Discussion Zone

I'm looking for some pointers.
Been mixing for a few months now.
Some times I luck out and it all sounds acceptable but I don't always know what and why.
In this mix I wanted the quieter parts to sound big and fat but not as full of energy as when the drums kick in. Then when the drums start, I wanted a lot more energy and get some distortion on the guitar and bass. I doubles both tracks and added distortion, but then eveything just started sounding all washed out.
This mixing game baffles me. There's as much sience as there is art and a little magic every now and then.
Please give your two cents worth or more. I can use all the help I can get.

I really like your vocal effect in the first verse. This song can work with the vocal buried a bit like you have it or riding on top. There might be a bit too much hall reverb for my taste in the chorus sections.

The energy from the crash cymbals is a challenge to deal with in this mix and to be honest the arrangement needs to be tightened up. The arrangement isn't your issue.

A lot of good ideas and it might be interesting to mix it again in a month or two and see how the mix changes.