Shameless Plug of my sons xKNORWOODx (progressive metal)

[Donailin]

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=5569648&Mytoken=20050725185218



They just cut their demo -- three songs, not yet mastered but plenty good to listen to all the same. My sons are Joey and Ricky Gonzalez, 16 and 15, drummer and guitarist respectively. Marcel is the other guitarist and BJ is the bass player. Alex is on vocals.If you're not familiar with harsh screaming vocals, you may have trouble listening. If you can get past them, though, you can identify the promise and potential. They totally rock. Eventually Ricky will sing when his voice is mature and able to deliever a clean vocal and a deep death growl, he composes all the songs as it is and basically has enough on his plate. Knorwood is heavily influenced by Opeth, Children of Bodom, DreamTheatre and Darkest Hour. Let me know what you think, they are looking for all opinions (they are very aware of the problem of the singer, but besides that.)

[Systematic Chaos]

1. I haven't visited this Group in at least a couple months.

I had no idea this post was even here, because of that. But, since you were saying that these guys were in the same vein as Dream Theater and Opeth there was no way I was going to miss hearing them. :)

You are spot-on about the musicianship. I can think of only one band to compare them to with regards to their level of talent as players and songwriters vs. their age, and that is Silverchair. Not the same genre, to be sure, but I consider Silverchair to be one of the coolest alternative bands out there, with potential that just doesn't quit, and I'm seeing the same thing in these guys so take that as a HUGE compliment! The songs weren't boring at all, and there were plenty of changes in tempo and mood which are a hallmark of any style of progressive music. These guys could be positively huge in another 5 years if they keep working hard. I really mean that.

With regards to the vocals, I do listen to a limited number of bands who employ that screaming, harsh vocal style (most notably Earth Crisis), and I generally think that outside of thrash metal it just doesn't work. My own opinion is that the music is completely wrong for that style of vocals. It really needs to be replaced by a normal style of singing, and even if the vocalist couldn't keep perfect pitch it would still be worlds more compatible than what I was hearing. Again, it's not that what Alex is trying to do is bad, it's simply that it doesn't mesh with the style of music being played.

It amazes me that two guys who won't be done with high school for at least another couple years can already perform this well. That is my honest opinion, and I'm glad to share it with you. I wish them great success because I think they've found their niche in life and they could be rewarded greatly if they continue to improve over time. And congratulations to you too, Donailin. You must be mighty proud!!

:yourock:

[Donailin]

2. Hey, wow!

thanks, I will print and pass on. As I said, Ricky needs to do the singing, and he will when he gets. . courage. His composition and arranging ability are excellent, and the dilemma is Ricky being able to play and sing at the same time. I think he is still too self conscious and he thinks girls will laugh or soemthing but I do remind him that his music doesn't need a whole lot of vocals to begin with -- the instrumentation can more than carry the day. I think as he gets older he will become better able to write his songs with lyrics and vocals in mind, but as it is now he just composes bits and pieces with Marcel and then they work out the complicated harmonies and solos and then patch everything together.Then they get Alex in and let him do whatever he wants. The sound that Knorwood (Ricky Joey and Marcel)wants is ultimately an Opeth sound where the clean vocals are understated, subtle and have a vulnerabe quality to underscore the strength of the instrumentation.
They also have a two new songs that are really mature for their age in that they are heavy on the acoustic harmonies which sound very Celtic/European and then switching into strong dark minor key metal parts. As soon as they are recorded, I will link them.

Thanks for the compliments, GG, they mean much.

[Systematic Chaos]

3. Please do.

I would like to hear more. :D

[Maestro]

4. Send the demo to Roadrunner Records

immediately. I'll post more later. I've to run.

[Maestro]

5. Okay I've listened some more

These guys are very talented. You should be proud of your sons. I love thrash/death metal. I grew up in the age of arena/glam rock so when thrash first came out I thought it was too over-the-top but then I realized that glam was the one that over-the-top and thrash was really back to basics rock. The death metal with overtones of dark fantasy adventure tales was just a normal progression and really gave thrash a more technical feel. I played bass in a power metal band in the 80's. That is just scary though. I taught myself to play and not very well I might add. ;)

Anyhow, first the vocals really aren't a problem considering how young these guys are, but to be more like Dream Theater and Opeth try to mix in some melodic vocals along with the gutteral vocals. That is really classic Opeth.

As far as the vituosity of the band, they are technically very, very good. It's nothing that a professional audio guy couldn't smooth out with some good mixing. But hey, I'd buy it as is now! You must be proud.