topvega

Thanks Paulo, I appreciate the kind words of support and your taking the time to check it out. This is one of my more mellow tracks. Most of my stuff is a lot harder than this.

Thanks again.

tv

StaticNomad 15th Aug 2013 02:22 - 11 years ago

on As Freedom Dies by topvega

It rocks but it's definitely not heavy metal, as far as I hear it. Metal isn't only about the guitar and the drums would need to be a lot heavier to move it into that genre.

They're good riffs and some of the second (lead) guitar work with those trills is good and psychedelic though the drums let it down as they're using the same fills and patterns too often.

If you want to make a track like this as good as it could/should be, the drumming needs to improve so I hope you get some better software a range of hypersampled kits and start to make good use of the many MIDI files from professional drummers that such software generally comes with (or you can buy the MIDI packs separately). I have great fun all the time working with loads and loads of great professional patterns and mixing them up and layering them and using changes in groove to help me change riffs.

Apart from improved drums (both sounds and playing/patterns) I think this could do with some other change - perhaps something like another sort of instrument coming in (synth?) or the guitar dropping out to leave more space and let the track breathe a bit (allows you also to build it back up again and come back in with a blast).

Or could be good without making those changes I suggested but just having some vocals. Then the lead psychedelic trills could come in when the vocals are having a break and that would count as a change and create some excitement. GOod luck with it...

topvega replied 17th Aug 2013 - 11 years ago

I originally had it in the Rock section and moved it after CitizenMofo's comment. I will move it back to Rock, thanks.

As for the drums, I wholeheartedly agree. The drums are always the weakest link in my songs by far. I rely too much on samples or drum machines and the loops are static sounding. I have Jam Stix 3 but the drums never sound loud enough or have enough impact with them. I just got Addictive Drums and am practicing with that. Hopefully that will help out the drum sound. I also agree with it being a little busy in spots and unrelenting lead guitar wise. I tend to over do my lead work, I think it's because I wish I could sing and I kinda use the guitar to do the singing. :)

I appreciate the input and you taking the time to listen to it. Always nice to get outside input.

Thanks again.

tv

Evisma 12th Aug 2013 02:51 - 11 years ago

on Faded My Battle with the Bong by topvega

Reminds me of some Govt Mule. Your guitar riffs seem very set and not an off the cuff attempt. Sounds weird, but I appreciate a guitarist who can play the same thing 8 times and not change it. Diggin it.

topvega replied 14th Aug 2013 - 11 years ago

Funny you say that, I have to try real hard to repeat a riff over and over again. I tend to get bored easily and wind up with a more off the cuff take. I appreciate the kind words and your taking the time to listen.
Thanks again.

tv

lostjoe333 31st Jul 2013 00:51 - 11 years ago

on Have No Regrets by topvega

a good time jam topvega
i hope to hear some vocals on this....
stellar guitar work as always

topvega replied 1st Aug 2013 - 11 years ago

Thanks bro...I appreciate the kind words, especially on the guitar work. Always nice to know if something works or not. I wish i could do some vocals but I have yet to have much success. Thanks for taking the time to give it a listen and for leaving a comment.

tv

crucethus 28th Jul 2013 17:17 - 11 years ago

on Have No Regrets by topvega

Love those guitars, and the bass is awesome too!

topvega replied 29th Jul 2013 - 11 years ago

Thanks for giving it a listen and for the support....it's greatly appreciated. This was a fun song to do guitar and bass wise for sure.

tv

mrwolf14 26th Jul 2013 15:31 - 11 years ago

on Frayed and Dismayed by topvega

Hello TV,
I like it a lot and the sound quality is very good!
Definitely you need to find somebody to sing on this!
Very good
Domenico

topvega replied 29th Jul 2013 - 11 years ago

Thanks a lot Domenico, I appreciate the support. I wish I could sing better, just not there yet. Probably won't ever be able to sing well enough. Maybe someone will get an idea and drop some vocals.

Thanks again.

tv

CitizenMofo 8th Jul 2013 02:48 - 11 years ago

on As Freedom Dies by topvega

This rocks. Yeah the drum's a bit of a weak link, and (the right) vocals could be nice, but I don't mind that it's an instrumental one bit, so long as it's headbangingly delicious, and this is a crowd mover. Not heavy enough for the heavy metal genre? I disagree on that one, dude. Great work.

topvega replied 13th Jul 2013 - 11 years ago

Thanks man, I feel you on the leave it as an instrumental thing. As I was mixing it and brightening the sounds a bit I felt like it might be tough for vocals to compete with all that is going on. Everything I do starts as if it will someday have vocals. I have yet to sit down and do a pure instrumental, but this makes me a bit more interested in going in and working on it as an instrumental. Thanks for that thought. After a couple listens I don't know why I didn't think this was Heavy enough...lol. I am going to move it to the Heavy Metal Genre. Thanks for the input and for taking the time to give it a listen.

tv

Danke 7th Jul 2013 23:21 - 11 years ago

on As Freedom Dies by topvega

TV!

I'm really sorry but I don't hear nor StaticX neither Fear Factory...but I hear an outstandingly "headbangingly" groovy, bloody brilliant stoner rock song a la KYUSS...John Garcia is laughing proudly somewhere now... :-)

THANX TV, ALWAYS LOVE YOUR WORKS, MAN

Danke

topvega replied 13th Jul 2013 - 11 years ago

Lol danke...yeah I can hear some KYUSS influence. I think the Staic-X thing I am getting is more due to the drum track. I thanks you for taking the time to listen and leave a comment. I also appreciate all the support.

tv

xBioHazardx 7th Jul 2013 17:31 - 11 years ago

on As Freedom Dies by topvega

Great track man. I'm surprised I'm the first person to comment. Great riffs and awesome bass line. Good drum beat but would obviously sound better being played by an actual drummer to give it a better feel. All round great song. Only advise is get a drummer and this song is just calling out for some awesome lyrics over the top and a solo in the middle. Hope this has helped and looking forward to hearing more of your tracks in the future.

topvega replied 7th Jul 2013 - 11 years ago

Thanks bro, I was starting to think I just totally missed the mark on this one. I think it is probably the best track I have ever done to this point. Seemed like I was the only one though, lol. Thanks for giving it a listen and for the support. Yeah the drums in all my tracks leave a lot to be desired. I have limited skills in the drum department. Trying to get better at working with Jam Stix 3 but couldn't get anything close to this sound drum wise and really wanted that Static-X feel. Maybe someone will get inspired to do some vocals, I am not sure if I can do anything short of a bad impression of Wayne Static. :)

Thanks again for the support, I appreciate it. Nice to know at least one other person out there thinks this track is any good. :) Maybe I need to move it to the Heavy Metal Genre?

tv

DanGoldstein 29th Jun 2013 21:54 - 11 years ago

on Roll Them Bones by topvega

nice guitar work. the mix sounds great. peace.

topvega replied 30th Jun 2013 - 11 years ago

Thanks man, Appreciate you taking the time to listen and leave a comment.

tv

DesignedImpression 28th Jun 2013 20:31 - 11 years ago

on Roll Them Bones by topvega

I enjoy this style of yours man. The sounds revolve around my head, from left to the right front to back as I sit here still. Dig them grooves. The hip hop rock flavor is a favorite of mine and you did a fine job here, even though it's old it still remains fresh. Gives that 'don't mess with me, I'm jammin' feel ha. This holds well on its own, vocals would add to the flavor but what I like about this idea is already here! Thank you for the share. Fun jam. Peace.

topvega replied 28th Jun 2013 - 11 years ago

Thanks for the very kind words bro...it's nice to know something you are so passionate about resonates with others. I love a good Hip Hop flavor in my Rock from time to time. I just look for inspiring drum beats to work with. Sometimes they are leaning this way. :)
Thanks for taking the time to give it a listen, it is appreciated.

tv

AlienSymbiosis 28th Jun 2013 19:18 - 11 years ago

on Roll Them Bones by topvega

Awesome. Kind of makes me think of Blue Oyster Cult with a little ZZ Top flavor.

topvega replied 28th Jun 2013 - 11 years ago

Thanks bro, I think I owe the BOC influence to my wife, she loves them. I am a big ZZ Top fan and think Billy Gibbons is a master of guitar tone. Appreciate you giving it a listen and taking the time to comment.

tv

crucethus 28th Jun 2013 05:51 - 11 years ago

on Roll Them Bones by topvega

Nice song. For some reason This makes me want to listen to Molly Hatchet now!

topvega replied 28th Jun 2013 - 11 years ago

Haha...nothing wrong with a little Molly...:)

I appreciate you taking the time to give it a listen.

tv

Burtsbluesboxes 28th Jun 2013 03:41 - 11 years ago

on Roll Them Bones by topvega

Roll em fat too! This sounds Great!! I need to take my thumb out of my butt and learn Reaper, Yeah rip them solos up like a nice big smelly fart!! Thank you for sharing these awesome tracks! I'm no good with vocals either, I got one coming soon with a little death metal growls but that's it for me LOL!, other than saying some things for samples.

topvega replied 28th Jun 2013 - 11 years ago

Thanks bro, glad you enjoyed this. As for Reaper, I love it. If you are interested I can send you the tutorial videos I have for it. They helped me out big time. If you are interested hit me up at Toppervega@aol.com. I can zip up all the videos and email them to you. Best part about Reaper is it's not a disabled version. You can use it till you get comfortable with it before even buying a license. I look forward to hearing your Death Metal track. I will keep an eye out for it.

tv

evilarmy83 28th Jun 2013 02:18 - 11 years ago

on Roll Them Bones by topvega

The track if fxckin rockin, its my opinion that u should b more aggressive with the solo's. Dont b shy to rip em like a fart rite in front of everyone, :)

topvega replied 28th Jun 2013 - 11 years ago

Thanks man, I appreciate the support and the call for more aggressive solos. This track was done over a year ago and I have since gotten a bit more aggressive. Still room to turn it up more though. I appreciate you taking the time to listen and leave a comment.

tv

mrwolf14 24th Jun 2013 10:57 - 11 years ago

on Chicken heads and Ratchets by topvega

I think I may have already said this to you, but I really like the "live feeling" on your songs.
It really sounds like a real band is playing.
Good!
I think the song has still some "rough" edges (a couple of notes here and there) but this is good stuff!
Domenico

topvega replied 25th Jun 2013 - 11 years ago

You have Domenico, and I appreciate the kind words and the support. You are right abpout the need to go in and clean up some spots. I will be on vacay next week and will have the time to go in and do some retakes in certain areas to clean up things. Also want to get better tone on the lead guitar. It needs to shimmer a little.

Thanks for taking the time to listen and leave a comment. It's appreciated.

tv

evilarmy83 24th Jun 2013 07:55 - 11 years ago

on Chicken heads and Ratchets by topvega

Fuggin awesome!!!

topvega replied 25th Jun 2013 - 11 years ago

Thanks bro. Always nice to get positive feedback. Thanks for taking the time to check it out.

tv

AlienSymbiosis 23rd Jun 2013 04:08 - 11 years ago

on Chicken heads and Ratchets by topvega

The lead guitar playing on this has a kind of David Gilmour feeling. Great song overall. I like this.