I'm finally done the lead guitar tab for Like A Slave!
head hurts from too much computer screen @_@
gp5 format:http://www.fileuploading.net/111080
pdf format:http://www.fileuploading.net/152862
Enjoy!
On a totally different side note, I'll finally be meeting with the counsellor later today...
Monday, February 23, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Meshuggah concert review
Soooo awesome to be concise!
The sound was almost perfect, they played the best songs from their albums and more (including the first one from Obzen) and the singer makes the funniest angry faces! But boy was it tricky sometimes to headbang to their songs. Do I follow the drummer's high hat or the guitars that are consistently off-beat? Anyways, it was thoroughly enjoyable to be sonically pummeled with super-tight distorted ryhthms. The screaming was also album quality and really added to the sound.
It was sold out, there was crazy moshing and crowd surfing (one guy went right over my head!) and they were filming it which means they must love Montreal.
The first opening band was surprisingly awesome as well and I bought their CD afterwards. They're called The Faceless and they're like a more progressive version of Bloodbath with a little black metal mixed in for good measure. The vocalist was really good too. He had a great range of gutteral growling to higher screaming (but not screechy). The lead guitar parts were pretty crazy, good use of sweeping and tapping techniques. I wanna play like him!
And to top off my night, my buddy spotted a poster on Club Soda saying Alestorm is coming in March, just when I started to really like them! They play cheesy pirate metal but it's so catchy it makes me smile every time I hear their songs, like Captain Morgan's Revenge!
The sound was almost perfect, they played the best songs from their albums and more (including the first one from Obzen) and the singer makes the funniest angry faces! But boy was it tricky sometimes to headbang to their songs. Do I follow the drummer's high hat or the guitars that are consistently off-beat? Anyways, it was thoroughly enjoyable to be sonically pummeled with super-tight distorted ryhthms. The screaming was also album quality and really added to the sound.
It was sold out, there was crazy moshing and crowd surfing (one guy went right over my head!) and they were filming it which means they must love Montreal.
The first opening band was surprisingly awesome as well and I bought their CD afterwards. They're called The Faceless and they're like a more progressive version of Bloodbath with a little black metal mixed in for good measure. The vocalist was really good too. He had a great range of gutteral growling to higher screaming (but not screechy). The lead guitar parts were pretty crazy, good use of sweeping and tapping techniques. I wanna play like him!
And to top off my night, my buddy spotted a poster on Club Soda saying Alestorm is coming in March, just when I started to really like them! They play cheesy pirate metal but it's so catchy it makes me smile every time I hear their songs, like Captain Morgan's Revenge!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Meshuggah!!!
Eeeee Meshuggah is coming tomorrow!!! It's going to be so awesome, I just wonder if I should bring earplugs or not....
I can't wait to be confuzzled by their crazy time signatures and off-beat rhythms!
I can't wait to be confuzzled by their crazy time signatures and off-beat rhythms!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
gothic dream
I had an odd dream last night that I really want to remember. It could be handy inspiration for some later artwork.
In my dream I was on a guided tour somewhere in Japan ( which I did do in real life) and it was nighttime in a hotel lobby. Everyone in the group was gathered and our guide told us we were going to see the subway system. So we walked to the nearest station and waited for the metro to come. The station was grey and rather dull but when the metro did finally come, it was a bunch of old rickety wooden wagons linked together like the ones you sometimes see in mines. We all got in, as if everything was normal and soon it was like we were on a roller-coaster underground. It went fast and bumpy and sometimes the tracks would take us onto the walls so we were speeding through sideways and struggling to stay in the wooden cars. At first we were traveling through normal subway tunnels. There just wasn't much light. But then the tunnels widened into huge rooms with 4 or 5 story high ceilings and they housed a multitude of just the facades of old gothic cathedrals. It was dark but there were some lamps around so we could see the beautiful architecture and stained glass windows. As you looked up higher at the cathedrals they would disappear into the darkness. It was very surreal. Then I noticed that there were people standing around and going in and out of the cathedrals and they were all dressed in black cloaks with hoods that hid their faces. I wanted to get out of the wood car and see what they were up to and what was inside the cathedrals but then I woke up.
In my dream I was on a guided tour somewhere in Japan ( which I did do in real life) and it was nighttime in a hotel lobby. Everyone in the group was gathered and our guide told us we were going to see the subway system. So we walked to the nearest station and waited for the metro to come. The station was grey and rather dull but when the metro did finally come, it was a bunch of old rickety wooden wagons linked together like the ones you sometimes see in mines. We all got in, as if everything was normal and soon it was like we were on a roller-coaster underground. It went fast and bumpy and sometimes the tracks would take us onto the walls so we were speeding through sideways and struggling to stay in the wooden cars. At first we were traveling through normal subway tunnels. There just wasn't much light. But then the tunnels widened into huge rooms with 4 or 5 story high ceilings and they housed a multitude of just the facades of old gothic cathedrals. It was dark but there were some lamps around so we could see the beautiful architecture and stained glass windows. As you looked up higher at the cathedrals they would disappear into the darkness. It was very surreal. Then I noticed that there were people standing around and going in and out of the cathedrals and they were all dressed in black cloaks with hoods that hid their faces. I wanted to get out of the wood car and see what they were up to and what was inside the cathedrals but then I woke up.
Stoopid stress
This past week has been difficult spiritually speaking. The main problem being that I couldn't go to small group or to my church today. But earlier in the week too, I had a hard time because I felt extremely tempted to call an ex who's now a friend so we could hang out. The trouble is that when I'm with him I can't help but smoke up with him. Basically, I shouldn't hang out with him anymore but I still call him when I feel really stressed and need to get away from the house for a little bit. I really depend on him too much to feel better. I need to find something else to do when I'm stressed and need to relax. But anyway, I ended up going over, watching tv and getting giggly and then sleepy.
Another disappointment is that I was supposed to see a Christian councillor tomorrow but it's been moved to two weeks from now. I was actually very nervous to start councilling sessions because I really don't want to think about my issues that I'm not even entirely aware of. Also, I'm afraid she might try to turn me into a cookie-cutter Christian, tell me not to listen to metal, stop dressing weird and such. Or be like, 'God loves you so what's the problem?'. That would be quite awful.
But in the end, I just want to get it over with but now I have to wait some more. Maybe God is trying to teach me patience or something.
To lighten up this post a little, I recently came across the 2 funniest pictures I have ever seen! I feel it relates to my post partially about how silly and over-the-top those black metal guys can be. Some are aware of how it's kind of funny how evil they're trying to be but some are embarassingly not so aware. The pics are from a thread from ultimate metal forum about Bloodbath (but the pics have nothing to do with them)
This last one is my absolute favorite! I always have to laugh out loud at it! Aah metal, so awesome...
Friday, February 13, 2009
tab note to myself
I'm going to tab some more songs from Kalmah but before I forget which ones, I am writing them down now.
-Like A Slave
-The Third, The Magical
Maybe:
- The Hellfire
- For the Revolution
Oh yeah, and for sure Oroborus by Gojira
-Like A Slave
-The Third, The Magical
Maybe:
- The Hellfire
- For the Revolution
Oh yeah, and for sure Oroborus by Gojira
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
photoshop film tip
Another little tip I just learned today.
If you have a subtle image with not much contrast (but you like it that way) and you need to print a film of it which means you have to turn it B&W, you can go into image, adjustments and black and white and then you can choose how dark or light certain colours will be. Which gives you more options than just getting rid of the colour information.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Kalmah - Doubtful About it All tab
Whew I'm finally done! guitar pro is pretty awesome but I don't like how you need the program to see tabs made by it so I also exported my tab into pdf. I sort of mixed in a bit of the rhythm guitar part but the lead guitar notes are all accurate.
There just might be a different fingering for one part but only the starting fret would change. You can also play the song with the dropped C string tuned at D instead which again wouldn't change the tab much since you don't need that string alot anyway. (I tuned it down to C because I'm pretty sure the rhythm guitar does)
I might be off with the number of repeats for some parts since some of them repeat so much but surely you can deal with that yourself.
Anyways, try it out and tell me what you think!
Here's the pdf:
http://www.fileuploading.net/773714
Here's the guitar pro 5 file:
http://www.fileuploading.net/857110
There just might be a different fingering for one part but only the starting fret would change. You can also play the song with the dropped C string tuned at D instead which again wouldn't change the tab much since you don't need that string alot anyway. (I tuned it down to C because I'm pretty sure the rhythm guitar does)
I might be off with the number of repeats for some parts since some of them repeat so much but surely you can deal with that yourself.
Anyways, try it out and tell me what you think!
Here's the pdf:
http://www.fileuploading.net/773714
Here's the guitar pro 5 file:
http://www.fileuploading.net/857110
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Kalmah lyrics
Normally I don't really pay attention to lyrics in metal songs because that's not the focal point for me. Plus they are usually pretty silly. Children of Bodom is a very good (bad?) example of this! But I just love Doubtful About it All so much I thought I should see what it's about and I was pleasantly surprised. It's actually somewhat intelligent. So here they are to enjoy!
Doubtful About it All by Kalmah
Things move when I'm not watching them
They have their own will
And I don't even feel insane
Because I know I'm ill
I know there is an eye and I'm under observation
I am a marked man got some information
Governments use millions for supervision
Global message interception
Satellite receivers of Echelon system
Carnivore technique for digital control
It is said that terror lives behind the wall of privacy
But what do the rights really mean in our society?
Finger prints, personal I.D, credit card, database
A paradox of privacy
Doubtful about it all
Eyes of god, secret crimes, causality, reckoning day
A paradox of humanity
A paradox of humanity
Doubtful about it all
Doubtful About it All by Kalmah
Things move when I'm not watching them
They have their own will
And I don't even feel insane
Because I know I'm ill
I know there is an eye and I'm under observation
I am a marked man got some information
Governments use millions for supervision
Global message interception
Satellite receivers of Echelon system
Carnivore technique for digital control
It is said that terror lives behind the wall of privacy
But what do the rights really mean in our society?
Finger prints, personal I.D, credit card, database
A paradox of privacy
Doubtful about it all
Eyes of god, secret crimes, causality, reckoning day
A paradox of humanity
A paradox of humanity
Doubtful about it all
Saturday, February 7, 2009
on metal and Christianity
I've been thinking for a while now how it works to be Christian and a fan of metal, ie. Christian metalhead, especially death and black metal amongst many other types. Alot of this kind of music have very negative lyrics including extreme violence and satanism. Do these lyrics affect me and am I giving my money to real satanists? It is also worrisome that my choice in music often reflects how I am emotionally.
There is definitely alot of Christian metal out there so I tried out Demon Hunter and Extol, but the former sounds like metalcore which I find boring and Extol was decent but sounded like a not as good version of Opeth. Hopefully I'll find more out there that I will really like.
I don't think the lyrics of black/death metal bands affect me much because of the simple practical fact that it's hard to make out what the singer is saying anyway! But after many listenings I have found I got used to Dimmu Borgir's singer and could eventually understand what he's saying. So, I listen to them a bit less but I find their riffs and melodies so good I don't think I'll ever totally stop. I decided to draw the line at concerts, they came here not so long ago and I decided not to go. The atmosphere was probably not suitable for a Christian.
But I think my biggest reason for continuing to listen to death/black metal (other than the growling, riffs, interesting chord progressions, solos and double-bass drums) is because of human nature. It is rare and difficult for most people to ascribe to ideals (whether Christian or not) seriously, and not just when it is convenient or popular to do so. Most of these bands use dark subject matter as theatrical entertainment and to get attention and sometimes to even poke fun at themselves. Even Dimmu Borgir doesn't mind that on Metalocalypse there's a fast food chain called Dimmu Burger. Their singer even made a voice appearance in the show (I think). And I personally love the over-the-top, cheesy posturing they do. Even the wonderful death growling is powerful but also cookie-monster-like at the same time!
Also, I prefer to hear about people struggling or thinking about the concept of God rather than totally ignoring the idea and singing about 'love', lust and money.
As for the link between the music I listen to and my emotional health, I think my choice in music simply is unconsciously affected by my emotions and not the other way around. But what we choose to focus on is important, afterall Jesus has told us to turn our eyes on him. So, I've got to sing and play more praise songs, like my favorite: Be Thou My Vision. It'll be a struggle since I just don't feel like it these days but I've got to. I'll do it right now!
Dimmu Borgir strutting their silly awesome stuff
There is definitely alot of Christian metal out there so I tried out Demon Hunter and Extol, but the former sounds like metalcore which I find boring and Extol was decent but sounded like a not as good version of Opeth. Hopefully I'll find more out there that I will really like.
I don't think the lyrics of black/death metal bands affect me much because of the simple practical fact that it's hard to make out what the singer is saying anyway! But after many listenings I have found I got used to Dimmu Borgir's singer and could eventually understand what he's saying. So, I listen to them a bit less but I find their riffs and melodies so good I don't think I'll ever totally stop. I decided to draw the line at concerts, they came here not so long ago and I decided not to go. The atmosphere was probably not suitable for a Christian.
But I think my biggest reason for continuing to listen to death/black metal (other than the growling, riffs, interesting chord progressions, solos and double-bass drums) is because of human nature. It is rare and difficult for most people to ascribe to ideals (whether Christian or not) seriously, and not just when it is convenient or popular to do so. Most of these bands use dark subject matter as theatrical entertainment and to get attention and sometimes to even poke fun at themselves. Even Dimmu Borgir doesn't mind that on Metalocalypse there's a fast food chain called Dimmu Burger. Their singer even made a voice appearance in the show (I think). And I personally love the over-the-top, cheesy posturing they do. Even the wonderful death growling is powerful but also cookie-monster-like at the same time!
Also, I prefer to hear about people struggling or thinking about the concept of God rather than totally ignoring the idea and singing about 'love', lust and money.
As for the link between the music I listen to and my emotional health, I think my choice in music simply is unconsciously affected by my emotions and not the other way around. But what we choose to focus on is important, afterall Jesus has told us to turn our eyes on him. So, I've got to sing and play more praise songs, like my favorite: Be Thou My Vision. It'll be a struggle since I just don't feel like it these days but I've got to. I'll do it right now!
Dimmu Borgir strutting their silly awesome stuff
doctor's appt
I finally got myself to my doctor's office yesterday and of course, living in Quebec, I had to wait all morning to see him. That man is just waaay too busy thanks to the system here.
Anyways I didn't really want to go but I had to since I've been prescribed an anti-depressant at the hospital recently. It's been a month since I started taking it but I don't really feel any different. He said that I don't need to really, it's just supposed to reduce the number of 'strange' thoughts that may enter my head. That surprised me because a number of people have told me that they usually feel numb, neither happy or sad and luckily I'm not feeling that way at all. I still get really upset and really happy. My only frustration these days is that sometimes I just don't go to class, or choir practice, or small group. I don't know if it's just because I'm lazy/spoiled, undisciplined or the depression which I sometimes am not sure I have. But other times I'm sure I do. I just don't want to use depression as an excuse to be lazy but on the other hand it is an illness that can be debilitating. Ugh. And of course, I've been feeling like I have no good friends who bother to call me or want to meet up. Enough of whininess.
I just got Guitar Pro today and spent the whole afternoon trying to figure out how to use it while fixing a tab for Kalmah's Doubtful of it All. It's fun and frustrating at the same time. For those who don't know it's a program for writing out music scores, it automatically writes out both music notation and tabs for whatever you enter and can play it back for you etc. I found a guitar pro tab for the above mentioned song somewhere (I forget where) and it's really impressive because someone figured out all the different parts like drums and keyboards including guitars. BUT, there's alot of mistakes in the lead guitar part. So I'm doing my own guitar pro tab for just the lead guitar which is almost done. I'll post it here when it is.
Anyways I didn't really want to go but I had to since I've been prescribed an anti-depressant at the hospital recently. It's been a month since I started taking it but I don't really feel any different. He said that I don't need to really, it's just supposed to reduce the number of 'strange' thoughts that may enter my head. That surprised me because a number of people have told me that they usually feel numb, neither happy or sad and luckily I'm not feeling that way at all. I still get really upset and really happy. My only frustration these days is that sometimes I just don't go to class, or choir practice, or small group. I don't know if it's just because I'm lazy/spoiled, undisciplined or the depression which I sometimes am not sure I have. But other times I'm sure I do. I just don't want to use depression as an excuse to be lazy but on the other hand it is an illness that can be debilitating. Ugh. And of course, I've been feeling like I have no good friends who bother to call me or want to meet up. Enough of whininess.
I just got Guitar Pro today and spent the whole afternoon trying to figure out how to use it while fixing a tab for Kalmah's Doubtful of it All. It's fun and frustrating at the same time. For those who don't know it's a program for writing out music scores, it automatically writes out both music notation and tabs for whatever you enter and can play it back for you etc. I found a guitar pro tab for the above mentioned song somewhere (I forget where) and it's really impressive because someone figured out all the different parts like drums and keyboards including guitars. BUT, there's alot of mistakes in the lead guitar part. So I'm doing my own guitar pro tab for just the lead guitar which is almost done. I'll post it here when it is.
colour litho tip etc
Here's a tip if you screw up while printing colour off a litho stone. If you forgot to wash out the ink when saving the stone for another day to continue printing, if it's not too late you can use lacquer thinner instead of lithotine to get it out. But use really good ventilation or a mask because it evaporates so fast and is so toxic!
In general:
- don't forget to rub in your colour ink with a little lithotine instead of asphaltum when at the press ready to print
- Afterwards, use water and kimwipes to wash off the gum/extra ink and do it quickly because the water might burn away your drawing. Then do a few fast passes.
Tomorrow I'll try to get my ass into school and do the second etch of my stone. Maybe I'll include a picture of it so far.
In general:
- don't forget to rub in your colour ink with a little lithotine instead of asphaltum when at the press ready to print
- Afterwards, use water and kimwipes to wash off the gum/extra ink and do it quickly because the water might burn away your drawing. Then do a few fast passes.
Tomorrow I'll try to get my ass into school and do the second etch of my stone. Maybe I'll include a picture of it so far.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
thankfulness
I almost forgot, I promised to make a list of things I'm thankful for, which will hopefully make me feel better when I'm down.
I'm thankful for:
a God that loves me , no matter what state I'm in or what I do
a loving, accepting father and a brother who's growing up nicely
a spacious comfortable house to live in
a great school to go to for fine arts
a diverse and interesting city to call home
all my guitars
a good church with good fellowship to go to
grandparents who pray for me and my family
a car I can drive around in
a few good friends who think about me once in a while
a functional body
some artistic talents
I'm thankful for:
a God that loves me , no matter what state I'm in or what I do
a loving, accepting father and a brother who's growing up nicely
a spacious comfortable house to live in
a great school to go to for fine arts
a diverse and interesting city to call home
all my guitars
a good church with good fellowship to go to
grandparents who pray for me and my family
a car I can drive around in
a few good friends who think about me once in a while
a functional body
some artistic talents
Spiritually speaking...
My spiritual life is mostly a mystery to me right now. I guess I've let it slide for so long without even realizing it that my mind has buried it away in a desperate attempt to stay in denial of what a bad condition my relationship with God must be by now. I used to pray, meditate and read the Bible almost everyday 5 or 6 years ago so I'm trying to start that again but it's so hard. For no good reason at all I just never feel like sitting down and taking the time to really pray and meditate and listen to God's voice. But I managed to sit down and do all those things this morning and yesterday and it was good. Even though I am in a constant state of despair God's voice still reaches me which is incredible. I've been worried and scared of starting Christian counselling because anytime I talk about my spiritual problems I get really upset and then I can't function and do normal student things like go to class and do homework. But I heard God asking for a little faith and trust from me that He would carry me through it. Anytime I get really upset my first reaction is to get away from it by distracting myself which means hanging out with a friend or doing stupid crap but I must learn to earnestly pray to God first instead.
some stone litho info
I'm a monitor at a print shop and specialize in stone and plate lithography so sometimes I'll talk about techniques and such that I want to remember.
Today I learned the proper way to take a break in the middle of printing off a stone. Once you've pulled your BAT, give it two passes of ink and then gum down the stone with a sponge. Then you can take your coffee break and when you come back, just wash off the gum really well with water and then continue printing.
Later on, I'll talk about printing in colour off the stone for multicolour prints (in my case 4). I'm a bit fuzzy on the details since I generally work in B&W.
Today I learned the proper way to take a break in the middle of printing off a stone. Once you've pulled your BAT, give it two passes of ink and then gum down the stone with a sponge. Then you can take your coffee break and when you come back, just wash off the gum really well with water and then continue printing.
Later on, I'll talk about printing in colour off the stone for multicolour prints (in my case 4). I'm a bit fuzzy on the details since I generally work in B&W.
A few thoughts on metal
First of all, I must announce that Meshuggah is coming to Montreal February 18th and then Lamb of god, Children of Bodom, As I Lay Dying and more are coming April 17th. Eeeeeeee!!!! Montreal is such an awesome city. It's so artsy and varied and great for all kinds of music, especially metal.
I am currently trying to play my favorite Kalmah song, Doubtful of it All. I prefer to figure out songs by ear but these guys play so fast I have to slow down the music! Generally I am always disappointed by tabs out there because I can always hear mistakes by the tabber. I haven't checked out how the tabs are for this song that are out there but I think I may post my own tabs for it soon. I've basically figured it all out except for the precise tuning... If others want some precise tabs of metal songs or at-least-interesting-to-play-on-guitar songs then let me know.
I am currently trying to play my favorite Kalmah song, Doubtful of it All. I prefer to figure out songs by ear but these guys play so fast I have to slow down the music! Generally I am always disappointed by tabs out there because I can always hear mistakes by the tabber. I haven't checked out how the tabs are for this song that are out there but I think I may post my own tabs for it soon. I've basically figured it all out except for the precise tuning... If others want some precise tabs of metal songs or at-least-interesting-to-play-on-guitar songs then let me know.
Monday, February 2, 2009
#1
Hello!
This is my first time blogging so I guess I'll see how it goes. It feels weird, a bit scary and exciting! Haha I feel like such a noob.
I'll start at the beginning with a statement of purpose:
1. To aid in the process of being healed. As stated in the title, I'm going through a very difficult spiritual time and I'm hoping that keeping a sort of journal online will help me to keep track of my progress in my walk with the Lord. I already have a traditional paper journal but I'm always too embarassed to read it over again...
2. To spread the word about things I like and to hear from others who share the same interests. Are there any other Christian metalhead artists who also like science fiction and silly cartoons like Spongebob Squarepants and Metalocalypse??
(i haven't met any yet but the closest I've got is a friend of mine who shares all these things except the Christian part which is still pretty crazy!)
This is my first time blogging so I guess I'll see how it goes. It feels weird, a bit scary and exciting! Haha I feel like such a noob.
I'll start at the beginning with a statement of purpose:
1. To aid in the process of being healed. As stated in the title, I'm going through a very difficult spiritual time and I'm hoping that keeping a sort of journal online will help me to keep track of my progress in my walk with the Lord. I already have a traditional paper journal but I'm always too embarassed to read it over again...
2. To spread the word about things I like and to hear from others who share the same interests. Are there any other Christian metalhead artists who also like science fiction and silly cartoons like Spongebob Squarepants and Metalocalypse??
(i haven't met any yet but the closest I've got is a friend of mine who shares all these things except the Christian part which is still pretty crazy!)
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