August 2004
It's been a while since my last entry and a lot has happened. Steve K. and I have been getting together every weekend, without fail, since our gear has settled into it's new home. It's a top-secret location in a secured part of a-Okay, it's taking up space in a friend's garage.
Since moving the recording equipment to the new location (about 2 months) we have had more consistently productive sessions in a row than ever before. The writing of the new material is going in directions that even we didn't expect. Several times we have finished recording a new section or new vocal arrangement, and upon listening back, we are both laughing and shaking our heads saying, "where the hell did that come from?"
It's an amazing feeling when you can surprise even yourself. We are intentionally stepping outside our comfort zones, and our music is growing because of it. In the past we have allowed ourselves to be influenced by what we thought we should do, or what we believed "prog fans" would want to hear. Now we are playing what we would like to hear, and it really shows in the music. With each new song we are stretching out a little more and growing with the story line.
As I told you before, we're recording complete demos of every song as we write them. This allows us to hear how the songs work together, and we rearrange them as we go. This way we are not married to any idea until we are completely happy with it.
We've had "With These Hands" completed for some time now, but with our recently gained editing knowledge (thank you Scott) we can now go back and add the ending that I've always wanted to hear. Sometimes you need unnecessary shredding to complete a song.
Aside from a little vocal work, the first 4 songs are completed. This takes us to (approx) the 40-minute mark. They are: With These Hands, 30 Years, Drawn to the Past and The Diary of Lost Souls. The track "30 Years" is one of the short instrumental pieces that you'll be hearing between the main songs on the record. We're breaking them up this way to allow the album to breathe.
I, personally, am very excited by the range of vocal styles I'm getting to use on this record. We're utilizing the time-tested 80s rock-guy voice (the one I was born with, ya know), the Disturbed-influenced machine-gun staccato vocal, and, my favorite, the death/black metal voice. These are used only for effect, and to add intensity to the songs, while keeping the artistic and progressive feel that we love. As one who loves heavier music, this is great for me.
Well, I'm done babbling...for now. I just love talkin' about our new music. I can hardly wait for everyone to hear it.
Best wishes.
Steve Sorrell.
