These are the four other recordings I did, but decided to scrap for one reason or another.
Recording One:
I recorded this first idea just before I put together ‘In Flames.’
Listening back on this idea, I actually really like it. The reason for this not being on my EP is because I could not write the bass or drums into it. I was completely out of ideas as for where to take it so I took the risk of starting anew. Luckily the choice was a good one and I swiftly produced the song ‘In Flames,’ but it was a big risk to take considering the time scale.
This idea is essentially keeping an E in the bass while Strumming out some power chords on the A string, and is based around the E Locrian mode. The second part also makes use quick chromatic notes and ‘Rage Against the machine’ style licks.
At the time this idea just didn’t really stick out to me as being interesting, and I was also aiming for a bit more dive out of the second song, which i did achieve with ‘In Flames.’
Recording Two:
This idea, while fast and heavy, just felt far too erratic to use on my EP. Although it truly is a test of my speed and skill as a metal guitarist, the riff felt far too overcrowded and unnecessarily quick – as though I was trying too hard in a way.
The recording is based around a G power-chord and an F power chord and is playing at semi-quavers throughout. The only extra part is the descending notes in the style of the song ‘Seek and Destroy’ by Metallica.
I still don’t like this idea and will most likely never go back to it, however it did help to inspire the use of the Locrian mode in some of my other recordings.
Recording Three:
This idea I really liked, and still do in fact, but it just wasn’t the right style for my EP unfortunately. This track has a real funk element to it and gives a nod towards bands such as the ‘Red Hot Chili Peppers’ rather than the ‘Metal’ sound that I wanted. nonetheless though, I do like this idea and plan on developing this into a song for my band in the near future.
The chords used in this I actually took from the solo section of the famous song ‘Sweet Child o’ Mine’ by ‘Guns n Roses.’ the lead bit is just playing in a funk fashion between the notes A and G on the D string. The second half of this recording is in E Locrian, and makes use of the semi-tone break between E and F. It also uses ‘Message in a Bottle’ style 9th arpeggios descending down the neck.
I recorded this as my second attempt at the song ‘In Flames’ however It just wasn’t quite heavy enough to go on the EP. As I have said though, this idea will not be wasted in future.
Recording Four:
This Idea I do actually like, but I feel as though there is still a lot of work that can be done to improve it. It also has a very ‘Red Hot Chili Peppers’ vibe about it. When writing this I actually wrote using a drum kit. I had this idea of an acoustic intro and then a massive guitar tone, with the drums playing triplets in a militarily style.
The guitar is essentially playing route notes and their major or minor thirds an octave higher, and is based in E natural minor. When the distorted guitar kicks in, the same chords are being played, but as full barre chords with the same triplet rhythm as the drums.
The bass goes from chugging the route notes to playing a slap bass rhythm through the distorted part, and this really thickens the texture of the track.
The guitar solo over the top is all in E Aeolian, and has several bends and ascending / descending runs, but is more or less fairly pentatonic in nature and not vary demanding as a standalone solo.
I do think that this has some potential, and was only given up on as it wasn’t the right style for my EP. I would lie to develop this into a proper song with a band in the near future as I have mentioned doing with my third unused idea. Thus particular track did inspire me to continue using 3rd harmonies in my music as well as the 5th harmonies I used in the track ‘In Flames.’