10:37PM: Howls of laughter are coming from the lounge where dinner was just a bit ago. There’s a documentary on about Black comedians. We ordered the meal from some Italian place down the road on the recommendation from Benny or one of the other Mad Oak dudes. It came delivered by an old man, who I immediately felt bad about having made drive in the snow. Food was alright. You don’t come to Massachusetts for the pasta — or, rather, if you do, you’re an asshole.

Mixing ended at around 8:30PM. The aforementioned Benny (last name Grotto) is in charge of the board, though I think it’s pretty clear to all involved this is Tommy‘s ship. His ear has been driving what of the session I’ve been here to witness, and almost universally to its betterment. That’s not a slight against Benny at all, he seems incredibly capable at his job. I mean in terms of emotional investment.

And why shouldn’t Southard be emotionally invested in making A.D. the best album he can? It’s been five years in the works. Hardly seems reasonable to throw out some undercooked garbage now, even if the anticipation for it is at an all-time high because it seems now more than ever that it’s actually coming out. The songs I’ve heard this evening — “From Below,” “The Skull of the Head of a Man,” “Down South Dog” and “Borrowed Immunity” — all sound finished or at least well on their way. It’s a bummer new drummer Keith Ackerman didn’t join the band in time to make it onto this album, but I guess with all the time Kenny Lund put in, he earned his place.

It’s beers for the rest of the night, and tv and shit-shooting. The snow is still coming down but I don’t think there were plans to head out anywhere anyway. There’s apparently a Mad Oak mouse somewhere around, but I haven’t seen it yet. The night is young. Johnny Arzgarth from StonerRock.com was supposed to make an appearance tonight, but the weather kept him home. When and if he comes tomorrow I’ll have to make sure I mention it took me four hours to get here. Ha.

To the commenter who said “How about an exclusive track premiere?” I don’t think we’re there yet, but when the time comes I’ll try to make it happen.

6:00PM: Got here about an hour and a half ago and found Solace guitarists Tommy Southard and Justin Daniels playing Asteroid in the lounge of Mad Oak Studios, which, if you’d think about it, is pretty much what you’d expect. The Mad Oak crew was hard at work mixing a song called “From Below.” Of course, my opinion is going to be biased, because I’m here — like the press embedded with the military that tries to be impartial; good fucking luck — but when we sat down to listen to it, it was pretty god damn huge.

It took me about four hours solid to get here with the snow and traffic. 95 was shitty, 91 was shittier, 84 was fine, the Masspike was, well, full of people from Massachusetts, so you have to watch your ass anyway. One way or another, I was relieved when I found this place.

The current project in the control room — from whence I’m reporting live — is a track called “The Skull of the Head of a Man.” I’ve only heard the instruments so far, no vocals, but if unimonikered-singer Jason were to come on with some NYHC growls, it wouldn’t be inappropriate. Tommy has been sitting with Justin talking about the hardcore scene and how it’s changed and, frankly, how it sucks, and I’ve been trying to figure out how to make pictures go from my camera to my computer. Damn complicated technology.

If the evening so far is any indication, it’s looking like the night’s going to be filled with a lot of PBRs and a lot of guitar tracks. Fine by me. More later.