What Every Metal Band Needs to Know About Mastering | Interview with Alan Douches (Converge, Mastodon)

In this episode, I’m joined by Alan Douches, a Grammy-winning mastering engineer who’s worked with heavy music icons like Converge, Mastodon, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Every Time I Die, and The Black Dahlia Murder. With over 16,000 albums under his belt and nearly four decades in the industry, Alan brings unmatched insight into the world of mastering—and why it’s a crucial final step for any serious metal band.

Whether you're prepping to release your first record or you’ve already logged years on the road, Alan breaks down what bands need to know if they want their music to hit hard and stand out.

What We Cover:

• What mastering really is—and what it isn’t
• Why collaboration between band, mixer, and mastering engineer is essential
• Common mistakes bands make before and during mastering
• How to avoid the “fix-it-in-mastering” mindset
• What bands should know about loudness normalization on streaming platforms
• The future of immersive audio (Dolby Atmos) and how it affects metal
• Staying original in an oversaturated scene

Key Quote:
"All the successful records I’ve been involved in came down to one thing—teamwork." — Alan Douches

Listen if you’re a:
🎸 Metal band prepping for a release
🎚️ Producer or engineer working in heavy genres
💡 Musician who wants to understand what really makes a record sound pro

Follow Alan Douches / West West Side Music:
🔗 [Website]
🔗 [Instagram]