Although this one is not at the beginning of the list, it probably should be since, chronologically, it's the one that really preceded all of the others. However, it also took the longest to make it to a state that I considered "complete".
The first person that I begin collaborating with on Indaba was a fellow metalhead (albeit much younger) by the name of Nate West. Like many who were experimenting with Indaba, Nate's profile page was more-or-less a collection of guitar riff ideas. This was the first one I came across that caught my ear.
Nate West's Original Guitar Idea
After some messing around with the arrangement and replacing some of the riffs with some of my own, we had this:
First Trial Mixdown
Fast-forward to several weeks later... At this point, I had recorded the entire song, added a bass track, and was discussing the possibility of a vocal track from Nate. He had recorded some preliminary vocals that we captured in this mixdown:
First Trial Mixdown w/Nate West Vox
As I let Nate work on completing the vocals, I recorded a video in the anechoic chamber at Dynalec. The intent was that, while Nate was recording the vocals, he could record video and I would eventually edit it into what I had. Here was the result:
But, alas, the complete vocal track (and video) from Nate was not meant to be. I basically shelved the song to continue working on other song projects. I'm not sure why I never thought of it earlier, but, I reached out to Big Jon to see if he had any interest in doing a vocal track. He did and we began collaborating on lyrics. We kept the "spoken word" style on the intro and Big Jon basically handled the rest. Here are the resulting lyrics:
In this moment I turn a blind eye To the source of my struggle Still I see my one true reality Has kept me caged without meaning Still I trudge ever forward In hopes that the sun may rise again As these shackles rust and wither And I raise my fists in triumph
Deep in me, I see..... a door is opening, distant reality What will be, will be...... I’m standing my ground, revealing my legacy
Wandered this world alone, Relied, on no one else, Enduring loss with every step, Gathering my experience, Broadening my knowledge, Until there's nothing else to gain,
Now, with each new day, I seek the one that's yet to pay, The first on my list, Justice is served with prejudice Served with Prejudice
I AM, UNSTOPPABLE FORCE... DEFEATING, IMMOVABLE LIFE!!!...
I bow before nothing Standing tall for all time As it was meant, to be As I was meant, to be
The link below is the completed track posted on Soundcloud: