"We're opening to recording anything, but Metal's pretty alright aye." - An Insight into Burgeoning New Zealand music, and the Story of Capgun Studios.

There is much to New Zealand's music scene beneath LORDE. As a music newbie back in the day, I never really thought much of New Zealand's scene. But, as I transgressed into the realm of Metal, attended live shows and met various local acts, I witnessed many greats; EXORDIUM MORS, DAWN OF AZAZEL, 8 FOOT SATIVA and STORMFORGE among them. If little ol' NZ's relatively tiny Metal scene are able to produce bands of this caliber, it must be suggested that the rest of the country's pool is something not to be overlooked; such as it is with the modern, just-starting-out artist. Each of these top NZ bands had an origin, blossoming (or regurgitating) in a studio.

Such one of these studios is Capgun; quaint by appearances, based in South Auckland. Its turbine is powered by a clockwork team of Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand (MAINZ) graduates, among the roster a number of sound engineers. Only a few months old, already, the setup is stellar. I was offered a tour of the studio in ordered to get a feel for the work environment and their ethic; introduced to their teams, their hardware, the logistics and acoustics. The relaxed and 'Kiwi' front totally belies the beating heart of the studio, where the magic happens. It is as professional an establishment as a band could want, with top-notch facilities. This is not to say that I claim I know much at all about music production, but after hearing first-hand some demos they had recorded for local Reggae group HOTBOXED TREEHUT, I needn't much more convincing. What was a rough demo, resounded a finished product. I am most anxious to hear how local Progressive Metallers OVERHAILE are to turn out.

I took the time to have a chat with their team, which brought to light one of the reasons that makes a sublime producer-band relationship tick, that I have noticed with worldly producers Jacob Hansen and Edu Falaschi. Bands recording at Capgun are not simply paying for space and a PA, but a range of workable advice from coaching, to inspirations, should they ask for it; they are pushed and encouraged to achieve the sound they paid for. This is not simply a recording studio, but a place for artists to grow creatively, at the same time as having their dreams brought to ear.