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Post by nocturnaliridescence on Jul 16, 2017 10:35:37 GMT -6
I guess in part because I know no one really cares. Nowadays, there's so much new free music coming, another Orationem is as unnoticed as an extra drop of water in a bucket, That's not even near true, man. Orationem is very important in the scene, especially right now since there isn't a whole lot of activity at the moment. Plus you've mentioned that people from Ire Blood Memory like Orationem, too.
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Jul 16, 2017 13:34:22 GMT -6
That's what I get for mashing in a post really quick on a break from work. My apologies. That came out wrong. LOL I guess what I kind of mean, is there's no true "demand". I mean, if there was NO 5th Orationem album coming out, no one (family, here, there) would be pinging me to make it. Which I see as different than enjoying something that's already being made anyway - if that makes sense. That's more of what I meant. You're right about #irebloodmemory on Discord. I posted the same new album sample there as I did here - wrote very little about it, and one of the mods actually put that sample in the server's music player 3 different times. I was pleasantly surprised! I know those guys don't like black metal. I mean, the bots are usually playing dubstep, rap or techno... but because of who I am in the game, they really seem to eat up any work out videos or music type things I post. Orationem is very important in the scene, especially right now since there isn't a whole lot of activity at the moment. This deserves its own topic I think, and I have this cross my mind. I understand that not everyone in the Christian black metal scene is going to have the ability or the means to produce albums. ...but for those who DO have the ability and the means, why does it take DECADES to get something published? Why is it that one dude, who doesn't even listen to Christian black metal regularly, can (by himself) generate more full length albums in 2 years than the "major players" of the CBM scene's full bands?
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Jul 17, 2017 13:21:35 GMT -6
The song order arrangement is complete. The lyrics are written.
What's left - record the vocals - mix and master - intros, outros and interludes - make killer artwork - publish album preview - send everything over to the label
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Jul 17, 2017 15:54:04 GMT -6
The lyrics have more of an emphasis on praising God with music, which ties the "Trve Holy Black Metal" theme down. Previous Orationem albums, I basically wrote the lyrics from the heart. This time, I actually borrowed a little from scripture. Psalms and Ephesians mostly. Nothing really word for work, but kind of the "themes" of praise, joy, resisting evil, rejoicing in song, overcoming trials and love. (6 themes for 6 tracks) Might as well throw throw a fun fact here. This past Christmas, my wife gave me a necklace that has multiple parts. I found a picture of it online because I was too lazy to take an actual picture of what I have. Replace N&C with T&K and the date as 8-1-15 (our wedding date) Anyway, my wife wears the chain and little heart part, and every bit of guitar I've recorded (Orationem's "A Blessing For All" to this new Orationem), I used the metal pic shaped thing as my guitar pic. Of the "list to do" I mentioned, the part that will take the longest is the mixing and mastering part. 90% of that process is simply waiting for the algorithms to load for the audio rendering. This is where I also listen to the songs attentively, from beginning to end. Part of it is verifying the song structure and deciding if I want to "rearrange" anything before I finalize it. I also check to see if there's any pops, clicks, hiss or other production bleh's that need fixed.
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Post by exo on Jul 18, 2017 4:50:51 GMT -6
I couldn't not make my mind up on what to sample. So... I went Eeny, meeny, miny, moe - grabbed a chunk of music, threw a general mix into it, here it is. Not the best representation of chunky riffs, (that will be more obvious in the album preview of each track) but I think this speaks for the rest of the album, regarding the complexity of riffs being turned up a notch. I hope you like the taste test! Back tracking the convo just a hair.......that sounds pretty good to my ears. I'm probably going to like this more than some of your past material, I think.
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Post by exo on Jul 18, 2017 4:59:42 GMT -6
...but for those who DO have the ability and the means, why does it take DECADES to get something published? Why is it that one dude, who doesn't even listen to Christian black metal regularly, can (by himself) generate more full length albums in 2 years than the "major players" of the CBM scene's full bands? Well, speaking as someone whole (technically) has the means and enough material to "do something", I simply find myself lacking the will to see things thru a lot of the time......and a lot of THAT has to do with non-music related life frustrations and responsibilities. I rarely seem able to channel those things in a productive manner.
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Jul 18, 2017 11:56:31 GMT -6
Back tracking the convo just a hair.......that sounds pretty good to my ears. I'm probably going to like this more than some of your past material, I think. I think as well, for most Orationem listeners. I'll be the first to admit, I'm not re-inventing the wheel. The reason is, the style of black metal that Orationem is, is what I like better than any other niche of black metal. ...and as bad as it sounds to say, I'll always make what I like more than any other input. Its really hard to go against that. Still, this album is a step up in several categories. A step up in riff design. A step up in song structure. I hate to say it, but if you've heard one albums lyrics, you've heard them all. I also hate to say that its really hard to comment at this point, because even though I'm almost done recording, I have yet to hear most of the album myself. I would liken it to a v1.0 to a v1.2 "upgrade". Not v1.0 to v2.0. Well, speaking as someone whole (technically) has the means and enough material to "do something", I simply find myself lacking the will to see things thru a lot of the time......and a lot of THAT has to do with non-music related life frustrations and responsibilities. I rarely seem able to channel those things in a productive manner. True, within reason. After some thought, hours worked isn't really a factor. I did Ankou Awaits - Wyllt, GRIM - Vespers and Ankou Awaits - Oberour At Maro while I was working 60+ hours a week. You have kids and I don't - but I'm still married, I still spend time with my family and have to figure out how to "schedule" writing and recording around maintaining my relationships. (it helps that my family/wife understand that this is just something Tom does, so they actually allow me more time than if I were to try and just "do an album" unannounced.) I think the biggest variable is specifically how I write. Most artists (especially bands) probably write something, rehearse it, then outline every aspect of the song before they record it. Often, I hit record several minutes after I had absolutely no idea what I was going to do. What you've heard with Ankou Awaits and Orationem is essentially "captured spontaneity". I play these parts for the 3rd or 4th time ever by the time I hit record. Toss out what I don't like, and essentially puzzle the pieces I do like together. As strange as it sounds, I don't finalize the song structure until the recording is practically done. I form a "skeleton structure" after I record the drums, but I can't remember a time that I didn't change thing around at least a little bit come time to mix and master. I remember hearing of Cradle of Filth's "Damnation and a Day" basically being written in the studio.... or Season of Mist bragging that Windswept's newest full length was written and recorded in 3 days. I get how that's done because I do it myself.
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Jul 18, 2017 15:59:48 GMT -6
Worth posting. What's left - record the vocals - mix and master - intros, outros and interludes - make killer artwork - publish album preview - send everything over to the label Man, I love this certain "voice" I can do, after I tear my throat up from barking all of these tracks front to back. For lack of better words, its this Bal Sagoth-ish " Behold the power of Cheese" type speaking voice, that really fits in well with the doomy part. Gonna do some chores around the house. My back is killing me so I'm moving slow today. I'll probably mess around with the mixing and mastering while my wife goes to bingo tonight...
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Jul 18, 2017 23:54:13 GMT -6
Freakin EQ adventures with the mixing. I've almost got it.
I'll get it after some rest...
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Post by barabbas on Jul 19, 2017 9:15:19 GMT -6
Freakin EQ adventures with the mixing. I've almost got it. I'll get it after some rest... Have you tried turning it up to 11?
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Jul 19, 2017 13:11:58 GMT -6
What's left - record the vocals - mix and master - intros, outros and interludes - make killer artwork - publish album preview - send everything over to the label F-I-N-A-L-L-Y!! That was tough. Ok - a few things worth mentioning - I did try to improve the sound from previous Orationems. I succeeded. This mix/master makes the previous album sound almost "muffled". - The different reverb and algorithms I used made this sound a bit on the "NOISIER" side. ....which I REALLY like in accordance to the "trve holy black metal" theme. I have a feeling that this will have the reception that the last Ankou Awaits album had. It might seem like a mess for the first listen, unless you're really used to harsh black metal, but if you study it for a bit, it WILL pay off. There's some really good riffs here gents. REALLY good. - after giving the album a solid listen, there is some "old Orationem" style structure in a few of the songs. If you love the riffs, it will just be more awesomeness. If you're meh about the riffs, there might be a few tracks you don't really care for. - Didn't mention this before, threw some death metal vocals in there. Kinda gives it a touch of that old "GRIM" feel. - Despite the grindy/doomy/deathy elements added in comparison to the older Orationem releases, I would NOT consider this to be a hybrid. (black death metal / black grind / etc.) This IS black metal. - what took me a while is that a few tracks, the guitars recorded at different volumes. Not sure why - my input and mix settings were the same for each track, but I had to make an adjustment in half the songs for guitar volume. I got the manual adjustment close, the mastering closed the gaps, so we're good. - here's something my wife liked. The new mastering template I made, was a handful of adjustments from a "basic country music" preset. LOL - this is faaaaaaaaaaaaar from country though. I'm going to enlist my wife's help and trying to get some imagery for this music before I work on the intros, outros, etc. EDIT: NI, if I get stuck, I'll take you up on your offer.
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Jul 19, 2017 22:22:28 GMT -6
What's left - record the vocals - mix and master - intros, outros and interludes - make killer artwork - publish album preview - send everything over to the label The audio is completely done. It's beautiful. EDIT: 41:53 running time It's night. Lets see if my picture idea works...
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Post by Bartimaeus on Jul 20, 2017 10:43:06 GMT -6
Jeez, Thomas. Just take my money already.
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Jul 20, 2017 11:53:53 GMT -6
What's left - record the vocals - mix and master - intros, outros and interludes - make killer artwork - publish album preview - send everything over to the labelTerminus Est. Here's the preview video. I hope you guys REALLY like it. Feedback please! I've updated orationem.com to include the album lyrics and specs. (yes, I've obviously decided to keep the domain - probably for a while now - afterall, after the shenanigans of "I'm not doing any more albums" "Ok I'll do another one", drive trumps reason and I'll need a place for the 6th album, whenever it shows up.) By the way, if you really really REALLY want to be jamming out to this now, a $5 donate on the Orationem site will get you PMed 320kbs ID3Tagged MP3s. I'm going to split whatever donations I get with visionofGodrecords because Duane works so hard to bring us all extreme metal to listen to... Since his ministry is in the red, (blasted July and the fiscal year) I want to help him out however I can, not just be part of his army.
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Post by nocturnaliridescence on Jul 20, 2017 12:15:53 GMT -6
Sounds awesome!! Kind of reminds me why I still listen to black metal played in a "normal" style [without a ton of symphonics / noise / experimentation / etc] I mean, if you stalk my "Now Playing" posts long enough, you'll see I do like "normal" metal music, but I tend to get bored of it. This kept me interested. Definitely looking forward to the full album.
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Jul 20, 2017 12:36:55 GMT -6
I mean, if you stalk my "Now Playing" posts long enough I stalk everyone's posts. [rofl] This kept me interested. Definitely looking forward to the full album. Glad to hear it! I wish I could say that this album was a burden to complete, and it contains my blood sweat and tears, but really... there was no real difficulty. Synth (unless its all synth ) is a pain in the butt anyway. Everything for this album just fell together. It was meant to be!
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Post by grendel on Jul 20, 2017 13:20:02 GMT -6
different from the last 2 Orationem Albums, harsh and fast as one could expect - I want to have it!
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Post by _ on Jul 20, 2017 18:07:08 GMT -6
It sounds dope, bro.
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Post by Bartimaeus on Jul 20, 2017 21:01:01 GMT -6
Jeez, Thomas. Just take my money already. I put my money where my mouth is. Awaiting PM
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Jul 20, 2017 21:13:35 GMT -6
You're not waiting long bro! Man, I know some element of Orationem is me making this for my own enjoyment... but I'm two spins into today so far. I'm taken back by the end result. In a good way! I've never made something that was EXACTLY what I'm looking for in a sound... ...but this release is the closest I think I've gotten. The sound clips used with the music stand out more, even though I took the individual track approach this album. I don't know why I didn't take advantage of royalty-free samples before. I literally stereomixed from YouTube. Many channels (especially ones with recordings of nature type sounds) not only state in their "About" section that these are royalty free and "please use them in your projects", but some are saying "Don't even ask us if you can use these. Just use them!!". [evillaugh]
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Jul 21, 2017 6:20:34 GMT -6
You gents that got the MP3s, what do you think? Any first impressions?
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Post by Bartimaeus on Jul 21, 2017 14:04:26 GMT -6
First impressions are strongly positive. I really like the variety of the songs and the changes of pace within the songs. Are you going prog on us? I like the death metal vocals as a change of pace as well. I think that you created a very cool atmosphere with the guitar tones and the intros/outros. Also, the artwork is very cool.
I felt like the drums were LOUD (which is awesome), but I thought they may have overshadowed some of the interesting things you did with the riffs.
Overall 8/10. Fav track: The Forgiver
(subject to change with repeated listens)
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Jul 22, 2017 7:55:32 GMT -6
Thanks for the kind words bro! An 8/10 for a first listen is stellar in my opinion. I'll be the first to admit, this is a HARD release to digest, even for seasoned black metal listeners... but its worth it if you stick with it! (in my opinion) I'm at an unfair advantage in comparison to anyone else - since I intimately know every note and how they were put together. Its impossible for me to listen to this and trudge through the bog you guys have got to go through. Are you going prog on us? LOL. I had to look up what "prog" meant. Actually, its a bit of a paradox. One element of cutting the synth out was laziness, with a tad bit of a preference to be raw. On the other hand, I knew I had to have the guitars make up for the lack of synth, so... lazier approach, harder working implementation, if that makes sense. I felt like the drums were LOUD (which is awesome), but I thought they may have overshadowed some of the interesting things you did with the riffs. I agree with this. I blame my extensive listening of Fleshgod Apocalypse albums, where the instruments seem to not only fight against each other, but outdo the other instrument. (can't help but love the sound of that) Ask exo about my first drumming attempt on that Stormsinger track. Every time he ramped up the guitar, I ramped up the drums. I'll probably always do this to a certain degree - again, I just love how guitars and drums fighting to the death sounds. As for the mix (if that's what you mean with the drums being loud), part of that goes back to this. - The different reverb and algorithms I used made this sound a bit on the "NOISIER" side. ....which I REALLY like in accordance to the "trve holy black metal" The other part goes with how it sounds with different listening "hardware". When I listen to this on my TV, boombox, or laptop speakers, yeah, the drums are very dominate in the mix. When I listen to this with headphones, car or a powerful soundsystem, holy cow - it sounds considerably more powerful and even better mixed than prior releases. I like The Forgiver quite a bit too - but I seem to veer towards the Trve Holy Black Metal and I Reject Evil tracks. Especially the latter with those "doom vocals" and the song picking up speed again after "the slow part".
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Jul 24, 2017 13:12:50 GMT -6
Estimated release date for "Trve Holy Black Metal" is August 14th. Preorder links will be up soon!
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Aug 6, 2017 18:45:31 GMT -6
I heard this saying from one of my sobriety meetings, "I can hear something and I can keep hearing it, but sometimes I don't hear something until I hear it." Found something very minor on this album that I needed to change. My sincere apologies for making a change after production was initially concluded. All resources and archives have been updated. Sorry gents that donated and got sent MP3s. Please download the same link. (I'll PM you about this as well) As far as what was changed, click the spoiler to see it: The only changes were made to Track 6 - slightly raised the volume of the extreme vocals - towards the end of song, the lyric "to Your grace" the "sssss" sound in "grace" got clipped. aka "to your gray". These are fixed.
Again my apologies. Thank you for understanding. With this album release being tentative to the end of the month, the $5 donate at orationem.com for MP3s is still on the table UNTIL midnight August 14. After then, the only way to get this album is through whatever mediums Vision of God Records / CMU provide this release.
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Aug 14, 2017 12:17:33 GMT -6
Orationem "Trve Holy Black Metal" shirts are now available at orationem.com (not sure if this was unclear before or even matters to anyone, but the shirt costs cover the production of 1 shirt) Click the image to see the full size. Also, all Orationem shirts are now available in another size! (X-Small) Sizes from X-Small to XXX-Large can be ordered.
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Aug 31, 2017 13:10:52 GMT -6
All new website for Vision of God records just launched. Looks EXTREMELY professional!!! www.visionofgodrecords.com/Orationem - Trve Holy Black Metal is NOW available. Right on time!!!!! I love the price too. $7.77 Epic price (in sentiment and value) for over 40 minutes of INTENSE and HARSH Christian black metal. HAHAHAHA!!!
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Sept 13, 2017 21:01:39 GMT -6
Been kinda hush hush about this. ...but put thought into action TODAY and it turned out better than I imagined. What better tool to help promote a new album than.... ...an OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO!!!
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Post by Deepfriar on Sept 14, 2017 15:40:36 GMT -6
Oh man, can't wait to check out this video when I get home. I've got to order the new album too. Payday tomorrow! Lol
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2017 15:42:49 GMT -6
New album is great
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