Devil’s Music - Chapter 88: Visual shock

Geon Kim observed the busy steps of the special makeup team with a vacant expression.

The makeup artists, left without tasks due to the director’s sudden order to halt all makeup, break down the set, and rebuild it, were now waiting outside the studio due to set construction.

Catherine, now feeling like a spare part after Geon Kim accompanied Manson and Twiggy to the recording studio, leaned against the studio’s outer wall, awaiting further instructions.

“Director Tim Burton sure has quite the execution power. Kay as well, modifying sheet music on the spot? And now Marilyn Manson’s band is re-recording amidst this chaos…”

*Phone vibrates*

Feeling the vibration in her pocket, Catherine searched for her phone and saw ‘Maria Shriver’ on the screen.

“Maria, hi!”

A slightly husky female voice came through the phone.

“Hey, Catherine. How have you been?”

“I’ve been good. How about you? It’s been ages since your divorce, and this is our first contact.”

“Oh, sorry. You know how it is. I’ve been busy.”

“Ah, don’t worry, sis. But what brings you here?”

“Well, I heard you’re at Marilyn Manson’s music video shoot?”

“Yeah, I’m under contract with Interscope. How did you find out?”

“Am I just a journalist in your eyes?”

“Oh, right! You were a journalist. Wait, you came back after the divorce? You vanished.”

“Yeah, I have to make a living. That’s not the issue. Give me some info on Kay.”

“Ah, sis, that might be a bit tricky…”

“Listen, if you get me something on Kay now, it’s a real scoop. I can’t find anything about where she’s hiding. Tim Burton’s a tough nut to crack around the studio. Just toss me a bone, help me out. I’ll owe you one for my comeback.”

“Um… I shouldn’t really say…”

“Fine, if I help you this time, I’ll arrange for you to spend your summer vacation in my Miami mansion. Deal?”

“Really? Can I use the pool too? Oh, can I bring my friends?”

“Yeah, I’ll even get a chef. Just bring yourself.”

“But… I signed an NDA when I signed the contract…”

“Don’t worry. If this mess gets you fired and blacklisted, I’ll take responsibility for your future. Come with me. Makeup artists are always needed. If not, I’ll talk to our company’s anchors to ensure they cover for you.”

“Um… that’s still scary…”

“Forget that. I’ll talk to my higher-ups and pull you into our broadcasting company! Deal?”

“O.K., deal! But Kay isn’t here right now, sis.”

“Why? There were rumors about her appearing in the music video?”

“Yeah, but she’s at the studio now, rearranging a new song on the spot. Marilyn Manson went to the studio to record it.”

“What? Wasn’t the album already finished?”

“I thought so too, but they’re re-recording one song. Since it’s a single, it doesn’t matter much.”

“Wait a second!”

The keyboard sound on the other side indicated she was instantly getting into article-writing mode.

“Ah, sorry. So, Marilyn Manson and Kay went to the studio to record a new song?”

“Yes, sis.”

“And… what’s the name of this new song?”

“The new song… ‘Sad Devil Gamagin.'”

“Great! Other than the video shoot, was there anything else happening?”

“Well, Kay finished her part, but suddenly, Director Tim Burton flipped the entire set. They’re reshooting at another set.”

“That’s not big news. Got it! Thanks. Let’s catch up when I visit my mansion this summer!”

“Sure thing, sis. You better keep your promise!”

“Haha, don’t worry. I’ll inform my butler. Gotta go now. Thank you!”

As Catherine sat hunched, searching for news, an article appeared within 15 minutes.

“Music Editor ‘Genius Kay’ Producing Marilyn Manson!”

[Washington Post – Maria Shriver]

Shock rocker Marilyn Manson of Industrial Metal band announces new single album ‘Sad Devil Gamagin.’

After the 2015 release of ‘The Pale Emperor,’ Marilyn Manson returns with a new album. The remastered music video features ‘Kay,’ the music editor from the film ‘Scissorhands,’ causing a buzz.

According to sources, Marilyn Manson halted filming after Kay improvised a new song on-site, deciding to re-record it. The song, currently being clandestinely re-recorded in a secret studio, is expected to be reborn under Kay’s brilliance.

Meanwhile, Professor Mo cautioned that Manson’s anti-Christian and highly controversial performances should be approached cautiously.

However, he stated that protests and boycotts during such events only serve as noise marketing, hoping that Christians won’t engage.

[Unauthorized reproduction prohibited]

The article quickly garnered over 100,000 views and was rapidly gaining more. As Catherine excitedly discussed summer vacation plans with her friends over the phone, Geon sat in the Red House Studio workshop on Washington 5th Avenue Northwest, observing bands inside the recording studio.

Manson and Twiggy swiftly set up instruments while Geon watched from inside the recording room, with the engineer outside. Manson turned to the white engineer beside Geon.

“Dominic, since Kay’s producing today, can you help with the mic setup in the studio?”

After a brief glance at Geon, Dominic replied.

“Okay, Mr. Manson. Kay? This red button here turns off the amp, and if you press the green button on the mic here on the table, your voice will be heard inside the recording studio. Got it?”

Geon manipulated the microphone, testing it out before speaking.

“Oh, like this? Mr. Manson, can you hear me?”

Manson, who had entered the recording studio carrying a guitar, made a circular gesture with his finger, signaling that he could hear. After Geon checked the sheet music next to him, he spoke into the microphone.

“Let’s try recording. Mr. Ramirez, for the arpeggio in the first part, I think it’d be better to go with the bass rather than electric. It’s a beautiful melody, but it needs to hint at the chaos and darkness that follows.”

Twiggy nodded understandingly and began playing. When the engineer raised the bass sound on the amp a moment later, Twiggy’s haunting bass flowed out through the speakers. Geon, with a smile forming on his lips as he closed his eyes and focused, listened intently. Twiggy, seeing Geon’s brighter expression, felt energized and continued playing.

The bass track was recorded in one go. Next was Daniel’s drum recording for the keyboard tour session. After flawlessly recording the drum part three times, Geon spoke up.

“Next is Paul Wiley. We’ll record the electric guitar part.”

As Paul, seated in the recording studio chair, engaged the distortion, Geon instructed:

“Please connect the wah pedal too, Wiley.”

Wiley nodded and pulled out another jack to connect the wah pedal. Seeing this, Dominic checked the electric guitar part on the PC screen and gave the cue sign. As the interstitial rock’s distorted sound filled the space, Manson, seated in a chair, couldn’t help but get excited. While the changes in the song weren’t massive compared to the original, the touch of Kay’s hand made Manson feel the excitement of their early days.

After Paul Wiley’s guitar performance ended, Geon’s expression turned slightly serious. All the members noticed Geon, who was pondering with his finger on his chin. As Geon seemed lost in thought, Manson and Twiggy began observing him. Geon started marking something on the sheet music using a pen, prompting Paul Wiley to ask, puzzled:

“What are you doing? Are you arranging something again?”

Manson said, shaking his head.

“I don’t know either. Let’s just wait. In any case, even if we finish recording the guitar part and the vocals later, the mastering will take place tonight, so the song will be out by then.”

As the members focused their gaze on Geon while waiting, he suddenly stood up and entered the recording studio. Geon held the ‘Haku,’ his white falcon guitar, in his hands. After unplugging the jack from Paul Wiley’s guitar and connecting it to Haku, Geon said:

“I made some adjustments to the Edrip part. Dominic! Please play the track from 2 minutes and 17 seconds!”

Dominic outside nodded and operated the device to play the track at 2 minutes and 17 seconds. Geon stood, nodding along to the beat, before beginning to play the guitar solo section. It wasn’t a particularly challenging or fast-paced solo, but capturing that feeling was incredibly difficult. Though it lasted for about 20 seconds, Paul Wiley, watching it, shook his head and commented:

“Phew, you’d need at least three days to pull that off. I don’t think I can get that feel right away.”

Upon hearing Dominic’s words and noticing Geon’s concerned expression, Manson spoke, looking at Geon.

“Kay, if we can’t shoot the music video tonight, it’ll be a loss. Our album release schedule will be affected too.”

As Geon continued pondering while looking at the sheet music, Twiggy intervened.

“Wouldn’t it be better if Kay tried playing it himself? I’ll vouch for him.”

Manson spoke with a delighted expression.

“Oh! That’s a good idea! Kay! How about it? Not joining the band permanently, just come in as a session member since Paul doesn’t have time to practice. We won’t ask you to join the tour! Deal?”

Geon hesitated for a moment.

“Well, it’s not like I’m joining the band, and I don’t have time. It’s a shame to let the song go like this. Maybe it’s good for me to record it myself.”

As Geon hinted at his consent, Manson and Twiggy cheered and gestured to Dominic.

“Great! Dominic! Let’s record right away!”

Although everyone signaled the completion of the recording after the subsequent tracks, Geon, not satisfied, recorded four more times. After recording his part, Geon said to Manson:

“We only need to record the vocal part, and since it hasn’t changed from the original, we can use the previous recording. Recording complete. Great job, everyone.”

As Geon left the recording studio to discuss with Dominic, Manson picked up the phone and made a call somewhere.

“Hi, Team. We’re done with the recording.”

“What? Is the recording finished that quickly?”

“We had already completed the album production once, and maybe because we practiced a lot before, it didn’t take long. We decided to use the original vocal track. How’s the set for shooting?”

“Ah, it might run late into the night or even dawn. What should we do? Shoot tonight?”

“No, once we start mastering, it’ll probably finish late tonight or early morning. Let’s shoot tomorrow morning.”

“Got it, come to the studio by 9 a.m. tomorrow.”

“Oh! And Team, Kay participated in this recording.”

“Oh? Really? What instrument? Guitar?”

“Yes, just the lead guitar solo part.”

“Oh, okay. Hmm… then it’s better for Kay to be in the shot for that part. Call Kay tomorrow too.”

“Sure thing. See you tomorrow!”

Manson exclaimed happily:

“Let’s go! Let’s have a drink on a day like this!”

>

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