Sylistic features

04-18-2006, 10:03 PM

Which three of the following are more important in a song:

A) Crazy mad technical lead/bass soloes

B) Chunky, catchy, well-written riffs and choruses

C)Aggressive/Roared/Shrieked vocals

D)Mellow/Operatic/Effeminate vocals

E) Violent, hateful lyrics

F) Cerebral, sensitive, introspective lyrics

Hopefully this will spiral up into an energy vs. complexity debate.

h22s · 04-18-2006, 11:52 PM

A mix of it all, really, except for the violent/hateful lyrics. I like technical skill shown in songs, as well as nice choruses, a good mix of vocal styles, and meaningful lyrics.

04-19-2006, 12:16 AM

I usually don't really care much about lyrics, since the music I mostly listen to I can rarely understand due to the vocal style or language-barrier. As for vocals... I would have to say I prefer option C over D. I really enjoy harsh vocals, though it's nice to hear actual singing every once and awhile. Also, I like to see SOME skill in the music, whether it be through riffs, beats, or even uniqueness - it really doesn't matter if it's crazy-mad technical shit, or just something well-written and good sounding...

So, even though I listen to black metal which lacks quite a bit of "skill", I still find it terribly important to music. More so than anything else. It's what keeps me coming back to music and helps keep me interested.

04-20-2006, 09:57 PM

I'm going with interesting guitar riffs, intricate drum work with lots of symbols, and hypnotic keyboards, bass guitar, and whatever other instruments -- think Drudkh's Autumn Aurora, Agalloch's Pale Folklore, or Burzum's Hvis Lyset Tar Oss. I'm a fan of the shrieked/growled vocals, but I wouldn't mind a bit of clean vocals thrown in as long as they don't sound like complete ass. Still, nothing irritates me more than bad guitars, overly repetitive drums, overpowering keyboards, abundant choruses, and predictability. I guess that's why I like Mutiilation and Nyktalgia so much.

In other words, I'm going with the "energy" side of things. You can be an excellent songsmith and a mediocre musician, and still sound good. There still needs to be a balance though.

05-02-2006, 01:59 PM

Symbols or Cymbals?

05-03-2006, 07:53 PM

Technical skill, passion and melody.

That's really all that's important to me. Requirements one and two are something Dragonforce lacks, and this is why I hate them.

04-18-2006, 10:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
Wintersunn O))) Posts: n/a	Sylistic features Which three of the following are more important in a song: A) Crazy mad technical lead/bass soloes B) Chunky, catchy, well-written riffs and choruses C)Aggressive/Roared/Shrieked vocals D)Mellow/Operatic/Effeminate vocals E) Violent, hateful lyrics F) Cerebral, sensitive, introspective lyrics Hopefully this will spiral up into an energy vs. complexity debate.

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04-18-2006, 11:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
h22s Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Arizona, USA Posts: 89	A mix of it all, really, except for the violent/hateful lyrics. I like technical skill shown in songs, as well as nice choruses, a good mix of vocal styles, and meaningful lyrics.

04-19-2006, 12:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
Vampiro Posts: n/a	I usually don't really care much about lyrics, since the music I mostly listen to I can rarely understand due to the vocal style or language-barrier. As for vocals... I would have to say I prefer option C over D. I really enjoy harsh vocals, though it's nice to hear actual singing every once and awhile. Also, I like to see SOME skill in the music, whether it be through riffs, beats, or even uniqueness - it really doesn't matter if it's crazy-mad technical shit, or just something well-written and good sounding... So, even though I listen to black metal which lacks quite a bit of "skill", I still find it terribly important to music. More so than anything else. It's what keeps me coming back to music and helps keep me interested.

04-20-2006, 09:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
Lord Dentyne Ice Posts: n/a	I'm going with interesting guitar riffs, intricate drum work with lots of symbols, and hypnotic keyboards, bass guitar, and whatever other instruments -- think Drudkh's Autumn Aurora, Agalloch's Pale Folklore, or Burzum's Hvis Lyset Tar Oss. I'm a fan of the shrieked/growled vocals, but I wouldn't mind a bit of clean vocals thrown in as long as they don't sound like complete ass. Still, nothing irritates me more than bad guitars, overly repetitive drums, overpowering keyboards, abundant choruses, and predictability. I guess that's why I like Mutiilation and Nyktalgia so much. In other words, I'm going with the "energy" side of things. You can be an excellent songsmith and a mediocre musician, and still sound good. There still needs to be a balance though.

05-02-2006, 01:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
Wintersunn O))) Posts: n/a	Symbols or Cymbals?

05-03-2006, 07:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
Klarth Posts: n/a	Technical skill, passion and melody. That's really all that's important to me. Requirements one and two are something Dragonforce lacks, and this is why I hate them.