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A QUICK CHAT WITH JAKE E OF CYHRA!

For years, you’ve relied on Toontrack gear for your songwriting sessions and creative process overall. You just completed a new record with Cyhra. How did Toontrack play in this time around?
Toontrack has been part of my creative DNA for years, but on this record it became more essential than ever. The reliability and realism of Superior Drummer, EZkeys and EZbass allowed me to sketch out full arrangements anywhere without ever compromising on feel or quality. For Cyhra’s new album, Toontrack wasn’t just a writing tool – it was the backbone of my entire pre-production process. The drum, piano and bass libraries helped me shape the groove, the dynamics and the emotional tone of each song long before I stepped into the studio. By the time we began tracking for real, the vision was crystal clear. It kept the whole creative flow sharp, fast and inspired. Having our drummer, Alexander Landenburg, featured in Jacob Herrmann’s Duality EZXs meant I could write with his sound from day one, which made everything feel connected to the true identity of the band.

You’ve released several singles leading up to the actual release. The latest one – “Box with Spirits” – just came out. Tell us more about this song specifically – and the video for it!
“Box with Spirits” is a song that came from a very raw and honest place. Lyrically, it deals with emotional baggage, the parts of ourselves we lock away just to keep functioning and the moment you finally dare to open that box again. It’s vulnerable but also empowering. Musically it’s heavy, cinematic and one of the most dramatic tracks on the record. The video, created by the amazing Patric Ullaeus, mirrors that emotional journey. I wanted it to feel like being trapped inside your own mind – confronting shadows, memories and the things you try to outrun. It blends performance with a dark, atmospheric storyline along with some acting elements that bring the emotion to life. Patric captured exactly what I felt when creating the song.

In addition to being one of the main writers in Cyhra, you’ve just completed a big project scoring a full movie. Tell us more!
Yes! I recently finished scoring the feature film “Vi är Metal Dragon,” directed and produced by Hollywood director Titus Paar. It has been one of the most creatively rewarding challenges of my career. I wrote four original songs for the fictional metal band Metal Dragon together with Christoffer Borg (Art Nation) and his incredibly talented brother Felix Borg. Toontrack’s products were absolutely essential throughout this process as well. They gave me the tools to quickly experiment, refine ideas and build a powerful, authentic metal soundscape for the film. They helped me establish the musical identity of Metal Dragon from the ground up. Scoring is definitely an area I plan to continue exploring alongside my work with Cyhra.

What’s next on your agenda – with the band and personally?
I’m gearing up for a massive year. Our next album with Cyhra – title still under wraps – drops in March followed by touring. The response to the early singles has been incredibly motivating. Personally, I’m balancing music, acting and film scoring in a way that finally feels natural. I’m filming my first Hollywood movie, Eonblade, starring alongside Doug Jones, and at the same time continuing to develop new music for Cyhra and other artists. It’s an intense period – but without a doubt the most creatively fulfilling time of my life. I’m excited to see how all these paths come together in the year ahead.


PRODUCER PROFILE: MARK LEWIS

We checked in with longtime Toontrack user and collaborator Mark Lewis: producer/mixer/engineer.

NEW MIDI FEAT. GOJIRA DRUMMER.

We’re proud to bring you a drum MIDI pack by Mario Duplantier of Gojira!

ARTIST VIDEO OF THE WEEK.

Longtime Toontrack artists Twelve Foot Ninja with “Invincible”

GUS G – THE SECOND LESSON.

Learn more about “phrasing” in the second weekly video in the Gus G Metal Month Masterclass!

HUGE RIFFS AND BIG DRUMS!

Watch this insane track by Rabea Massaad, featuring the Big Rock Drums EZX.

BIG DRUMS – ON SMALL E-DRUMS.

Watch the always amazing Luke Oswald give the Big Rock Drums EZX a go on his e-kit.

FIREWIND PLAYTHROUGH.

A new Firewind track playthrough featuring Gus G and the brand new Metal Guitar Gods 4 EZmix Pack!

METAL GUITAR GODS 4 IS OUT!

Four new guitar players, 50 new tones! Check it out here.

LEARN WITH GUS G.

Learn some tips and techniques from Metal Guitar Gods 4 EZmix Pack collaborator Gus G!

BRAND NEW EZX EXPANSION.

Need some big drums capturing the raw, thunderous tone of ‘70s hard rock?

SUPERIOR DRUMMER 2 GOES PROGRESSIVE

Learn more about mixing and programming drums using Superior Drummer 2 and The Progressive Foundry SDX.

PRODUCER PROFILE: SEAN GOULD.

Meet Sean Gould, engineer and producer with credits on albums ranging from Katy Perry to Hollywood Undead.

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