New track, comments please! (Melodic death metal/shred/instrumental)

BMU

I just finished a new track, for the first time in a long time. This thing ate my life and stole my sleep for the last week or more. But so worth it, I really like how it turned out. But then I'm hardly in a position to be objective right now. Would much appreciate some feedback.

Thraeol - Engagement Nexus
http://www.box.net/shared/y4l8ahoj3h

Thraeol is my home recording project "band" name. The silly title is from a sci-fi book I'm reading, the song makes me think of epic space fleet battles. ? (No I never did outgrow my Star Wars phase.)

The equipment:
- Schecter Loomis 7-string through Line6 Bogner Uberschall amp sim.
- Fender Jazz Bass Special through Line6 Polytone Minibrute amp sim...whatever that is. All I know is it sounds jazzy which is what I wanted.
- Cubase Essential 4.

* Edit: track updated with a less bass-dominating mix after comments below.

MIKA-the-better-one

If star wars inspired you then.................................................................. ITS good!

andrewjbryson

Very cool BMU.

I enjoyed it. Good composition and some excellent playing.

Squonk

Good Stuff BMU

The Schecter sounds freaking good. I dig the sound of the bass.

It does sound like an epic space battle.

Excellent playing, good tune, good stuff

inflames

Super cool! Like it allot!
Reminds me of Dethklok 8)

doc-phil

Really cool! And ya it does have a bit of a Dethklok feel to it. I wish I could shred like you. Maybe we can do a collaberation some time? Me on rhythm, you on lead?? ? Ampd!

The only thing I would suggest is turning the bass down a bit, it seems to be dominating the mix and overpowering other tracks, especially the rhythm guitar.

Good job ?

PeteM

Yeah - very lekker BMU - agree with doc-phil , the bass is a bit loud in the mix.

WantzChas

Oooh I like. Nice recording.

Guy-Onraet

Excellent! Great playing. Interesting "in your face" bass. ?

BMU

Thanks for the comments everyone, much appreciated.

Yep the bass is probably a bit much. ? It's amazing what an outside view and some fresh ears can do. I was determined to let that honky jazzy bass tone get through the mix as a bona fide contributing member of the sonic spectrum. I had Obscura in mind, German prog death band with a great in-your-face fretless bass tone:

http://www.myspace.com/realmofobscura

The 7 string guitar gets pretty bassy too, I'll try EQ the bass out of the low-end guitar space and lower it a bit in the mix. Very valuable comments.

@ inflames & doc-phil: LOL I've never even heard of Dethklok. I checked them out, yeah I can see some similarity with some of their song structures.

doc-phil

BMU wrote: @ inflames & doc-phil: LOL I've never even heard of Dethklok. I checked them out, yeah I can see some similarity with some of their song structures.

You'd never heard of Dethklok!! ??? But they're only the most metalest band on the planet! 8)

Vuzu on dstv has been airing the show the last couple months.. its a rip.

WantzChas

doc-phil wrote: You'd never heard of Dethklok!! ??? But they're only the most metalest band on the planet! 8)

Vuzu on dstv has been airing the show the last couple months.. its a rip.

I hate the Metalocalypse, kind find it funny even with a gun to my head, BUT I love Dethklok.

PeteM

I wasn't suggesting that you lose the bass BTW. I love the in-your-face bass riff. Yeah, maybe it is a EQ thing between the bass and 7 string - you need some separation there.

BMU

PeteM wrote: I wasn't suggesting that you lose the bass BTW. I love the in-your-face bass riff.

Cool thanks! Yeah I love it too, I'll just try to tame it a bit.

"You'd never heard of Dethklok!! But they're only the most metalest band on the planet! Vuzu on dstv has been airing the show the last couple months.. its a rip."

Ah ok - I don't watch TV. Which often leaves me with this type of 'huh?' moment and pop culture references I miss completely. ?

BMU

That bass was definitely booming all over the mix too much. I think this sounds tighter without losing the intent of having the bass be definitely audible. Tell me if it sounds ok! Any other glaringly obvious deficiencies?

Same link as before:
http://www.box.net/shared/y4l8ahoj3h

PeteM

BMU wrote: That bass was definitely booming all over the mix too much. I think this sounds tighter without losing the intent of having the bass be definitely audible. Tell me if it sounds ok! Any other glaringly obvious deficiencies?

Hey BMU that sounds fantastic - the definition is now there - less muddy. The in-your-face bass riff is still there - you've lost none of the punch, in fact you've probably gained more punch. It also sounds like you lifted the shred guitar a little.
Good one - I like.

BMU

PeteM - thanks for the feedback. Yeah I tweaked endlessly hehe. Lifted the rhythm guitars and leads both, lifted 1.2-1.4kHz in the overall mix to bring out the higher rhythm guitar frequencies more.

singemonkey

I think this is a great track. Sounds great. And well played. Would do great as a sound-track piece.

I particularly like the really solid rhythm and the memorable melodies. No complaints. How about doing a version with lyrics? Maybe you'd have to space it out a bit for that - to give the vocals room. But I think, since it's got a lot of feeling, it would work well with some pretty personal lyrics.

BMU

singemonkey wrote: I think this is a great track. Sounds great. And well played. Would do great as a sound-track piece.

I particularly like the really solid rhythm and the memorable melodies. No complaints. How about doing a version with lyrics? Maybe you'd have to space it out a bit for that - to give the vocals room. But I think, since it's got a lot of feeling, it would work well with some pretty personal lyrics.

Thanks! Lyrics... err you don't wanna hear me sing. ?

I really prefer instrumentals, to listen to and when I'm making them. But yeah lyrics would space it nicely, something to think about.. maybe one day.

Lethe

I dig it!