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Tutankhamun's Tomb (Competition entry)

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pompeyjazz

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« on: October 09, 2017, 10:25:27 PM »
Hi All,

The “dark” song competition has been great inspiration to go off kilter and try something a little different.

This started with just a couple of dark synth chords and I had an idea of somebody being trapped in tomb. I have to credit Mrs Pompeyjazz for taking the idea forward from there with the “Tuthankhamun's Tomb” idea and the “cackle from the jackal” and scarab lines. So we have the story of tomb builder Nebamun who was left in the tomb when the other builders were finished and went off for a beer in The Pharo's Arms and was found 3200 years or so later.

This then led to some interesting experimentation with arabic sounds and I found a great arabic instruments VST. Finally, wanted a rhythm pattern that was slightly unconventional and some giant footstep sounds to conjure up the feel of a funeral march

Anyway, that's the background, here's the song...................

https://soundcloud.com/pompeyjazz/tutankhamuns-tomb

Tuthankhamun's Tomb

No one cane hear your screams
When they left you there, Tuthankhamun's Tomb
Anubis on your shoulder
The cackle from the jackal fills the room
Thousands of scarabs cover your body
Ready to devour your mortal remains
Onset of crazy fever
Slowly driving you insane

Powerful Khepri
Can you save me ?

Alone with the Pharoh king
Waiting for the barge to the underworld
Gold and diamonds, all possesions
Fall to the floor as the shroud unfurls
Trapped in the tomb, you gasp for air
And pray to Ra for your release
Whole body slowly failing
As you sit and wait for the final feast

Only your soul
For eternity

(c) Bradley / Rattray 2017

Skub

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« Reply #1 on: October 09, 2017, 10:56:03 PM »
The start conjures cinematic images of James Bond/Raiders of the lost Ark,big sound,epic and sinister.

When the lyrics kick in we understand this is much darker and desolate,playing on than most primal of human terrors,the fear of being buried alive.

You have a gift for reinventing yourself John,a master of sonic disguise.  8)

shadowfax

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« Reply #2 on: October 10, 2017, 09:35:25 AM »
The next Bond theme has arrived!!! just thought the vox was bit too loud and the delay would sound better with some bottom end taken off it in my very humble opinion..
very well put together John :) :)
and scary lyrics :o

best, Kevin :) :)
Soundcloud Shadowfax6

from the nightmare!

diademgrove

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« Reply #3 on: October 10, 2017, 03:23:40 PM »
Reminded me of 1960s black and white horror programmes on the TV, definitely a huge plus. I really like the lyrics and a very good song.

Good luck in the competition.

Keith

Martinswede

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« Reply #4 on: October 10, 2017, 08:54:33 PM »
Nice! I liked the oud/ud/ood flute in the beginning. The lyrics had this early Metallica feeling to them. The scarab part was a bit over the top. 'Thousands' is a whole lot of bug totems.

Martin

redrhodie

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« Reply #5 on: October 10, 2017, 09:39:51 PM »
I agree that it sounds like James Bond. It's sexy/dangerous.

Lynn

pompeyjazz

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« Reply #6 on: October 10, 2017, 10:49:14 PM »
Hmm, interesting about how many scarabs might be eating a rotting body, Ten / One hundred / Five hundred and sixty three / 7 million.  Who knows  ???

adamfarr

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« Reply #7 on: October 11, 2017, 07:18:06 AM »
You nailed the deserty woodwindy intro (no idea what instrument) and the Bond-ish theme, epic strings. Really like the percussion and gongs and ghostly sounds going on - lots of detail.

The lyrics work well, with the various Gods being invoked. Not sure if you could add a little of the same delay as the vocal to some of the other tracks so they gel more into the same space? Perhaps not in this case.

All in all, definitely got the dark atmosphere going on!

digger72

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« Reply #8 on: October 11, 2017, 03:08:22 PM »
Hi PJ,

Dark and atmospheric.
It does lend itself to a bond theme as others have mentioned.
The outro trails off wonderfully.
I like the pace of it all - just flows nicely.

Cool change of direction.

Digger

Wicked Deeds

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« Reply #9 on: October 11, 2017, 03:38:52 PM »
Brilliant Pompey,

Instrumentation ideal for the subject.  Great atmosphere and sharp lyrics 'cackle for the hackle' - loved it. A dark song for sure.  It would also make a great Bnd theme!

Best

Paul

PaulyX

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« Reply #10 on: October 11, 2017, 06:38:57 PM »
Yes, I was getting a 007 vibe too.  We seem unanimous in that.
Tonnes of atmosphere in here, you've definitely captured an unusual theme and mood with this one PJ.  I like the middle eastern sounding choices of instruments (they sound pretty realistic!).
It sounds like Mrs PJ deserves applause as the co-writer too.  Nice one guys.
It's all too beautiful.

CaliaMoko

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« Reply #11 on: October 11, 2017, 07:15:11 PM »
Nice and different...dark, squeamy, with plenty of doom and gloom throughout. Did you do a lot of research or do you just know all those names and details? I have no nits or ideas for improvement.

Silver Machine

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« Reply #12 on: October 11, 2017, 09:09:53 PM »
Man, I hear James Bond! So yeah I'm ready for babes and action scenes.
Seriously I really like the Bond touch, and your voice is like a skinny Barry White. That's Egyptian Soul, dude!
Neat interlude when the belly dancer comes in with the finger cymbals too.
It's all good man, you should be proud of it.

PaulAds

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« Reply #13 on: October 12, 2017, 10:49:45 AM »
Hi John...

Yeah...great song and very cinematic.

I read “fingerprints of the gods” a few years back and so I loved the lyrics...it’s a fascinating business.

The music and the sounds used fit the lyric perfectly.

Big shout out to the inspirational Mrs PJ who must get sick of seeing the light bulb go off in your head and watching you disappear into your recording ante-chamber.

One day, I reckon the technological mysteries of the Pyramids will need to be properly acknowledged and addressed, rather than trying to shoe-horn their inconvenient existence into a pre-determined and unconvincing historical perspective.

Sweet  :)
heart of stone, feet of clay, knob of butter

Binladeda

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« Reply #14 on: October 13, 2017, 11:02:25 PM »

 Hey PJ

 Great song mate.......of course ;D ;D
 Don't know about James Bond.  I'm getting a big slice of
 Ultravox  ;D ;D 

 Love your arrangements mate.  This is no exception, it's
 really good.  You seem to be on a perpetual roll  ;D
 Long may it last...

 Good luck old chap ;D

Nowt as queer as folk...........my gran