Headbanging Monks

It's been a while since I have regularly posted. This track is cool because it's different. I have two main themes going. It's kinda like two choruses - each with their own melody.



I am tuned to standard 8-string tuning: F# B E A D G B E. This song contains some 7/4 time signature.

I used POD Farm to record, as always, and my DAW is still Reaper. I have learned more about mixing and mastering, so it sounds better than what I used to put out.

You will hear multiple parts in this track. There is the ambient guitar, dual-tracked rhythm guitars (I didn't feel like quad-tracking), and occasionally lead guitars. You also can hear the guitar solos when the choruses (themes) play. The bass is my Ibanez RG8 guitar EQ'd and brought an octave down. It sounded better than using Trilogy plugin because I can easily slide around, giving it a more realistic sound. There's gotta be a way otherwise, but I always hated programming MIDI anyway. The drums are still EZdrummer DFH, but they are now compressed and EQ'd so they should sound way better like in Mt. Kilimanjaro.

It's a weird title, I know, but I wanted something that would catch people's interest and click on it. I also wanted to try the silly track name like Wide Eyes does. I couldn't find the perfect picture for this track because you just don't see many headbanging monks do you? I figured it was a great title - after I posted my starting to compose such a track on my personal facebook - because one of my "friends" on facebook liked the status, and I never hear from him.

The file is pretty big, that I uploaded, and so I hope the quality is nice.

I tried to follow my heart once again on this one.

Brandon of Analyzed Within
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No live show

I don't think that show is happening for us. After being dropped once and then put back on, and rescheduled twice, I'm sick of the whole thing. We kinda all are, and so we are not planning on doing the show after all. I've lost my enthusiasm and energy, so forget it.

However, on a good note, I was able to get with my cousin Josh for vocals on Analyzed Within. We are wanting to work hard and get this out to you guys. Been saying that for a while, and the reason we couldn't release a single was because of technical issues. We had problems with the MIDI, and so we are going to wait until the end to figure it out.

I'm starting a new job tomorrow, so that's pretty exciting and nerve-racking at the same time.

New 8-string

Nobody reads this anyway - especially since I haven't posted in a while.
So I will post about my April Fools' joke for this year. This is my new 8-string you see in this video screenshot. I bought this Ibanez RG8 from Guitar Center a few weeks ago and I love it! I had to do some adjustments so the strings wouldn't buzz so much. I am tuned to EAEADGBE.

So this joke is basically a ridiculous 30 second death metal song about April Fools'. Really, the video is a joke itself because it has blastbeat drums all the way through and is played so fast and just crazy all together. I did the vocals (inhale screams) and you can see it on April 1 on my first YouTube channel. The lyrics are as follows:

THE SUN IS RISING
PREPARE FOR TODAY
YOUR FRIENDS ARE YOUR FOES
BUT NO MORE TO PLAY

YOU STAND THERE CONFUSED
SO WHAT DO YOU SAY?
BUT THEN YOU REMEMBER
TODAY IS APRIL FOOLS'! 

You can watch a more serious 8-string video below. I still need to shoot a video for my "low end" showcase. I called the song "Mount Kilimanjaro." I am not anywhere near the mountain, so I guess I will have to get creative for my background. (no green screen available.) This is "Living in the Last Days" below.



Our show didn't take place yesterday, but has been moved to April 20. I do have a new job coming on April 15 at Verizon Wireless. Thankfully, the day of the show doesn't conflict with the new job.

Eric M. writing solo

Writing my guest solo for my good friend @analyzedwithin in between study breaks. This track is going to be awesome! :) I am excited :D
— Eric Maldonado (@Eric_Maldonado) March 17, 2013

He is referring to my band's track, "The Lion Has Come To Defeat The Dragon."

EP track listing

Okay, this is the official track listing for my band's upcoming EP, Living in the Last Days. Officially, it's only me and my cousin, Josh, in the band Analyzed Within. I will be working on placing bonus material in a digital package for all those who download the entire album from Bandcamp.

Remember, the EP is going to be free. Just name your price - type in $0 if you want it for free; however, any contribution helps. Okay, enough talking! Here's your list. Coming soon! Nearly all of the songs are tracked! Josh is working his lyrical magic just down the road from me.



ANALYZED WITHIN
Living in the Last Days EP


1. Beginning of Sorrows
2. Living in the Last Days
3. The Testing of Christians
4. The Lion Has Come to Defeat the Dragon
5. The Mount of Olives
6. Our Hope is Here