Originally Posted by: HambergWe already got offered a record and management deal from an international label, and they are financing everything...[/QUOTE]

If you are ok, what label. I ask because my main business was CD import/export for primarily metal. Dealt with tons of international labels and a little international licensing of some of our label stuff. Curious, really.

Originally Posted by: HambergI am more concerned as to weather this could have mass appeal from as many views as possible.[/QUOTE]

Mass appeal? Not 'Kelly Clarkson' appeal but could have appeal in the less broad underground. Unless you want to do a Daughtry or Nickelback thing, metal is a hard sell.

Originally Posted by: HambergI disagree with the song writting points, as I am a theorist, and composer, with a degree in production. Several producers, including those that had worked with Van Halen said the writing was great...[/QUOTE]

I think it's fair to say that different ears want different things. I've been in the business for 15+ years (although not particularly active recently). What I can say is I've developed an awareness to what people react to. I would never discount what others say because they have great experiences to draw from. Mine is just another perspective.

Just as a note, when I did have a label (about 10 years ago), about half of the artists on the label were artists that had previously been on a major label some years prior. With this, I executive produced a number of things and spent plenty of time in studios for mixdowns and a little of the mastering (if you have a good masterer, you don't need to babysit). It's not a totally uninformed opinion. I have a little of the 'been there' thing.

Also, I was basing my opinion on the one vocal song. I really liked the instrumental stuff more so that the vocal song but my opinion has to be based on what was presented as your direction and by what you started the thread with.

Originally Posted by: HambergThis particular arrangment, was intended to be sort of bland, and I wouldn't expect many musicians to like it (I ****in Hate It.) It was intended for an "average listener" sort of audience. Porn Star is a bit more complex, and you might be able to appreciate that. It seems to be alot more popular with musicians. Although it isn't as complex as alot of material created by extreme metal, or hardcore groups. I wanted to retain as much appeal to the "average listener" as possible.

My opinion is not at all from a musicians perspective. One of my favorite songs is the dumbest, easiest thing to play. It's more from watching when and why people react to stuff.

Reality is, musicians rarely buy much music as compared to the average Joe. It's odd but an observation I had from my years around the biz.

My suggestion in the songwriting has more to do with a hook than complexity. Any song is 'sold' at the chorus. It's the money part of the song. Whether it's Hansen's 'mmm-Bop' or Symphony of Destruction, it has to have a pay off. More than anything, that's my point. I was waiting for the pay off.

Just my opinion, you should never write a song that is purposely bland for mass appeal. You will end up on a shelf somewhere, unsold. Write a great song every time but be mindful that the average listener wants a pay off. It's why such simple stuff sells. It's why Twisted Sister's mega-anthems sell. A pay off in the song.

Either they sing along or their fists pump. I can promise more than anything in the music biz, that's exactly what an exec is looking for. If you have contacts in the business, ask them about the above.

I'm not saying mine is the only opinion as it should not be. It is an experienced opinion that, with others, should be considered.

[QUOTE=Hamberg]I can't remember Layne Staley growling. Most of his style was a pretty high pitched whine (usually people can't hit those high notes that he's got in my experience.) Phil from Pantera would be a bit much for this particular style I think.

The growl was more about Phil but I lumped in Layne for the more gutteral, raspy singing. His voice had lots of breadth to it. Lots of power. More that kind of thing.

[QUOTE=Hamberg]Our band auditioned several AIC poser, wanna bes (like 10 different people trying to be Layne LoL,) none of them could do it pro, and we don't want to be another AIC. We also auditioned like 5 other vocalsist who sucked.

Singer are a rare commodity. I only played in a cover band back in the day but had a pretty good singer. Very hard to come by and have their head on the shoulders to a manageable extent. Very few great singers that aren't head cases.

[QUOTE=Hamberg]Any strategy on how to find one?

...after praying....Keep on working through them. While I gave you an example of who I thought sections for a singer should sound like, my thought is to not look for a certain kind of singer. Just look for a great singer in general and one that will mesh with your music will surface eventually. You just have to go through a million and one goofs to get there.

Good luck.