First off...LOVE it!! The energy is amazing. Alice in chains, NiN...is what comes to mind.

High level...is I think you're trying to make everything "BIG" and as a result loosing some definition.  I'd recommend anchoring on vocals and drums and wrapping things around that.

Also hear some overall distortion from the compressors...this is just a tad too pumped and squashed...maybe just a single db less of average RMS might do thetrick.

Bu love it love it love it!!! 

I'd also look into any verbs that you might be using and eq out some low end from them.  Those drums in the beginning are huge...if you kept those same verbs on them moving forward then that could be a culprit...

can't say enough how much I appreciate EVERYONE's input here. helped me much.  the drum mixdown is beyond my control, but I was able to tweak a lot as per the many good recommendations here --  this is still rough but better/warmer/stereo balanced imo with/ out as much drum loss and amplitude issues etc... thanks again u all rock :)   -Daren

REMIX 2-11-13
http://www.mediumrangeint...wDown_rough2-11-13.mp3

How loud are you monitoring in dB SPL's while you are mixing this. Here is some good advice. It does not matter how big and heavy the tune is. Set it up for about 80 to 85 dB SPL (C weighting) and you will see what I mean. You can mix at that level for 8 hours. 

If you have been mixing loud then you will faint when you hear how quiet 85 dB is. The ear has a better frequency response at this level. Keeping it down will also stop you from brightening the mix as your ears get tired too. 

I also use a small mono speaker down much lower than 85 dB even and that is great too. You can spend hours on this and get the balance near perfect for hours on end too. You only have to come up loud to check bass and reverb levels. 

I love the chorus and the scream. In the first mix everything is squashed but that is fine as this is intentional. The second mix the guitars are eased up and things are clearer but it somehow looses the intensity of the first mix. Anyways, great track and song.

Monster song Daren, huge wall of sound. It's actually got a bit of a late '60's psychedelia vibe to me - nothing wrong with that. It probably the loudest mix I've ever heard on this forum, I've got my speakers on about 0.5/10!

It is hard to tell on these computer speakers, but the drums still get overwhelmed when the guitars come in.  I'm wondering if you built up the realitive volume of the lead elements.  Guitars loud.  vocals louder.  Scream is just about right.  Let the tension build while keeping the drums more forward.

But a great song.  Didn't hear the original mix but I like this one.  I'm just picking around the edge.

@

I like it. Sounds good to me. I wouldn't have a clue on what to tell you to do on this. This could be close what you're wanting to do. If you take everyone's advice then it might be their song instead of yours. 
 
Here's what I do lots of times. I listen to a song that resembles mine a few times, switch to mine and I can usually tell right off the bat where mine is off. Maybe it has too many highs or lows. Vocal is too loud or soft. Guitar tone is way off, etc. But usually I can get in the ballpark that way. Always seem to miss that special sheen or cover that envelopes a song I love, though.