But when it came time to begin writing and recording APTBS’s follow-up at the Death by Audio studio, he was determined to rectify the debut’s shortcomings. Says Ackermann, “The new album sounds more like how I imagined it would be if we re-recorded the first album. The aesthetic is similar, but we’ve taken much more care in the recording to make sure everything is placed in the right spot. It’s really up, beyond and over the edge of what you’re used to hearing.”
Now that A Place to Bury Strangers are getting some love from Mute Records and artists like The Edge, My Bloody Valentine’s Kevin Shields and Trent Reznor are calling attention to Death by Audio’s extreme effects, it’s quite likely that Ackermann & Co. are poised for success on an unpredicted level. Whatever happens, though, Ackermann is keeping a level head and focusing on the task at hand, whether that is recording new tracks, touring or soldering another circuit board.
As for the possibility he might eventually sell Death by Audio to a large musical-instrument manufacturer, Ackermann demurs. “I’m not really aspiring to do it, but I’ve thought about it at times,” he says. “Whatever happens is fine. If we’re just able to keep helping out musicians as time goes on, that’s just great. As long as you’re following what you love at the time, things will be good.”
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