A. Focx Productions

Making Your Music Come Alive

Mixing

Newsted – Soldierhead

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Production Credits: Recording, Engineering,

Digital Engineering, Mixing, Mastering

Newsted – Soldierhead Recording, Mixing, and Mastering

I was proud to provide the recording, mixing, and mastering for Newsted Soldierhead, the lead single from the Metal EP. The release marked Jason Newsted’s return to heavy metal and showcased the aggressive sound that fans had been waiting for. My goal was to preserve the raw energy of the performance while delivering a polished, commercial-quality production.

Recording, Mixing, and Mastering Process

The Newsted Soldierhead project was recorded at Creation Lab Studio. Throughout the production, I focused on clarity, punch, balance, stereo imaging, and dynamic impact. Every stage of the recording, mixing, and mastering process was carefully completed to ensure the song translated consistently across streaming platforms, digital downloads, YouTube, headphones, car stereos, home audio systems, and professional studio monitors.

Additionally, the production maintained the aggressive guitar tone, powerful rhythm section, and classic thrash metal influence that defined the project. Every decision was made to preserve the intensity of the performance while meeting today’s commercial audio standards.

Commercial Success

Following its release, Newsted Soldierhead received strong support from heavy metal fans worldwide. Furthermore, the single helped drive the success of the Metal EP, which reached #1 on the iTunes Heavy Metal Chart and debuted at #62 on the Billboard 200. These accomplishments marked a successful return for Jason Newsted after his years with Metallica.

Lasting Impact

More than a decade after its release, Newsted Soldierhead continues to receive streams and remains a favorite among fans of thrash metal and classic heavy metal. As a result, the song has become one of the defining releases from Jason Newsted’s post-Metallica career.

Working on Newsted Soldierhead remains one of the highlights of my career as a recording, mixing, and mastering engineer. It was an honor to contribute to a release that continues to connect with listeners around the world. Whether working with major-label artists or independent musicians, I focus on delivering professional audio production that preserves the artist’s vision while providing the clarity, balance, punch, and consistency expected from today’s music industry.

The Dead Daisies – Long Way To Go

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Production Credits: Mixing

The Dead Daisies Mixing and Mastering

Working on The Dead Daisies mixing and mastering project was a rewarding opportunity to contribute to the sound of one of modern hard rock’s most respected bands. Known for powerful live performances, world-class musicianship, and a timeless classic rock influence, The Dead Daisies have earned a loyal international following. The band has accumulated tens of millions of streams across digital music platforms, while the official “Long Way To Go” music video has received nearly 10 million YouTube views, highlighting the group’s worldwide popularity.

Professional Rock Mixing and Mastering

As the mixing and mastering engineer, my goal was to enhance the clarity, punch, depth, and overall impact of the recording while preserving the energy and emotion of the original performance. The Dead Daisies mixing and mastering process focused on delivering a polished commercial sound that translated consistently across Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, digital downloads, radio broadcasts, CD, vinyl, headphones, car audio systems, home stereos, and professional studio monitors.

The Dead Daisies are known for blending classic hard rock influences with modern production techniques. Their music features driving guitar riffs, powerful vocals, tight rhythm sections, and memorable songwriting. Every stage of the mix required careful attention to instrument balance, stereo imaging, dynamics, and tonal consistency. As a result, every instrument retained its presence while the final production remained powerful and clear on every playback system.

Professional mixing and mastering play an essential role in preparing rock music for commercial release. Additionally, every mastering decision helped improve translation, preserve musical dynamics, and maintain consistency across today’s streaming platforms and physical media formats. This attention to detail allows listeners to experience the music exactly as the artists intended.

Working with artists of this caliber continues to be one of the highlights of my career. The Dead Daisies mixing and mastering project remains an important credit in my portfolio and reflects my commitment to delivering professional audio production for major-label and independent artists alike. Whether producing hard rock, metal, or modern rock releases, I approach every project with the same dedication to clarity, punch, balance, consistency, and musical impact.

The Dead Daisies official website

Beautiful Creatures – Deuce Deluxe

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Beautiful Creatures Deuce Deluxe Remixing and Mastering

Working on Beautiful Creatures Deuce Deluxe gave me the opportunity to revisit one of the band’s most memorable releases and completely refresh its sound for a new generation of hard rock fans. Originally released as Deuce in 2005, the album returned on March 31, 2017 as Deuce Deluxe with updated production, revised sequencing, bonus tracks, and the new song “Get You High.” For this deluxe edition, Anthony Focx remixed and mastered every song, creating a more powerful, polished, and consistent listening experience while preserving the energy and attitude of the original recordings.

Beautiful Creatures Remixing and Mastering Process

I completely remixed every track before mastering began. My goal was to improve clarity, punch, stereo imaging, tonal balance, and low-end definition while maintaining the band’s signature hard rock sound. Every mix received careful attention to instrument separation, vocal presence, guitar impact, and overall depth. As a result, each song delivers greater power and detail without losing the excitement and emotion of the original performances.

I also mastered every song to achieve consistent loudness, balance, and dynamics across the entire album. Furthermore, I optimized the final masters for Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, digital downloads, CD, vinyl, headphones, car audio systems, home stereos, and professional studio monitors. This approach ensures a consistent listening experience across every playback system.

Beautiful Creatures Deuce Deluxe Sound

Featuring Joe Lesté on vocals, Alex Grossi on guitar, Anthony Focx on guitar and background vocals, Kenny Kweens on bass, and Matt Starr on drums, Beautiful Creatures Deuce Deluxe delivers the aggressive hard rock sound fans have enjoyed for years. The updated mixes provide improved clarity, wider stereo imaging, tighter low end, and greater definition while preserving the raw energy that made the original album a favorite.

In the Studio with Anthony Focx

Watch the video below for a behind-the-scenes look at Anthony Focx in the studio re-mixing and re-mastering Beautiful Creatures Deuce Deluxe more than ten years after the original release. The video showcases the professional remixing and mastering process and demonstrates how updated production techniques brought new life to every song while staying true to the band’s original vision. It offers a rare look inside the studio and highlights the attention to detail that went into creating the final commercial release.

Production Credits: Mixing, Mastering