dark-house.org

We have had an outline for the rock opera pretty much from the beginning. Granted, it has changed over time, as we decided the focus of the story and condense it, but the outline has  been there. From the start, we knew that two thigns had to be strong in their own right (well, EVERYTHING has to be strong. We don't want "filler" material.). The beginning and the ending need to be particularly strong.

Where Do I Begin: I always envisioned it starting with a little classical theme I wrote while driving in my car, then going into a progressive metal tune which somehow combines the many diverse elements that make up the project (we really run the gamut from alt-metal, to techno, to classical, to acoustic...though often combining the different elements in the same song, not in different songs.)

Mike came up swith some words, and wrote a rough melody which he sent to me. I began trying to write some music that enveloped and complemented his idea. There have been at least four versions of this so far (including a funky David Bowie style version, which was cool , but wouldn't work in the context of Legacy.) Then recently, I was on my long drive home from work, and it hit me. I grabbed some scrap paper and started jotting down musical fragments while I drove. There was something about that strange mix that added some life to the idea. It is still a work in progress though. We will likely finish it last.

UPDATED: 6/7/06

Where Do I begin?
Where Do I begin?
To face my fears
Where do I begin?
To tell the tale
Where do I begin?
To sing the song that you wanted to hear

Where do I begin
To state the case
That history has erased
To live in the light
To struggle to fight
To find out what real
And what's fabled

I wanted to share all of this
All with you

I've lived through the ages
by turning the pages
of lives that I've lived, loved and lost

I've scattered the wreckage
of broken, lost decades
and suffered to pay out the cost

And I don't ever want to lead my life alone
I sing the songs of sorrow

Where do I begin
To live the life
That will never set me free
To wonder aloud
Will I ever come down?
Or stand on that wall all alone
I wanted to feel all the love in the world

Original Lyrics:

Where do I begin; to face my Fears
Where do I begin; to tell the tale
Where do I begin; to sing the song
(that you wanted to hear)

So you want to learn how to fly?
You want to kiss the night?
You want to run with the big dogs?

My idle hands have fought too long,
To write Down this song,
To hold off the demons

I’ve lived through the ages By turning the pages
On lives that I’ve lived, loved and lost
I’ve scattered the wreckage Of broken lost decades
I’ve suffered to pay out the cost

And I don’t ever want to lead my life alone
I’d leave the world Tomorrow
And I Don’t ever want to see the world this way
To sing the songs of sorrow

===========================
Where do I be-gin to explain, the history, that was erased.
I’ve seen the light, but I'm fond of the dark, a burning flame, a blackened spark...

I’ve wept with the Angels. I’ve slept with the Devils
I’ve seen More than Sane men can bear
I’ve witnessed the life and I've lived through the death and
I’ve feared all a man ought to fear

And I don’t ever want to lead my life alone
I’d leave the world Tomorrow
And I Don’t ever want to see the world this way
To sing the songs of sorrow

And the wars that we’ve waged, On those cold winter days
When Napoleon crushed all he faced
Brothers fought brothers, And witches were smothered
And freemen assembled in rage
And the wars that we’ve waged, By turning the Page
And the Darkness still threatened the Day
And the cities streets glowed, In a world full of hope
And the blue skies turned black with the weight

 

words copyright 2005 Mike Malone

There may be a light at the end of tunnel with the struggle on this one. It is such an important piece, obviously, that fitting the right words and melody is crucial. I feel as though I've had a breakthrough, I feel like I've found the 'voice' for the record.

I had no idea what the 'voice' was or would be when I started the song, or even that I was looking for it, but sometimes you just find things. Things sometimes occur to you, elements of the work that are beyond just being technically good, music is and can be some much more than that.

...I think I found it. I hope Max agrees, it will take some time before it is smoothed out.

Currently uploading 150 meg of source files for this baby.

As noted in previous entries, this song was a tough one to find a pulse for. I feel good though, I think what I have is working rather well. A song like this really needs to be crafted, the sume of parts really needs to be powerful and sometimes subtly works best.

Tech Notes:

Overall I think the takes are pretty good. There are some ragged edges here and there and re-takes may be needed depending on where the parts end up in the mix.

I tried some parts over the classical intro, I don't think most of them will make it, but I wanted to include them just in case.

Well ... as I always say, we knew this song had to be done almost last because it had to encapsulate the wohle project in some ways, and until the project were done (or almost done) we couldn't be sure what that would include.

The project runs the gamut from classical to heavy metal to dance to pop ... usually blended together. The sound is usually "big". We wanted this to be a hard hitting song, but not just metal, since the rest of the project isn't pure metal. This song has been completely rewritten more than any other tune in the set. The "Rock Opera" feel had to be captured. We also wanted it to be "lyrical." And as Mike has said elsewhere, the words needed to embody the entire work as well. This is setting it up and also leaving some expansion for the future.

This song also does something I hadn't done in any other tunes. I do subtle little "nods" to a few of my other favorite songs (not by me) in the arrangement. All in all, it sounds pretty good, I think. Worth the wait and all the rewrites.

Where do I begin?

Max has done such a great job with this song, I'm actually moved. I really feel as though it has been brought to another level. The guitar parts that counter balance the vocal melodies are driving concise and frankly brilliant. This piece now really belongs on the front of the album, it has earned its title of "Chieftain'.

Max, don't lose the creative light, others will sometimes stop to marvel at things in your world that, to you,  may seem pedestrian and mundane.

CHEERS!!!