Alex Rudinger - THE ZENITH PASSAGE - "Algorithmic Salvation"

Been wanting to cover this song for a minute! "Algorithmic Salvation" by The Zenith Passage.

If you're not familiar with TZP, here's a quick history. I first heard of them back when I was still in The Faceless (early-ish to mid 2010's). It was started by Justin McKinney, & it was fairly clear that he drew a lot of inspiration from The Faceless. I remember him coming around to some of our practices in LA, actually - that's when I first met him (this was well before he was actually in The Faceless, though).

Anyway - long story short, not too much later I resigned from The Faceless (as did almost everyone). The next iteration of Faceless-members would include Justin McKinney, so I'd image TZP was put on the back-burner for awhile. Somewhere in there, Justin must've met/befriended other ex-Faceless members, & when he eventually/also resigned from The Faceless, some of those earlier ex-Faceless members started working on TZP with him. Those new Zenith members include original Faceless vocalist Derek Rydquist, & bass player Brandon Giffin.

In other words: Most of the band is comprised of people that've all played in The Faceless at one point in time (Lol!). To me, TZP is kind of like... an extension of that sound/band. Sort of a continuation of what could've been. Naturally, I think it's hella sick, & really wanted to cover this song since I first heard it.

& if you'd like to check out more of the band, this track is from their latest album, 'Datalysium', released via Metalblade Records earlier this year. I'll put some links below!

AppleMusic:
https://apple.co/474NeGT

Spotify:
https://spoti.fi/3slW7ge

For the record: I'm not personally involved as a member of TZP. I can see how, being that I'm also an ex-Faceless member, & am covering one of their tunes, one might think that. So just wanted to clarify. LOL. I just think they're sick. PLUS, while I wasn't in The Faceless at the same time as literally ANY of the ex-Faceless members that're now in The Zenith Passage (LOL), I do sorta know them, too. Mainly, Brandon Giffin, who I did a whole tour with (when he & I both played for Evan Brewer's solo project in the mid 2010's). Derek I never really got to know as well, but I did play a show with him - way back on whatever Summer Slaughter tour I did with The Faceless... the current vocalist (at the time) had to leave temporarily for a wedding, so Derek flew out & filled in for that gig. Was a rad gig, too (Dallas / Fort Worth, TX, I think!). But yeah, anyway: I'm not a member of the band, just think it's sick, & wanted to support THE HOMIES by doing a cover! The drums on the latest Zenith album are actually programmed.

And SPEAKING of that: Some of the drum parts Justin programmed were definitely a bit... inhuman/awkward. Now, personally, I sort of enjoy this challenge. LOL. I had to figure out a way to play certain things, & the best way I could think to do this was to add an old / discontinued #TAMA Cobra Clutch to my setup. Mentioning here because, frankly, you can hardly see it. I switch it from closed to open during the pause at 2:28, then vice versa at 3:02. But I'm planning to make a little video about this SPECIFICALLY, addressing more detail, that I'll post on instagram in the next week or so! Stay tuned for that!

So, yeah. This was a fun (& challenging!) tune. Felt good to do some TECH stuff, too. & yes, I setup the big ol' double bass kit. How could I not?! 😉🤣

KIT SPECS!

TAMA STAR Maple

10x6.5
12x7
14x11
16x13
20x16 (x2)
14x6.5 Bell Brass Re-Issue

#MEINL Cymbals (from left to right, if sitting behind the kit)

18" Pure Alloy China
18" Classics Custom Dual Crash
15" Byzance Traditional Medium Hi-Hats
12" Classics Custom Dual Trash Splash
10" Classics Custom Dual Splash
14" Byzance Traditional Medium Hi-Hats
19" Classics Custom Dual Crash
18" Classics Dark Heavy China
22" Byzance Heavy Hammered Ride

#EVANS Drumheads

Toms - Clear G2's (batter), Clear G1's (reso)
Snare - Coated Heavyweight (batter), Snare Side 300 (reso)
Kick - Clear EQ4's (batter), Smooth White EQ4 w/ port (reso)

& as per usual, video mix was done by Declan White (thanks dude!). The kick is a blend of natural mic's & trigger / sample from my 2Box. Pretty sure Declan also blended a kick out sample (I only did 2x kick-in mic's whilst using the 2x kicks - b/c of limited inputs atm).

Please feel free to follow me on your desired social network(s)!

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https://www.gumroad.com/AlexRudinger
https://www.threads.net/@alexrudinger
https://www.AlexRudinger.com

New podcast episodes are coming soon! I finally have a game-plan for that. So stay tuned on that front, too!

My Podcast -
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3t5j9n1
Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/RantsAndRevelations

As always, thanks for watching & stay tuned for more!