...in the studio mixing, there are three new songs on the Livesay MySpace page. Our two instrumentals completely remixed, along with the title track of the new album with our new vocalist. You don't need a MySpace account to hear the songs, so check them out if you get a chance and give me some feedback! Just click the link in my siggie.
I really Like the title track....you guys always sound clean and your music is always good. If you want an honest assessment.....Your new vocalist is obviously a very good singer...but i think your music needs a guy with some "balls" to his voice. get what I am trying to say? maybe some "bass" in his voice. and yeah..the faster you guys go..the better. (then again..I like speed in my R&R)
Thanks Section....he's not really our singer. He's a good friend who's helping us out. The reason we like his voice is that for this album we pushed further into the prog metal realm, and will go even deeper into it on the next album. We need someone who fits that. Who knows, by the time we do the next album we may have someone else who does have a more ballsy voice! Thanks for liking it!
I like the first and third songs the best. The third one in particular starts off real strong then goes into this nice melodic section (which I'm listening to now). It's pretty much what I think of when I think progressive rock, and as I fully expected it started to get heavy again. Rock. I like how the drums are doing off-beat type things that make the time signature seem more complicated than it really is. The guitar is completely shred style, which isn't really my thing, but it's not really all that annoying like most of that stuff is to me. It must be the rhythm section because usually that kinda guitar grates on my nerves. This one seems really uplifting for some reason. I don't know if that was the intent but that's what I'm getting. Trial, success seems to be the theme with the music. The first one I really liked because of the WW2 references. Once the "Dec 7th" bit started to come on the music really clicked.. I don't know why I didn't notice that the sound at the beginning was war-related type sounds.. listening to the second song again. The drums are definitely doing that "i'm making the time signature sound more complicated than it really is".. I really like that. I know there's a drummer term for it but dammed if I know it I like this riff in the second one now. Also the singer.. definitely a progressive voice. Works for the music. Aaaand it doesn't seem "polished". I hate polished sounding records. Solid stuff.
Might be that cauliflower ear that Louis gave you. I have to ask my drummer if there's a technical term for that. He definitely tries to vary his playing so it all doesn't sound the same. He learned for awhile under Joe Franco, one of the most underrated rock drummers ever. The reason why Gregg's playing doesn't grate on your nerves is because as a shredder, he's not only influenced by players like Malmsteen, but also more melodic players like Uli Jon Roth and Frank Marino. He playes with alot more feel than most shredders. The song "Aphasia" is on a compilation album right now, "Shredding Across The World: Vol. II." It's getting great reviews, which will only help us in the long run. I'm amazed you didn't recognize the authentic WWII "crank-up" air raid siren we used! That song will undoubtedly cost us some fans in Japan. We laugh that if we ever tour there we'll get off the plane and someone who looks like "OddJob" from the James Bond movies will be waiting for us..."Ohhh-kay...who wrote the reerics?" As for the singer, he's an old pro. Toured Europe with the band "Into Eternity", and is now also recording vocals for guitarist Toby Knapp. We also didn't want that "polished" sound. That was the problem with the first mix, WAY too clean, and these songs will sound even better after they're mastered. Love the fact that you really dissected it, and of course the assessment you gave it.
Syncopation, I believe. Pagan, I must say, with all due respect, that this music is kick-***! I agree with Section, the singer obviously can carry a tune, but his voice is more suited for less aggressive music. Aphasia is great, man. Of the three songs, it's my favorite. Livesay kinda channels Marty Friedman on that track, and I love it. It's a shame the bass player is so out of time... just kidding! In Awaken the Giant, I like the solo at 3:10, but I think it would sound better without the electronic harmonization effect. It would sound more raw without it, IMO. Good good stuff, brother. You guys have legitimate chops.
Not as good as your older stuff [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wu0aEwhjj4"]YouTube- Pat Boone Paradise City[/ame] but what is seriously, really good though. agree with earlier poster. i think Aphasia is my favorite. very very tight and clean but enough attitude where it isnt dead.
Thanks for all the comments guys! Glad you like them, and the constructive criticism is always welcome.
I figured you put the time together to work on it the least I could do was give it a decent dissection. and truedolfan is right it is syncopation.
Why thank ya Darlin'. Just found out we're finishing the mix on December 12th, four more songs. Two of which show our more prog side. One is 8:30 long and the other is close to 12:00. Then the mastering is done and this sojourn of an album - started in November of 2006 and held up due to a MORON lead singer who made us waste over a year of time and $3K - will finally be finished. All that's left is the packaging and reproduction. Hoping to have it out sometime in January.
I finally had a chance to set some time and give these a proper listen. Overall I'm very impressed with what you guys have done so far, good stuff. Here's my thoughts on the individual tracks: Awaken the Giant - From a playing and drumming standpoint, this reminds me quite a bit of Dream Theater. In a good way. The vocals here don't bother me, though they do remind me a little bit of early Iron Maiden in their use of harmony. Overall a solid opening song - don't know how much you guys have done but you could consider this being your opening track, as I think it showcases the sound you were shooting for. Aphasia - Dirty, dirty guitar riffs on this one. This song seems content to sit back and slowly kick you in the face. I really like the use of the ambient organ in the background, it's a nice touch and adds a "haunted" feel to the piece. I could see myself jamming to this playing a game like, say, Castlevania. Nice use of the piano to help bridge the song together, too. Doomy, gloomy song. Dance of the Egyptian King - Love the use of dual guitar and scales at the front of the song. Reminds me a bit of Yngwie Malmsteen in that the riffs and playing is so clean. This one seems to be a bit more straightforward than the other tracks. Overall very good stuff, I'm excited to see what you guys come up with next. Of course, on all of them, I thought the bass line should be mixed up a little louder. I'm a fan of the Rock Band video game (I know, I know), and I couldn't help but think these songs would be a blast to try and play. I know you're against the game Pagan, but I would strongly consider using the Rock Band Network (launching next year), which allows you as an artist to upload your own songs and set your own prices for download, to get some of your stuff out to a wider audience.
Pagan I would also suggest uploading your stuff to Last.fm . I don't know if Pandora can do it, but if they can I'd suggest that as well.
I'm a sucker for a good video to make a song that much better.... [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9181goQTNkk"]YouTube- Livesay - Awaken The Giant[/ame]
The game is growing on me bro, if for no other reason than it's getting kids into the great old tunes. I'll definitely look into that network when it comes out. Thank you for the review man, I love when people get in depth when critiquing our music! The rest of the mix will be done soon. Four more songs: 1. The Burning Times ~ Mid-paced, hammering beat. Guitar and key leads in the middle. Written about the Salem Witch Trials. 2. Tower of Silence ~ Fast tempo, "Ultimate Sin" era Ozzy sounding riffs. Nice transition during the lead from electric to acoustic guitar and back to electric. Written about the burial buildings of the Farsi religion in India. 3. The Agonist ~ Our newest song. Mid-paced, driving riff. Accelerates during the guitar and key dueling leads, then into a frenzied keyboard out pack into the main riff. Our longest song at 11:30. 4. Flesh & Blood ~ Tempo changes throughout the song. Another guitar/key duel in the middle. Written about the movie "The Man In The Iron Mask". Second longest song at about 9:00. And yes, "Awaken The Giant" will open the album. It's also the title track. I love Pandora. I'll check into that and Last.fm too. Thanks for the info! Thanks Aqua...love when other musicians appreciate what we do.
I can't see that one bro, youtube blocked at work. Is that the live one or the one a fan of the band made with the WWII imagery? If it's the latter, that's NOT the singer we have now! UGH!
Yeah, looks like a fan made it......used song and put in imagery (at least he gave credit to Livesay)
Yea I saw that one. That one was made with a singer we wasted $3,000 and a year of time trying to record. Pay NO attention to that one! Watch the live ones instead!
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgPLKvFSQsI"]YouTube- Awaken The Giant[/ame] hahaha...have been pronouncing the Bands name wrong in my head all this time.... "Live and let die"....not "Live and in person"
Hey guys...three new songs on the MySpace page! Opinions please! *EDIT* And a little contest. First person to correctly identify the clip in the beginning of the song "The Burning Times" gets a free CD when it drops...signed by the band if wanted.