentionally‍ aiming for a cleaner⁢ sound, opting ⁢for a more rounded tone.”

“I always use ​a light pick, and I’m still using the original ones I had made during my time‍ with Periphery. I don’t go through them quickly, so it’s more about ⁤a change in technique ‍than anything⁤ else,”‌ he ⁣notes.”I’m very conscious of my technique,especially on guitar,ensuring I pick from the wrist for consistency. ‍Many musicians practice slowly ⁢but switch techniques when they speed up, which doesn’t prepare them for performance.”

Innovations in Gear

Getgood ⁣is also utilizing the latest version​ of his signature bass. “The most ​significant change is the addition of neck binding, along‌ with a new bridge that enhances comfort and sound quality. Other⁣ details,like matte ⁣black hardware and⁢ a smaller toggle switch,contribute to its evolution,” he explains. “Each ⁤iteration feels more solid while retaining the essence⁣ of my original bass.”

“I primarily use the bridge pickup, as it blends better with distorted guitars. While it does sacrifice some low-end, it⁤ maintains a ​tight sound through heavy distortion, allowing for character that complements the guitars,” he elaborates. “Recently, I’ve been ⁤experimenting with the bridge and neck pickups wired in parallel for a balanced tone.”

“In live settings, ‌I keep the EQ flat to avoid unexpected changes during performances,” he adds. “I prefer not to rely on an active preamp with⁣ sikth, as I want to avoid battery issues, especially since I don’t perform live often.”

Reflecting on his choice of⁤ bass, Getgood states, “The ⁢dingwall bass‌ addressed a significant need for metal bassists, allowing for low tuning while maintaining coherence across ⁣strings. sheldon Dingwall’s Novax ⁤fanned-fret system solved this issue, and while I ⁣can’t take full credit, I’m proud to have helped popularize it. This ⁢model has become somewhat of an industry standard, which is incredibly rewarding.”