If you’ve listened to a heavy album in the last decade, you’ve probably heard Will Putney’s work. His name is everywhere, and for good reason. He’s the go-to producer for any band that wants to sound absolutely massive, aggressive, and real.
Based out of his legendary Graphic Nature Audio studio in New Jersey, Putney has become the architect of the modern “organic” metal sound. While some producers aim for sci-fi perfection, Putney’s magic is in his ability to capture the raw, violent energy of a band in a room and make it sound colossal, clear, and perfectly balanced.
He’s not just an engineer; he’s a musician (playing guitar in Fit for an Autopsy, End, and Better Lovers), and he gets it. He knows how to make a riff hit you in the chest.
It’s hard to narrow it down, but here are 5 times Will Putney’s production work absolutely blew our minds.
Why It’s a Masterpiece: Capturing Pure, Raw Violence
A Different Shade Of Blue is not just an album; it’s an assault. This record is the sonic equivalent of a fistfight in a basement, and Putney was the one who managed to record it.
The “mind-blown” moment here is the raw energy. The production is intentionally not clean. You can hear the feedback humming. The vocals are so raw that they sound like they’re clipping (in the best way). The guitars are a swarm of pissed-off bees.
But the real magic? It’s not a mess.
Somehow, in the middle of all that chaos, the drums slam. The kick and snare are punchy and distinct. The bass has a grimy, overdriven presence that you can actually hear. This album defined the sound of modern hardcore because Putney proved you can be raw, chaotic, and still have a mix that translates with devastating power.
Find out how he did it: Will Putney on Nail The Mix with Knocked Loose
Why It’s a Masterpiece: Perfect Clarity in Total Chaos
Every Time I Die was famously one of the most chaotic bands in metalcore, blending Southern rock swagger, frantic hardcore, and poetic yet manic vocals. How in the hell do you mix that?
Low Teens is the answer. This album is a masterclass in separation and clarity.
You have two guitarists, Jordan Buckley and Andy Williams, both doing completely different things—one might be playing a spidery lead while the other is chugging a syncopated riff. On top of that, you have Keith Buckley’s multiple vocal layers and a rhythm section that never stops.
Putney’s genius here is giving every single part its own space. The guitars are huge and wide, but they never fight. The bass is warm and round, holding down the low end. And the vocals are perfectly intelligible, sitting right on top of the hurricane. The iconic breakdown in “It Remembers” is a perfect example: it’s huge, sludgy, and every note is defined.
Why It’s a Masterpiece: The “Dr. Dre of Metal”
When you’re producing for a legend like Ice-T, you have a responsibility. You have to honour their legacy while making them sound modern and mean. Will Putney absolutely nailed it, and the band even won a Grammy for the track “Bum-Rush” from this album.
The “mind-blown” moment is the tone. This is a masterclass in modern groove metal.
It’s not over-processed. It doesn’t sound like a sterile, grid-snapped deathcore record. It sounds like a band. The guitars are thick, saturated, and perfectly crunchy. The drums, especially Ernie C’s drumming, have that classic, powerful “thwack.” And Ice-T’s vocals are front-and-centre, cutting through the mix with the authority they deserve. Putney proved he can make a record that respects the old-school while hitting with 21st-century power.
Why It’s a Masterpiece: Atmospheric, Beautiful Brutality
This is Putney’s home turf. As the main songwriter and guitarist for Fit for an Autopsy, this is his personal sonic laboratory, and The Sea of Tragic Beasts is arguably his crowning achievement.
The “mind-blown” moment here is the atmosphere and depth. This is deathcore, but it’s not just chugs and blast beats. It’s cinematic.
Listen to how he layers melodic, reverb-drenched leads over the top of the crushing rhythm guitars. The drum sound is the perfect “Putney” blend: a real-sounding kit, enhanced with samples, all sitting in a “big room” sound. He’s not just producing songs; he’s creating soundscapes. The way the brutal verses flow into epic, mournful choruses is a testament to his skill as both a songwriter and a producer.
Check out his complete process in his URM Academy course, “How It’s Done w/ Will Putney”
Why It’s a Masterpiece: Perfecting the Heavy/Clean Balance
Will Putney isn’t just a “brutal” producer. He also knows his way around a massive, radio-friendly chorus. This Could Be Heartbreak is the ultimate proof of his versatility.
The “mind-blown” moment is the flawless balance. The Amity Affliction’s sound lives and dies by the transition from a heavy, screaming verse to a soaring, clean-sung chorus.
Putney’s mix handles this with stunning dynamic range. The heavy parts are crushing, with his signature punchy drums and tight guitars. But when the chorus hits, it explodes. The clean vocals, synths, and string layers all swell up and take over, creating a massive, anthemic sound without ever feeling disconnected from the heaviness. It’s a pop producer’s sense of scale mixed with a metal producer’s aggression.
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