XONE - A New Era in Progressive Metal

The Way To Tweak AWESOME TONE From the Line 6 VETTA! (Part 2)

2009-07-04T14:47:00.000-07:00

Getting awesome tone from the Line 6 Vetta isn’t as hard as you think.
A small investment of time is all that’s required. Think of the $$$ you’ve spent on this piece of gear. Why not get the most out of it? Part 1 of this article may have seemed like a lot of info to take in, and that’s because it is. But actually learning your own rig’s tendencies with the Vetta is pretty easy when you actually do it. Line 6 Edit Live Tweaking gets you to a real understanding of your rig’s tendencies within the context of your band/music, and this can be accomplished quickly.

Your exact rig will help you get started. For example, I play an Ibanez RG1570 with D’addario EXL140 strings (Tuned DGCFAD) into a Vetta Head, dual Monster cabled in stereo into a Marshall 1960A 4x12 cabinet with G12T75 speakers. I make only Blended patches, that utilize the Amp 2 slot for the Low, Low-Mid part of the patch with Channel Volume at 100%, and the Amp 1 slot for the Hi-Mid, Hi part of the patch with Channel Volume at around 50-80%. Both amps are panned to Center, and I always use NO CAB sim. The Vetta is in 4x12 mode in Stereo, Presence ON, Loudness OFF, SM-57 AIR Global.

Look at your rig the same way. Are you playing straight into a Vetta Combo or using a separate cab, 1x12, 2x12, 4x12? What kind of characteristics do your speakers/cab have?

I know that at Live volume, my Marshall 4x12 adds a lot of thump/bass, so I tweak all of my patches in the Vetta with a Bass setting of 20% (9 o’clock). This also helps my bassist Ted, because now the Low End can be his domain in the live mix. And my tone is still nice and warm and chunky.

This is an example of how one learns their rig within the context of the Vetta being the tone source. You have to learn your rig the same way.
You have to find this out in the environment that you play in. If you are a LIVE player, then you must learn this playing at Live Volume(LOUD). If you are a BEDROOM player, then you must learn this at BEDROOM Volume (LOW).

BEDROOM patches do not transfer to the LIVE environment,
and Vice-Versa.

In explaining how I set the amp model variables, I want to keep clear that these settings are relative to my exact rig and your settings will probably be different. These settings have been constant for me, ever since I figured them out.

Since I make only Blended patches, I will refer to Amp 1 and Amp 2 settings (Amp 1=Hi-Mids, Highs - Amp 2= Low-Mids, Lows).
I start with Amp 2 before adding Amp 1.
My Settings are basically the same for both Clean and Hi-Gain tones.
(Some amp models require certain variant settings, so saving as default is always good) (Cab Sims are “OFF”)

DRIVE
Amp 1 = 50%
Amp 1 = 50%
Always set this to 50% for BOTH models.
You can tweak from there later, but start with the Nominal Tone Setting, as stated by Line 6 in their Manual. Sometimes after the patch is finished,
I will increase the 50% to 52% on Amp 2, and I’ll get that right amount of tube saturation sound on the patch. Sometimes adding it only to Amp 1 does this. Sometimes setting both to 52% makes the magic happen. Sometimes it’s 60%, 70%, 83% on Amp2…
You have to figure out what values favor YOUR RIG.

Note: Gain Staging
(Essentially, too much of 2 DRIVE/GAIN/distortion sources mixing together = NOISE ☹ bad).

BASS
Amp 1 = 20%
Amp 2 = 20%
I mentioned before that I set both Bass levels to 20%, due to my Marshall cab adding Bass at LIVE volume. That is true on most patches. Sometimes I set Amp 2 to 23% for a bit more chunk/thickness. Some models require a starting Bass setting of 50% to find their thickness, like the Line 6 Big Bottom, Marshall JMP-1, or Soldano X88R models.
Most of the time it’s 20% for me.
You’ll have to see what works for you.
For example, my friend Adam’s Vetta is 36% Bass Level.
He uses a Schecter Guitar>Vetta II HD>Line6 4x12 V30s.
You can see the variance.

MID
Amp 1 = 50%
Amp 2 = 16-20% - 18% on most of my patches.
While you would probably want to keep the Mids low with a Tube Amp,
that will not work with a Digital Amp like the Vetta.
You’ll need to push the Mids to cut thru in a Band Mix for LIVE volume.
That’s why I always have Amp 1 = 50%. It makes sure that I cut thru.
(You can set the Mids any way you want for BEDROOM volume,
Cause you’ll always cut thru by yourself ☺ )

TREBLE
Amp 1 = 82%
Amp 2 = 70%
These settings are very standard for my patches. They don’t change at all,
except for on a few Clean amp models where Amp2=50% because of the Highs. Otherwise, these are set in stone for MY RIG.

PRESENCE
Amp 1 = 83%
Amp 1 = 83%
Another “Set In Stone” Setting for My Rig. Because XONE is tuned to DGCFAD, I need a lot of Presence to be in front in the mix. This Presence setting puts me there, without becoming “shrill”.
(I also have the Global Presence Boost “On”).

VOLUME
Amp 1 = 30-83% (50% is the standard setting that always works)
Amp 2 = 100%
I always set Amp 2=100% because I believe that the models sound best when pushed to “11” here. Amp 2 carries most of the patch.
I usually set Amp 1 to 50% to start tweaking it into the tone.
Many times it stays at 50%. Sometimes 83% works really good,
Sometimes 30%, 60%, 70%. Sometimes 52%. Sometimes 44%.
Here’s where the Blending really takes place in Blended Patches.
It’s a lot of fun HEARING a new tone come together from two different amp models.

Note: Checking your Gain Staging at the end can sometimes add that last little bit of Magic that a tone is missing. You might not even know it’s there, until you type it in, try it, and realize, it sounds right!

I want to reiterate, that using LINE 6 EDIT to TYPE IN these exact values,
rather than turning knobs, allows you to get to the finite, best tone out of the Vetta. You can LITERALLY HEAR the difference in quality between say, 50% and 52% or 83% and 88%, in any of the Vetta’s variables, amps, effects. You cannot make these changes with the faceplate knobs. If you want AWESOME VETTA TONE, you gotta tweak it with Line 6 Edit…

I really love the Line 6 Vetta. And I think that Line 6 has really delivered an awesome Multi-Variable Tone Machine to those who are looking for such a piece of gear. It’s not for everybody, but it’s definitely for me.
I wanted something similar to John Petrucci’s Rig, but I have neither the Money, nor the Time and the ability to Cart it around, nor even the Chops for such a HUMONGOUS rig ☺. I purchased my Vetta in 2003, and it has provided everything I wanted originally and MORE over the last 6 years. I’m having so much fun with it. I want you to have the same fun with your Vetta.
And I’m not going to sell it to you for money like some would.
I’m sharing it for FREE. (Like our CD - The 4th Dimension)
All you have to do it test this method out thoroughly,
and try Line 6 Edit Live Tweaking with your Vetta!

No Factory Patches Allowed!!

Stay Tuned for Part 3…

The Way To Tweak AWESOME TONE From the Line 6 VETTA! (Part 1)

2009-06-27T13:12:00.000-07:00

There is a way to get AWESOME TONE from the Line 6 Vetta.
It doesn’t involve twisting knobs, or hours upon hours of tweaking.
It involves the knowledge of one’s complete Rig within the context of the Vetta, and tweaking to that Rig’s strengths by a single method.
It’s what I call “Line 6 Edit Live Tweaking”.
And it works! If you’re not getting everything you want out of your Vetta,
then read this and try Line 6 Edit Live Tweaking for yourself…

I’ve owned my Vetta HD (now on ver2.50) for almost 6 years.
I’ve taken the tweaking of it very seriously since the beginning.
I wanted really awesome, Pro-sounding LIVE tone at an affordable price,
in a convenient, singular, easy to set up package with many controllable variables. The Vetta HD has delivered exactly that! But it DID NOT come immediately. It has been an ongoing process to completely compartmentalize all of the amazing processes that this amp can do. In lieu of Line 6’s recent Announcement that Vetta will receive NO MORE VETTA UPGRADES, I’m posting my findings in hope of helping Vetta Users everywhere get brilliant tone from their all-digital, complex, musical gadget, or Vetta’s for short. I do not personally believe that there’s any other way to get AWESOME TONE from the VETTA, other than the method I’m posting here.

I realized quickly that the factory patches that came with the Vetta were useless for my rig
(Ibanez RG1570>Vetta HD>Marshall 1960A 4x12).
I needed to tweak my own original patches for my specific rig. For the first 2 years, I tweaked my Vetta with the Vetta Face Tone Knobs and Edit Window. After 2 years tweaking the Vetta, I was pretty satisfied with my tone. I thought I was getting everything I could out of the amp.
I WAS WRONG!

In my third year of Vetta usage, my Bassist Ted gave me an old laptop computer for free. It quickly became a computer whose only role in the world was to tweak my Line 6 gear (Vetta HD, Flextone III). I got an M-Audio Uno USB midi interface and two USB extension cables, and began tweaking my Vetta after rehearsal at LIVE volume (95-112db) using the Line 6 Edit graphic editor. With the Vetta now 17 feet away from me, I could really hear a particular patch’s tone, rather than standing directly in front of the amp when making adjustments with knobs on the Vetta faceplate. As I made an adjustment to a particular value, such as DRIVE,
using my mouse after striking a note or chord, I could really hear the attenuation of the Amp Model’s pre-amp gain. Line 6 Edit’s excellent graphical interface allowed me to adjust every single patch variable easily from 17 feet away from my VETTA, in REALTIME!

Fast forward to 3.5 years of twice weekly, post-rehearsal sessions of purely tweaking my Vetta, with Line 6 Edit, from 17 feet away, at live volume in a rehearsal room when making new tones for new songs, or just for the fun of experimentation. The laptop stays at the rehearsal room for just this purpose. I currently tweak my Vetta while looking out a large window at the beautifully lit, and always working Los Angeles Harbor. I will sit and tweak patches until 2am, testing new theories and ideas of combinations.

I’ve intentionally deleted whole libraries of created for fun patches to start the whole process over again. I really know which Amp Models I like in the Vetta. The Engl Powerball, Diezel Herbert, 5150 II, Line 6 Chunk Chunk, Lunatic, Treadplate, Big Bottom are my favorite for Hi-Gain Tones.
I make only Blended patches, that utilize the Amp 2 slot for the Low, Low-Mid part of the patch with Channel Volume at 100%, and the Amp 1 slot for the Hi-Mid, Hi part of the patch with Channel Volume at around 50-80%. Both amps are panned to Center, and I always use NO CAB sim. The Vetta is in 4x12 mode in Stereo, Presence ON, Loudness OFF, SM-57 AIR Global. All these settings favor my particular Rig, with my EQ sitting within my Band’s Entire Mix for Live use.

Here’s the POINT of this whole thing.
And we are talking LIVE/GIG TONE here.

I’ve found while tweaking in Line 6 Edit,
that there can be HUGE differences between having, say, the Amp Model’s DRIVE set at 48%, 50%, 52%, 58%, 66%, 83%, 98%, etc… (Line 6 Edit uses percentage for all parameter variables). The knobs on the Vetta faceplate do not allow you to make such FINE adjustments. And these FINE ADJUSTMENTS are essential to creating Excellent Tone in the Vetta, for your Rig. These fine adjustments are not dialed in with the mouse. They are TYPED in exactly. Sometimes, those adjustments get made when you are dialing in the amp models at the start of creating a patch. But often, they come after you’ve customized every single variable within the patch and are at your final SAVE. It’s the last “Coup De Gras” to the TONE, and makes it just come alive! Your EARS will HEAR it!

(To TYPE in values, just double click on the number value above the knob/variable)

I’ve not only tested this theory on my own Vetta and Flextone III+,
but I’ve also helped many of my friends with POD XT Live, HD147, Bass POD XT Pro patches with this method. I’m even tweaking a POD X3 Live for our Violinist Shawna. There is a common thread for killer tone in all those Line 6 products and it is the AVAILABLE FINITE VARIABLE CONTROL of the adjustable parameters inside of Line 6 products. Forget the Knobs. In fact, put them in some crazy setup,
like all to “11”!!! They are irrelevant.
(The only faceplate knobs on the Vetta I might ever use are the Global Rev, Lo, Hi to compensate for a new live environment)

I firmly believe IMHO that if you are NOT Tweaking your Vetta, with Line 6 Edit, at your LIVE Volume, from a minimum of 10 feet away, you are not getting the most out of the Vetta.

I firmly believe IMHO that if you owned and later sold the Vetta without ever investing at least 6 MONTHS of pure “Line 6 Edit Live Tweaking” time, that you did NOT experience what this amp can really do.

If I did not intend to tweak patches in the Vetta this way,
I would play something else. Engl, Diezel, Krank…
See my Article on Vetta’s Subjectivity.

That is NOT to say that tweaking in Line 6 Edit is time consuming. In fact, it’s the opposite! Once you really learn YOUR RIG’S tendencies (plus the way you sit in your band’s mix with the Vetta, etc…)
you will dial in new patches with amazing quickness.
(But everything starts somewhere with any piece of gear)

For example, in January 09, I routed a Yamaha electric VIOLIN through my Flextone III+, into a Marshall 1960A 4x12 for a live rehearsal. I very quickly dialed in a tone for our violinist Shawna, using the Flex III’s JC-120 model and typing in values in even numbers (Edit/my rig likes even numbers for the most part), all the while, using our EARS to decide when we had the tone. We gave her some Digital Delay and Rich Chamber Reverb, typing in the values and testing quickly, and WHAM! We were rehearsing, not tweaking away forever, getting nowhere, like I hear from some who use the knobs. And she was cutting through as well!
(She now uses the POD X3 Live)

If you use Line 6 Edit in this fashion regularly, you’ll get to where the number values mean more to you than say, tapping the Tap Tempo button for Delay Time. It is NOT math, either. I will NOT do math. I’m all History/English/Art in the brain. Yet, Line 6 Edit is so easy and understandable for me, that it has become amazingly familiar. I can fully extrapolate my favorite effects settings in my head now before I even type them in. That’s 3.5 years of bi-weekly Line 6 Edit Live Tweaking only. Time and Regularity make it a simple process in no time.

Even the tube snobs I know, can’t deny the strength of my Vetta’s LIVE Tone. My Vetta’s tones have converted a bunch of my friends and fellow musicians to Line 6 products. In a blind listening test against the real amp, I’ve had people pick the Vetta as the better sounding. I attribute this to the use of line 6 Edit. Without Line 6 Edit, I couldn’t dial in these tones.
I still can NOT seem to fully Record my LIVE tone, and have it represent what it sounds like Live. But in the LIVE environment, I know I’m firing on all cylinders in regards to the Vetta. My tone is full, rich and totally 3-D live. Try Line 6 Edit Live Tweaking with your Vetta. You won’t be sorry…Cause this is a great amp, and it can be GREAT for you!

I’ve posted 4 of my Vetta patches at Line 6’s CustomTone.com
under XONE. They were tweaked for my rig, so if you don’t play an
Ibanez RG1570>Vetta HD>Marshall 1960A 4x12
then you’ll have to tweak those patches to your own rig’s tendencies,
in which case, you ought to just start from scratch and make your own custom patches that are tweaked to YOUR RIG and customize EVERY variable to it. Now Go For It!!

Stay Tuned for Part 2

The Vetta Subjectivity XONE

2009-06-20T18:39:00.000-07:00

I love my Line 6 Vetta Guitar Amp! It allows me to have so many different tones for XONE’s original songs. After 6 years of owning my Vetta HD (ver2.50), one of the most important aspects of understanding how to get great tone from any Vetta, is understanding just how subjective the Vetta really is. Whatever you plug into the Vetta is crucial to the signal chain, and no 2 guitar models sound alike thru it. I recently found out just how true this is.

For Christmas, I decided to have my identical Ibanez RG1570 Guitars intonated and setup again, since it had been about 3 years since my last. I took my guitars to a guy with a great reputation. What a mistake!! Unfortunately, he did not fully understand Ibanez guitars’ Necks and Trems, and the guitars were returned to me completely out of whack. $200 dollars and 5 months later, I’ve finally gotten both guitars back to where they were before.

The subjectivity of the guitars’ setup directly affected all of the original patches I had tweaked for XONE’s original songs. When I first got the guitars back, all of my patches sounded horrible. Besides having two other pros setup the guitars, I had to work on those 2 Ibanez guitars until I could get them back to where they were before they were set up incorrectly. My “classic” original XONE Vetta patches helped me do this. I continued to tweak away at the guitars, using my patches as the measuring stick.

During the process, the Vetta’s tone went from super crappy fizzy back to full-bodied warm and expressive as I altered the bridge pickup, pickup pole pieces, and trem height. I heard so many variations of my tried and true patches as I tweaked along, that I really heard the subjectivity of the Vetta in its entirety. Finally returning the guitars to their previous setup and hearing those tones that I loved so much again, was such a relief!!
It was 5 months of Vetta HELL!! Thank God, I’m back to getting awesome tone out of an amp I love!

It really matters what you plug into the Vetta, and how that guitar is setup. If the pickups are too close to the strings, the Vetta’s amp models will sound fizzy. If the pickups are too far away from the strings, the Vetta’s amp models will sound too thin. It is a finite area that sounds brilliant thru the Vetta. Forget what you think the pickup height should be, use your ears to determine how your pickups best utilize the amp models in the Vetta. Otherwise, you haven’t really heard how much body those amp models have…

The Long Distance XONE Part 2

2009-06-09T11:51:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been 1.5 years since our Bassist, Ted, moved away from Southern California. In that time, we have kept our songs tight, thru our use of Click Track Maps in Pro Tools and Sonar. Ted’s been coming down for rehearsal every 2 months since he left, and we have used the method I mentioned in Part 1 of this blog to keep the band intact. We released our CD The 4th Dimension, and we are recording our next. Logistically, we’re doing all of this in two different places, but it is working GREAT!! XONE is alive and well!

Since the separated recording is going excellently, we decided to play a Live Show in San Pedro, Ca this Summer 2009. We’ve been rehearsing separately to Click Track Maps, with Ted’s Bass track accompanying Will and Jason, and Will’s Guitar & Vocals and Jason’s drums accompanying Ted. We’re getting together again in June to rehearse for this show.

We’re really excited to play live again and we’re featuring songs from both The 4th Dimension and our upcoming CD ELEMENTS!
Here’s a video of us rehearsing in January!

HERO – XONE Rehearsal Video

2009-06-05T16:29:00.000-07:00

Since we’re rehearsing for a Summer 2009 show, we shot some video of our January 2009 rehearsal. Here’s a video of the second half of our song HERO, featured on our upcoming 2009 XONE album ELEMENTS! Let us know what you think!

We shot this video while playing at Don’s Lounge and it’s a great example of what it’s like to play together again, after practicing to a click track in two different places. The video also features the first time we all played with the Roland TD-6 V-Drums Virtual Drum Kit. We’ll be using the V-Drums when we play this Summer 2009!

Watch the HERO Video at YouTube
(don’t forget to click HQ for High Quality)

The Virtual Drum Kit (V-Kit) XONE

2009-05-31T17:20:00.000-07:00

We’ve been rehearsing for a Summer 2009 local San Pedro live show and we’re excited about showing off some new additions to XONE, one of which is Jason’s new Roland TD-6 V-Kit Virtual Drum Kit. Though, we were all skeptical at first that the V-Kit would sound “fake”, ultimately, we were all blown away by its amazing ability to not only sound natural but also carry the low end! The V-Kit Rules!!

With the use of Pro Tools and the fact that each XONE song has its own Click Track Map, Will and Jason can practice in San Pedro, and Ted can practice in Rocklin to the same song. When we get together every 2 months for weekend rehearsals, we sound like we’ve been practicing twice a week in the same room. All of this for a show we will be playing the Summer 2009!

And for the first time, we will be playing with the Roland V-Kit! It sounds better than the acoustic kit, and Jason’s Yamaha kit sounds great! The V-Kit has so many excellent simulated full drum kits, that time is needed to investigate its instruments. Jason has definitely put this V-Kit through its paces, as we’ve been rehearsing with it exclusively since January! We love how hard it hits and how well it cuts thru. Also, it has helped to lower our overall live volume level to a much more comfortable listening level for our fans ears.

Are you skeptical? We were at first too! Come out and see us this Summer 2009, and see what you think of the new Roland V-Kit. In the meantime, here’s a video clip of the second half of our song HERO from our January XONE rehearsal together. Let us know what you think!

XONE - Bringing Progressive Metal To The Masses!

2009-01-15T17:47:00.000-08:00

XONE (pronounced zône) is a modern metal band integrating elements of progressive rock, driven by story-oriented lyrics, expressed with a depth of passion, and delivering an eclectic but captivating sound that cuts across all musical borders. Our music takes you into a XONE…

XONE began in summer 2003 when vocalist/guitarist Will Austin and bassist Ted Heming began working together to build the foundations of what is now XONE's distinctive sound. Our common goal was to create a musical environment that transports the listener to a realm all its own. With the addition of Drummer Jason Seger in November 2006, XONE intently began it's campaign to bring our music to the masses, and currently are Recording Albums in their San Pedro, California Studio, and occasionally PLAYING LIVE in the South Bay!

Connecting with our listener/audience in a positive way is our goal. Anyone who feels our music is important to us! Some may say we're obsessed (we agree), and some believe that we practice too hard (we sure do), but XONE literally spends hundreds of hours intently practicing and perfecting old favorites, creating new masterpieces, recording new albums, promoting/marketing, and preparing for our next jaw dropping show that will change your life forever.

Fans say XONE's influences, which range from Rush, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Pink Floyd, Evergrey, White Zombie, Van Halen, Tool, Dream Theater, Symphony X, Peter Gabriel, The Police, Godsmack, U-2, and more, can be heard in many different aspects of our music. The lyrical styles range from the re-telling of historical events, exploring the dimensions of both inner and outer space, to everyday relationship encounters, which touch a nerve that we can all relate to...

Give us a listen, and let us know what you think!
prog_metal_xone@hotmail.com

Visit XONE On The Internet:

Band Blog & Homepage
http://www.xonelive.com

XONE Album: The 4th Dimension
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=892356

XONE at MySpace
http://www.myspace.com/xone

XONE Free Jams
http://www.myspace.com/xonemusic

The Drum Mic XONE 2

2009-01-12T15:01:00.000-08:00

With our latest XONE album, The 4th Dimension, finally released, we are currently recording our next CD in our San Pedro Studio at KOOS Rehearsal. The Drum Mic setup has evolved a bit from our earlier blog on the subject. We employ a 10 mic setup on Jason’s Kit, and we are getting the best drum tracks we’ve ever recorded!

Jason still uses his excellent set of BeyerDynamic Opus Drum mics to capture the full sound of his Blond Maple Yamaha kit with Gibraltar Rack. We have singular mic coverage of the Kick, Snare, Left Overall, Right Overall, 12" Tom, 14" Tom, 18" Floor Tom, Ride Cymbal. The Hi-Hat, Cowbell, and Splash Cymbal get covered by a single Opus mic. A single MXL Condenser mic is set directly in front of the kit to capture the Room. 10 Channels of great mics capturing the sound of his kit, going into a Presonus Digimax FS into Pro Tools Digi 002 Rack in 24 bit.

The tracks are then transferred to an HP running Sonar 7 PE, where I add C4 Compression to the Kick and Snare, and add EQ to every channel. The kit is panned the same as it stands in the room (audience View), with certain Tom parts doubled in stereo. I add Reverb to the Snare, Overalls, Hi-Hat, Ride, and Toms. Listening now, I can say that the drums on our next XONE CD are going to sound way better than anything we’ve ever had before, thanks to good mics, correct placement, and quality DAW/Plug-Ins!

XONE – The 4th Dimension – EPK

2008-11-20T16:46:00.000-08:00

XONE (pronounced zône)

XONE is a modern metal band integrating elements of progressive rock, driven by story-oriented lyrics, expressed with a depth of passion, and delivering an eclectic but captivating sound that cuts across all musical borders.

Fans say XONE's influences, which range from Rush, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Evergrey, Pink Floyd, White Zombie, Van Halen, Tool, Dream Theater, Symphony X, Peter Gabriel, The Police, Godsmack, U-2, and more, can be heard in many different aspects of our music. The lyrical styles range from the re-telling of historical events, exploring the dimensions of both inner and outer space, to everyday relationship encounters, which touch a nerve that we can all relate to...

XONE began in summer 2003 when Vocalist/Guitarist Will Austin and Bassist Ted Heming began working together to build the foundations of what is now XONE's distinctive sound. Their common goal was to create a musical environment that transports the listener to a realm all its own. With the addition of Drummer Jason Seger in 2006, XONE continued it's campaign to bring their music to the masses.

XONE released their album “The 4th Dimension” in November 2008.
1. The 4th Dimension
2. Ironheart
3. Beautiful One Day
4. TKO
5. Young Man’s Destiny

The 4th Dimension is currently available for free download on the internet. Fans can hear our music, and see our videos online, anytime. XONE is also recording their next CD “ELEMENTS” currently on Pro Tools/Sonar 7 in their San Pedro Studio overlooking the enormously beautiful Los Angeles Harbor.

Connecting with the listener/audience in a positive way is our goal. Anyone who feels our music is important to us! Some may say we're obsessed (we agree), and some believe that we practice too hard (we sure do), but XONE literally spends hundreds of hours intently practicing and perfecting old favorites, creating new masterpieces, recording new albums, promoting/marketing, and preparing for our next jaw dropping show that will change your life forever.

A New Era In Progressive Metal begins...

Visit XONE On The Internet:

Band Blog & Homepage
http://www.xonelive.com

XONE Album: The 4th Dimension
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=892356

The 4th Dimension - Lyrics and Song Story
1. The 4th Dimension
2. Ironheart
3. Beautiful One Day
4. TKO
5. Young Man's Destiny

See our Video for Beautiful One Day!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0EmrIRUvtM

XONE at MySpace
http://www.myspace.com/xone

XONE Free Jams
http://www.myspace.com/xonemusic

XONE would like to hear your Feedback!!
Email us at: prog_metal_xone@hotmail.com
Or leave a Comment at our Blog!

The 4th Dimension - Lyrics

2008-11-18T12:01:00.000-08:00

Here are the Lyrics for the XONE CD
The 4th Dimension
in album order.
1. The 4th Dimension
2. Ironheart
3. Beautiful One Day
4. TKO
5. Young Man’s Destiny

The 4th Dimension
Verse 1:
Waking up from a bad dream,
stare out the porthole into the darkness of space.
Spend my shift on the tractor beam,
I'm starting to feel that my life's been a waste.
Every day, it's the same thing,
guiding the ships into each docking bay.
Though my task requires mastery,
ship after ship, my hope's slowly decayed.

Chorus 1:
Where are you from?
Where are you now?
Caught in my own stagnation...

Where will you be?
Where are you bound?
Death is my destination...

Verse 2:
Gone,
Into the dreaming.
Gone,
Into my mind.
Gone,
Into the silence, creeping
and I'm,
Gone,
Into the night.

Chorus 2:
Where are you from?
Where are you now?
Death is my destination...

Where will you be?
Where are you bound?
The stars are my destination...

Verse 3:
The deep space of infinity,
or lost space of my mind.
A sine wave to eternity,
a quantum disturbance in time.

The cold space of insanity,
invading the depths of my mind.
A patchwork of reality,
responding to nothing in kind.

Chorus 3:
Where are you from?
Where are you bound?
The stars are my destination...

Where will you be?
So far from home,
Fell into the 4th Dimension...

Verse 4:
Can't wake up from a bad dream,
staring out into the coldness of space.
Took my hand off the tractor beam,
sending the ships crashing into the Base...

Outro:
Death is my destination...

Fell into the 4th Dimension...

The stars are my destination...

Fell into the 4th Dimension...

Ironheart
Intro:
Old man, will you tell me the story,
Of how our people became free
If I can see it through your eyes
Then I know I can believe,
that what I've heard is true,
it really was you...

Verse A:
My village was strong and we lived off the land
and from these surroundings I grew into a man.
I sought my own fortune, so I took up the sword
and served under Rome against Illyria.

But then Rome sought to tame a leash on our land
They came here to rule us with an iron hand.
Quintilius Varus came to govern my home
and where did this leave me, now that I served Rome.

Transition

Verse B:
(Now) Varus' methods had been tested before,
I've heard it said that Syria can breathe no more.
Economic enslavement was Varus' plan,
Collecting taxes, he became a rich man.

So he levied his tributes among my own kin,
even though I now served under him.
I played along to make him feel that he had my side,
and all the while I was plotting Rome's demise.

I brought him news of Romans killed by the tribes,
refusing to pay any part of his bribes.
So Varus took his Army marching North to the call,
He marched them right into Teutoburger Wald.

Transition:

Chorus A:
We shall drive out the invader
I lead my men into victory's halls
with these blades we shall defend the righteous
we strike to war by the clarion's call.

Chorus B:
For so long my sword's been forsaken
Now it causes Roman blood to flow
Enticing Varus into a nightmare
so that we can strike the final blow.

Verse C:
I will catch them deep in the mountains
where a phalanx can't be deployed
They will soon become overextended
3 Roman Legions will be destroyed.

Ironhearted I burn with vengeance
I cannot let despair take hold
We must strike while we're still able
and Varus must be forced to fall on his sword

Verse D:
I broke with our tactics to give us a chance,
No other peoples' faced Legions and lived to dance
Auxiliary tribesmen led them into the trap
and we sprung it on them with a resounding snap.

We waited until they had come into the bog
and snuck up on them in the midst of the fog
I then sent my cavalry far to their rear,
raiding their supply lines, I stranded them here.

Transition:

Chorus A:
Now we destroy the invader,
piece by piece he is devoured whole.
(Our) war cries echo throughout the night air
No Roman soldier shall know sleep at all.

Chorus B:
By the hour they grow weaker and weaker,
Their retreat is confused and slow
We have captured 2 Roman Standards,
while the third lies in the swamp below.

Verse E:
In the howling wind and hammering rain
we strike the Roman Lines again and again
This continues for three days and then
the Roman Leadership now sees the end

Ironhearted I burn with vengeance
I have let all contempt take hold
One last strike while they're disabled
and Varus is forced to fall on his sword

Outro:
Well Rome wasn't built in one day,
and it won't be destroyed in one either.
but it's presence will slowly decay,
as I ring the death knell of an empire.

so Goths we shall remain,
a people united in name...
all for one in the same.

And this Ironheart once believed
That if Rome could be forced to flee
to the banks of the Rhine on her knees.

That Legion after Legion would fall
Romans and conscripts, et al...
onward to Adrianople...
And this Ironheart still believes…

Beautiful One Day
Verse 1:
One Day is not enough,
to judge what you've seen.
You're in the middle, you're all caught up,
you don't know what to believe.

Remember when you were young,
and saw yourself as the Queen.
Your world wasn't hectic then,
you were still wild and free.

(Bridge)

Chorus 1:
Your energy is beautiful,
contagious as can be.
Why don't you just take a moment,
and taste some with me...

Verse 2:
One day is not enough,
and I know what you've seen.
It's what your reading, it's on your lips,
and it's on the TV.

Staring back from the magazine,
like a victim of an evil regime.
A world of purging behind the scenes,
how can this be healthy?

(Bridge)

Chorus 2:
Confidence is beautiful,
if only you could see.
Why don't you just wait a moment,
and no longer be deceived...

Verse 3:
One view is not enough,
and you're how you should be.
It's in your making, it's in your skin,
and the way that you speak.

I understand the way that you think,
and it makes sense to me.
Like the curve at the small of your back,
and the grace of your being.

Chorus 3:
Inside you are beautiful,
outside for all to see.
Why don't you just stop a moment,
and look at you like me...

TKO
Verse 1:
It's just a question of Evil
and it's not a game.
Merely the question of Evil,
Things were never the same...

Bridge:
Falling
I remember them falling
Falling
I can remember them falling
from the flames...

Chorus 1:
They're gonna saw off your head with a rusty knife,
and it'll take a minute or two for them to take your life.
but you won't be prepared, if you've closed your eyes,
You gotta go for the TKO,
if you want to survive!

Verse 2:
No more a question of Evil,
Just an issue of blame,
Learned the lesson of Evil,
Now things can never be the same....

Rhy Lead:
And this is my answer!
And there is the place.
And I will remember.
Now I know your face.

So this is my answer!
And DEATH is my name.
Now you understand my answer!
Want to ask me again?...

Bridge:
Falling
I remember them falling
Falling
I can remember them falling
from the flames...

Chorus 2:
Cause they're gonna saw off your head with a rusty knife,
and they'll invoke the name of GOD, while they take your life.
and you can't be prepared if you've closed your eyes,
You gotta go for the TKO,
Do you wanna survive!?!

Young Man's Destiny
Verse 1:
From a young age,
he's always been told.
You have to choose,
you're young now,
you got your whole life ahead of you.

Stepping through stages in life,
it takes time to get old.
and I'll find things my own way,
no matter what people say.

Chorus 1:
A young man's destiny,
Calling and haunting me.
From childhood,
to the man that I wish to be.

A young man's destiny,
now he seeks to see.
No longer a child,
but the man that he yearns to be.

Verse 2:
Living in boundaries,
a cage around my soul.
You will suffer,
so that the truth can be known.

Listening to arrogance,
from liars and fools.
Groups are only cowardice,
trying to be cool.

Chorus 2:
A young man's destiny,
Calling and haunting me.
From childhood,
to the man that I wish to be.

A young man's destiny,
now he seeks to see.
No longer a child,
but the man that he yearns to be.

Chorus 3:
A young man's destiny,
Calling and haunting me.
From childhood,
to the man that I wish to be.

A young man's destiny,
how he seeks to see.
No longer a child,
but the man that he yearns to be.

A young man's destiny,
Calling and haunting me.
Of this lost childhood,
and this human disease.

A young man's destiny,
and how he fought to be.
Not only the child,
but the man that you see...

The Mastermind
(Lyrics Coming Dec 2008)

The Fourth Dimension

2008-11-18T11:06:00.000-08:00

XONE is proud to release our new album:
The 4th Dimension.
It has taken almost 2 years to release this CD,
but the end result is an album that we are very excited for you to hear!
Our intention is to tell stories and be storytellers.
The 4th Dimension is our first real step in this direction.
We’ve learned a lot about ourselves and our gear along the way, we’ve had to re-record all of the Bass ourselves, but we’ve allowed the Vocals to lead the way with this new album.
We hope you will engage yourself into the unique stories told by each of the songs from the album,
and process their subject matter internally in a positive way.
Fall into The 4th Dimension…

XONE
The 4th Dimension (2008)
1. The 4th Dimension
2. Ironheart
3. Beautiful One Day
4. TKO
5. Young Man’s Destiny

6. The Mastermind
(15min epic-almost completed-to be released in Dec 2008)

Lyrics - Click Here

*The 4th Dimension is being released directly on the Internet
and is available now for FREE DOWNLOAD!!

Click the FREE DOWNLOAD link for each song
and get/hear the new album from XONE

Watch our video for: Beautiful One Day
(click "watch in high quality, in blue, bottom right of video window)

and let us know what you think by leaving a comment at any of our sites.

Young Man's Destiny

2008-11-14T16:21:00.000-08:00

The fifth song on the new XONE CD The 4th Dimension,
explains that it’s not easy growing up from a boy to a man.
It’s every young boy’s dream to grow into a great man.
It’s getting there that can be difficult.
This is the Young Man’s Destiny…

Young Man’s Destiny
(Lyrics)

Verse 1:
From a young age,
he's always been told.
You have to choose,
you're young now,
you got your whole life ahead of you.

Stepping through stages in life,
it takes time to get old.
and I'll find things my own way,
no matter what people say.

Chorus 1:
A young man's destiny,
Calling and haunting me.
From childhood,
to the man that I wish to be.

A young man's destiny,
now he seeks to see.
No longer a child,
but the man that he yearns to be.

Verse 2:
Living in boundaries,
a cage around my soul.
You will suffer,
so that the truth can be known.

Listening to arrogance,
from liars and fools.
Groups are only cowardice,
trying to be cool.

Chorus 2:
A young man's destiny,
Calling and haunting me.
From childhood,
to the man that I wish to be.

A young man's destiny,
now he seeks to see.
No longer a child,
but the man that he yearns to be.

Chorus 3:
A young man's destiny,
Calling and haunting me.
From childhood,
to the man that I wish to be.

A young man's destiny,
how he seeks to see.
No longer a child,
but the man that he yearns to be.

A young man's destiny,
Calling and haunting me.
Of this lost childhood,
and this human disease.

A young man's destiny,
and how he fought to be.
Not only the child,
but the man that you see...

TKO

2008-11-14T15:59:00.000-08:00

The fourth song on our new XONE CD The 4th Dimension
is the song: TKO.
This song is a direct attack on the worldwide Al-Quaeda terrorist organization. This song asks listeners to remember images of victims jumping from the Twin Towers to their deaths to escape the flames. The song also reminds us of the execution of Nick Berg, a young American Jew who went to Iraq to help. We must remind ourselves of how we would be treated in a world controlled by Muslim Extremists.

The images of those people jumping to escape the burning heat of the flames, is a harrowing memory. I will never forget seeing them. I will never soothe the rage in my heart over that day. I also will never forget the murder of Nick Berg. I watched the full length video, where for a minute and a half, Al-Quaeda lieutenant al-Zarqawi saws off Nick Berg’s head slowly while his followers hold Nick down and chant “Allahu Ahkbar!” (God is Great!) as Nicks life is extinguished. This is exactly the treatment that Muslim Extremists have in mind for US Citizens, Westerners, and all Jews, should Muslim Extremists ever gain control of the Middle East or worse, the entire world.
We should never forget that.

I urge you to watch the whole Nick Berg execution video for yourself and then make your own decision as to how far you are willing to go to destroy this threat.

The middle section of the song details the reality that has existed throughout time, whenever dealing with the consequences for a small faction (like Al-Quaeda) who punches the giant (USA) in the nose. When it has happened before in history, the larger entity (Egypt, Rome, Russia, etc…) usually ended up destroying/killing a large population of folks who looked just like the persons who initially attacked them.
It’s almost an inevitability of mankind.

Did Osama Bin Laden think that mankind had changed that much?
He had to know, that by attacking us on 9/11, he had just sentenced large groups of his own people to death in the meat grinder of the modern war machine. Large world powers have no choice but to retaliate one hundred-fold. It has always been that way. No modern, progressive thinking has changed that. And so the meat grinder would be set up in their land, not in ours, of course. Just like the rest of history.

And their minions continue to pour into it,
believing they are fighting a Jihad (holy war) against the infidel,
all the while dying for nothing, feeding the latest large civilization’s
jaws of retribution.
So while the inevitability of the war goes on,
do not forget what Muslim Extremists have planned for you
and your family. They are medieval people.
Don’t pull any punches.
You gotta go for the TKO!

TKO
(Lyrics)

Verse 1:
It's just a question of Evil
and it's not a game.
Merely the question of Evil,
Things were never the same...

Bridge:
Falling
I remember them falling
Falling
I can remember them falling
from the flames...

Chorus 1:
They're gonna saw off your head with a rusty knife,
and it'll take a minute or two for them to take your life.
but you won't be prepared, if you've closed your eyes,
You gotta go for the TKO,
if you want to survive!

Verse 2:
No more a question of Evil,
Just an issue of blame,
Learned the lesson of Evil,
Now things can never be the same....

Rhy Lead:
And this is my answer!
And there is the place.
And I will remember.
Now I know your face.

So this is my answer!
And DEATH is my name.
Now you understand my answer!
Want to ask me again?...

Bridge:
Falling
I remember them falling
Falling
I can remember them falling
from the flames...

Chorus 2:
Cause they're gonna saw off your head with a rusty knife,
and they'll invoke the name of GOD, while they take your life.
and you can't be prepared if you've closed your eyes,
You gotta go for the TKO,
Do you wanna survive!?!

Beautiful One Day

2008-11-14T12:37:00.000-08:00

The third track on our new XONE CD The 4th Dimension
Is the song “Beautiful One Day”.
We wrote this song is for all the women in the world,
In reference to how they look at their own bodies.
Next time you look at yourself in the mirror, ladies,
Look at you like me…

XONE has always been fascinated and a little bit horrified about how women are portrayed in the media. From the time they are young girls reading things like Cosmo Girl or watching shows like America’s Next Top Model, they are bombarded with the idea that they must be thin, their hair and makeup must be perfect, and they that they should look like the idealized version of female perfection – the Barbie doll. This of course is anatomically impossible in the first place.

XONE felt that the world needed to hear that this image of female portrayal is horribly wrong and despite what the popular media sources would have you believe, men aren’t attracted to popsicle women who look like an Auschwitz victim. Additionally, we felt that we needed to branch out and tackle some song content that wasn’t either a historical account or a science fiction theme. We felt that this would be might be our version of a metal "love song".

The writing process for this song began with this idea of wanting to let women know that not everyone agrees with the popular media stereotyped image of them, and this evolved once Will brought the music from one of his old songs into the mix. From there, we began discussing the types of things that did make a woman beautiful, things like their presence, charisma, confidence, intelligence, wit, and natural charm. Many of these themes resonate strongly within the chorus parts, “your energy is beautiful, contagious as can be…” and “confidence is beautiful…” Other themes such as the implication that these media moguls are actually destroying their bodies are reflected in the verse areas such as “staring back from the magazine, like a victim of an evil regime, a world of purging behind the scenes…”

Admittedly, what Beautiful One Day ended up being was not a love song at all, but more of a call to arms for women to stand up and be in charge of their own bodies. This reasoning is reflected in the line "why don't you just stop a moment, and look at you like me...". What this means is that we actually all have the potential to see each other as beautiful and that if women could look at themselves from their lovers and best friend's eyes they would see that they really are beautiful already and don't need "fixing".

We’d like to hear from you about what you feel “Beautiful One Day” means to you. Leave your comment and be heard. Thanks!

Beautiful One Day
(Lyrics)

Verse 1:
One Day is not enough,
to judge what you've seen.
You're in the middle, you're all caught up,
you don't know what to believe.

Remember when you were young,
and saw yourself as the Queen.
Your world wasn't hectic then,
you were still wild and free.

(Bridge)

Chorus 1:
Your energy is beautiful,
contagious as can be.
Why don't you just take a moment,
and taste some with me...

Verse 2:
One day is not enough,
and I know what you've seen.
It's what your reading, it's on your lips,
and it's on the TV.

Staring back from the magazine,
like a victim of an evil regime.
A world of purging behind the scenes,
how can this be healthy?

(Bridge)

Chorus 2:
Confidence is beautiful,
if only you could see.
Why don't you just wait a moment,
and no longer be deceived...

Verse 3:
One view is not enough,
and you're how you should be.
It's in your making, it's in your skin,
and the way that you speak.

I understand the way that you think,
and it makes sense to me.
Like the curve at the small of your back,
and the grace of your being.

Chorus 3:
Inside you are beautiful,
outside for all to see.
Why don't you just stop a moment,
and look at you like me...

Ironheart

2008-11-14T12:27:00.000-08:00

The second track on our new XONE CD “The 4th Dimension”,
is the epic story Ironheart. This is the true story of the first time that a people oppressed by Rome, fought back and won! In 9 AD, Germanic Goths under the command of a former Roman Auxiliary Arminius (Hermann the German) routed 3 Roman Legions under the Command of Quinctilius Varus at Teutoburger Wald near modern day Detmold, Germany.

In 9 AD, the Roman Empire had pushed its northern border to the Rhine River, and Rome was attempting to push it North to the Elbe River. Standing right in the way of this were a bunch of loose knit tribes
Inhabiting the Teutoburger Forest. The Romans would conquer an area and immediately tax the people living there to subjugate the inhabitants to Roman rule. It was a model that worked.

To subjugate The Teutoburger Forest tribes, Publius Quinctilius Varus was assigned Governor of the area. Varus had earned his reputation governing Syria, where he bled the land and people dry with heavy taxes,
filling his own pockets along the way from the revenues. He came to Germania with the same idea in mind and instituted his will harshly.

Working as a auxiliary Commander and Aide to Varus was Arminius, a young native german who had served in Rome’s Auxiliary fighting insurrection in Illyria (Bosnia). He had returned home to work with the Roman government. What he witnessed was his people completely subjugated to Varus’ taxes and Rome’s will.

Arminius, also known as Hermann the German, decided to lead a rebellion against Varus and his Legions. He united the Forest tribes with his own Cherusci Tribe, and planned the destruction of Rome in his land.
Since Arminius was trusted by Varus, Arminius was able to lead Varus into a trap. Arminius reported to Varus that tax collectors in some of the villages had been killed. Varus ordered his 3 Legions to follow him into the Teutoburger Wald. Once inside the forest, and cut off from his base and supplies, Varus was in a bad situation.

Arminius’ Germans attacked Varus in a bog, and terrorized the Romans using hit and run tactics. The Roman Legions were a hard bunch of soldiers, but they were outnumbered. Arminius sent his cavalry to Varus rearguard to completely cut off all Roman communication and supply.
After three days, of continued, sporadic attacks by the Germans, the Romans realized how grim their situation was. 3 Roman Standards had been lost, two captured by the Germans and one that fell into the bog, and was never seen again. The Roman Standard was a holy symbol to Roman soldiers, and the loss of three had a definite morale effect on the dwindling number of remaining troops holding out. Varus and his commanders accepted their hopeless position, and each fell on their swords rather than be taken alive.

Some had tried to rebel against Rome and failed. The Jews at Masada, the Egyptians had both lost. Even Arminus had helped defeat rebellion in Illyria. But in his homeland, Arminius had dealt the first blow in a long line of changing fortunes for Rome. His destruction of three Legions was felt in Rome, and its echo was felt over the next 300+ years, culminating in the Visigoth defeat of Rome at the Battle of Adrianople in 379 A.D.

Our story begins, as an old, battle-weary Arminus tells his tale to a young Cherusci boy, so that the story may live on…

Ironheart
(Lyrics)

Intro:
Old man, will you tell me the story,
Of how our people became free
If I can see it through your eyes
Then I know I can believe,
that what I've heard is true,
it really was you...

Verse A:
My village was strong and we lived off the land
and from these surroundings I grew into a man.
I sought my own fortune, so I took up the sword
and served under Rome against Illyria.

But then Rome sought to tame a leash on our land
They came here to rule us with an iron hand.
Quintilius Varus came to govern my home
and where did this leave me, now that I served Rome.

Transition

Verse B:
(Now) Varus' methods had been tested before,
I've heard it said that Syria can breathe no more.
Economic enslavement was Varus' plan,
Collecting taxes, he became a rich man.

So he levied his tributes among my own kin,
even though I now served under him.
I played along to make him feel that he had my side,
and all the while I was plotting Rome's demise.

I brought him news of Romans killed by the tribes,
refusing to pay any part of his bribes.
So Varus took his Army marching North to the call,
He marched them right into Teutoburger Wald.

Transition:

Chorus A:
We shall drive out the invader
I lead my men into victory's halls
with these blades we shall defend the righteous
we strike to war by the clarion's call.

Chorus B:
For so long my sword's been forsaken
Now it causes Roman blood to flow
Enticing Varus into a nightmare
so that we can strike the final blow.

Verse C:
I will catch them deep in the mountains
where a phalanx can't be deployed
They will soon become overextended
3 Roman Legions will be destroyed.

Ironhearted I burn with vengeance
I cannot let despair take hold
We must strike while we're still able
and Varus must be forced to fall on his sword

Verse D:
I broke with our tactics to give us a chance,
No other peoples' faced Legions and lived to dance
Auxiliary tribesmen led them into the trap
and we sprung it on them with a resounding snap.

We waited until they had come into the bog
and snuck up on them in the midst of the fog
I then sent my cavalry far to their rear,
raiding their supply lines, I stranded them here.

Transition:

Chorus A:
Now we destroy the invader,
piece by piece he is devoured whole.
(Our) war cries echo throughout the night air
No Roman soldier shall know sleep at all.

Chorus B:
By the hour they grow weaker and weaker,
Their retreat is confused and slow
We have captured 2 Roman Standards,
while the third lies in the swamp below.

Verse E:
In the howling wind and hammering rain
we strike the Roman Lines again and again
This continues for three days and then
the Roman Leadership now sees the end

Ironhearted I burn with vengeance
I have let all contempt take hold
One last strike while they're disabled
and Varus is forced to fall on his sword

Outro:
Well Rome wasn't built in one day,
and it won't be destroyed in one either.
but it's presence will slowly decay,
as I ring the death knell of an empire.

so Goths we shall remain,
a people united in name...
all for one in the same.

And this Ironheart once believed
That if Rome could be forced to flee
to the banks of the Rhine on her knees.

That Legion after Legion would fall
Romans and conscripts, et al...
onward to Adrianople...
And this Ironheart still believes…

4th Dimension (Title Track)

2008-11-12T12:13:00.000-08:00

The title track of the new XONE CD is “The 4th Dimension”.
It is the story of a man losing his mind in Outer Space,
and going over the Edge of Insanity…

This is a story set in the future, where a young man dreams of seeing the Universe. So, he takes a job running the Tractor Beam at a large Space Station in the Outer Rim, far from Earth. Day in and day out, he clocks his shift on the tractor beam, loading the ships into the Cargo Bays of the Space Station.

Forty years pass, and the old man now realizes that he never saw the Universe. He stayed in one place, on that Space Station, watching everyone else come and go for all those lost years. He grows despondent over his misfortune. Slowly, his mind drifts into insanity. He is lost.

Later, while on shift on the Tractor Beam, the man stares out into space as the hours of his shift creep by like quicksand, taking him down, into the recesses of his mind. Momentarily his hand comes off the Tractor Beam Controls, sending the ships crashing into the Base, and causing a chain reaction explosion that destroys the entire Space Station…

Planetary Terrafarmer children, at play on the Planet below, watch in awe as the Station explodes into infinity in the Sky above…

The 4th Dimension
XONE
(Lyrics)

Verse 1:
Waking up from a bad dream,
stare out the porthole into the darkness of space.
Spend my shift on the tractor beam,
I'm starting to feel that my life's been a waste.
Every day, it's the same thing,
guiding the ships into each docking bay.
Though my task requires mastery,
ship after ship, my hope's slowly decayed.

Chorus 1:
Where are you from?
Where are you now?
Caught in my own stagnation...

Where will you be?
Where are you bound?
Death is my destination...

Verse 2:
Gone,
Into the dreaming.
Gone,
Into my mind.
Gone,
Into the silence, creeping
and I'm,
Gone,
Into the night.

Chorus 2:
Where are you from?
Where are you now?
Death is my destination...

Where will you be?
Where are you bound?
The stars are my destination...

Verse 3:
The deep space of infinity,
or lost space of my mind.
A sine wave to eternity,
a quantum disturbance in time.

The cold space of insanity,
invading the depths of my mind.
A patchwork of reality,
responding to nothing in kind.

Chorus 3:
Where are you from?
Where are you bound?
The stars are my destination...

Where will you be?
So far from home,
Fell into the 4th Dimension...

Verse 4:
Can't wake up from a bad dream,
staring out into the coldness of space.
Took my hand off the tractor beam,
sending the ships crashing into the Base...

Outro:
Death is my destination...

Fell into the 4th Dimension...

The stars are my destination...

Fell into the 4th Dimension...

The 4th Dimension

2008-11-11T11:49:00.000-08:00

XONE is proud to release our new album:
The 4th Dimension.
The process was long, but the end result is an album that we are all very excited for you to hear! We hope you will engage yourself into the unique stories told by each of the songs from the album,
and process their subject matter internally in a positive way.
Fall into The 4th Dimension…

XONE
The 4th Dimension (2008)
1. The 4th Dimension
2. Ironheart
3. Beautiful One Day
4. TKO
5. Young Man’s Destiny

6. The Mastermind
(15min epic-almost completed-to be released in Dec 2008)

How can you fall into The 4th Dimension,
and what does this mean to release this album?

Well, in today’s internet-connected world,
where music is streamed and downloaded
right into one’s home, the hard copy CD is less important
than music available directly on the internet.
Because of this new standard:

The 4th Dimension is being released directly on the Internet
and is available now for FREE DOWNLOAD!!

Click the FREE DOWNLOAD link
and get/hear the new album from XONE

and let us know what you think by leaving a comment at our
YouTube Video Channel or MySpace…

The Vetta-POD X3 Connection

2008-11-07T17:04:00.000-08:00

The Line 6 Vetta and the Line 6 POD X3 provide comparable rigs for those guitarists who want a huge palette of tones within reach, at an economical price. The Vetta has been my mainstay amp with XONE for the last 5 years, and I love it. But for those ready to jump in now, with Line 6’s modeling, the POD X3 is the latest, greatest product from the Chatsworth, California company.

I still love and use my Vetta HD weekly, so there’s no reason for me to buy a POD X3. But If I was in the market for a new rig, then the POD X3 would be at the top of my list. Combined with a good power amp and a quality 4x12 cabinet, the POD X3 Live would provide a guitarist with an immense store-bank of tones and sounds that can change in a millisecond to polar opposites. That may sound quite technical,
and that’s because the POD X3 is complex and technical.

If you don’t intend to tweak unique, original patches yourself, then this unit that features two completely separate signal paths won’t do you any good. Each signal is independent of the other and can be effected in any way by the user. From Boutique amp models, to classic Post-Effects, POD X3 users can create a myriad of new tones for their music needs.

The Vetta can’t do 2 separate signal chains at once, but rather pushes both amp channel signals through a combined Post Effects chain, where modulation, delay, and reverb use the same variables for each amp signal. If I just lost you, then maybe buy a Marshall or some Boutique Dream Amp, which has 2-3 excellent tones, and doesn’t require much tweaking.

But if all this made sense to you and you’re considering the POD X3,
then “Go For It”!! I recently have been helping a friend learn how to use his POD X3 Live. While I am having to learn a new interface, the concepts are very similar to the Vetta, so we are getting somewhere quick.

One thing is for sure, the POD X3 sounds excellent!!!

The Evergrey XONE continues

2008-11-01T14:06:00.000-07:00

While listening to Evergrey's "Fear" from the new album Torn last week, my friend(who isn't a metal listener) turns to me and says, "why do you listen to such depressing, angry music? I don't really see you as being that kind of person."

This is a great insight and a question I've often asked myself. Almost all metal music deals with intense emotions and almost none more intensely so than Evergrey. I still remember my mother disparaging the angry, hate filled lyrics of Metallica and many of my other favorite metal bands when I was younger.

So what is it about Evergrey's dealing of emotion charged content such as fear, anger, resentment, self-hate, and depression that makes me so darned happy?

For me, I believe it is the honesty of these intense and passionate lyrics delivered among the backdrop of dark and synergistic grinding guitars, thumping kick, and driving bass lines that sells me most on the truth delivered by Evergrey's latest album. Of course none of this is entirely new for Evergrey, however, the latest album seems more refined and at the same time more honest.

My favorite lyrics are from "Fear" in the chorus where like a litany Thom lists off his fears and during the bridge/pre-chorus where he declares "if he could he'd let himself know he's okay". Listening to Torn has brought me to really question the truth of my own darker emotions and really examine the impact they have on my life. Listening to this album has helped me come to understand the positive impacts of many of the negative emotions that I feel and have felt over the years.

Given the current state of fear mongering that I am hearing everyday from average people afraid of losing their retirement savings, their house, and their job I think it is especially important not to deny ourselves the right to be afraid, angry, self-deprecating, or lost and alone. Acknowledging these feelings allows us to begin on the road to healing and taking positive actions, whereas denying and invalidating our feelings leads to more internal conflict and denial.

Remember, the absence of fear is not courage but simply denial. Courage is the ability to strive towards our dreams inspite of our fears.

The Vetta XONE Continues

2008-10-30T18:02:00.000-07:00

Where would I be without my Vetta? I would be immersed in a land of 2-3 tones. I just need more than that. The Line 6 Vetta delivers a huge palette of tones, and with the two amps at once feature, I’m able to blend two amp models to make a unique original tone each time. The applications are almost endless. Especially in XONE.

While there are many awesome tube amps out on the market, and most of the ones you’d want cost a fistful of cash. It’s great if you can afford that. I cannot. Yet. I need an almost limitless palette of tones for XONE’s music. The only way I can afford this type of device, is with the Line 6 Vetta. In 2003, I walked out of Guitar Center with a Line 6 Vetta HD (head) and an FBV Longboard Foot Controller for $2000. It’s still the best investment I’ve ever made with my tone.

Before Line 6, I swore by Marshall.
I have to admit that some of the Marshall models in the Vetta really give that Marshall tone that I like.
The ’85 Marshall Silver Jubilee, ’92 Marshall JCM 900, and ’68 Jumpered Marshall Super Lead really stand out in the Vetta for hi-Gain tones. Mixing any of those with the Line 6 Original Spinal Puppet model,
And I get a really rich Marshally tone. The Spinal Puppet is basically a hot-rodded Marshall head, so it brings out that rich Marshally tone when mixed with a Marshall model.

Typically, use the Marshall model as the Main amp in the patch,
Lows and low-mids, with the Channel Volume at 100% (all the way up),
The Spinal Puppet covers the high-mids, highs at 50% (12o’clock).
Sounds really awesome to my ears!

More Evergrey XONE

2008-10-28T11:09:00.000-07:00

Evergrey’s latest CD TORN pushes the limits of Progressive Power Metal to their newest extreme! The CD is a complete musical journey that takes time to fully digest. I have been listening it exclusively since it’s release.
I’m not listening to anything else for a while…It’s that great of a CD.

Evergrey has really been a huge influence on XONE. Evergrey’s music has influenced a few XONE songs and parts of XONE songs. Our latest song “Young Man’s Destiny” is an example of this. The whole song’s impetus came from our love of a few Evergrey songs such as “I’m Sorry” and “Blinded”. Every Evergrey song we’ve ever listened to has influenced us to write new material.

That is not to say that we TRY to make Evergrey-like songs.
We write a new song, and then reflect on it, and find that it was influenced by some artist we listened to recently. Most of our newest material has been influenced by Evergrey.
Our next 2 CDs will feature these songs.

If you haven’t already bought Evergrey’s latest CD TORN,
You are missing out on something huge. It is an amazing album!
The rhythmns are layered and complex.
The Guitar solos are melodic an poignant.
Best of all, the CD is Evergrey at their BEST!!!

The Evergrey XONE

2008-10-21T11:39:00.000-07:00

Evergrey is undoubtedly my favorite band in the world. I anticipate their CD releases like a kid waiting for Christmas. I spent this summer waiting for Evergrey to release their latest CD TORN. It was a torturous wait, but well worth it. Evergrey’s new CD TORN is AWESOME!!!

I’ve spent every day since Sept 23, 2008 (TORN’s US Release Date) listening to this CD. It has been the same as every time Evergrey has released an album. It was that way in 2006 when they released Monday Morning Apocalypse.

The first time you listen to a new Evergrey CD, you always react to it like: “what the heck was that!?!”, hearing something that doesn’t necessarly sound brilliant.

Then the second time you listen to it, you react like: OK, I kind of understand what they’re doing here…”, hearing a little bit of the musical feel.

But the third time you listen to it, that new Evergrey CD changes your life!! You hear everything they are doing, catch the complex vibe, and fall in love with at least one song to start.

Then you begin to devour the entire CD slowly, as you listen to the songs more and more intently, following the lyrics, and being struck by how powerful ALL of the CD really is. Usually, all I listen to for the next 3 months is their latest CD. Period.

Evergrey’s albums are intense emotional, musical journeys that must be completely compartmentalized by the listener. By the time you are ready to move to another band recording, you have completely exhausted every single millimeter of the entire CD.

Like a fine wine. Evergrey is not LOVED on the first sip,
nor understood on the second,
but rather, AWAKENS YOUR ENTIRE SOUL on the third listen.

“…my Broken Wings can’t take me, through the Dark of Day…”
(Broken Wings-Evergrey-2008)

Vetta Channel Volume XONE

2008-05-20T11:04:00.000-07:00

I recently began setting the Amp Model Channel Volume on my Vetta HD to 100%, and I’ve felt a major improvement in the sound of the models overall. The Vetta already sounded excellent to my ears. This new tweak has pushed it over the top!! The tone of XONE just got better...

I wish I could play with my Vetta HD(v2.5) every day.
Unfortunately it's only twice a week for XONE,
with the occasional Sunday Afternoon thrown in,
and some home, direct recording.
I tweak my Vetta HD with Line 6 Edit Software on a Laptop
connected by an M-Audio Uno cable to my Vetta,
17 feet across the room to really hear what my
Marshall 4x12 is projecting.

I make only Blended patches in my Vetta HD (v2.5)
at LIVE volume (95+db). (Amps panned to Center)
Both Amp 2 & 1 have a different Channel volume.
One amp model (Amp 2) usually carries the majority of the patch,
and thus has a higher Channel Volume.
When I first bought my Vetta in 2003,
I set my Amp 2 Channel volume to 50% (12 o'clock)
Amp 1 was somewhere around 25% (9 O'clock)

(I'm using percents because I tweak in Line 6 Edit
which has values denoted by percentage, 0-100%.
I’ll throw the clock face value in for amp knob tweakers)

I quickly changed my Channel volumes to
Amp 2 = 83% (3 o'clock)
Amp 1 = 40-60% (11 - 1 o'clock)
I have used these main setting since then.

This week, I tested out using Amp 2 = 100%
or "11" for you Nigel Tufnels out there
and Amp 1 = 50-85%

After testing this extensively, I am hearing that the Amp model at 100% has more balls, tubiness, mojo, etc... to it.

I know that in OS v1 Vetta, the Volume knob worked
in concert, with the Drive knob.
I also remember, that all changed with OS v2 Vetta.
I never worried about pushing the channel volume after v2.
I liked having some headroom,
and I use the COMP Gain to balance patch levels.

After making quite a few new patches last week,
and updating some “Tried And True” patches in my Vetta,
I believe that the Vetta's amp models,
when pushed to a 100% channel volume,
sound better to my ears.

I did have to lower my COMP Gain settings by 4db to compensate
for the overall patch Volume increase.
(I run the COMP at a Ratio of 1:0:1,
and use it to equalize my patch volumes).

I have been tweaking the 100% way now for the last 2 months,
and I still think that the amp has more
BALLS, MOJO, LIFE, TUBINESS…
with the Channel volume at 100%
for at least 1 amp model. (Remember, I blend 2 amps)

I’ve already re-tweaked all my old XONE patches
to this new Standard.
And I’m recording these tones right now,
as I finish the guitar parts for our 15 minute epic:
The Mastermind.
All of the patches for Mastermind are re-tweaked
and sounding better than ever.

Try it yourself with your patches,
and see if you feel the same way as I…

(The Mastermind is featured on our upcoming CD: The 4th Dimension)

XONE Studio Video

2008-05-13T15:28:00.000-07:00

For the last 2 years, we have been working on our CD:
The 4th Dimension.
During the actual recording of the CD, we took over 9 hours of video.
The result of all this is our new music video: Beautiful One Day!!

Hopefully, the video shows that we
don't take ourselves too seriously.
The song was mixed in Sonar 7 PE.
The video includes ans un-mastered mix of the song.

We hope you like our latest video,
And we’re excited to tell you that we are already at work
on 4 more videos for the next CD: ELEMENTS.
It was shot in Mini-DV,
and was edited in Imovie and Sony Vegas.
Let us know what you think!

prog_metal_xone@hotmail.com

The Free Jam XONE

2008-03-18T12:12:00.000-07:00

Free Jamming is an important part of the XONE experience.
It is a no-holds-barred arena to experiment, and create new soundscapes at 112db. Creating a spontaneous musical trance at that volume is a special thing, especially when you start cold at the beginning.

Well, XONE is cranking along here, finishing the Mastering of our upcoming CD: The 4th Dimension, so we’ve posted some new MP3s of some Free Jams that we did last year. We like to Free Jam to start rehearsal to loosen up before we get into working on our original songs. One of us will usually start the Jam and the others play to that. We definitely have gotten some great new musical ideas from our Free Jams. It is a lot of fun and we’ve been known to drag it on for 30 minutes or more. I (Will) definitely use the opportunity to try out new effects on my Line 6 Vetta HD (v2.5). Ted does the same with his Bass POD XT Pro. Jason cranks out tribal warfare with his Yamaha Kit! It is an essential part of being XONE!

You can hear these 2007 Free Jams at:
http://www.myspace.com/xonemusic

Let us know what you think!