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Posted by: BM Aug 30 2008, 05:04 AM

Can anyone give me some suggestions how to write some really good thrash metal? everytime I write something I always think it stinks after a few minutes, constantly change it. I want to write something like old Megadeth. Songs like Loved to Deth, Rattlehead, Chosen Ones, Bad Omen, The Conjuring.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Posted by: Smikey2006 Aug 30 2008, 07:29 AM

Well.. firstly.. if we knew how to write good ol thrash metal.. like to the par of old megadeth not alot of us would be bandless My advice is play alot of stuff like you wanna play.. learn a ton of old megadeth and then use riffs similar to create your own peices. Learn your scales and incorporate it into writing riffs that kick it along side of other thrash bands.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Aug 30 2008, 12:05 PM

Inventing a good groovy riff is what is very important there. Also try to analyze drums, they have a major influence on the groove as well. Open up a drum software, pick a nice trash groove, and jamm some trash riffs. When you find something you like, you can than check out the key of the song, and insert some powerchord progression for the chorus. When you find out the intro-verse-chorus-solo parts, it will be easier.

Posted by: Marcus Siepen Aug 31 2008, 01:16 PM

Try to analyze what you like in old Megadeth. What makes the riffs so special for you, what about drums, bass, vocals? Then try to use this information for your own stuff. And when you say that after some minutes it doesnÄt sound good anymore, try to analyze why you don't like it. What is so bad, how can you change it? Compare your stuff to the Megadeth stuff and try to find the differences.

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Aug 31 2008, 01:28 PM

It's fantastic to get this kind of advice from you Marcus - thanks!

Posted by: Marcus Siepen Aug 31 2008, 05:29 PM

well, that would be my approach

Posted by: Daniel Robinson Aug 31 2008, 06:31 PM

My two cents kinda adds on what Marcus does,

If there is a certain style of a song i want to write, what i will do is listen to the song that i want to emulate and use the same chord progression so i have a template for a similar sound. What i change is rhythmic and chord voicings so its not at all the same song but i am using the same chord progression.

Daniel

Posted by: Marcus Siepen Aug 31 2008, 07:32 PM

Nice approach too

Posted by: BM Sep 1 2008, 05:31 AM

That is probably the best advice I have gotten thank you very much! Now I do have another question maybe you can help me with. I wrote some song lyrics tonight. I know what type of music I am going for. Now do I try to fit the music into the lyrics or should it be the other way around? I mean, this is the part that always gets me.

By the way, the best example of what i love about old Megadeth is Last Rites...Loved to Deth. I can listen to that song so many times and can never EVER resist the urge to bang my head. Lol/

Posted by: SirEld Sep 1 2008, 12:25 PM

Very good advice!
I like this topic since i'm a big thrash fan too and prolly want to write my own stuff one day! Just have to learn how to play guitar first hehe

Posted by: Marcus Siepen Sep 1 2008, 01:47 PM

Well, i guess many people use many different approaches to this, but in BG for example we ALWAYS write the music first. During songwriting Hansi sings whatever comes to his mind, the only thing that matters is the melodie lines and the rhythm of the words, but the words themselves don't even have to make any sense. Only when the full song is done concerning the music he starts writing the final lyrics, based on the melodies and word rhythms he used during the writing process.