Opinions and constructive critique wanted for my music

dj150888 · #1 06-14-2008, 09:33 AM

Hey guys, this might seem like I'm looking for a back patting session but I'd like to hear your GENUINE opinions on the music my band (Darkest Era) is playing and then some constructive critique from you as to how you think it could be improved. We're a fairly young band and I'd like to hear what some of the more experienced people on here think.

The easiest way would be to check our myspace, which seems to be standard now.

Click here for our Myspace

In particular the first two songs, The Morrigan and Visions of the Dawn.

I'm the bass player/backing vocalist.

dj150888 · #2 06-18-2008, 04:07 AM

...thats a no then. Is this sort of thread frowned upon on TB? I'm still fairly new. I can remove it or the moderators can feel free to if this sort of thing isn't allowed.

sb69coupe · #3 06-18-2008, 08:59 AM

I gave a quick listen to the songs. I'm not familiar with the specific sub-genre, but overall I thought the recordings were very well done. The quality is top notch, the mix is good, though the vocals could be slightly more out front.

Did the drummer record with a click track? I thought I noticed some slight fluctuations in tempo throughout the sections of the songs with the double-bass drumbeats. That's about the only thing that jumped out at me. Nice stuff.

dj150888 · #4 06-18-2008, 11:00 AM

No click tracks used, solely because our drummer hadn't enough experience at playing with click tracks at that stage. Thanks for your input.

ric1312 · #5 06-18-2008, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj150888

Hey guys, this might seem like I'm looking for a back patting session but I'd like to hear your GENUINE opinions on the music my band (Darkest Era) is playing and then some constructive critique from you as to how you think it could be improved. We're a fairly young band and I'd like to hear what some of the more experienced people on here think.

The easiest way would be to check our myspace, which seems to be standard now.

Click here for our Myspace

In particular the first two songs, The Morrigan and Visions of the Dawn.

I'm the bass player/backing vocalist.

If this is your bands first serious album, it's a very good first effort and shows a lot of potential. I like the fact that you are on the heavy side, yet your singer actually gasp... sings. His vocal tone reminds me of Don Dokken, but with heavier edge.

Musically, everything sounds good, but the songs I listened to sounded very similar in that the tempos were about the same and the riffs sounded similar. The general speed of the songs and the drums suggest a very punk influence, don't know if that is what you are going for. Is seems like the music could use a little more space. It sounds at time like the players are trying to fill up every space with note or hit. Not, every insturment can be, up front and shredding, if a song is going to fall in place right, also that kind of walks all over the singer in places.

I don't know what niche you are going for, but IMO on the next batch of songs you write maybe try to write catchier guitar hooks, slow down and groove a little more and take more advantage of the good singer you have. I think with your singer you could maintain the heavy but add more melody both in the guitar and vocal melody. Remember fast doesn't equal heavy.

Don't get me wrong, it's very good. But, if I were an A&R guy I'd be thinking you guys have potential but need to develop in the areas I mentioned.

blubass · #6 06-18-2008, 04:39 PM

Very nice! The recording was done well. By the way, click tracks are overrated, I use one on a daily basis, but it kills the humanity in tracks at times. I think the vocals are cool, and your singer has a good range, but there's no hooks in the vocal lines, so nothing is really memorable. All in all, a nice effort and it wouldn't suprise me if you have yourself a few good years of well packed shows!

DWBass · #7 06-19-2008, 06:16 AM

I think the songs are good. The vocals need to be way more up front though. The music is taking up all the sonic space and the vocals seem like an afterthought. I agree with Ric1312, pull back musically during verse sections (maybe just a bass/guitar unison line?). I do like the fact that the vocalist sings! That whole growly cookie monster things is so played out!

dj150888 · #8 06-19-2008, 10:49 AM

Thanks to everyone for the input so far. Just because it came up, we're not aiming for the mainstream, we're playing for a niche market because we all like that style. I don't need to "make it", I'm studying (and doing quite well) for a Masters Degree in Chemistry and the rest of the band are in similar situations. Music for me is my way of relaxing and I'm not sure if I could enjoy it in the same way with large success.

The vocal comments have been taken on board, to be honest, we weren't spending as much time working on vocals relative to how long we spent on the rest of it and I think you guys are right.

As for the "slowing down" comment, its actually just coincidence that those two songs are some of the faster songs on the cd, we do have a few slower songs, though I wouldn't consider anything we do to "groove" in the context I usually associate with the word.

The vocals in the mix of the music is actually my biggest problem with the record, though with the label we're on now being willing fund our next cd, the production should be a lot better if we decide to go that route (we've currently only agreed to give them distribution rights, we still have all publishing/copyrights)

Two of the tracks on Myspace are from our new 4 track MCD and the other two are from an old demo cd we did. We've not been together very long though, so I'm happy with how we're developing, though a few drummer problems (replacing an old drummer, a good friend filled in temporarily until we found a new one, so three people had to learn all our songs!)

Thanks again guys, I really do appreciate the input. I've a lot of respect for the guys on here.

RedCoatMonster · #9 06-19-2008, 04:12 PM

I just listened to all of your myspace songs and read all the comments on this page so heres what I got.

I think you have a good singer, but as a few others said, some of it seems like an afterthought. I was very pleased with the quality of his voice though, and I am VERY glad h isnt just growling. The only problem I have with his vocals aside from what others have said is that he seems to stay in the same range alot of the time, I think it would sound really cool if he mixed in some deeper sounding vocals for some contrast and some cool dynamics.

As for the playing, it is obvious you guys can play, and quite well from what Ive listened to. The only complaint I have, and this is just my personal taste coming through, is that alot of it is drivin along, which is good to a point. In my opinion some atmospheric or background fills and such from one guitar and you at some points would be awesome.

And one last thing, with the kind of music you guys are playing you gotta be careful not to go too over the top sounding, which you havent been too over the top yet from what Ive heard so kudos on that. Id hate to hear another Dragonforce out there. However, it is cool to hear another god band ou there sort of in the vien of Dio and Iron Maiden. Im pleasently suprised to find out I actually enjoyed your music, Im pretty hard to win over usually haha so good job I liked it.

And again, this is all just my personal opinion as I realise you aren't going for huge commercial success and sold out arenas.

dj150888 · #10 06-19-2008, 06:38 PM

Thanks RedCoatMonster, we have no intention of being another Dragonforce, actually, recently our sound has been taking a more slow, moody pace and allowing riffs to develop more. Being a young band, we're still really finding our feet.

I really appreciate everyones feedback and its all being taken on board, though some of it, being down to taste, may not be used, a lot of the critique will be used to help us advance. Thanks again.

Feel free to add more.

NKUSigEp · #11 06-19-2008, 06:53 PM

I used to listen to this style of music a lot a few years ago...brought back memories LOL. Sounds pretty good and as previously stated, I too think the singer needs to explore a little more. Seems like he's got a favorite note and doesn't stray too far from it. Music is pretty solid though.

lambro · #12 06-19-2008, 08:44 PM

very nice - you guys have a lot to work with

as DW stated the vocals have to be more up front in the mix, esp since the singer can actually sing - dont hide that

from an engineering stand point I was getting some low end bass bloom which is not great, and the ride cymbal seemed to leap out at times. the drums were a bit pushed down, ie the kit sound on the first tune I would like to hear more definition there for sure. Also you can sound heavy with having less distortion on the guitars in the strumming sections, let the bass do the heavy stuff there. Dagda needed some work - guitars were a bit brittle and the drums had an odd sit.

compositionally, areas you can work on are dynamics, vary the tempos more and use more space - you dont have to fill every second with a fast strum, create some anticipation, look to get the guitars moving more melodically too

for this genre its important to do something different and you have a good start

dj150888 · #13 06-20-2008, 07:06 AM

An Dagda is one of the first songs we wrote as a band and its not really a good representation of where we are now, thats why I asked for focus on the first two songs, which are closer. Thanks for your input Lambro.

I'm feeling quite good about the feedback so far as a lot of the points hit on are things we're working on right now, unfortunately, until now, budget has dictated our production so we haven't been able to really showcase a perfectly produced CD. The first two tracks were recorded using ENGL amplifiers, which are a little more high gain than I would've liked and the guitar players are using the new Marshall JVM heads now, which I think has a warmer overdrive you might prefer (I know I do).

Thanks also to NKUSigEp. Can I ask why you stopped listening to that style of music?

BadB · #14 06-22-2008, 01:29 PM

Nicely done. Although I listen to more mainstream stuff these days, your band kind of takes me back to the mid 80's when I was listening to a band called Fates Warning. I still have a few LP's from them. Cheers.

dj150888 · #15 06-22-2008, 05:30 PM

Fates Warning, been a while since I met a fan, have a few of their LPS myself!

magnusdeus123 · #16 07-04-2008, 02:22 AM

DUDE !! Your Darkest Era's bassist ?? Damn . I remember seeing a picture of you guys when I was messing around on Flickr, think it was the one of your guitarists . A girl with blue hair and a guy .

I listened to most of your stuff at that time . Then I forgot about it and lost the link . {-_-"} .

Awesome stuff . Sorry I cant give crit as deep as those in the above post, since I'm not that much of a metal guy . But I definitely enjoy your stuff and it's a fresh breather from the Df style that I've been listening to for the past year .

Cheers, keep up the great work .