My band's most recent demo

[Aku]

I thought that I already posted this here, but oh well... better late than never My band Black Tower released a new demo couple of months ago and I thought that it would be cool to hear your thoughts on it.

The demo is already a little outdated, because it always takes us forever to record a demo.. Don't know why. We always start fast and then the project freezes for months ;D We recorded the demo with our own equipment, so the sound quality doesn't come near real studio quality.. But it's listenable. I think that it would be better if we just went to a decent studio next time, that way there wouldn't be endless amounts of time to record the thing ;D

But even if little outdated, I'd like to hear your input. Our music is power metal heavily influenced by Blind Guardian and that style of music. Here are the direct download links:

01. The Wheel Of Ka
www.mikseri.net/music/play.php?id=288012&type=dl
Lyrics: www.mikseri.net/artists/lyrics.php?id=288012

02. Winterstars
www.mikseri.net/music/play.php?id=288014&type=dl
Lyrics: www.mikseri.net/artists/lyrics.php?id=288014

03. Utopy
www.mikseri.net/music/play.php?id=288017&type=dl
Lyrics: www.mikseri.net/artists/lyrics.php?id=288017

Utopy suffers from a poor mixing job compared to the other two.. Also the vocals were done in a little bit of a hurry to finally release the demo.

And I know, it needs more shred, I agree ;D Don't know why I ended up with such slow guitar solos, next demo will have more fast guitar parts

Thanks for checking out my band

[joeyjojojojojojo]

i listerned to the first one, pretty good if your into that
very nitro..!!
the quality was pretty good too

[kingofdarkness (red Panda)]

wow! those tracks are all great.. reminded me of Demons and Wizards
i especially liked The Wheel of Ka im guessing based on stephen kings dark tower book awesome track

[Aku]

Thanks for the comment guys
@ kingofdarkness: Yeah, you are right, it's based on the dark tower series

[kingofdarkness (red Panda)]

thats awesome i really liked the sound of that one and the lyrics were great..

[Aku]

Thanks again for the compliments.
My original post now holds links for the lyrics as well, check them out, lads.

50+ views but only a few comments? C'mon guys, post your thoughts. Negative feedback is not forbidden, heh

[kingofdarkness (red Panda)]

i just downloaded the wheel of ka saves me coming on here every time to listen.. also just reading the lyrics.. and i do really really like them you should do some more recordings based on things like this i think

[thepatient]

haha, very demons and wizards!
but very cool man.
i like!

[Adji]

Checking out now.

Wheel Of Ka is great man. Sounds like it combines the best parts of Dragon Force and Glaneryus. The only thing i have to say thats negative, and im sorry but it sbetter to be honest, is that the vocals needs a lot of work. I was expecting proper singing and when this shouting came in i was a bit dissapointed and it made it hard to listen to for me.

[blotto911]

Hi, Yeah, I agree with adji, the vocals need work, it makes it sound a bit like spinal tap. other than that it was really good. Top notch sound quality as well.

[kingofdarkness (red Panda)]

i actually quite liked the vocals.. i thought it went well with the song..

[Aku]

The vocals have always divided opinions Some love them, some hate them, it's down to opinion I guess. I do agree that they need work, however. But there are a lot of other things that need work as well, so for me, the vocals don't quite stand up as something really bad.

Thanks for the input!

[S-H]

I've heard ALOT worse professional bands in the power metal genre so you're on the right track for sure.

You have a long way to go to be considered amongst Angra, Firewind etc but you know that, and you're headed in the correct direction so it'll be a matter of time and hard work.

I hate the vocals. Not that he cant sing or anything, but i don't like power metal vocals anyway- so take that comment with a pinch of salt.

As a guitarist, i'd say to listen to many different genres (if you don't already).

Also Kiko Loureiro is a god in this genre so listen to how he phrases as well as his tone, rhythmic ability etc.

The tone wasn't too bad either. You use an Ibanez so you're a friend of mine already, which pickups are you using & also which amp?

Overal good stuff, you're still young- just keep working your ass off and listening to loads of great music and no doubt you'll be a pro band! \m/

[Aku]

Thanks, great input.

I don't know where you read that I use an Ibanez.. I'm using a Jackson RR3, with Dimarzio Breed (Bridge) and Paf Pro (Neck). The rhythm guitars were recorded through Line 6 GuitarPort. Leads were recorded with a Laney TF320 and a modified Tubescreamer.

I'll have to check out that Kiko Loureiro dude!

[nitroboy]

Congratulations Aku!

The songs are killer, specially the first!

I do like a lot the singer, he has a strong original voice. Try to listen WWIII first CD, Mandy Lion is a great low singet that may blow away your vocalist head ;D

Your guitar work is awesome, hey, I´m proud we are friends!

Hope before the end of the year I can send you that waited for ever Nitro stuff...I´m waiting for almost 3 years myself!

Very cool demo, Aku, in deed.

[nitroboy]

After some more listenings I like the 3 songs equally...

I remember digging your 1st demo as well....

...are we seeing the birth of a real great band?!?

Hope so!!!

[Aku]

Thanks, Caesar! ;D Glad you liked the demo.

Hope you get the stuff.. Can't say that you haven't been patient ;D 3 years, wow. I bought an original JG Metal Power ad off eBay a while ago myself, but it hasn't shown up yet. I hope that it'll arrive eventually.

[S-H]

aku said:

Thanks, great input.

I don't know where you read that I use an Ibanez.. I'm using a Jackson RR3, with Dimarzio Breed (Bridge) and Paf Pro (Neck). The rhythm guitars were recorded through Line 6 GuitarPort. Leads were recorded with a Laney TF320 and a modified Tubescreamer.

I'll have to check out that Kiko Loureiro dude!

No probs, sorry it took until now to post- but my computer is dog *** & it wasn't playing the audio (although the page itself came up).

I assumed you were/are the guy in the front of the picture on the Black Tower page holding the Ibanez.

How is the Tubescreamer modified? Is it an "Analogue Man" mod?

[Aku]

rivera213 said:

No probs, sorry it took until now to post- but my computer is dog s*** & it wasn't playing the audio (although the page itself came up).

Hey, no sweat.

rivera213 said:

I assumed you were/are the guy in the front of the picture on the Black Tower page holding the Ibanez.

Ah, I see ;D That's our old rhythm guitarist, we have a new one now. I'm the one beside him, on the left side. That is a really old pic, I must say. Our old keyboard player is there as well, though he hasn't been in the band since the first demo.

rivera213 said:

How is the Tubescreamer modified? Is it an "Analogue Man" mod?

I'm sorry, but I don't know/remember the specifics about how it is modded. A Finnish guy did it for me. All I know is that it sounds great

[S-H]

Oh ok, you should steal his guitar and send it to me. ;D

"Analogue Man" is the nickname for a dude called Mike who knows way too much about TS pedals. Lol.

Loads of guys can mod pedals so there's not 1 better than the other but analogue man is famous for modding amongst others- Scott Henderson's TS and his tone is awesome.

Does the Finnish guy have a website?

[Aku]

rivera213 said:

Does the Finnish guy have a website?

Yeah... but it's in Finnish, heh