New Project - actually equals old songs given new life, ... again, ...
Since I was very pleased with my "I Am Become Daevel" album, which was actually a bunch of old songs that I never recorded properly until recently, I decided to attempt the same thing with more unpublished material from my "archives".
Way back in 2000, I ended up recording FOUR Albums as pure MIDI/Synth - i.e., no real guitars. Yup. FOUR of these buggers exist. All played or programmed solely with synthesized instruments on an old Casio keyboard, which sounded surprisingly "okay" for Casio equipment. And some of the songs were actually pretty cool. I did a lot of really really fast "virtuoso"-type songs, very progressive, almost neo-classical, ... very influenced by Dream Theater, Symphony X, and a lot of other bands that play waayyy too many notes.
So now I've been listening back to some of these and wondering, "What if I actually tried re-recording these with my new drum samples (Toontrack rules!!), newer SONAR software, better symphonic samples, and REAL guitar?"
Not that I can actually play a lot of these songs note-for-note, ... (far from it), but I can play most of the rhythms and some of the "note-riff" sections. And a lot of the really really fast sections can just be played by the computer as synths anyway. Kind of like having Rick Wakeman or Jordan Rudess help me out with the keyboard parts. Plus, I can finally add some guitar solos (these albums have PLENTY of open spaces for actual improvisation).
I am going to try to go right thru each album, and maybe get rid of parts that didn't work, add some new stuff - in general, breathe new life into these old songs.
I'm actually kind of psyched up and can't wait to dig out the old files. these won't be done in a week or so, though. This might take a while, but I now have a goal. With the bar set very high.
5/23/08
New Material in the worX ??
Yup, new project in the process of being developed (hopefully)
notes for my new album - working title - "skwoze"
the sound - somewhere between Greg Ginn, Sonny Sharrock / Last Exit, Ruins, Tangerine Dream, and Frank Zappa
i.e., a return to "classic" Dimaension X - less metal, more jazz-space-rock-fusion-improv
I am not completely abandoning all ties to metal, just backing off a bit and wanting to play more guitar solos and improvisation - sort of like on "Bryson's Universe" - which is like wall-to-wall guitar solos with some synths and sequencers in between, ...
I am just starting this, so it may evolve and change into something else entirely as time goes on, or may just fade away like so many other projects
Hey, here's a shout out to a local band, Before the Fall, with a co-worker of mine on bass named Matt Fruit. I believe they are actually playing at Tammany Hall in Worcester, MA on June 27, 2008, as a release party for their new CD, called "In The Garden". These guys play a sort of old-school hardcore/crossover/metal style that reminds me of Black Flag and early Rollins Band. Please check 'em out. They also have a Myspace page.
That's it for now - stay tuned for more news.
D.X.
notes for my new album - working title - "skwoze"
the sound - somewhere between Greg Ginn, Sonny Sharrock / Last Exit, Ruins, Tangerine Dream, and Frank Zappa
i.e., a return to "classic" Dimaension X - less metal, more jazz-space-rock-fusion-improv
I am not completely abandoning all ties to metal, just backing off a bit and wanting to play more guitar solos and improvisation - sort of like on "Bryson's Universe" - which is like wall-to-wall guitar solos with some synths and sequencers in between, ...
I am just starting this, so it may evolve and change into something else entirely as time goes on, or may just fade away like so many other projects
Hey, here's a shout out to a local band, Before the Fall, with a co-worker of mine on bass named Matt Fruit. I believe they are actually playing at Tammany Hall in Worcester, MA on June 27, 2008, as a release party for their new CD, called "In The Garden". These guys play a sort of old-school hardcore/crossover/metal style that reminds me of Black Flag and early Rollins Band. Please check 'em out. They also have a Myspace page.
That's it for now - stay tuned for more news.
D.X.
5/8/08
Patting myself on the back...
Yep, latest results of my album downloads from The Internet Archive:
As of May 8, 2008:
Bryson’s Universe - 2,560
Aetherial Art of Decay - 1,970
Leprosia Doom - 1,446
I Am Become Daevel - 1,203
Dimaensia Nexus - Improvisations for the Ancient Ones - 678
End of an Era - 580
Loco-Motives - 324
Deus Fetor, pt2 - 239
Now you can go directly to the download pages by clicking on the album title, here!!
Though I think if you had to pay for them, there'd be WWAAAAYYYY less.
More later, ...
DX
As of May 8, 2008:
Bryson’s Universe - 2,560
Aetherial Art of Decay - 1,970
Leprosia Doom - 1,446
I Am Become Daevel - 1,203
Dimaensia Nexus - Improvisations for the Ancient Ones - 678
End of an Era - 580
Loco-Motives - 324
Deus Fetor, pt2 - 239
Now you can go directly to the download pages by clicking on the album title, here!!
Though I think if you had to pay for them, there'd be WWAAAAYYYY less.
More later, ...
DX
4/26/08
Just checking in, ...
Howdy kids. No I have not "blogged" here in a while, ... been busy with work, family, life-in-general, and trying to figure out what my next music project will be. I really haven't a clue what to do next.
I have been listening to a boat-load of different music. Everything from the new Cryptopsy, to swedish black-metallers Craft, to Ihsahn's new one, to dISEMBOWELMENT (old-school death-doom from Australia), Satyricon, Septic Flesh, Woods of Ypres, The Disciples of Zoldon, Thulnar, etc., ...
Out of everything so far, I really like Craft. Yup, raw, old-school thrashy black metal. These guys just have great head-bangin' rhythms, with very raw, yet clear production. Not as "lo-fi" as I read they would sound. The production is actually very good, and fits the music perfectly. Sure it doesn't sound like an Andy Sneap or Fred Nordstrom mix, but it's not supposed to.
And I've learned about a few more artists like me who creat music for fun and post it for all to hear FOR FREE. I mentioned them above, and will provide you all with links to these artists.
The Disciples of Zoldon. This is a one man band of a guy named Luke Brimblecombe from New Zealand. He records and/or programs everything: Vocals, Guitars, Drum Programming. But the coolest thing about his music is that he's concocted a whole fictional theme and concept - that of Zoldon, the God of Heavy Metal. Cheesy, ... sure, but Immortal look like a bad Wrestling Tag-team, and I still love 'em to death. Go to Luke's website and read the whole thing. It really is a very cool concept and is perfect for creating heavy metal music.
Luke also has a Myspace page for Zoldon, and a last.fm page. Try going to the Encyclopedia Metallium and do a search for Zoldon. This page will also have links to his various pages.
now the next band, ...
I have been listening to a boat-load of different music. Everything from the new Cryptopsy, to swedish black-metallers Craft, to Ihsahn's new one, to dISEMBOWELMENT (old-school death-doom from Australia), Satyricon, Septic Flesh, Woods of Ypres, The Disciples of Zoldon, Thulnar, etc., ...
Out of everything so far, I really like Craft. Yup, raw, old-school thrashy black metal. These guys just have great head-bangin' rhythms, with very raw, yet clear production. Not as "lo-fi" as I read they would sound. The production is actually very good, and fits the music perfectly. Sure it doesn't sound like an Andy Sneap or Fred Nordstrom mix, but it's not supposed to.
And I've learned about a few more artists like me who creat music for fun and post it for all to hear FOR FREE. I mentioned them above, and will provide you all with links to these artists.
The Disciples of Zoldon. This is a one man band of a guy named Luke Brimblecombe from New Zealand. He records and/or programs everything: Vocals, Guitars, Drum Programming. But the coolest thing about his music is that he's concocted a whole fictional theme and concept - that of Zoldon, the God of Heavy Metal. Cheesy, ... sure, but Immortal look like a bad Wrestling Tag-team, and I still love 'em to death. Go to Luke's website and read the whole thing. It really is a very cool concept and is perfect for creating heavy metal music.
Luke also has a Myspace page for Zoldon, and a last.fm page. Try going to the Encyclopedia Metallium and do a search for Zoldon. This page will also have links to his various pages.
now the next band, ...
Thulnar. Two Italian musicians by the names of Elric Blackcrow - vocals, trumpet (also of Mors Tua) and Al Walker - guitar, bass, drums, synth have provided us with an insanely great combination of the over-the-top epic symphonic metal of Rhapsody with the black darkness of Summoning. Their whole demo is available for free download at the link, along with high-resolution cover art. They also have a Myspace page and more music available through download.com. Also a page at the mighty Encyclopedia Metallium.
As I said above, fans of Rhapsody and Summoning will be able to pick out the references from Thulnar's music. Actually, I am reminded of an internet rumor I read that Rhapsody was going to record a black metal concept album called "Rhapsody in Black", and Thulnar's music is exactly what I would imagine that music would sound like.
Some great stuff here to check out. I also recommend all metal fans to check out a blog called Free Metal Albums. This is a blog that posts links to, well, Free Metal Albums. No, not illegal downloads, but links to music that the bands themselves have endorsed and have posted themselves. This is a large (and growing larger) source of free music for all of us metal-heads that like good stuff cheap.
Until I figure out what my own new music is going to sound like, I will continue checking out as many new artists as my sponge-of-a-brain will allow. There is so much out there just waiting to be sound. Just dig deep enough and you may be surprised at how good some of these artists are.
ThanX.
As I said above, fans of Rhapsody and Summoning will be able to pick out the references from Thulnar's music. Actually, I am reminded of an internet rumor I read that Rhapsody was going to record a black metal concept album called "Rhapsody in Black", and Thulnar's music is exactly what I would imagine that music would sound like.
Some great stuff here to check out. I also recommend all metal fans to check out a blog called Free Metal Albums. This is a blog that posts links to, well, Free Metal Albums. No, not illegal downloads, but links to music that the bands themselves have endorsed and have posted themselves. This is a large (and growing larger) source of free music for all of us metal-heads that like good stuff cheap.
Until I figure out what my own new music is going to sound like, I will continue checking out as many new artists as my sponge-of-a-brain will allow. There is so much out there just waiting to be sound. Just dig deep enough and you may be surprised at how good some of these artists are.
ThanX.
3/16/08
Old Album released at several links
I have now posted an old, unreleased album at Last.fm. and at a Mediafire link.
"Cyberthief 2" was recorded way back in 2003-2004, and only a few tracks from it were available. Now, anyone can download it from Last.fm.
here's the links:
Dimaension X at Last.fm
Cyberthief 2 at Mediafire
This old album is my first recorded with Cakewalk 2004, and actually sounds pretty good, now that I've given it another listen. It actually has a bunch of cover songs on it, or at least "parts" of songs that you should recognize. Please note that I did not request permission to use these songs or "snippets" or songs, but I did re-record all the parts myself - NO SAMPLING (hear that Puff Diddy??) I PLAYED everything myself. Myself!
Some of the songs are pretty good, others kind of not so great, but I was still trying to define my style (at as of today, still have yet to do so!).
Visit the page, download, repost if you like on your blogs, torture your landlord, whatever you want, ... just don't re-sell it, you little cyberthieves!!
"Cyberthief 2" was recorded way back in 2003-2004, and only a few tracks from it were available. Now, anyone can download it from Last.fm.
here's the links:
Dimaension X at Last.fm
Cyberthief 2 at Mediafire
This old album is my first recorded with Cakewalk 2004, and actually sounds pretty good, now that I've given it another listen. It actually has a bunch of cover songs on it, or at least "parts" of songs that you should recognize. Please note that I did not request permission to use these songs or "snippets" or songs, but I did re-record all the parts myself - NO SAMPLING (hear that Puff Diddy??) I PLAYED everything myself. Myself!
Some of the songs are pretty good, others kind of not so great, but I was still trying to define my style (at as of today, still have yet to do so!).
Visit the page, download, repost if you like on your blogs, torture your landlord, whatever you want, ... just don't re-sell it, you little cyberthieves!!
3/9/08
Some Studio work at MWCC
Hey folks,
I recently helped out an Audio Production Class at the local Community College (taught by local studio owner John Little - Upside-Sound Studio) by playing guitar and having them mike and record my amp. Then they take what they recorded and will mix it, compress/EQ, etc. as their assignment. They also recorded some bass playing via Direct Injection.
I realized just how little I actually know about "real" recording, mike placement, patch bays, etc. These kids really know what their doing, due to their teacher's encylopedic knowledge. I had a lot of fun, and probably learned something.
Check out my MASSIVE Super High-Wattage Metal amp! (a Peavey Rage 158) being attacked by a rabid family of microphones
and here I am in the control room with my P-Bass demonstrating Direct Injection
Very cool stuff! Thanks to the students at MWCC and to their instructor, John Little.
I recently helped out an Audio Production Class at the local Community College (taught by local studio owner John Little - Upside-Sound Studio) by playing guitar and having them mike and record my amp. Then they take what they recorded and will mix it, compress/EQ, etc. as their assignment. They also recorded some bass playing via Direct Injection.
I realized just how little I actually know about "real" recording, mike placement, patch bays, etc. These kids really know what their doing, due to their teacher's encylopedic knowledge. I had a lot of fun, and probably learned something.
Check out my MASSIVE Super High-Wattage Metal amp! (a Peavey Rage 158) being attacked by a rabid family of microphones
and here I am in the control room with my P-Bass demonstrating Direct Injection
Very cool stuff! Thanks to the students at MWCC and to their instructor, John Little.
3/1/08
Latest Ego Boost
Well, here's the latest boost to my ever-dwindling ego. The latest tallys of downloads of my albums from The Internet Archive are as follows:
As of March 1, 2008:
Bryson’s Universe - 1,980
Aetherial Art of Decay - 1,447
Leprosia Doom - 1,311
I Am Become Daevel - 925
Dimaensia Nexus - Improvisations for the Ancient Ones - 543
End of an Era - 505
Loco-Motives - 270
Deus Fetor, pt2 - 208
Why keep track and torture you readers with this meaningless info? Ah, who knows? I like to see that people actually like my music. It makes me feel good. That's it. Ego Boost.
Does it mean I'm actually a decent musician? Well, we all know that Paris Hilton and William Hung (did you know he was actually offered a $25,000 advance for his album??) will always sell thousands of albums to the mindless drones, so numbers don't really matter. I just hope my music has entertained someone. That's all. If you enjoyed my music enough to download and burn to a disc or portable player, then I sincerely thank you.
Hey, it's FREE, right?
As of March 1, 2008:
Bryson’s Universe - 1,980
Aetherial Art of Decay - 1,447
Leprosia Doom - 1,311
I Am Become Daevel - 925
Dimaensia Nexus - Improvisations for the Ancient Ones - 543
End of an Era - 505
Loco-Motives - 270
Deus Fetor, pt2 - 208
Why keep track and torture you readers with this meaningless info? Ah, who knows? I like to see that people actually like my music. It makes me feel good. That's it. Ego Boost.
Does it mean I'm actually a decent musician? Well, we all know that Paris Hilton and William Hung (did you know he was actually offered a $25,000 advance for his album??) will always sell thousands of albums to the mindless drones, so numbers don't really matter. I just hope my music has entertained someone. That's all. If you enjoyed my music enough to download and burn to a disc or portable player, then I sincerely thank you.
Hey, it's FREE, right?
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