The tracks that appear on
Final Transmission were originally recorded as demos that weren't intended to be publicly released. All songs were recorded live to hand-held
four-track tape with minor digital additions of drums or guitars. The rough tracks were later polished and completed with mixing by Andrew Schneider and mastering by
James Plotkin. McGrath said of the recording process: "It was very haphazard, and we didn't go into this thinking they were going to be released the way it is today. We were lucky enough to have Andrew Schneider go through everything and make it sound way better than we could have ever imagined." Cave In's previous album
White Silence was also recorded in a practice space, and McGrath noted that Scofield was hoping to not repeat that for the next album and record it in a proper studio. The band described the sound of the album as featuring "glimpses of past Cave In eras" from
Jupiter (2000) through
White Silence, which was a direction Scofield influenced. Recalling email correspondences between Scofield about the new material, Brodsky said "He was really digging the stuff that was spacey, heavy, a little bit weird, but with very pretty melodies and hooks. I think he was encouraging us to embrace what we've always been good at and what sets us apart from our contemporaries." All tracks on
Final Transmission include contributions from Scofield, including guitar, bass and vocals. The opening/title track of the album includes a voice memo from Scofield that he sent to his band members about a new song idea after their final writing session. McGrath said it was difficult to listen to the recording, and continued: "We were surprised to get it from him, actually, but we thought it was great. And that was it. In a weird way, it's the end of the story as far as our relationship together." The closing track "Led to the Wolves" was largely composed by Scofield. The members of Cave In had emotional difficulty revisiting the demos and completing the album. On this topic, Brodsky said: "I don't think I've cried so much putting together any record [...] I don't try to look too deeply into how these things work, but these recordings are some of our last moments spending time with [Caleb]." At the time of the album's announcement, McGrath said he hadn't listened to the album all the way through yet. He said: "I feel really lucky to have this record. I love it, but I don't like listening to it. I'm sure I'll listen to it eventually, but right now it's difficult. Just hearing him play kills me. I'll miss him forever." The lyrics and vocals for the track "Shake My Blood" were performed by all three surviving members of Cave In after the death of Scofield, which Brodsky said was the first time he was able to express his feelings in song form. He said: "It's a mix of extreme grief, frustration and anger. I was trying to do something to gain the clearest answer about whatever the next move might be." The title
Final Transmission refers to this being the final release to include Scofield's contributions. When asked in an interview if the title could be a
double entendre that also refers to this being the final album from Cave In, McGrath said he was unsure. He elaborated: "It was nice to get out there and play a few shows, but we're still going through the process of moving forward. I think we need to live through this first, [and] then we'll have an idea of what the future holds." == Release ==