The Fall (Demo) - Update #3

[Ted]

Thanks for sharing this work in progress. This is not my genre, so I just might not get it.

The beginning, with the lush arpeggios, is really engaging.  The panning of the two vocal parts seems a little odd.  One seems way to the left, and the other seems centered.  I'd probably go for more panning symmetry (i.e. move the one in the center more to the right).

The solo at 1:13. I just love it. 

The tempo change at 2:15 seems a bit clumsy.  An idea: Slow down before you speed up.

The middle section was very difficult for me, and I determined that what I didn't like was the strumming pattern of the rhythm guitar (on the left).  It was just too choppy and distracting from the lead guitar.

At 3:05 you return to the main progression, which is very welcome at that point. But that choppy rhythm guitar was still hogging too much attention.  But from 4:15 to about 4:27, the strumming pattern changes, it opens up, and it's perfect for those twelve seconds.

I'd like to hear you return to the vocal theme established at the beginning, and give it a three-act structure: setup, confrontation, resolution.  (Resolution doesn't necessarily mean happy ending.)

I hope that's helpful.  I'll shut up now.

[Satchwood]

Cool tune with some very interesting changes and chord progressions!!  I like the eerie vibe I get from this ~ pretty cool , unique & talented guitar playing! 

Kinda sounds like Zakk Wylde got together with James Hetfield for a new song.......:..:.......

[Tangled Wires]

Very interesting song this, there is a lot to admire here.

Like others have said, I am getting the James Hetfield vibe from the vocals in particular, and personally I really liked the tempo change and there is some mighty fine guitar work thrown in there, it really does give the song an epic feel at that point, a really nice contrast to the arpeggio sections which sound moody and menancing (in a good way!)

Would tend to agree with the other comments regarding the ending, just needs a bit of work to smooth it out.

Superb song though, already on my second listen!

[Dmann]

 Ok so I did some editing and re mixed it. Changed up a few of the rhythm patterns on the drum machine. It definatly flows a lot smoother now.

 Ted - Here's my thoughts. I checked the panning and both vocal tracks are @ 30% L/R respectively, have you tried listening to it on headphones? it sounds alot better on headphones IMO. I got what your saying about the 2nd change @ 2:15, however a quick change up of rhythm patterns not only made the song flow better, I realized I had the wrong beat going for that part, the newest version I just upped makes a lot more sense, as the rhythm for that section is the original one I used when recording the guitar tracks.

 It's too bad you don't like that middle section oh well chuga chuga chuga ain't for everyone, but I am a huge fan of this style as it just makes me want to bang my head and thrash around! In the context of the song, I'm shooting for this part symbolizing the bottem of the fall into a deep depression, with the final section trying to say that when you snap out of it and see that it was really never that bad, Life is bliss.

 As for the final part section, I agree the rhythm guitar seems to suck up the mix, but I plan on singing vocals throughout the whole section so that is why it's like that and it's really needed to fill out the progression when the vox are mixed in. Main problem I have ATM is inventing a vocal run/melody for this section that dosen't sound pop.... It's tuff!

 So thanks again to all you taking the time to point out stuff. I really appreciate it !!!!!!!

[Ted]

I suppose with any genre it's the clichés that you like that make you a fan--and the ones you don't like that turn you away.  It's like becoming a fan of Bob Dylan--if you can't get past that voice, you'll never ever be a fan, no matter how brilliant the fanboys tell you that he is.

chuga chuga chuga

I just returned from a bookstore.  In the CD/DVD section, I seriously contemplated buying Metal: A Headbanger's Journey, in order to help me appreciate Metal more.  The wanna-be anthropologist in me really wants to be able to overcome my aversion to any genre.  (Bob Dylan took me a long time.)

[Dmann]

 Yup yup.... when I was younger I used to despise any music except thrash/metal. I was really closed minded. I could still listen to other genre's and appreciate what they were trying to do but I could never see myself buying it or listening to it unless forced (radio play, tv, etc.)

 Not sure when it changed exactly, or how, but in my late teens I just got interested in all aspects of music, I think it was just me coming to the realization that staying in a single genre with a single instrument is soooooooo limiting. I mean there are only so many palm muted riffs and monster scales you can hear before you've heard them all.

 A huge part of the eye opener for me was Pink Floyd's "The Wall," the Red Hot Chili Peppers "Blood Sugar Sex Magic" and Van Halen's "1984" just to name a few. Then I got into Classical, and Blues... Joined a touring bar band and learned a couple hundred classics, that really opened it up but...... I always find myself returning to metal.

 One thing you've probably noticed about my songs is they can cover a wide range of Genre's in a single song or change dramatically from title to title. Also there is the fact that I don't try write music in the conventional method like what you'd hear on the radio. I don't believe a song needs to have a catchy reapeating chorus in order to be a hit like we've all been trained to accept as hit music.

 Obviously I'll never be some huge radio/rock star because I refuse to conform. I'm fine with that. I love the music I write and I am selfish cause I write it for me and no one else anyways .

[Saijinn Maas]

Much better! That transition around 2 minutes in was not awkward this time! Though the end is much better, it still sound a bit ... hmm... off I think. Almost like the recording finished, and there was one note left over from the previous recording. Does that make any sense??

I have to say though...  I am really liking this a lot! I thought the progression was a little awkward at first, but this is really frickin cool. I am totally diggin' the changes! And I love that change to chuga chuga frickin chug halfway through! Nice!

[Les Warner]

Wow, now thats impressive, looking forward to the next update if you think it needs it. Les

[j.g.]

This has developed into a great song. It is good to see how you can get advise and constructive comments from so many people on this forum. I find it really interesting reading all the differences in opinion on chord progressions, changes in tempo, etc. It makes you look and think about the construction of any song you are listening to or even writing.
Great to see you have a picture and belief in what you want to construct and that you stick to it regardless of what people say. I am sure you take on board a lot of the comments, but still try to be a bit different within your own remit.
You sound very much like my son who designs websites. He always has a something that catches the eye in his designs. A holding page he created at www.flyingcowlabs.com (this is not a full website yet) has caused a stir on his website Forum as some people can not see how he has got a web page to work like that.
People like you (and him) should get a big credit for believing in something and pushing on with what you believe in. There are so many more people of the same mould as you two on here, and with what you all produce, you are all helping everyone progress and think about what we are doing and create. No wonder this website is getting bigger and better every time we log on.
Such a great Forum to be a part of, even though I can only make small contributions due to my excessive work commitments.