covering a song too closly

[joeysnare]

my band recently decided to do "hammer smashed face" by cannibal corpse for good old nostalgia purposes. anywho after a few really hard listens i realized that the song is a mess of tempo boo boos,faster here, slower there.should i learn it mistakes intact?or clean it up a bit? whats your guys opinion?

If the tempo is messed up, don't copy that. You have to play a song solidly even if it's not that way on the recording. As far as the actual part goes, if you want to copy that note for note, go right ahead.

[intooder]

Originally Posted by joeysnare

my band recently decided to do "hammer smashed face" by cannibal corpse for good old nostalgia purposes. anywho after a few really hard listens i realized that the song is a mess of tempo boo boos,faster here, slower there.should i learn it mistakes intact?or clean it up a bit? whats your guys opinion?

I'm not familiar with that song, but the tempo change in the parts you're talking about, might very well be intentional. My suggestion: try it both ways. If your cleaned up version takes away from the feel of the original or isn't fitting, stick with the original tempos.

[voldak]

I've covered this song countless numbers of times. I usually change it up a bit. Paul Mazurkiewicz is a good drummer, but his blasts are a little too slow for my taste. His blasts are very powerful, but slow. But, that actually goes good with the song. That song just reminds me of sheer brutality (such as the name of the song suggest). A slower, pounding, menacing song. as mentioned earlier "brutality".


Just take it like you want to take it. I personally try to play it just kinda like he does. It is kinda all over the place, but I think it was intentional. Bottom line is...it's death metal...put your own spin on it and make it your own. Don't overdue it too much, but if you want to change it up a bit...do it.

[joeysnare]

hey thanks guys,i am actually putting my own spin on it,a few modern extreme death metal fills to spice it up and give it a bit more up to date feel.the only thing im having trouble with now is making my body go outta time,its funny sometimes it sounds easier to do then you think,ive practiced for years on getting my timing perfect and doing this just feels wrong lol.but for the true "feel" of the song im working on it.

[hateplow]

Dude, keep it real.
Hammer Smashed Face is a classic. Don't mess with it.
I Cum Blood is the best track on that CD. It spews PUTRIFACTION!