Human Abstract Sign With eOne, Reveal Bloodied Nights in Studio

California's Human Abstract will release 'Digital Veil' March 8 on their new label, eOne. It will be a special occasion sort of record, as it marks the return of founding member and accomplished guitarist A.J. Minette.

"I went back to study classical music at Loyola Marymount University," Minette told Noisecreep, explaining his absence, which was not a futile exercise. "I studied guitar with Dr. Martha Masters, and theory/composition with Dr. Mark Saya. I began teaching private guitar lessons as well." In fact, two of Minette's private students formed the up-and-coming band Elitist, who are being courted by labels and management.

Minette then enrolled in the Masters of Music program at University of Southern California. During this time, he was also hired to teach at Loyola Marymount University. He has since taken a leave from school to focus on supporting 'Digital Veil.'

'Digital Veil' was not without its, um, incidents -- namely producer Will Putney suffered a head injury during the recording. "He needed 57 staples across the top of his head to close the wound," Minette said. "Dean [Herrera] received a phone call shortly after Will had left to buy some cigarettes at the local gas station. He said, 'My head's bleeding, can you bring some paper towels.' We all rushed out the front door of the studio, and Will was sitting underneath the stairs in a large puddle of blood.

"This wasn't any regular blood either; this was a thick, dark and textured. We all rushed down the stairs and helped Will. I rode with him in the ambulance, and all I can say is Will Putney is one tough son of a b----."

Putney's hospitalization presented another conundrum, besides the obvious concerns for the producer's well being. "When I returned to the studio later that night, we had to figure out how we were going to continue recording our album while Will was recovering," Minette said. "We expected him to be out for at least a week.

"Dean stepped up to engineer and record the following day. In fact, if you look at the record's liner notes, Dean is credited with additional engineering. Just two days after having his head stapled shut, Will woke us up and said, 'Let's get to work.' Most normal men would have been sidelined for a while, but Will has a work ethic and dedication to his job that separates him from the rest."

The Human Abstract will be on the Atticus Metal Tour -- alongside Darkest Hour, Born of Osiris, As Blood Runs Black and Sleeping Giant on select date -- swhich runs from Feb. 25 through March 27.