Fast melodic death metal track

Gideonl

Yo! ?

Got another track, making a separate thread for it.

Basic summary of the track:
Very fast drumming and guitars, song doesn't really slow down. Only screamed vocals. It's got all the basic instruments, along with some choirs and orchestras on the side. Also has two very fast guitar solos.

It was released on an album six months ago, but we've remastered it completely (Simply because we can), and we're going to release it soonish ? We want it sounding as good as possible, so please fire away any criticism or thoughts!

The bitrate isn't amazing but I've kept the file size to a minimum:
http://www.crowblacksky.com/temp/1.mp3
http://www.crowblacksky.com/temp/1.zip

Some background:

My band released an entirely self-recorded self-produced self-mixed debut album in December last year. I've gained a lot of basic production experience since then, and there's nothing wrong with releasing remastered stuff for free.

Also, download anything for free if you like (It's on our website), and feel free to join the Facebook page
http://www.crowblacksky.com
http://www.facebook.com/crowblacksky

Hammeron

Gideon, very impressed!
I see you are one of 3 six stringers in the band.
2 lead one rhythm, interesting, so you play no rhythm at all?
Check out my bands page, we are based in Limpopo, just played Seasons Wither.

Gideonl

Thanks, dude

The two lead guitars play rhythm roughly 10% of the time (Just the heavy parts really), the rest is mostly harmonized lead. We're looking to convert to 3 seven strings as we write the next album. I'll check you guys out tonight

Hammeron

Gideonl wrote: Thanks, dude

The two lead guitars play rhythm roughly 10% of the time (Just the heavy parts really), the rest is mostly harmonized lead. We're looking to convert to 3 seven strings as we write the next album. I'll check you guys out tonight

21 strings, my God!!! I play my rythm on 4 strings aka Max Cavelera, and switch to 6 if and when necessary!

BMU

Ok I really enjoy this track a lot. It reminded me of Amon Amarth a little, prolly 'cos I was listening to Surtur Rising before.

The opening section, the production sounds a little lacking in depth, like "low fi small radio speaker" kinda sound. I'm sure it can be fixed with EQ etc.

Fast tremolo picking parts - I can hear a little inequality between the up and down strokes. It's a relatively small thing but you want to get those up and down strokes even in timing and volume. (I'm sensitive to this 'cos of my own struggles with it.).

But the composition is fantastic, it gives me a smiley face; joy and energy! Love the vocals, reminds a little of Ihsahn. Drumming's good, leads are good.

Nice,very nice.

Gideonl

Haha, thanks.

The up/down strokes - I've known about that for ages, can't be fixed without re-recording and that will be an epic pain. All the actual recording was literally done a year and a half ago, along with all the guitars for the rest of the album.

You might not be able to tell all that well from this mix, but I am self taught and don't know textbook production at all... Perhaps if I pushed the bass up in the intro?

Ihsahn is god himself, he has not written one mediocre track. I love Amon Amarth but Surtur rising really felt like a step down from the last 3.

BMU

Amon Amarth are the AC/DC of death metal imo - every album sounds exactly the same, no innovation, nothing spectacular...but you don't mind 'cos it's so much fun to listen to HAHAHA.

I think we're all self taught (not? ? ). Dunno, it sounds better later in the track so maybe some more bass guitar yeah, try dipping out a bit of the rhythm guitar frequencies "somewhere" between 1500 and 5000 Hz... I'm embarrassed I can't pinpoint it better:- just sweep it around to get rid of some of that tinny sounding frequency on the rhythm guitar. And bring in some more bass.

Lethe

Yeah, I second the Amon Amorth comment. Really like your leads. Good stuff.

Hammeron

Yea, if you are gonna sound exactly the same, best you sound exactly the same as yourself! ?

BMU

It now occurs to me I inadvertently *may* have sounded like I'm insulting Gideonl's band by comparing them to Amon Amarth and then going on to insult Amon Amarth in the same thread.

Not intended at all!!! This particular song just reminded me in passing, but it's much more blackened than AA in any case. It's the rousing energy I found similar. Just a dumbass comment, sorry! Hehe.

Gideonl

Hahaha, well if anyone had to take the effort they'd find that this is the only track that even makes a casual glance in the direction of viking metal ? I take no offense to someone saying it's like Amon Amarth, because I love Amon Amarth. Besides, a prominent international metal reviewer said that this track sounds like Amon Amarth but it's a massive step above them simply because of the lead guitar work.

The only Amon Amarth track I recall having a good solo was Twilight of the Thunder God. And that solo was a guest appearance by Children of Bodom's lead guitarist