Devil’s Music

Chapter 287: Fury

Byeong-jun arrived at Montana's private rehearsal studio located at 'Plaza Garibaldi' in the heart of Mexico City, clutching an envelope to his side as he knocked on the door.

Knock, knock.

A rustling sound was heard, but instead of a voice, the door abruptly swung open. Kevin, with his hair a mess as if he hadn't washed for days, looked at Byeong-jun and scratched his head, saying,

"Ah... the manager is here?"

Byeong-jun, taken aback by Kevin's disheveled appearance, asked,

"What's with that look? You were neat just a few days ago, what happened to you?"

"Ha ha... Well, it's just... come on in anyway."

Kevin led Byeong-jun into the rehearsal studio, where a foldable bed had been set up in the office in front of the recording booth. Kevin awkwardly smiled as he pulled a can of soda from the fridge and handed it to Byeong-jun. Taking the can, Byeong-jun, sitting opposite Kevin, asked,

"What's going on? The studio looks sleek and cool, but you look like a mess. What's the matter?"

"Ah, it's just the practice lately."

"You're not telling me that Mr. Carlos has been torturing you with hard-core SM, whips, candle wax, and stuff?"

"Ha ha ha, no way. He's been tough on me, but he's not into that kind of thing, don't worry, manager."

Examining Kevin more closely, Byeong-jun shook his head and said,

"I'll send a manager to look after you soon. Just wait a little longer. The headquarters is currently selecting someone, and it seems to take some time because it involves Kay."

Kevin, still holding the soda can, laughed,

"I'm actually quite comfortable right now. The accommodation you arranged has a great view."

"That's what I mean. Why are you sleeping in the studio instead of there?"

"Ha ha, just lazy to go home after practicing until dawn, haha."

"Oh, you should at least take a shower."

"Ah, sorry about that, hehe."

"By the way, where is Mr. Carlos?"

"He should be here soon. You came a bit early."

"It's 4 PM, is that early?"

"He usually comes around now and practices until 11 PM."

"Why do artists love to sleep in so much?"

"Heh, well, I'm the same, so I can't really say much. Did any songs come out?"

Byeong-jun held up the envelope and said,

"I've brought them."

Kevin was about to reach out his hand excitedly but hesitated,

"Ah! Here... no, maybe Carlos should see it first."

Byeong-jun also nodded and placed the envelope beside him as they chatted about recent events. Soon after, Carlos entered the studio with a guitar on his back and lit up upon seeing Byeong-jun.

"Ah! Mr. Lee! You've come on the exact day. Ha, the more I see it, the more I like Fantagio."

Byeong-jun quickly stood up to shake hands, laughing,

"Mr. Carlos! It's been a few days!"

Carlos shook hands with Byeong-jun, set down his guitar, and sat on the sofa while grimacing at Kevin,

"What are you doing sleeping here again? You stink, go take a shower."

Kevin sniffed his arm and awkwardly smiled,

"Can I just see the song first?"

Carlos shook his head decisively,

"Your smell is filling up the studio. Go wash up now. And open the windows on your way out."

"Ha ha, alright. I'll be back soon."

As Kevin left, Carlos looked at the envelope with eager eyes and reached out his hand.

"Is that it?"

"Ah, yes, sir. Here it is."

Byeong-jun respectfully handed the envelope with both hands. Carlos hurriedly opened it and started focusing intensely as he laid the sheet music on his thigh. Byeong-jun watched Carlos's expressions change as he read through the music in one go.

'Phew, I listened to it beforehand, but will Carlos want to do this kind of music? It's so different from Montana's usual style. Look at his changing expressions. If it gets rejected, I might have to go back to the States again.'

Carlos, seemingly breathless, finally exhaled heavily after finishing.

"Heugh, heugh, heugh."

Breathing heavily, Carlos smiled at Byeong-jun, who was observing him anxiously.

"This, Kay must be trying to kill inspiration, to think I'm breathless just by looking at the score."

"Is... is that so? Don't you like it?"

"Hehe, as expected."

Byeong-jun smiled awkwardly, knowing it

would be the case.

"So, it is? Well, it's this kind of music."

"Yes, yes. So it's too different from Montana's... style?"

Byeong-jun was startled as Carlos leaned back on the sofa with a refreshing laugh, crossing his legs with his chunky-ringed hand resting on his knee.

"Indeed, as you say, this song doesn't fit Montana. It's not even the Latin rock I've been walking on. If I had to describe it, it's a mix of thrash metal and hardcore."

"Th... thrash... hardcore?"

"Um... to put it simply, think of it as a blend of Metallica and Rage Against The Machine's music. The tuning at the beginning of the score is drop D, right? This is the down tuning used in Metallica's 'Sad But True.' While it's commonly used by other musicians, it produces a heavier, lower sound."

Byeong-jun was flustered by the technical jargon, but Carlos continued without pausing,

"Look here at the BPM, it's 190. That's the speed of a fast track like 'Master of puppets.' This low tuning with such high speed isn't really suitable for Montana."

"Ah... yes... BPM... yes"

"Also, if you look at the bass and drum parts, unlike Metallica, they're very groovy, right? This gives the listener a very rhythmic feel. This scale has a bit of the feel of Rage Against the Machine. Although it's a bit different, of course."

"Ah... I see."

"Also, look here where the verse transitions, the rhythm changes at the BPM part, it's kind of like Rage Against the Machine's 'Killing in the name.'"

Byeong-jun, overwhelmed by the technical terms and rock musician references, rubbed his head and said,

"Ah, yes... I see. But why are you doing this, sir?"

Carlos placed the score on the table and smiled,

"Because it's tremendous music. Really impressive."

Seeing Byeong-jun's dazed expression, Carlos stood up and took out his guitar from the case.

"I can't stand not playing this amazing music right now! If a musician meets this kind of music and refuses it because it doesn't fit their 'color,' then they're not truly a musician! It's really incredible!"

Byeong-jun cautiously held out the contract as he took it out of his pocket,

"Ah... then, sir, you'll need to sign this contract..."

Carlos, with his guitar slung over his shoulder and holding the score, headed to the recording booth, waving his hand,

"Later. For now, I just want to play this music. Just wait a little."

"Ah... yes, sir. Understood."

Carlos entered the recording booth, put on his headphones, and began to play the guitar with his eyes closed. Though the sound of his playing was not audible due to the headphones connected to the amp, the expression of concentration as he followed the guide CD showed his satisfaction. Finally, Byeong-jun relaxed and leaned back on the sofa, interlocking his fingers on his protruding belly.

'Phew, I was completely tense for a moment. That was a close call.'

Suddenly,

Bang!

Byeong-jun hastily straightened up as the door opened. Carlos poked his head out of the recording booth with a puzzled expression,

"Hey, the recording on the guide CD and the score are a bit different. What's going on?"

Byeong-jun panicked,

"What? That can't be. It was recorded by Kay himself."

"Is that so? There must be some mistake. The score seems better, so I guess the guide CD is wrong. Alright, I'll follow the score. Just give me a moment."

"Yes, yes! Understood, sir."

As Carlos went back into the booth, Byeong-jun sighed in relief again.

'Kay isn't the kind to make such mistakes... He must have been out of it while recording overnight. That's why the score is fine, but the guide CD has issues. Though he's a perfectionist, I didn't expect him to make such errors, haha.'

After about thirty minutes of waiting outside, the outer door opened and a neatly washed and shaved Kevin entered, asking,

"Ah, manager. Did you sign the contract?"

Byeong-jun, showing the unsigned contract, shook his head,

"No, he wanted to see the song first, so I've been waiting."

Kevin glanced at Carlos, who was still wearing headphones in the recording booth, and nodded,

"Then I'll also go and check briefly."

"Sure. Take your time."

Kevin opened the door to the recording booth, and as he did, Carlos took off his headphones and looked him up and down, then laughed,

"That's better, you've cleaned up well."

"Ha ha, if someone heard you, they'd think you're

a grandpa nagging his grandson, Carlos."

"Hehe, Kay's music has arrived."

"I listened earlier. How is it?"

Carlos raised his thumb and said,

"Why even ask?"

Kevin picked up the headphones, smiling,

"Is it good?"

Carlos grinned, showing his teeth,

"Kevin, you and I will have to battle it out."

With the headphones in hand, a puzzled Kevin asked,

"A battle?"

Carlos, glaring at Kevin, curled his lip and held up the score,

"It's a song where the guitar and bass continuously try to devour each other. If you don't want to be eaten by me, you'll have to stay up a few more nights. Ha ha ha."

Kevin grimaced and pressed the play button on the guide CD, putting on the headphones. From the moment the first note played, he pressed the headphones tightly to his ears, and his eyes widened. Carlos, watching Kevin listen, suddenly saw Kevin throw off the headphones and roar,

"It's awesome!!!!!!!!!!"

>

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