Here we go!

newrigel · Post by **newrigel** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 9:31 am

All done in DP on a G5... Just a virtual setup all VI's... I played, did vocals, mixed and produced. Enjoy!
I LOVE DP!
http://www.messiahsreign.com/sounds/res ... dreams.mp3

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 11:08 am

I just knew with a name like Messiah's Reign, that I'm not the intended demographic for this music. Even so, this sounds very similar to other music I've heard in this vein, which is to say, the production and mix is pretty good. The mix has some shrill upper frequencies that I'd probably shelve or attenuate.

The playing is competent, if a bit low-key. You sound like a band, and not just a solo guy doing all the parts. Some of your VI's sound guitar-esque, similar in tone to some of what I've heard from Eric Norlander, who is very good at that and has been seen around Unicornation from time to time.

newrigel · Post by **newrigel** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 9:39 am

Jim wrote:I just knew with a name like Messiah's Reign, that I'm not the intended demographic for this music. Even so, this sounds very similar to other music I've heard in this vein, which is to say, the production and mix is pretty good. The mix has some shrill upper frequencies that I'd probably shelve or attenuate.

The playing is competent, if a bit low-key. You sound like a band, and not just a solo guy doing all the parts. Some of your VI's sound guitar-esque, similar in tone to some of what I've heard from Eric Norlander, who is very good at that and has been seen around Unicornation from time to time.

Thank you!
I needed that! I have to remaster the tune and am going to address these things. It's very hard to do it all.. and do it well. I take my time and just LISTEN! But on another note... Messiahs Reign is a conceptual product and I have no intentions of trying to change anyones thoughts out there. I hear mixed feelings on this but nothing ever negative. I listen to all types of music regardless of the name because sometimes it's hard to tell where the author standpoints comes from.

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 10:54 am

newrigel wrote: I listen to all types of music regardless of the name because sometimes it's hard to tell where the author standpoints comes from.

That's reasonable and open minded.

I've observed that Metal music and medieval and gothic themes seem to go hand in hand... Also, Germanic fonts, Satanic symbolism, shiny objects and shoulder length hair. It's the counterpart to Country music's cowboy hats, fringe attire, western fonts, jeans and boots, and barbed wire. Not everybody uses these conventions, but they can be a tip off to a genre, and most genres seem to have their non-musical, fashion-oriented, graphic theme elements. If I hear of an artist named Bill-Z, chances are he's a Rapper. If I heard Smokey Holler Boys, I'd probably guess Bluegrass. It doesn't take a genius to make these connections.

So, if you'll forgive the prejudice about the name, I'll add that the reason stereotypes exist is generally because there's a kernal of truth to them. Making educated guesses based on looks or names isn't unreasonable per se.

If you want to dispel stereotype, you could call yourself Sister Judy's Prayer Circle. That'd keep 'em on their toes!

newrigel · Post by **newrigel** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 12:07 pm

No problem... I can deal with that! One thing about being a musician is to be able to take criticism of any kind and I learned LONG ago about this. I appreciate your thoughts!
Oh yeah.. I listened to Eric Norlander and I want to say thanks! He has one rip-pin female vocalist! She reminds me of my all time favorites ANN WILSON who in her own right is truly gifted! I'm an old school vocalist and the modal thing I'm really attracted to... maybe because I'm Dutch, I don't know.

YouTube · Post by **James Steele** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 1:30 pm

All VI's?

Seriously though please take my comments with a grain of salt because opinions are like certain parts of the body right...

First off, the reason for my VI comment: REAL guitars are pretty much mandatory for this type of music. Understandably you may not play guitar, but if you doubletracked some serious crunchy Marshall type guitars playing the rhythm part, and (perhaps made the lead line a real guitar instead of keys) this would take the whole thing up a notch. It's a genre where the guitar reigns supreme and I don't hear any.

Secondly... I like your vocals. I know it's always a touchy subject being a singer myself. My influences are guys like Page and Coverdale and I wouldn't sing like you, nor you like me... viva la differencE!

I get the distinct feeling you're a Geoff Tate fan, as your phrasing and even the elements of the tune itself seem very influenced by Queensryche. I think the vocals a perfect for that genre... it's not MY particular thing, but I certainly can appreciate what you're doing and my hat's off to you.

I like the vocal performance, but I heard something in the mix that is disturbing to me and again this is my own philosophical approach perhaps... no right and wrong... but your excellent vocals feel "detached" from "the band." Granted... you ARE the band, however in this sort of music a "band" is implied so I use the metaphor. I like vocals to sit down *inside* the music a bit more. I hear many mixes like this where because of the type/amount of reverb, level, etc. the vocals "sound" recorded separately. I'd try to reduce the reverb level and maybe use a bit smaller room so that in my mind's eye I'm picturing you right there in the same space with the imaginary drummer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist on an imaginary stage. If you listen to some Queensryche albums, the only one I can think of that I've listened to recently was "Hear in the Now Frontier" (admittedly not their best produced), they still managed to have Geoff Tate sit down inside that big mix. I could sit in front of my speakers and honest to God picture a little guy about 8 inches tall standing right there between my speakers those big, glorious guitars to the left and right of him and his voice sitting just perfectly in between... not too loud... not to soft... part of the whole. I suspect they may have used ducking on the rhytm guitars... not sure.

Okay... I've rambled... but just want to say nice work and please take my comments in the constructive manner they are intended. And again... it's all subjective, so I'm trying to focus on what I think is "least" subjective.

kelldammit · Post by **kelldammit** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 7:16 pm

i heard a lot of the ryche in there too, almost...rage for order-y.
hehe. your name is here is also a tipoff

neue regel is one my fave tunes. that album i think was wayyyy ahead of its time.

not bad for vi's, i rather like the lead sound, actually. it works well. but i'd agree...some real rhythm guitars would really kill, and the vocals are a bit too hot. i'm not sure if the vocals are hitting a limiter or not, or it's the mp3, but at a couple points during the first verse, it sounds like there's some pumping/clipping going on...something to check out.

what did you use for drums?

kell

newrigel · Post by **newrigel** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 10:50 am

WOW!
Thanks... I have played with bands most of my life and it's kind of like having to juggle fire balls... I really would like to play with players again and I will I'm sure. In the meantime, I try to keep up my chops and if I record my stuff it keeps me in form. I'm a purist so real instruments are the key here too. Thanks for the input because coming from you guy's this is an inspiration to go that extra mile to achieve that goal of sounding more authentic.