Live looper performance on 2025-04-10. Also using the bouzouki I got in Athens.  One of my favorite bands. Monster Magnet.

Cage Around The Sun (Monster Magnet Cover)


LYRICS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Five little lies
Led to your demise
Your kingdom is burning to the ground

Wise..  guys ... sympathize? .. to a knife fight

I..... am flying
I.... am slowly dying

Tell me all your secrets
I'll take yours from your fate
And if I feel your pain
Oh the undertones....

YOU LIE!

Five little lies
Led to your demise
Your kingdom is burning to the ground

Wise..  guys ... sympathize? .. to a knife fight

I despise your lies

Wise..  guys ... sympathize? .. to a knife fight
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Five Little Lies

This was the name of my first Punk band back in the 80's.

As in "A bad group of people".  The song is new, but I wanted to use the name for a song.

LYRICS
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Malfaction...
Its a bad idea to spend your time with me
Distraction...
I'll keep you ... from being what you want to be

Malfaction...
Distraction from the things you want to be
...
Its a bad idea to spend your time with me
--------------------------------------------------------------------


Malfaction

CONCEPT: Some kind of angel of death on the battlefield scene.  

This is what became of the earlier track I posted called "New Guitar".
I replaced the stock drums with my own, added some "vocals", and added a lead guitar using the GarageBand Hard Rock guitar, but then I "merged" it and ran it through a different amp setup. 

As usual, the GarangeBand guitar and drums are played manually, live.  Then edited from there as needed.

LYRICS
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The sword pierced his ancient steel
The blood began to flow
He fell to his knees (again)
The ground began to glow.

His claws are scratching down my back
Then she stood and said my name!

AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Your going back to hell ... (4x)

His claws are scratching down my back
Then she stood and said my name!

Your going back to hell ... (4x)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------


Back to Hell

---------------------------------------------------
Worshiping gods of steel
They will tell you how to feel
Patience is your only friend
Pain will greet you in the end

Your gonna have to handcuff me before you get me back in that cell!

Rain down, rain down on me
Blood Lines
Fate abandons me
x2

Rising from the underworld
I spy ... faces of evil
Five times in the underworld
I'm gone ... now you believe me

Faces of Evil
Now you believe me
Now you believe me

Worshiping the gods of steel
I can tell you how to feel

Bleed my heart out ... focus on the pain
Bleed my heart out ... take me back again

Rain down, rain down on me
Blood Lines
Fate abandons me
x2

Blood line

Rising from the underworld
I spy ... faces of evil
Five times in the underworld
I'm gone ... now you believe me

Faces of Evil
Now you believe me
Now you believe me

Yah!
Rah!
Yah!

We wont believe you

Hah!
Rah!
Lies!

Faces of Evil

---------------------------------------------------

Faces of Evil

A collaboration between MalFaction and Behold The Sludge (soundcloud.com/beholdthesludge).
Jonathan Black did the Lyrics and Vocals, and Hank Sola did the Music, Production, and Artwork.

This was an existing instrumental track  (soundcloud.com/hank-sola/misericorde-1).  Jonathan provided some vocal tracks, and I did a remix.  I also fixed some volume  issues, added a "Suspense Bass" intro/outro and added some effects at the end.  I also expanded the song in a couple of places to "make room" for the vocals.

---------------------------------------------------

Only one!

Grasp your sword
Bring your best
This is our course
We fight til the death
We fight til the death
We've nothing left
There's glory to find
An honorable knight
Leaves nothing behind

misericorde!

Only one!

The misericorde
This is our course
Til there's nothing left 
We fight til the death
I'm taking you down
Your head is mine 
An honorable knight
Leaves nothing behind
Leaves nothing behind
nothing behind

I swing my sword x 4

misericorde

I swing my sword x 4

It takes your head!

Only one! x 2

It takes your head!



Misericorde (with Behold the Sludge)

Lyrics:
-----------------------------------------------------------
Mississippi River
Bottom of the Mud
The witch lies buried
Prophecy of love

Hell Yeah! x 2

I'm gonna dig the ditch 
Bury her good
Can't cast a spell if your dead
Can't cast a spell when your under the dirt

Hell Yeah! x 2

Holy ... Holy Roller
The witch ... has sealed her own fate
Holy ... Holy Roller
Down with the witch

Hell Yeah! x 2




Witch's Fate

This is a slightly different mix of the same song released by Fraenk and I on his page: https://soundcloud.com/frankdarko/fraenk-darko-hank-sola-morphosis

This one has no post-production at all and is a raw GarageBand on iOS export to SoundCloud.  

Credits:
vocals & lyrics: Fraenk Darko
drums & percussion: Hank Sola
electric guitars: Hank Sola
slide bass: Fraenk Darko
bass: Hank Sola
mastering: Fraenk Darko & Hank Sola
artwork: Fraenk Darko

Many thanks to @frankdarko for being so creatively honest and easy to work with.  We will do it again soon!

Morphosis (with Fraenk Darko)

This is the second collaborative effort from Fraenk Darko (@frankdarko) and MalFaction.
(See our first creation here: https://soundcloud.com/hank-sola/morphosis-with-fraenk-darko).

Enjoy!

Credits:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
vocals & lyrics: Fraenk Darko
drums & percussion: Hank Sola
electric guitars (2): Hank Sola
"Suspense Bass": Hank Sola
mastering: Fraenk Darko & Hank Sola
artwork: Fraenk Darko

Many thanks to @frankdarko for yet another great experience!

Lyrics:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ VERSE ONE ]
pressure gets higher
now light is dying
now you want it
you want it bad
abyss won't hold you
gulped down
yeah
so you will drift to nowhere
you float away into an cold empty space
so you will drown in nothing
close to end of time

[ CHORUS ]
give it up
you're drown in rain
give it up
go down down
give it up
and drown in pain
give it up
go down down
give it up
and drown in vain
give it up
go drown drown
give it up
and frown in chain
your heart turns 
brown brown

[ VERSE TWO ]
cold flesh on fire
now silent crying
now you're haunted
you're haunted bad
hell it will freeze you
sink down
yeah
so you will drift to nowhere
you smile indifferent eyes turn dull again
so you will drown in nothing
hell of liquid ice

[ CHORUS ]
give it up
you're drown in rain
give it up
go down down
give it up
and drown in pain
give it up
go down down
give it up
and drown in vain
give it up
go drown drown
give it up
and frown in chain
your heart turns 
brown brown

[ AD LIBITUM ]

leaving this world
down with the ravens
souls growling under oath
dive down
see deamons
candellight
glow

Drown (with Fraenk Darko)

Lyrics are 100% improvised (you tell me what it means!) in my pickup truck, outside a Five Guys Burger joint, on an iPhone headset, so I guess this is still Lo-Fi ;-)

== CREDITS ==

100% me + GarageBand



== LYRICS ==

I can't feel my face 
Something takes a hold of me
And I'm too weak to even run away 

I can't see in your head
Take my pain away
Don't dare you throw it all away 

Gonna focus on the pain
Gonna pay you back another day

I can't see what's in my head
Gonna show you now - teach you how
I'll take you back to school
right

So I beat my head against the wall
And I cling so tight because
you know - Worst of all I don't want to fall 

I'm going down again and I can't stand the pain
So I open up my head
I let the feelings out
I let the demons in

I ..  can't .. breath (x 4)

Focus on the pain
Like a runaway you throw me out again
Find another way
To make the pain
Just go away go away

I can bleed for Days 
I can bleed for Days 
But I see something growing
In your face again
I feel the rage again
And now

I ..  can't .. breath (x 4)

Right

Bleed For Days

Previously an instrumental track of mine, Fraenk Darko added vocals and I added some new synths on top of what was once called "Drone".

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lyrics:

GERMAN

I
Du willst die Wärme willst das Licht
Hast keine Haut und kein Gesicht
Bist voller Schmerz doch fühlst es nicht
Dein Lebenmut hat kein Gewicht

Deine Pflicht spricht, bricht, hast keine Schicht 
Bist so kalt doch spürst es nicht

Fühlst dich klein und kannst nicht mehr
So allein alles fällt dir schwer

Bist so voll doch fühlst dich leer
Die Dunkelheit sie klebt wie Teer

II
Du willst die Größe willst die Macht
Gravitation hat dich gemacht
Bist voller Schmerz doch nie verflacht
Dein Monolog ist eine Schlacht

Deine Pracht lacht, macht, schläfst keine Nacht 
So parathym es wird wirr gelacht

Fühlst dich groß und willst noch mehr
So famos nichts fällt dir schwer

Bist so grell und magst dich sehr
Dein Licht druchdringt uns wie ein Speer

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
ENGLISH TRANSLATION

I
You want the warmth you want the light
You have no skin you have no face

Are full of pain but unable to feel
Your courage to face life has no weight

Your duty speaks breaks has no coat
You're so cold but do not feel it yet

Feel small and can't go on
All alone everything is torbid

You are so full but feel empty
The darkness adheres like tar

II
You want the size want the power 
Gravity created you

Are full of pain but never indifferent
Your monologue is a battle

Your majesty smiles, does, never sleeps at night
So parathym you hear confused laughter

Feel great and want to grow further
So wizard nothing is difficult for you

You are so bright and worship yourself 
Your light penetrates us like a spear

Albus an ater (with Fraenk Darko)

CREDITS: First of all this is a cover, so all music and lyrics are thanks to Monster Magnet.

Monster Magnet is one of my favorite bands ever.

I recently found my "Powertrip" CD and could not get this song out of my head.
Maybe it is because of the times we live in and the lyric "I turned on my TV and somebody blew up".  Whatever it is/was I got inspired and created this slower, doomier version for your listening pleasure.

It was also an experiment in not using any drums at all, like the original.

Here are the lyrics (thans to http://www.metrolyrics.com/baby-gotterdammerung-lyrics-monster-magnet.html):

I read a book today, it made me think of a life I led
It seemed so far away, but then I wouldn't call it dead
I see a name or two and the ghosts just start to roam
I had 'em locked away, it seems they've cut their own parole

Now face the music, son, some people live to remember when
But you're no storage space, you've lived a dozen lives since then
So what would Modok do if his memory got too full?
He'd find a power source and then he'd pick what plugs to pull

I looked in the mirror and somebody blew up
I turned on my TV and somebody blew up
I learned how to lie well and somebody blew up
I learned how to live true and somebody blew up

My brain was still today, just taking a little death
Just like the doctors say, I never get that kind of rest
The movie's on again, they got me nullifying ghosts
I'm better dead than red, I guess I'll never get off the boat

Baby Götterdämerung (Monster Magnet cover)

Another sinister tale for your nightmares...

Credits:
- Music, Composition, Mixing - Hank Sola
- Lyrics, Artwork, Vocal performance and production - Fraenk Darko


Lyrics:
SINISTER FAREWELL

Q1:
He' going to waste a life (2x)

L1:
I'm going to waste a life ill
I'm going to grab the abyss
I'm going to block the treadmill
I'm going to flee this's madness

Q2:
He' going to waste a life (3x)
[Lunatic laughter]

L2:
I'm going to waste a life ill
I'm going to grab the abyss
I'm going to block the treadmill
I'm going to flee this's madness

Q3:
He' going to waste a life (1x)
[Lunatic laughter]

Sinister Farewell (featuring Fraenk Darko)

All credits to Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground!

For this track I used the "Retro Wha" guitar sound in GarageBand for the first time and it is pretty sweet.  You can record the use of the pedal using your finger as a separate pass after playing or programming the notes.  It gives some life to the otherwise dead electronic track by allowing you to add a more organic varying sound.

I added a second guitar track to take the place of the droning viola in the original as I could not get the right sound out of the GarageBand string instruments.

Then I went with my "Ancient Doom" sound where I use the "Chinese Kit" drums (Gong and other cymbals I do not know the name of)  and the "Taiko Drums" for the massive bass drum sound, a "Light Cycle" synth for a bass, and double tracked vocals - one with the "Echo Drive" effect and the other with a "monster" pitch drop - panned the same to merge them a bit.  I had "Logan" play the tambourine for me because the ones that come with the drum kits are not as good.

Sorry for the off key parts ;-) I do what I can vocally, but I think there are a few parts on key that sound OK?

Thanks to http://www.loureed.it/LR_tab/tabs/venus_in_furs.html for the lyrics and guitar tab.  I used a drop-D tuning like the original.

        Shiny shiny, shiny boots of leather
        whiplash girlchild in the dark
        Comes in bells, your servant, don't forsake him
        strike dear mistress and cure his heart

        Downy sins of streetlight fancies
        chase the costumes she shall wear
        Ermine furs adorn imperious
        Severin, Severin awaits you there

        I am tired, I am weary
        I could sleep for a thousand years
        A thousand dreams that would awake me
        different colors made of tears

        Kiss the boot of shiny shiny leather
        shiny leather in the dark
        Tongue of thongs, the belt that does await you
        strike dear mistress and cure his heart

        Severin, Severin, speak so slightly
        Severin, down on your bended knee
        Taste the whip, in love not given lightly
        taste the whip, now bleed for me

        I am tired, I am weary
        I could sleep for a thousand years
        A thousand dreams that would awake me
        different colors made of tears

        Shiny shiny, shiny boots of leather
        whiplash girlchild in the dark
        Severin your servant, comes in bells
        please don't forsake him
        strike dear mistress and cure his heart

Venus in Furs (Velvet Underground cover)

Credits: Hank Sola and Fraenk Darko

Excerpt:
"I watch an ending end
I watch the fall you sigh
I watch the fallen angel
reflected in your eyes

It won't go by
No we won't cry
cause your are here
we spill red wine
no we don't say good bye"



=== LYRICS ===

we walk past anyday
into the zone

like anyday
we two intone
so good

unfortunately it's Armageddon
won't build when our world survived
take my hand and feel alive

would silt in a heavens world
found you in a dying world
in the end we finally draw near

you and me
in a dying world
we share our final day

the horsemen roar
lay on the floor
and burn these barns
die in my arms
kiss me while the world dies
another sin nothing to shrive

close to death
finally feel each other

you and me
in a dying world
we f**k our pain away

I watch an ending end
I watch the fall you sigh
I watch the fallen angel
reflected in your eyes

It won't go by
No we won't cry
cause your are here
we spill red wine
no we don't say good bye

you won't need pills
just fell the bump
I won't care thills
while feel your rump
a day that kills
all life on earth
but I could't care less
so

take my hand
close your eyes don't bother

You and me
in a dying world
I never bid farewell

carpe diem
at entropy we smile

At Entropy We Smile (featuring Fraenk Darko)

You tell me about this track!   What would you call it?  What do you feel?

I am Descending
Into the Dark
Empty Awaits
With Open Arms

I am Ascending
Into the Light
Open Acceptance
With Open Arms


100% GarageBand
Tracks:
1 ) Taiko drums
2) Upright Cello/bass thingy
3) Guzheng (stringed instrument)
4) Bass (cello like thingy)
5) "Outback Sunset" synth
6) Suspense Bass (kicks in later)
7) Electric Piano (inspired by Horseback)
8) Lazer Battle synth effect
9) clean vox track
10) Monster Vox track

Ascension

CREDITS:

vox/lyrics = Fraenk Darko
image = Kevin Gill (https://www.flickr.com/photos/kevinmgill/ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
else = Hank Sola

LYRICS

wont't you ever try
don't you know the reason why
know you
don't you
you know the reason one
know you
don't you
you know the reason one
reason one
you know the reason one

wont't you say goodbye
don't you see the seasons dye
don't you
won't you
you are the season one
don't you
won't you
you are the season one
reason one
you are the season one

I take you to the moon
you signed in
I take you for a ride
I know

I lead you to your doom
you signed in
I take you for a ride
you know

event horizons loom
you signed in
I take you for a ride
we know
I take you for a ride
you know
I take you for a ride
you know

I take you for a ride
cause your the reason one
cause your the season one
reason one
cause your the reason one
cause your the reason one
season one
cause your the s/reason one

Reason One (featuring Fraenk Darko)

Lyrics:

Cutting you down to size
Tooling you up for the prize

Blinded ... by the promises they Pay
Grinding ... for eons on the Lathe

The Lathen One

The same .wav file as https://soundcloud.com/hank-sola/drown but run through mastering software (emastered.com).

Drown (with Fraenk Darko) *remastered*

Griff

Solo project using GarageBand on an iPhone 6 plus. 

I use a Schecter Electric Guitar with an iRig mobile, and a pair of iPhone stock headphones to record vocals.  Some tracks use an acoustic guitar miked with the iPhone headphones.  Many tracks are recorded in a pickup truck.  I have used hand tools as percussion instruments and I have been known to record vocals while driving. 

For the most part these are recorded in one take per instrument - lyrics are only written down AFTER the song is "done".  The lyrics are fantastical and improvised, often recorded in a car.  This is rock and roll fantasy escapism for me. 

I used to play drums in several bands but have always messed around with any instrument I can get my hands on.  No formal training in any of this.

So enjoy! Don't take them too seriously, and use your imagination!

As for the art work, I have been using images of outer space from https://www.flickr.com/photos/kevinmgill/ under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ and Fraenk Darko does the artwork for all of the collaborations we do.
Most everything else is created by me, but I give credit to others in the track descriptions in a few cases.

MalFaction

Popular tracks