Well, i started another new musical endeavor. It's called "Xatatax", and it's what i call "Art Metal". It's based on my view of home recordings.

First, I start out with the drum track. Basically, in this case, the drums act as my paper, or the foundation for my art. I record the drums first, before thinking much at all about the structure or form that the song will take, just knowing that the beats I choose to play will set the mood for the whole project. Secondly, I play back the drums, and decide what instruments and vocal techniques would go best for each section of the structure. Third, I record the first layer, generally guitar, and lay down the base colors and background melodies that conjure more basic and generalized feelings in the listener, such as sadness, anger, or happiness. I play that back, and then decide on lead parts for each instrument, whether acoustic guitar, bass, or lead guitar. This fourth stage is where I add in the second layer of Color, the general outlines, and the larger details. These serve to stir up secondary emotions, like hatred, rage, sorrow, or joy. Fifth, I replay the whole instrumental song, tweak the EQ, and decide which parts need vocals, and what kind. I write lyrics based on the feeling of the song, and based on my personal feelings and thoughts that go with the music that I have just created, and add in the vocals on recording. The vocals create the fine details, as if creating the fine lines and minute textures and shading. Words, whether sung or screamed or yelled or whispered, show the listener in great detail the deep emotions that I felt when I recorded them and when I listened to the music. These emotions can include disconnect, loathing, envy, serenity, remorse, regret, isolation, and the words and expressions I use help to convey the deepest, most intimate meaning behind my feelings as an artist.

I wish that music was looked upon more as art, by the mainstream and underground bands and groups alike. After all, musicians are generally known as "artists". I think it's time we took this artform to a higher, more renowned and vital place in true art. It is my firm belief that I can get my kind of art into respected places by not just being funny or outrageous, but by having a deep understanding of human emotion and using it to evoke those emotions the same way that visual artists do.

If you have any interest, you can hear my work at

[link]