Demo's of songs you like better than the final cut.

[AxlVanHagar]

In the spirit of the alternate version of Working Man coming as DLC I thought this might be a cool topic of discussion. I think in some cases the demo's wind up being better than what the band ultimately went with. I've certainly come across a few I've enjoyed better.

Alice Cooper - He's Back (The Man Behind The Mask) This was the theme to a Friday 13th flick quite some ago. I always liked the demo version better on this as it was more guitar less synth. The music for the demo wound up becoming the song Trick Bag for The Constrictor album.

He's Back - Demo version, song starts in at about 2:17 only link I could find for the demo, sorry about that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VHTk4D7wpo

He's Back - album version http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqqLMgbtrB8

KISS God of Thunder - I think the demo is infintely better than the album version. I love the tempo change and love Paul's take on the song far more than Gene's.

God of Thunder - Demo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqiqqVJ0TWw&feature=related

God of Thunder - album version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYjlisHj6EM

Motley Crue - Shout At The Devil Just something about the raw energy of the demo I prefer over the album cut. I also like the '97 remake over the original as well.

Shout at the Devil - demo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORUt4_drWkY&feature=related

Shout at the Devil - album version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dy-Q4tSkQY&feature=related

Shout at the Devil - 1997 remake
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfNyAIQQZr4&feature=related

Gn'R - You're Crazy and Mr. Brownstone another two that I think are infinitely better than the album cut. I think it's far more powerful in their original acoustic slower form.

You're Crazy - demo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1wmwud1DXQ

Mr. Brownstone - Demo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3S6p2LkU4c&feature=related

You're Crazy - album
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XTTptEw7nQ

Mr Brownstone - album
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUOQIjQoiA4

So how about you guys and gals, any demo's/alternate takes on songs you prefer?

[sg327]

The "God Of Thunder" demo by Kiss is a lot better than the album version. Has more of a "raw" sound to it and sped up a little bit...I like it.

[JukeBoxHero]

I haven't been able to hear a lot of demos. I have listen to the demo for (Don't Fear) The Reaper. The song isn't half without the electric effects, I like both the album and demo song equally. http://www.last.fm/music/Blue+%C3%96yster+Cult/_/%28Don%27t+Fear%29+The+Reaper+%28Demo%29

[AxlVanHagar]

Oh geez totally forgot these two.:o

Whitesnake - After I discovered all the pre-1987 Whitesnake I found they re-did several songs and found I liked the original more blues based versions over the "metal" versions.

Here I Go Again 1982 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUOQIjQoiA4

Crying In The Rain 1982 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cd5Yy-Zo3FY

Here I Go Again 1987 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKTiwCez6Zs&feature=related

Crying In The Rain 1987 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-wyG3NmRw4&feature=related

[fighting69th]

Thanks for these Axl, good finds. I checked out the Crue and KISS...Loved loved loved Shout At The Devil, bass drum just kicked my ass. Vocals were over the top but what can you expect? I heard that song in 4th grade and it made me want to play drums. Wish it was out for Rock Band. As far as God Of Thunder, I think they managed to make it disco. I liked it because it was different, but that will always be the crowning moment of a KISS concert...bass solo/God Of Thunder. I just can't see Stanley dancing around to an upbeat version of that song. Pretty cool nonetheless

[Chief Stubbs]

Slipknot's original version of Iowa(the song, mind you) was originally called Killers Are Quiet, and is much better performed with original singer Anders 'cause he's got a grungier, darker aspect to his voice.

[lpunderground19]

Linkin Park made a song called Esaul back in '99 (I think 99) as a demo that's always been my favorite song of theirs. They changed the raps in the verses (toned them down quite a bit), and the song became A Place for My Head, off of the Hybrid Theory album. The instruments are the same, and the chorus only has one different line, but I like Esaul much better than A Place for My Head, probably because of the better raps.

[Shredder87]

Dethklok's Go Into The Water sprung into mind. I remember hearing it while watching the episode going "HOLY SH**, THIS IS SO BAD ASS!!!!!" ...Then I heard the final cut on the album. I hated it. The drums apparenlty played an important role since in the demo, it was a constant double bass beat that made the song a lot more upbeat than on the final cut, which was filled with triplets.

[fighting69th]

Dethklok's Go Into The Water sprung into mind. I remember hearing it while watching the episode going "HOLY SH**, THIS IS SO BAD ASS!!!!!" ...Then I heard the final cut on the album. I hated it. The drums apparenlty played an important role since in the demo, it was a constant double bass beat that made the song a lot more upbeat than on the final cut, which was filled with triplets.

Gene Hoglan rules all...

[Shredder87]

Gene Hoglan rules all...
.....except for that song. He really let me down on that one. :(

[Ultimatum]

Dethklok's Go Into The Water sprung into mind. I remember hearing it while watching the episode going "HOLY SH**, THIS IS SO BAD ASS!!!!!" ...Then I heard the final cut on the album. I hated it. The drums apparenlty played an important role since in the demo, it was a constant double bass beat that made the song a lot more upbeat than on the final cut, which was filled with triplets.

Even the great Hoglan thought that some of the original Dethklok tracks were impossible to play.

[JukeBoxHero]

I decide to look for some more demos, being inspired by this thread. I found a demo for Power Windows by Rush. I think Manhattan Project has more powerful feel than it does on the final album. Here's a link to a demo to Power Windows.

http://www.rushisaband.com/display.php?id=1341

There is a playlist and it's also possible to download the mp3s. The mp3s might not work, it wouldn't work for me on mine.

[Shredder87]

Even the great Hoglan thought that some of the original Dethklok tracks were impossible to play.
He did?! Where did he say that?! I must've missed it. I know he gave Thunderhorse that much needed zazz on drums.

[GNRrockslife]

Prowler - Iron Maiden (Assuming we can call the Soundhouse Tapes a demo). The slower bluesy tempo really works for the song better, although I do like the album version too.

Gimme Gimme Gimme - Black Flag (Dez on vox). Don't like Rollins voice on the Damaged version, much prefer the earlier Dez version on Everything Went Black.

Be My Lover - Alice Cooper. The guitars are heavier on the demo.

Big Machine - Velvet Revolver. The bass sounds better with more distortion. And Scott's vocals are rawer.

Reckless Life - Guns N' Roses/Hollywood Rose. The early HR version with Tracii on it and the extended solo is way more powerful than the Live Like A Suicide version

Move To The City (Acoustic) - Guns N' Roses. It makes a good acoustic song, would've loved to see the final version acoustic.

Looks That Kill - Motley Crue. Mick's solo on the demo is better.

Home Sweet Home - Motley Crue. It's got a real piano, and Vince doesn't whine his way through the first verse. But the Decade Of Decadence version is better than both.

California Uber Alles - Dead Kennedys (Assuming the single version can be considered a demo). As far as the Jerry Brown version goes, the slower, the better it is. But for We've Got A Bigger Problem Now (aka the Reagan version) should be played at the FFFRV tempo or faster.

[AxlVanHagar]

Be My Lover - Alice Cooper. The guitars are heavier on the demo.


Reckless Life - Guns N' Roses/Hollywood Rose. The early HR version with Tracii on it and the extended solo is way more powerful than the Live Like A Suicide version

Move To The City (Acoustic) - Guns N' Roses. It makes a good acoustic song, would've loved to see the final version acoustic.

Looks That Kill - Motley Crue. Mick's solo on the demo is better.

Home Sweet Home - Motley Crue. It's got a real piano, and Vince doesn't whine his way through the first verse. But the Decade Of Decadence version is better than both.

.

Good calls on these!

[Ultimatum]

He did?! Where did he say that?! I must've missed it. I know he gave Thunderhorse that much needed zazz on drums.

He was given a small section in August's Modern Drummer, entitled Gene Hoglan's Atomic Clock or something like that.

[fighting69th]

He was given a small section in August's Modern Drummer, entitled Gene Hoglan's Atomic Clock or something like that.

Isn't that the name of his forthcoming DVD that has been delayed for a year? I am dying to see that when it comes out.

[Ultimatum]

Yeah, that's going to be a really cool DVD. I really want to see him play out of his element too.