CMW President Neill Dixon (right) awarding Metalworks Studio Manager Alex Andronache (left) and owner Gil Moore (center) with the 2001 Studio of the Year award (photo by: Chris Horobin).

 

   
Metalworks triumphs … again
By Chris Horobin
It's been another record year, so to speak, at Mississauga's Metalworks Studios.
For the fourth consecutive year, Metalworks was voted Recording Studio of the Year at Canadian Music Week (CMW) 2001.
The CMW Music Industry Awards are the highlight event at Canada's largest and most prestigious music conference. The artists, representatives of the record companies, music publishers, the media and retailers all vote on the awards.
Mississauga's Neill Dixon is President and CEO of the CMW conference that includes the awards, industry workshops, a music and home entertainment expo and a festival for new talent. Dixon calls Metalworks "truly world class" and attributes its success to "the ability to turn out hits on a consistent basis."

 

"To be chosen for four straight years by your peers is very gratifying, and a credit to our engineering staff," said Metalworks owner Gil Moore, the former drummer of 1970's arena rockers Triumph. "I love what I do because we work in a creative environment. Some artists have made their mark, and others are just starting out. It's a lot of fun every day."

The studio was originally designed and built in 1979 for Triumph, although many other artists including Tom Cochrane, Platinum Blonde, Guns and Roses and The Alarm have recorded there, to name just a few.

In 1988, Moore bought out his partners to become the sole owner of Metalworks and he began the expansions that created the huge six-studio complex of today. For over two decades now the studio has played host to a veritable who's who of international and domestic artists. Recently, Metalworks has attracted N'Sync, Christina Aguilera, Tina Turner, David Bowie, Mick Fleetwood, The Spin Doctors, Anne Murray, DMX, Sisqo, The Cranberries and Geddy Lee.

"We've been getting more movie clients because of Toronto's growing film industry," said Metalworks studio manager Alex Andronache, citing Denise Richards and Steven Segal as examples of movie stars making records. Domestic projects this year have included Anne Murray's upcoming Christmas album for EMI, with veteran Tommy West producing. As well, The Tea Party recently mixed the first Canadian surround-sound DVD in Studio 6 at Metalworks. Moore has been a Mississauga resident most of his life. He still lives here today with his wife, Sunny, and children Lauren, Myles and Holly.

"The experience with Triumph was a thrill, but the constant touring commitments make a normal family life almost impossible," he said. Metalworks is a favourite of international producer Rich Chycki of Los Angeles, who earlier this year completed the chart-topping Aerosmith CD, Just Push Play. He is currently finishing up Mick Jagger's new solo project in England.

"Gil Moore's music background coupled with his business savvy in the entertainment industry has produced Metalworks, Canada's consummate music facility," said Chycki. "When I mix a project in Canada, I use Metalworks."

Meanwhile, Triumph bassist Mike Levine is at Metalworks, mixing a new Triumph's Greatest Hits package for a fall release. It will be accompanied by a DVD of Triumph in concert.

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