Capturing Creativity 2025 - Presentation 8: 30th October 2025 - Organic Metal: Two Worlds Collide (Mark Mynett)

<p dir="ltr">Presentation 8 from the 'Capturing Creativity 2025' seminar series, on Thursday 30th October, 2025.</p><p dir="ltr">Speaker: Dr. Mark Mynett</p><p dir="ltr">Dr. Mark Mynett is Senior Lecturer and Admissions Tutor in Music Technology and Production in the Music Department, Arts & Humanities at University of Huddersfield. Mark has authored multiple podcasts and publications including his book, the ‘Metal Music Manual: Producing, Engineering, Mixing and Mastering Contemporary Heavy Music’.</p><p dir="ltr">Abstract: Organic Metal: Two Worlds Collide is an innovative music performance and recording project that brings together the worlds of traditional pipe organ and contemporary metal music. Developed collaboratively between the heavy-symphonic-metal band Plague of Angels and organist David Pipe, the project explores new aesthetic and sonic possibilities at the intersection of sacred tradition and modernity. Performed live in historically resonant venues such as York Minster (selling out 1,400 tickets) and scheduled for further performances including St Mary Redcliffe in Bristol, and Hull City Hall, the project exemplifies how creative practice can challenge genre boundaries and provoke public discourse.</p><p dir="ltr">This multi-component portfolio output includes live recordings, studio audio, video documentation, photographic material, press coverage, and contextual written reflection. The project was designed with REF submission criteria in mind, with particular attention to the coherent articulation of research questions through performance, and their framing within the required 300-word statement. Practice-led research questions include: How can the sonic and symbolic power of the pipe organ be recontextualised within a metal music aesthetic? What does such a collision of musical cultures reveal about the boundaries of genre, tradition, and performance space?</p><p dir="ltr">This presentation will outline the methodological approaches to capturing, documenting, and archiving this project within an institutional repository. It will explore strategies for integrating multimedia elements, curating portfolio components, and writing effective metadata and REF statements that communicate significance and originality. The session will also reflect on how cross-genre collaborations generate new forms of research insight, impact, and cultural value—especially when situated in traditionally conservative or sacred spaces.</p><p dir="ltr">This case study contributes to best practice in capturing and showcasing creative research outputs, particularly within music and performance disciplines that engage with hybrid, disruptive, and boundary-pushing forms.</p><p dir="ltr">This item contains: MP4 recording of the presentation and powerpoint slides.</p>