This Is Why Your Metalcore Song Sucks...

[@BaenaCarcosa]

*crabcore intensifies* For more info on guitars/gear/strings/etc check out these links: ►bit.ly/2nnDhmY ►imp.i114863.net/aMZ1N

[@THEshaggyrogers]

What string gauges do you use?

[@agufish]

You basically nailed every single thing I write. Good job lol

[@BaenaCarcosa]

It's cuz I m ur #1 fan

[@COYDOGSBAND]

@@BaenaCarcosa It's funny, I don't know ANYTHING (in the most literal sense, here) about guitar tabs & am self taught (and did it for 15+ yrs on the road later, too, so...yayyy...success...🙄) but lemme ask so I'm not hanging myself over nothing k? So I've luckily been kinda obsessed w/these influences usually (or seemingly) almost quasi-the-polar opposites of what you guys covered in a lot of your stereotype videos (christ on a cracker, at least i hope so now tho, anyway!) but...thru dumb luck or luckily being dumb AF, by being so very old, out of touch, & just as unskilled, I just had records of groups (metal-wise) on repeat like The Haunted, ETID, Zao, Darkest Hour, and early Cave In's CDs. Now, while the rest of the civilized world had social media & a life, I just wanted to ask, are there any ways you can think of (as I'm already a subscriber of yours) that I can mitigate all the seepage of deathcore (despite that i do enjoy newfound loves like END, Erra, etc) & "djent" etc?? Am I wrong to think I can mix what I love about more snarling crust-core-esque acts like Trap Them, Converge, or Johnny Booth etc AND stir it together w/some blackened metallic HC (not "metalcore" as apparently that describes weirdos who play nu metal-esque reboot riffery AND wore strange masks before COVID--i.e bands like Alpha Wolf or whatever...no offense...just not for me)?? Example: I suck at the aforementioned styles of songwriting on my axe yet it comes out like a differently abled grinding new-era-18V-meets-a less tech & Simple Jack skill-level Curl Up and Die + Refused? I know...sounds as horrible as reading this entire post...that's why i'm asking if I should just tow that line or is it "cool" to be in ur 30s writing 2000s era HC and just never doing any open chug-only breakdowns, only doing a riff then letting the drums do the half-time parts (if that makes sense)

[@txhellrazor4765]

Leave it up to the esp

[@xMetaLloydx]

This is so painfully generic, and yet sounds like at least 50% of most bands albums that we all love 😂

[@BaenaCarcosa]

Just cuz something is generic doesn't mean it can't be good haha, I love this stuff too that's why I know how to write it!

[@xMetaLloydx]

Andrew Baena you’re goddamn right homey

[@EnvisionedBlindness]

@@BaenaCarcosa you so right though

[@oopsyboops4806]

I love generic riffs as long as they are killer

[@srmitch9260]

It’s so dope though! Couldn’t stop head banging to that. Generic but it’s still sick 😂

[@fluffyy-8341]

Ah yes right off the bat, the classic 0 12 0 13 12 0 12 10 0 13 0 12 0

[@the12lookslikeyou]

Miss May I approves

[@eliaslee__]

also linkin park used similar pattern in qwerty verse riff

[@Embraced01]

mein land

[@xezmakorewarriah]

13 12 0 0 12 10 0 0

[@f67739]

even tool did this on forty six and two thats how i learned

[@zynosgd9982]

Me: *still f*king enjoys how it sounds*

[@armanpgrigorian]

Lets be honest, we all love hearing a good by the books metalcore song every now and then. Nailed it bro \m/

[@joshuasalazar1527]

Call it generic all you want, I’ll admit I replayed that song over and over again about 20 times. Make it longer. I’ll pay for that

[@belzebubs4268]

Metalcore currently has reached a point where your "generic" riffs sounds very interesting, fresh and innovative compare to 90% of what bands are currently doing.

[@alexbrodie2207]

No 5-7-8??? Not metal core enough smh

[@BackintheFall]

Had the same idea

[@the12lookslikeyou]

Or the good Old 8-5-0-3!

[@CloudShys]

@@the12lookslikeyou bmth sleep walking chorus

[@highpsi7463]

Damn this brings back memories

[@brownpunk1794]

Im new to guitar..what exactly does 5 7 8 mean? Thanks

[@RGT85]

Sounds like old school Bury Your Dead. Lol.

[@breadtilian]

Oh damn RGT 85 listens to metal? 😳

[@YaBoyJRock42069]

It does sound like something off of Beauty And The Breakdown

[@jsshayes1]

@@YaBoyJRock42069 Totally sounds like that record.

[@spider9224]

Agree!

[@gabriellevesque-lessard5052]

OMG! Losing it^^

[@imraanakollo-arenz1449]

Did you just teach me how to write an early 2010s Of Mice & Men song?

[@imraanakollo-arenz1449]

@jancsi 1 obsolete was a banger not gonna lie 🤣

[@D0VEWORLD]

neck pickup gang! generic metalcore still bangs. lots of bands are still doing it, especially in hardcore, and for some reason triplet breakdowns still do it for me.

[@shubaki6778]

do you mean hertas/gallops or actual triplets

[@D0VEWORLD]

@@shubaki6778 Both are great when it comes to the generic breakdown, but actual triplets. Like the second half of the first breakdown riff from Triumph by Elysia

[@bostonconnorsmullet]

@@D0VEWORLD Elysia. Wow. Throwbacks

[@DarthCalculus]

My favorite part is how the Windows error sound at 3:02 was in tune with your open C

[@NoobGamez1107]

While that writing is generic, as a vocalist, there is a lot I could do to spice it up. You can either make it sound like There Is A Hell era BMTH or like a heavier old school Vanna vibe. Having a good vocalist with their own sound and style can make all the difference.

[@barryostash2296]

AGREED. #FellowVocalist

[@dcstar7772]

Ahhh....My fellow Vocal Annihilators...I too Concur!!!!!✊😎

[@FeLix-qi7ci]

and in my opinion the drums can do a lot as well to Spice It Up!

[@ridleysomeliana-lauer5814]

I gotta be the only person here who doesn’t hear a single shred of Vanna musically in this. BMTH? That one I can get behind.

[@gibsoadstudios648]

Early 2000’s metalcore was the best metalcore. Change my mind.

[@AgainstTheeWickedlyMusic]

That's true, definitely way better than most of the bands now. At The Gates-core for the win 😆🤘

[@aamiw99]

Bleeding Through!!!

[@RibeiroGames12]

On Broken Wings baby

[@oopsyboops4806]

Any more early 2000s metal core bands that are good please it's hard to search

[@x-Gingerbeard-x]

@@oopsyboops4806 KSE, Trivium (Ascendancy is my personal favorite), AILD, The Agony Scene (They sounded really dark), old Bullet For My Valentine, Bleeding Through, Atreyu, to name a few.

[@anthonyguinn2851]

1:29 I too give the occasional stank face to generic metalcore riffs Ps: I find these types of riffs super fun to play even I they aren't too difficult, give me some OM&M the flood album riffs and I'll have a good time

[@straightspine9870]

Thanks Andrew. I'ma need one of these for every metal genre stat. Love this man, I've got 0 music theory so loved being able to watch a video like this!

[@vlarchik]

Waiting for "generic metalcore song" tuned down.

[@RemusHerciu]

"I have the most generic metalcore guitar of all time" *me literally holding my EC-1000 gloss black with EMGs as I watch*: Well, fuck

[@mitr3724]

That tone when the main riff kicked in was 🔥🔥🔥

[@natorious314]

Hilarious seeing my brother in-law get called out so hard on his guitar choice. Used to be in a metalcore band in the mid 2000's and he still has this exact guitar. It really was and still is a workhorse!

[@BaenaCarcosa]

It's a great guitar haha! Wouldn't be so widely used if it wasn't

[@joshuasaliba7826]

I have been writing metal for awhile. You explained a lot of the techniques I use better than I ever could.

[@mpedara429]

If this is metalcore then those pickups must be the EMG 81/85 combo

[@jj_zerozero]

This is basically Crystal Lake's rollin tuned 2 steps higher

[@bruh8434]

was just about to say this

[@jedigarrett142]

Andrew Baena should try writing some thing heavy in drop D tuning on a 6 string guitar. Like this so Andrew Baena can see this

[@gus2550]

Damn, I'm recording my first project (not metalcore) and I'm struggling so hard to mix my songs. Bass sounds too present but when I lower it, she disappears in the mix. The guitar doesn't explode like I would like her to do. Your mix sounds so good that's insane

[@SetflyRock]

Use the eq on the deum kick tô sound in 60hz , and the Bass in the 80hz , after up the Harmonic 160hz, Just talking Abou the bases zones, but It Will help

[@gus2550]

@@SetflyRock OK thanks man I'll try this out!

[@joesmith5617]

Multi track your guitars and have one left and one right and make sure to make the kick and snare the most present thing then the bass just wants to hold the beat so remove the mids and high and low pass to taste if you want abit more clarity and impacted

[@gus2550]

@@joesmith5617 hey thanks for your help ! I'm recording my second project and this is exactly what I'm doing, it's helping a lot !

[@Milpup]

You've wrote a new Blessthefall song 🤘

[@TSEGamingUnite]

hey man.........I'm still sad the day I sold my EC-1000..........still my favorite guitar that I have ever owned. Currently rocking Bjorn's epiphone though and its mighty fine.

[@fryrock9391]

Sounds exactly like BMTH - Alligator blood)))but i like it so much, thx for vid🤘🏻

[@djTranzer]

Just because its generic doesn't mean it doesn't SLAP!

[@doomslayer_ch4280]

how the hell do you come up with this stuff? each time I come up with a riff it always just comes back to 0-3-5

[@drkstrnd]

You haven't been writing for a long time, right?

[@doomslayer_ch4280]

@@drkstrnd yes, I haven’t been writing for a long time

[@drkstrnd]

@@doomslayer_ch4280 listen to as much of the music, you wanna write something similar to, but don't watch tabs or tutorials, just try to figure out for yourself how to play it, with this you will get a kinda unique approach to the music you wanna make. And obviously practice your pull offs, hammer ons and your picking hand speed... Have fun learning to write some bangers ;)

[@doomslayer_ch4280]

@@drkstrnd ok, thank you! I’ll make sure to try this!

[@donaldkarr3687]

@@doomslayer_ch4280 also learn theory! a lot of people say that theory "ruins creativity", but that's bullshit. even just getting a grasp of natural and harmonic minor scales has improved my writing a LOT. www.musictheory.net/ is a site where you can get theory lessons and exercises for free.

[@BaihuiMD]

A yes... My playlist for the last ten years. And DO NOT FAQ with drop see. 😳. And where is my 5-7-8 riff bro?

[@ldowdy9828]

I just found out I like generic metalcore...

[@oopsyboops4806]

I love generic riffs as long they are killer

[@thebreathless4935]

I domt even know who you are and yet I'm early

[@chrisaustin4038]

Dude. I like this guy and regret not keeping up with him like I should. Great way to explain how to explain yourself to people who know and have studied and been trained with music theory. I play by ear and feel and I still have to count my frets after playing for 20+ years.

[@toaletpapir6837]

the music by itself sounds fine it's just the lyrics that usually suck and ruin this type of music for most people

[@Amogg_Us]

Thank you for showing these techniques. I will use them for the song I have been writing.

[@RaVen-ij9gq]

This is so good for a spubd check..and theres a lot of techniques that i got in this one since im just a beginner..thank you..

[@SlyHikari03]

Would still take caveman riffs over this anyday. Still a guilty pleasure tho. Kinda reminds me of Celldweller’s Eon.

[@havvot948]

so, you dont know how well timed this was in my life. too muvh to explain but thank you

[@massluca0078]

*my life be like ooooooo aaaahhhhhh ooooooooo ahhhhhhhhhh ooooooooo*

[@victorthemusicman7243]

Hmmm. I know this was supposed to sound like pretty much most metalcore but all I heard was an unreleased song from Killswitch Engage's "Alive Or Just Breathing". 😂

[@teambrownie1]

already better than the ambient stuff that's on all the spotify core playlists

[@connorham8]

The bass tone is gnarly

[@bel.vermillion]

Highly appreciated that crab thumbnail Awesome tips man!

[@TheRealRxdxctxd]

I should have expected this. But I didn't. Being unexpected is odd for metalcore if I'm honest. 😏

[@MizuRino]

Really agressive riffs! Love them!

[@fancyflady5009]

Could be from emmure speaker of the Dead

[@robertrayner4004]

Why did you have to do me like this... I have an LTD ec256 and I am just in the midst of consolidating some riffs into a song in Drop C. It sounds like this 😂

[@fernandonavarro6783]

DAMN THE TONES!

[@Andrewnevens]

Defiantly reminds me of a day to remember song for sure! Great video!

[@zzirjukez2899]

Love you Andrew, your such a good guitarist n content creator👊🏻 man I appreciate you so much S/o from Chicago come play a show here soon

[@brianlane7925]

Thought he was starting out by covering the Crystal Lake cover of Rollin by Limp Bizkit.

[@tystunes569]

Of Mice & Men type beat for sure.

[@Spencer-it1ue]

First time I have ever heard you mention and/or use a neck pickup that I am aware of... Edit: I will cherish it ;) no hate! I barely use any of mine. Just taking note. Keep up the killer work!

[@BaenaCarcosa]

Cherish it

[@dry_skies_ct321]

I liked everything about this video except your bashing of the Ltd ec-1000 ..those are insanely versatile haha awesome vid

[@BaenaCarcosa]

No bashing intended! They're great guitars there's a reason a ton of people use them

[@localbaldguy4615]

I love In Due Time by Killswitch, great song

[@everrest8830]

The EC1000 is the icing on the generic metalcore cake.

[@tbnbfm8089]

Andrew "head movement" Baena... It seems the name of a Boxing Legend 🤣. Love You Andrew 💜

[@harcrof2887]

Last time I was this early... I was this this early. (Love the riffs

[@RpgRiser1]

Honestly kinda sounds like Crystal Lake's cover of Rollin'

[@djmccracekn033193]

Crystal Lakes cover of Rollin' but tuned up . lmao

[@BoomChockolaca]

Great manual! It's just an amazing video!

[@ixPeekABooBix]

you forgot the best part about generic metalcore --- a decent verse with a clean chorus that completely sounds out of place and no good transition!

[@codcade]

Deathcore next plz

[@romanskeey]

what size of strings do you use on this guitar?

[@kaelanlovett8523]

1:40 leg day intensifies

[@danielsakalaki]

😂😂too true

[@FlabbergastedPear]

This just sounds like an instrumental track from The Flood by OM&M Mission accomplished!

[@nighthawk9532]

I love that guitar I want to get myself an e 1000 set it up for Drop B

[@justindingwall4234]

Still sounds so fucking good!! Miss that sound I grew up on 👌

[@kiefdemon1979]

I'm only here for that light panel on the wall.

[@mojolito]

Maybe you’ve already done this lol, but would be cool concept ”turning a generic song into unique”

[@stickyRice9]

Listens to video, immediately goes and listens to Fit for a king's new album. 🤘

[@r2v2]

that beginning riff made me pause the video and say yeah thats generically awful lmao

[@Bass68195]

The only problem is that this shit goes fucking hard

[@brennanb2251]

Do you have a video on good entry-level guitars for newer guitarists?

[@thezackperry24]

Definitely is reminiscent of House of Straw by Bury Your Dead lol

[@imnotgaybut292]

i want to sound like memphis may fire in challenger but I just can't

[@AcaHansha]

I don't understand that much how music theory is but I understand it a little bit. Seeing the tips from you really inspiring me to try practice and write another music. Really helpful video my friends! Love from Indonesia!

[@elijahleigh6004]

Thanks for the advice man! Greatly appreciated!

[@yungdegen9008]

tone fucking city good lord

[@Clem2378]

YALL I was listening to “Rollin” by Crystal Lake and on god is exactly this

[@Just-Michael]

I just wrote an awful 2007 melodic metalcore/ deathcore song like last week. It's like going back to basics.

[@ayejimbae8068]

1:31 in and you’ve already called out AILD’s entire career. 💀🔥😂😂😂

[@alienboy2783]

No more like of mice and men

[@geschichtenausderkluft622]

Guitar with one String would be just fine for this

[@HEYZUS98]

I feel like asking alexandria changed the metal core scene when dropped stand up and scream. then it died.... Up until, wage war came along

[@tw8245]

Asking Alexandria single handedly ruined the scene.

[@The64BitKid]

Uhm architects saved the scene from the damage adking alexandria did

[@abravexstove289]

Is stand up and scream considered a good or bad album

[@HEYZUS98]

@@abravexstove289 in my opinion It was good. It shaped my taste in music and influenced me to listen to other bands such as erra, northlane, architects and more.

[@futuresight2693]

Prada like many others were doing that sound way before AA.

[@markjohnston8863]

Lmao when it zoomed into the strings i thought you were playing the same guitar I was like JESUS CHRIST THose strings are huge then i realized it was 4 strings and a base and i noticed the tuners and body were different haha

[@ezequielfernandez2327]

7:35 rollin' by Crystal lake (???

[@MartynBrown]

Of Mice & Men have entered the chat

[@ZaBiMaRuSz]

like is all As I Lay Dying ever did until today XD!

[@therelentless2005]

He basically played bless the fall’s song cuttrhout

[@mostlyirishcarguy8955]

That thumbnail makes me feel violated

[@andrewlevistermma]

That thumbnail is modern art.

[@juliobonilla3104]

I’m no Metalcore fan whatsoever but what makes this funny is that Carcosa is really generic in its genre too lmao

[@jadequilatan]

🤣🤣🤣

[@saviors418]

I don't understand how you can headbang on this haha.

[@Vlone684]

You make it so easy thank you

[@MCBlaZiKeN]

Honestly, call me a sucker but it kinda slapped

[@mercilessforever]

So basically in one sentence: neglect the 3 high strings! And drop tune it! Lol

[@necro_nova]

literally sounds like something off the soundtrack of a MX vs ATV game

[@A19csd]

It sounds so good though.