A progressive/tech metal style track, as a homage to Meshuggah. A re-uploaded/remastered version of an earlier upload. Uses 7-string guitars instead of 8-string guitars, but features a 7-string bass instead of a 6-string bass!

This was also an attempt at trying to learn more about mixing/mastering since my Lost Import material years ago, and getting to grips with Waves plugins and Superior Drummer 2.0 in Logic Pro X(yes, I'm aware of how out of touch I am!). No vocals on this track; instrumental only, but will be re-uploaded one day with vocals and better mixing!

Lost Import - 'Nature's Bane' (Demo: NO VOCALS)

A more refined, 'back to basics approach' to death metal writing, inspired by the likes of Cannibal Corpse, Slipknot, Nile etc. This track uses uses 7-string guitars instead of my usual 8-string guitar writing in Drop-A tuning, the same with an Ibanez BTB-7 7-string bass.

This was also another attempt at trying to learn more about mixing/mastering since my other Lost Import material  from years ago, and getting to further grips with Waves plugins and Superior Drummer 2.0 in Logic Pro X(yes, I'm STILL aware of how out of touch I am!). This time I tried using multi-out busing in Logic X, sending the separate drum channel outputs to separate buses for compression and reverb.

No vocals on this track; instrumental only, but will be re-uploaded one day with vocals and better mixing!

Lost Import - '10 Steps To The Chasm' (Demo: NO VOCALS)

A foray into using nothing but programmed synths/sampling to create an EBM/Gothic/Industrial track for a client's up-and-coming YouTube channel, specialising in illustration/art/gothic subculture. Check her work out on 'iveilethillustration' on Instagram & Facebook!

For this track I was inspired by bands such as Combichrist/Wumpscut to create something of a soundtrack for video-background purposes, to compliment the client's videos online. It was my first attempt at creating something in this genre and whilst not 'amazing', it was a lot of fun to try something new and understanding creating electronic music more!

Industrial/EBM/Gothic-Inspired Track - 'Paint Me A Pretty Picture, Snake Daddy'

This new track was inspired by the likes of Machine Head/Adagio/Slipknot (Rest In Power Joey), and an excuse to try and include a bass solo really! So this was a first time learning to mix clean bass guitar/continuing to work on mixing quality in general. This track uses uses 7-string guitars instead of my usual 8-string guitar writing in Drop-A tuning, the same with an Ibanez BTB-7 7-string bass.

This was also another attempt at trying to learn more about mixing/mastering since my other Lost Import material  from years ago, and getting to further grips with Waves plugins and Superior Drummer 2.0 in Logic Pro X(yes, I'm STILL aware of how out of touch I am!). This time I tried using multi-out busing in Logic X, sending the separate drum channel outputs to separate buses for compression and reverb. Still learning how to mix backing guitars over the solos, so you can still hear them but they're not obtrusive/too quiet.

No vocals on this track; instrumental only, but will be re-uploaded one day with vocals and better mixing!

Lost Import - 'When The Hornets Go To Rest' (Demo: NO VOCALS)

This is an ambient background piece that I knocked up to use on one of the songs on my album. I may use this as an intro for "Mookii Mistake" (which can be found on my Major Project Playlist or on my uploads)to set the mood for the song before it goes into a heavy, 8-string guitar metal section, then a variation of this piece as an outro.

Ambient Background Piece

This is the second 'final mix' track for my University 'Major Project' album, in the style of Progressive Metal, featuring guest vocals from Dan-Wilson Stone from 'Kilkovec' and 'Niece'.

Credits:

Simon Hoskins - Music, Rhythm and Lead Guitars, Bass Guitar, Programmed Drums and Synth
Dan-Wilson Stone - Lyrics and Vocals

Lost Import - 'Egomersion'

This is a collection of all the separate tracks to the 'Inferno' project, which I was commissioned to do for a client's work. This playlist contains all the separate tracks for the entire project, but the whole piece is uploaded separately to this one as well.

Each track represents a theme to the artist's illustrations, a re-imaging of the original Inferno by Dante Alighieri. Each 'circle of hell', or sin, is represented from a female's perspective where women are the primary focus for the personification of each sin - Limbo, Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Wrath, Violence, Heresy, Violence, Fraud and Treachery.

This was one of the more challenging projects I have undertaken and involved a lot of research and learning more about orchestral arrangements, timbre, atmosphere and mixing/producing. This is one of the better mixes I have done in recent times, although still not perfect! It was interesting and fun to do, and something I wish to use in my future compositions as well (and a continuing learning curve in arrangement/production).

All instrumentation and music was created by myself. Kari El-Shaer, wrote and created the introduction ('Prelude') to the song.

9.) Inferno - 'Fraud' (Qui furantur corde neo tenebras?)

3.) Inferno - 'Lust' (Et arcuato vulnere serpens passion)

2.) Inferno - 'Limbo' (Descensus ad exitium)

1.) Inferno - 'Prelude' (Ab initio, et ex lacrimis dolorem fluxus)

This is the whole song (all ten tracks) to the 'Inferno' project, which I was commissioned to do for a client's work. A separate playlist with each of the tracks divided into 10 separate ones can be found below.

Each arrangement throughout the song represents a theme to the artist's illustrations, a re-imaging of the original Inferno by Dante Alighieri. Each 'circle of hell', or sin, is represented from a female's perspective where women are the primary focus for the personification of each sin - Limbo, Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Wrath, Violence, Heresy, Violence, Fraud and Treachery.

This was one of the more challenging projects I have undertaken and involved a lot of research and learning more about orchestral arrangements, timbre, atmosphere and mixing/producing. This is one of the better mixes I have done in recent times, although still not perfect! It was interesting and fun to do, and something I wish to use in my future compositions as well (and a continuing learning curve in arrangement/production).

All instrumentation and music was created by myself. Kari El-Shaer wrote and created the introduction ('Prelude') to the song.

L'Inferno Femminile - 'The Female Inferno' Project

This is my latest track for the new Lost Import material (finally decided upon a new artist/band name). This one was largely inspired by Behemoth, Nile, Dying Fetus and Cattle Decapitation, so a more darkened, but technical song!

I'm still learning about production/mixing, I've followed some tips from Ola Englund about mixing Superior Drummer 2.0 from an old video of his, which helped more this time. Im trying to trust my instincts when it comes to compression/EQ'ing each track and trust my ears more! No vocals, demo only; if anyone want to contribute vocals please drop me a message and I'd be happy to collaborate as well!

Lost Import - 'The Sands Of Despair' (Demo: NO VOCALS)

This is my latest track for my new material, after a bit of a hiatus due to work. This one was largely (if not massively) inspired by Children of Bodom and other bands within this vein. Alexi Laiho was a massive influence on me when I was starting out on guitar, it helped in my development as a guitarist. He really made shred-guitar 'fun' and accessible to a modern audience, so this track is something of a tribute to him and the band. Hugely talented, huger loss yet; Rest In Power \m/

I'm still learning about production/mixing, but trying to use each learning curve more when it comes to compression/EQ'ing each track and trust my ears! This was also an attempt at playing with synths and mixing these in too, hopefully they're not too muddy.

No vocals, demo only; if anyone want to contribute vocals please drop me a message and I'd be happy to collaborate as well! Looking to start something up? Send me a message \m/

Lost Import - 'The Breathless Howl' (Demo: NO VOCALS)

I'm a guitarist/bassist who has been playing for over 20 years and my main musical passions include metal, progressive rock, blues, country, jazz, funk and fusion music. I primarily play a 7/8 String Electric Guitar and dabble/unashamedly happy slap the hell out of my 7-String Bass Guitar. I do a lot of my own personal song writing and with other musicians, where I play in other bands and use my 'Lost Import' solo project for my own personal metal compositions (full-album in the playlist below).

I record from home using Logic Pro, Waves Audio Plugins, Neural DSP, Superior Drummer 3.0, and my ever breeding pedal board/amp tones. I'm still trying to learn more about the production side of recording music, which is probably reflected in my song uploads, but I hope to improve upon this further and learn more about creating a decent mix! I'm also available for work with other musicians/bands, teaching, and geek-talking about anything musical :)


Thanks for popping by!

SMN Musician

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