RocK OooN!!

Avenged Sevenfold - Nightmare

2010-07-09T21:25:00.001+02:00

Just when I thought there was no room for thundering dual guitar harmonies, this band from Huntintong Beach, California shows up. Definitely some power metal influences there and they are very welcome into my list of favorites. We need more stuff like this! So keep it up! And readers, be sure to check out their album Nightmare.

Ozzy Osbourne - Let me hear you scream

2010-07-09T21:16:00.001+02:00

Ozzy is back! With this insanely powerful single Let me hear you scream. Nothing particularly special in terms of sound and production but nevertheless it's good to hear back from Ozz. Enjoy!

Deftones - Diamond Eyes

2010-05-06T00:41:00.003+02:00

Deftones is back after their former bassist Chi's unfortunate accident. The Sacramento band is rocking as hard as ever and this song is particularly awesome. The guitar is just spasmodically big and Chino Moreno's voice fits the record perfectly. There's a big fantasy element to the whole album and the video reflects this. It's great to see them back so be sure to check their album Diamond Eyes and also, visit Chi's support website.

Three Days Grace

2010-04-16T22:10:00.005+02:00

So it's Three Days Grace's turn. Adam Gontier is easily one of the best rock singers out there. The guitars are big but I think the bass guitar is the instrument that stands out the most. They did quite a good job at the layering during the instrumental bridge, however the chorus is the real hook. It just has so much energy and the lyrics fit in perfectly.

This was the first single from their latest album Life Starts Now, and I personally like it more than their latest single The Good Life. Check it out!

New strings!

2010-04-16T00:51:00.004+02:00

I ordered a set of D'Adario XL drop C strings about a week ago and I got them today. For those of you who aren't guitarists or have no idea what drop C tuning is, well, basically you tune the whole guitar two semitones lower except for the lowest string, which is downtuned 2 semitones further down, reaching a low C. It's pretty common in alternative metal. I think this is the first time I try strings that are actually meant to be played on an alternative tuning. I have to say they sound pretty awesome.

So I couldn't resist and I recorded a little video of myself playing these heavy gauge monsters. Hope you like it! If you're wondering about what I'm using for the sound, it's a Line 6 POD Studio UX1.

Alice in Chains - Your Decision

2010-04-14T21:22:00.005+02:00

It's good to see Alice in Chains come up with another great hit after the success of Check my Brain. This song is quite pleasing to the ear, but it's not sugary. The acoustic guitars are balanced with a healthy dose of lead guitar with just the right amount of distorsion. Cantrell and DuVall once again do an awesome job at their dual lead vocals, which is pretty much Alice in Chains's signature. Be sure to check their album Black Gives Way to Blue.

Thiago Campos - Metropolis (Dream Theater cover)

2010-04-14T21:02:00.001+02:00

I have to say, this is one of those rare occasions when an almost exact cover version of a song actually ends up sounding better than the original. Every single musician is simply amazing.

Will Shaw hits every high note and his voice is in my opinion a little more pleasing than Dream Theater's Labrie's (that will earn me some enemies). Thiago Campos has mastered Petrucci's technique and seems to play his lightning fast licks with unbelievable ease. Paulinho "Portnoy" brings the drums of a young Mike Portnoy back to life in all their glory. Felipe Campos excels at the six string bass guitar and Cesar Zolhof delivers an amazing performance.

I am a big fan of progressive metal of the nineties/early noughties, so this video brought a lot of good memories.

Slipknot - Dead Memories

2010-04-14T00:02:00.010+02:00

Slipknot needs no introduction. The masked men of Des Moines came up with this energy loaded, melodically impregnated, crowd surfing cry of desperation.

The distorted arpeggio guitars set the scene, and the intro drums have that perfect touch of tribal simplicity. Corey Taylor's voice takes a break from the screams and nails every note right in the head, as usual. Low tuned guitars fill the atmosphere with powerchords and octaves in all their diminished scale glory.

The solo is pretty good, and it doesn't seem to be intended to be a technical masterpiece. All in all, another great Slipknot song from their album All hope is gone.

Drowning Pool - Feel like I do

2010-04-12T20:03:00.009+02:00

I love this song. There's something about the guitar line early on that has a slight air of 'Paranoid'. The groove is catchy, the guitars sound big enough and McCombs's voice sounds as powerful as ever. The Texan band's eponymous album will soon be released, so get ready!

Skillet - Monster

2010-03-31T23:44:00.012+02:00

Skillet is a band from Memphis, Tennessee. They are not new in the business, they've been around and it shows in this song.

Right from the start, this is one of those songs that couldn't start any better. That 'in your face' sound on the guitar that is made bigger by a second track playing on the other side. Schoolbook multiple guitar tracking, executed perfectly, the drum kick is spot on. Korey Cooper's voice has just the right amount of growl and there's a nice touch of high pitched guitars in the chorus.

The bridge is short but effective, plagal cadences never grow old. I'm not crazy about the weird, burpy effect they used on the break, but it it creates enough tension, which is the whole point anyway. Be sure to check their album Awake.