September 2004
Hello again.
When we last spoke we had just finished the writing and pre-recording of the third full-length song for Shadows of the Past (our forthcoming CD). Along with those, we had written two short instrumental pieces, which will fall between the feature songs on the CD.
Since then Steve K. and I have really been on a roll. As we are writing the songs in the order that they will appear, there were a couple of tunes that we have been kind of dreading. One is a song called "Never". It is a very dramatic piece about death and a lifetime of loss, ya know, happy stuff. The other is the only real ballad on this record called "The Gift". These are the types of songs that present a genuine challenge, due to the exposed nature of a slower song. They can come out sounding almost naked if you're not careful.
So, off we went. Last weekend I arrived at our studio and Steve had some keyboard ideas recorded. It gave us a frame to start building on. When we begin writing a new song, the one who originates the rhythm idea records first. Let's just say that, by the end of that day, we had completed the entire song. I believe we captured the intensity needed for this part of the album. I hope I don't sound too proud.
Our long-time friend and partner-in-crime Adam "Bartman" Bartkoski contributed some sound effects and offered some very cool suggestions throughout the day. We used him and his truck for the vehicle sound effects. He did an awesome job. No one can slam a door like Bartman.
Yesterday (9/5/04) we took on the challenge of "The Gift". I had imagined that this one was going to take, at least, 3 weekends to complete. What a surprise! For this one, we had no rhythm ideas and no lyrics. Aside from a reoccurring theme for the character "Ariana", we had nothing.
Well, in short, it's done. We wrote the lyrics as we were writing the music. We recorded as we went, arranging all the while. My solos were improvised over Koelling's keyboard progressions. It very nearly wrote itself. What a ride!
Next weekend we begin recording some pretty heavy and progressive stuff. We are in the home stretch here, and I'm really excited about what's coming. There's some cool material about to be laid down - fun, fun, fun!
I'll get back to ya soon.
Steve Sorrell.
