Jump to content

Skull Kollektor - "Dead Shaker" (Lyric video on Youtube) - Thrash from Milan


Skull_Kollektor

Recommended Posts

Hi everyone,

As a thrash metal project from Milan, Skull Kollektor is looking for advice by fellow fans of the genre.

This is the very first song we have come up with since forming late in novembre 2016.

The lyrics tell the tale of someone who brings the dead back to life, then abuses them, then kills them again in an eternal (and infernal) loop.
It's like three Slayer tunes put together: "Post-mortem", "Necrophiliac" and "Kill Again"!

Big influences (lyrically) were certainly Alice Cooper, Mercyful Fate and Italy's very own Death SS.

We are very dedicated fans of traditional thrash metal and would truly appreciate some feedback on this song. 

Negative feedback is very welcome too, because if we are doing terribly wrong, we might just stop right away!

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I really like riffs and the song writing.

It could be my headphones but I would suggest making the drums a tad louder. Also, I might suggest tweaking the rhythm guitar tone a little as it feels a little muddy and low-heavy for my taste in thrash (are you using a fuzz pedal?).

Overall though, I liked it quite a lot (you're definitely not doing "terribly wrong"). Looking forward to more stuff.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you very much for finding the time to listen and to comment! I deeply appreciate your words!

I did not use any actual pedal, I plugged straight into my FocusRite and then messed with the digital tools. No "fuzz" digital effect was specifically involved, but I might have accidentally induced some fuzz by messing with the "brightness" knob of the master!

You are absolutely right about the mix! I will try to fix these aspects with my limited ability.

I already have another song ready, it's called "Thermonuclear Summertime". I will soon make a lyric video for that as well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Haha.. :D James kicked Lars out and mixed it all by himself? Can´t really hear anything apart from vocals and guitar, and guitar tone definitely needs work, but it´s a really promising start i must say, just keep at it and aim to learn something new about mixing with every single song and it will be great eventually. :) 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Agreed with everyone about the mix. The elements aren't integrated well. Drums are too low, and at the same time too sharp. They have too much attack without enough body, which makes them sound thin. Roll off some of the treble on the kick and snare, raise the volume a bit (or better yet, cut everything else). The drum patterns could use some work too, some more variation. The guitar fuzz/mud problem could be mitigated with EQ, by sweeping around the midrange and cutting frequencies that are getting in the way, but you're better off finding a different tone since it's all in the box. I can't even hear the bass. The vocals, again, aren't integrated; they sit on top in an awkward way, probably forced to do so by the guitars. They're too loud, and at the same time not quite aggressive enough; they need a bit more conviction, as well as the right compression/EQ/reverb settings.

The guitar playing is pretty good, but the song doesn't really hold my interest; for my taste, I'd say either develop and change the parts a bit more, or make it shorter. It's a start, though! And since it's up on Spotify, I guess it's a finish, too; try for some more balance, separation and impact next time around.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Cool! Thank you very much about all this detailed explanation! Thing is, I don't know shit about music! I know trivia and gossip, but music shouldn't be about that!

Once I got a MacBook it opened a world to me, cuz I'm entirely self thaught (more like self period, because I haven't learnt much by myself)!

I'll try to do my best to fix it all.

Also... the main problem is.... that I've played everything with a fuckin' keyboard ahahah 

Everything! Even the goddamn double bass pattern (which cannot really be heard) was not programmed! It was two fingers of mine :D

It's gonna be tough, but I will try to fix the mix and change stuff.

 

Check this out! This was on an acoustic piano.. Once again, nothing serious, just for fun, but this was me some 9 years ago! It got to 28k views, which is unreal...

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Join Metal Forum

    joinus-home.jpg

  • Our picks

    • Whichever tier of thrash metal you consigned Sacred Reich back in the 80's/90's they still had their moments.  "Ignorance" & "Surf Nicaragura" did a great job of establishing the band, whereas "The American Way" just got a little to comfortable and accessible (the title track grates nowadays) for my ears.  A couple more records better left forgotten about and then nothing for twenty three years.  2019 alone has now seen three releases from Phil Rind and co.  A live EP, a split EP with Iron Reagan and now a full length.

      Notable addition to the ranks for the current throng of releases is former Machine Head sticksman, Dave McClean.  Love or hate Machine Head, McClean is a more than capable drummer and his presence here is felt from the off with the opening and title track kicking things off with some real gusto.  'Divide & Conquer' and 'Salvation' muddle along nicely, never quite reaching any quality that would make my balls tingle but comfortable enough.  The looming build to 'Manifest Reality' delivers a real punch when the song starts proper.  Frenzied riffs and drums with shots of lead work to hold the interest.


      There's a problem already though (I know, I am such a fucking mood hoover).  I don't like Phil's vocals.  I never had if I am being honest.  The aggression to them seems a little forced even when they are at their best on tracks like 'Manifest Reality'.  When he tries to sing it just feels weak though ('Salvation') and tracks lose real punch.  Give him a riffy number such as 'Killing Machine' and he is fine with the Reich engine (probably a poor choice of phrase) up in sixth gear.  For every thrashy riff there's a fair share of rock edged, local bar act rhythm aplenty too.

      Let's not poo-poo proceedings though, because overall I actually enjoy "Awakening".  It is stacked full of catchy riffs that are sticky on the old ears.  Whilst not as raw as perhaps the - brilliant - artwork suggests with its black and white, tattoo flash sheet style design it is enjoyable enough.  Yes, 'Death Valley' & 'Something to Believe' have no place here, saved only by Arnett and Radziwill's lead work but 'Revolution' is a fucking 80's thrash heyday throwback to the extent that if you turn the TV on during it you might catch a new episode of Cheers!

      3/5
      • Reputation Points

      • 10 replies
    • I
      • Reputation Points

      • 2 replies
    • https://www.metalforum.com/blogs/entry/52-vltimas-something-wicked-marches-in/
      • Reputation Points

      • 3 replies

    • https://www.metalforum.com/blogs/entry/48-candlemass-the-door-to-doom/
      • Reputation Points

      • 2 replies
    • Full length number 19 from overkill certainly makes a splash in the energy stakes, I mean there's some modern thrash bands that are a good two decades younger than Overkill who can only hope to achieve the levels of spunk that New Jersey's finest produce here.  That in itself is an achievement, for a band of Overkill's stature and reputation to be able to still sound relevant four decades into their career is no mean feat.  Even in the albums weaker moments it never gets redundant and the energy levels remain high.  There's a real sense of a band in a state of some renewed vigour, helped in no small part by the addition of Jason Bittner on drums.  The former Flotsam & Jetsam skinsman is nothing short of superb throughout "The Wings of War" and seems to have squeezed a little extra out of the rest of his peers.

      The album kicks of with a great build to opening track "Last Man Standing" and for the first 4 tracks of the album the Overkill crew stomp, bash and groove their way to a solid level of consistency.  The lead work is of particular note and Blitz sounds as sneery and scathing as ever.  The album is well produced and mixed too with all parts of the thrash machine audible as the five piece hammer away at your skull with the usual blend of chugging riffs and infectious anthems.  


      There are weak moments as mentioned but they are more a victim of how good the strong tracks are.  In it's own right "Distortion" is a solid enough - if not slightly varied a journey from the last offering - but it just doesn't stand up well against a "Bat Shit Crazy" or a "Head of a Pin".  As the album draws to a close you get the increasing impression that the last few tracks are rescued really by some great solos and stomping skin work which is a shame because trimming of a couple of tracks may have made this less obvious. 

      4/5
      • Reputation Points

      • 4 replies
×
×
  • Create New...