Inside Bring Me The Horizon’s “Doomed”: A Deep Dive into the Multi-Tracks

Bring Me The Horizon's "Doomed" is a monolith of modern metal – a track teeming with atmospheric depth, crushing heaviness, and intricate layers. Ever wondered what goes into a production of this magnitude? Thanks to Nail The Mix, we got an exclusive unboxing of the actual multi-tracks from the March 2018 session, and let me tell you, it's a producer's dream. Forget salvage missions; this session is about navigating a treasure trove of perfectly captured sounds.

Eyal Levi from Nail The Mix walked us through a completely blank, zeroed-out DAW session, ready for these pristine tracks. The first impression? This is a big one. We're talking a serious track count, which, for those of us who love diving deep into dense arrangements, is a thrilling prospect. Let's break down what makes this session so special and what mixing challenges and opportunities it presents.

Deconstructing the Wall of Sound: What's in the "Doomed" Session?

The sheer scale of "Doomed" is evident from the get-go. This isn't just a band in a room; it's a meticulously crafted sonic landscape.

The Rhythmic Foundation: Drums & Bass That Hit Hard

Right off the bat, the raw drums sound phenomenal. You can hear a "very good sounding drum room," indicative of a quality recording space and mic placement. While the initial unboxed levels might be a bit roomy with quieter direct mics, that's just a starting point. The quality is undeniably there.

And here’s a treat: the session includes the drum samples used on the original mix! We're talking a "nice, usable" kick room sample, among others. It’s always a massive plus when mixers include their processed samples, especially when they're this high quality. It’s like being handed a key ingredient on a silver platter. If you're looking to beef up your drum sound, having access to pro samples like these can be a game-changer.

Moving to the low end, the bass DI is described as a "very good base sounding base DI." It’s clean, solid, and absolutely workable for sculpting a powerful bass tone. Plus, they’ve included a dedicated bass amp track, which sounds like a "very nice… distorted bass." Having both a clean DI and an amped/distorted signal gives you immense flexibility for blending and shaping the perfect low-frequency foundation, perhaps using a plugin like FabFilter Saturn 2 for further saturation on the DI or parallel processing.

Layers of Guitars: From Crushing Riffs to Ethereal Textures

No BMTH track is complete without a formidable guitar presence. The session features a pretty standard heavy guitar setup, which Eyal immediately pans hard left and right – because, as he rightly says, "centered heavy guitars just sound weird." This simple panning move is fundamental for creating width and power in a metal mix.

Beyond the main rhythm chunks, there are layers like "Cords and Rakes" and "Tremors." These aren't just more of the same; they're home to cleans and, excitingly, Ebows. Eyal professes his love for Ebows ("one of my favorite guitar tone devices ever on the planet"), and for good reason. An Ebow can create sustain and swells that add an almost synth-like, atmospheric texture to guitars, perfect for building dynamic soundscapes. Think about how you can use these to add movement or ethereal pads behind the main riffs.

Even raw, these guitar tracks sound "really, really good." It’s a testament to the source material that even without any processing, the core tones are already inspiring.

Orchestral & Synth Power: The Electronic Soul of "Doomed"

This is where "Doomed" truly expands beyond traditional metal. The session is packed with a "whole lot of programming and strings and synth." We're talking tons of layers, meticulously arranged. There's a "great synth bass" adding even more low-end power and texture, alongside expertly programmed synth lines that sound almost "Clockwork Orange-ish" in their evocative nature.

You'll also find intriguing elements like a "vocal chop" effect that sounds "beautiful." This level of synth work and orchestral arrangement is a rare treat to dissect. It shows how electronic elements can be seamlessly woven into heavy music to create something truly unique and cinematic. Managing these alongside the guitars and drums will require careful attention to your EQ strategies for mixing modern metal to ensure every part has its own space.

Vocal Excellence: Arranging a Choir of Voices

The vocals in "Doomed" are another standout feature. There are "so many layers" – a multitude of harmonies and vocal arrangements. Eyal notes that often, a high number of vocal tracks can signal a weak lead vocal being propped up. Not here. This is "some really badass production with great vocals." They sound fantastic raw, are incredibly well-arranged, and offer a massive palette for mixing. This is like having a perfectly recorded choir at your fingertips, ready to be balanced and placed within the epic soundscape.

The Mixer's Challenge: Balancing a Masterpiece

With a session this dense and of such high quality, the main challenge isn't about fixing problems. It's about balance and vision.

Foreground, Middle Ground, Background: The Key to Clarity

Eyal’s biggest piece of advice for tackling a mix like "Doomed" is balance. With so many incredible-sounding elements – strings, synths, countless vocal layers, a wall of guitars, powerful drums, and samples – it's easy to get lost. You must "really get your balances tight."

Think critically about what needs to be the foreground instrument (or voice) at any given moment. What elements belong in the middle ground, providing support and texture? And what should sit in the background, adding atmosphere and depth without cluttering the mix? You might find yourself automating levels extensively, or using metal compression secrets to control dynamics and help elements sit right. Don't get carried away turning up every cool little detail in the "land of cords, rakes, and cleans," even though it's tempting. Remember the big picture: the song as a whole.

Preserving the Vibe: It's Yours to (Not) Mess Up

The production team did an "immaculate job" with this recording. The tracks are essentially "given to you," and as Eyal puts it, "it's yours to mess up." The goal here is to preserve the spirit of what the artist intended. This isn't about re-amping guitars with your favorite amp sim (though you could experiment!) or replacing all the drum samples. It’s about taking these stellar raw materials and assembling them into a cohesive, powerful, and emotionally resonant mix.

Actionable Takeaways for Your Own Mixes

Even if you don't have these specific "Doomed" multi-tracks, the insights from this unboxing are valuable:

• Leverage High-Quality Samples: The inclusion of pro drum samples highlights their importance. If you’re struggling to get punch and consistency from your drums, well-chosen samples can be a lifesaver.
• The Power of Layering (and Managing It): "Doomed" is a masterclass in layering guitars, vocals, and synths. Experiment with adding subtle layers to your own productions to build depth and interest. But remember, with great layering comes great responsibility to balance and EQ everything so it fits.
• Embrace Creative Sonic Textures: Don't shy away from elements like Ebows, vocal chops, or rich synth pads. These can elevate a track from good to unforgettable.

Want to Mix Bring Me The Horizon's "Doomed" Yourself?

Hearing about these tracks is one thing, but actually getting your hands on them is another. This "Doomed" session, with all its pristine layers and creative depth, is exactly the kind of material you can work with at Nail The Mix. Imagine loading these very multi-tracks into your DAW and having the chance to craft your own version of this iconic song.

At Nail The Mix, you don't just get the tracks; you get to learn from the world's best producers as they mix songs from artists like Bring Me The Horizon, Gojira, Lamb of God, and many more. It’s an unparalleled opportunity to see how the pros tackle complex sessions, make crucial mixing decisions, and achieve those polished, powerful sounds.

If you’re ready to dive into this incredible "Doomed" session and learn from the best, you can get access right here: Bring Me The Horizon "Doomed" on Nail The Mix. This is a rare chance to work with a session that is this well-recorded and creatively rich. It’s an exercise in balance, taste, and enhancing an already stellar production.

For those looking to elevate their skills more broadly, Nail The Mix also offers comprehensive resources like the "Unlock Your Sound: Mixing Modern Metal Beyond Presets" course, designed to give you the foundational knowledge and advanced techniques to make your mixes compete.

The "Doomed" multi-tracks are a testament to brilliant songwriting, performance, and production. Getting the chance to mix them via Nail The Mix isn't just fun; it's an incredible learning experience. Have fun, and don't mess it up!