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Nick Sampson mixes "Crush" by Polyphia
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Join Now for $1About This Session
Polyphia’s “Crush” is a standout moment on their 2016 record *Renaissance*, marking a pivotal shift toward the band’s now-signature fusion of technical guitar performance with trap-inspired rhythms and polished modern production. This track pushed instrumental progressive metal forward by blending melodic shred guitar with grooves more common in hip-hop, all with pristine separation and sonic impact. For anyone interested in tight, clean, and sonically deep productions within dense arrangements, this is a masterclass.
Mixed by Nick Sampson, known for his work with bands like Veil of Maya, Born of Osiris and We Came as Romans, this session showcases his precise, hyper-detailed mixing philosophy built around clarity and energy. Hustling out of Metro 37 Studios, Nick made “Crush” jump off the speakers by wrangling complex guitar interplay, punchy programmed drums, and layered synth textures into a mix that still breathes despite the surgical workflow required to hold it all together.
This song demands a careful approach to stereo imaging, automation, and transient control. The clean guitars are incredibly dynamic and require extensive use of multiband compression and envelope shaping to sit consistently. The low end, anchored by 808-style sub bass hits, coexists with aggressively picked guitar low mids—a difficult balancing act especially when saturation is applied across the mix. You’ll also encounter creative use of reverb and delay automation to enhance melodic lines without washing out the signal.
Download these multitracks for a deep dive into one of modern metal’s most innovative productions. The mix is a technical puzzle worth solving.
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