Experimental University gig pairing metal band and pipe organ features on BBC

An experimental gig, held at the University of Huddersfield, combining the sounds of a metal band with the pipe organ has featured on national television.

The unique recital took place on campus at former church St Paul’s Hall and was put together by three of the University’s academics.

Dr Mark Mynett, Senior Lecturer in Music Technology and Production and David Pipe, organist and Music Tutor at the University, came up with the idea to bring the two worlds together. Dr Andrew Bourbon, Subject Area Lead in Music Technology and Production, was responsible for all the sonic elements of the performance and recording.

The project, titled ‘Organic Metal’, was filmed for the BBC and a segment aired on the channel’s One Show on Friday 31 May. The gig itself saw symphonic metal band, Plague of Angels, in which Mark plays guitar, play live on stage accompanied by David on the Hall’s 1977 recital organ.

Students from the University’s renowned music technology department played a significant role in the event, helping overcome many of the challenges involved.

Mark said there were several technical challenges involved in pairing the two sounds together – especially as the acoustics of St Paul’s were far from conducive to the sonic requirements of a metal band.

He explained: “We tried to isolate the sound of the pipe organ, and to do that, there were no speakers on stage from the guitars or the bass, and we used an electronic drum kit.

“Rather than traditional monitoring, which involves loudspeakers - and except for the string section and the backing vocalists – we used ‘in-ear monitors’, which again cut down on the stage volume that would bleed onto the microphones and the pipe organ.”

Mark, David and Andrew were behind an initial Kirklees Year of Music gig, which paired the organ with two doom metal bands at Huddersfield Town Hall last summer. They felt this style of music, which is quite slow, would naturally leave space for the pipe organ.

Of the decision to bring the two musical styles together, Mark said: “What's fascinating is that the pipe organ is one of, if not the only natural instrument in the world that shares a quality, referred to as resultant tones, that occurs when you distort electric guitars. So, although some might feel that metal music and pipe organ music are worlds apart, when they hear it, they usually realise it makes complete sense, as it combines to provide the most incredible auditory and visual experience.”

David, who is Head of Organ Studies at the University, added: “With the Huddersfield gig back in June – which we put on as part of Kirklees Year of Music - we really just thought it was going to be a night-long, novelty, putting these bands together with a big pipe organ in the centre of the hall.”

But such was the interest in the collaboration, that this second outing was put together, and more are expected to follow. Mark and David have been contacted by several churches and organisations in the UK, as well as Switzerland, Germany, Canada and the United States.

David continued: “We realised there is a very, very loyal following from the metal community, and likewise from the pipe organ world, and each are incredibly enthused at seeing the positive story of these two different worlds coming together, and hearing how incredibly well it works.”

The pair also wanted to bring awareness to the plight of the pipe organ, an instrument that is being lost as congregations decline and churches close. They hope gigs like this can inspire other bands, communities, churches or town halls to do similar events and keep the pipe organ alive.

Mark also praised the University for its support in putting on the St Paul’s gig, which saw more than 100 people in the live audience for the recording. He said: “What's wonderful about the University of Huddersfield is they really value the creativity and the shared meaning from music and that it’s not just about profit and money. It's about something that enriches everybody's life, and that's something that I genuinely am proud about working for this University.”

Discover more about studying Music Technology at Huddersfield

The University of Huddersfield’s Music Technology courses give students access to industry-standard studios and equipment, with 13 professional-grade studios that include an immersive mixing studio, a mastering studio, a podcasting studio, and a live music production room.

To watch the BBC One Show episode featuring the Organic Metal gig at the University of Huddersfield click here.