@Clockartz Wow, well done guys.
Honestly this album is gold.
IMO there isn't a single album that comes close to feeling like everything belongs together like this.
The atmosphere and emotional feeling in the entire album is incredible and on a musical level that isn't seen very often within Hardstyle.
Because everything truly feels like one track if you listen to it all in order, I find it hard to pick my personal favorite tracks. Also because this is so much more focused on telling a story with great atmosphere and feelings I find it hard to judge in comparison to other albums (as no other album has executed a single story this well). However I'll try anyways:
--- SPOILER WARNING ---
Prologue: 8,5
Does really well what its intended for; starting the listener off and setting the atmosphere. The slow build up into the piano which is then followed up by the drums really sets a musical atmosphere and feeling and creates a track that feels like it could truly be a film score. The only feedback I can give for this is that I feel like the initial build up (up until the piano starts) could've been a little shorter.
Chord V: 8
A unique (compared to Hardstyle in general) type of build-up which is followed up by a tone setting 'melody' (for lack of a better word) and supported by an amazing bassline. While I feel like the melody could've entered slightly less suddenly, it's not disturbing at all. The mid intro is good, clean kicks with clean elements which start the track off well, it's not too long and actually fits the track really well. The following build-up and climax show recurring elements from earlier in the track but doesn't at all feel like it's repeating something. It's unique and uplifting and finished the track of great.
A New Beginning: 8
The first track with vocals, supported by strings which continue the atmospheric setting but turn it into a slightly new direction compared to the first two tracks. The melody of the track feels like it holds some 'classic Hardstyle' elements but also feels new. The climax is great and can truly be described as a new beginning. The kickrolls in this track are also great, they aren't just there to "Add more kickrolls because its cool" but actually support the melody and add variation where it fits. When listening this track on its own, it feels like it ends more abruptly compared to the previous ones.
The Longest Road: 7
Continuing the trend of atmospheric build ups, the piano, strings and drums combination is incredible. The melody compared to the previous ones is a bit more entrancing/captivating for the listener. However I feel like the kicks (maybe more specifically the pitch of the kicks?) let this track down a bit. The kicks done come through as clean, which for me makes this track a bit less than it could've been.
Breaking: 7,5
A track that's a bit harder from the start of the mid intro, then builds up more atmosphere and a melody only to be followed by an anti-climax which is quickly followed by the actual climax of the track. Just like the longest road, this melody is a bit more captivating for the listener, and works just as well but with kicks that fit a better this time. This will be one of the tracks that does really well Live at a festival.
Letting Go: 8,5 / 9
Vocals with a supporting bassline, no other words for me than wow, I'm a big fan of these vocals. The trance-style build-up into the mid-intro just works great. And following this up in the build-up to the climax and the climax itself is amazing. There's not much I can say about this one.
Nothing Last Forever: 7,5
The entire track is a perfect fit for the title. When first looking at the title I wouldn't know how to describe that in a Hardstyle track, but the track itself does that for me. The track does feels a bit short because there's no mid intro or actual break for another climax.
The Last Resort: 7,5
Piano and the sound of crackling wood in a fire with some strings. Obviously intended as an interlude, and it does just that. Giving the listener a small break while keeping the atmosphere going.
A New Dawn: 7
The intro of this track feels a bit long because it follows an interlude. After the intro the track feels more like a 'typical' Hardstyle track of this time, while still being original. However because the intro is long and there is only a single climax, the track itself feels a bit short because 2/3rd is used for atmospheric elements.
The March Of Glory: 9
Tribal sounds with incredible drums, and so damn creative. The kicks in combinations with the drums and also the occasional lead in the climax give such an enormous drive. After hearing this at Impaqt I already expected this to be my one of my favorite tracks of the album. It truly is a march for victory, and just like @Hekzitter says, it feels like you're right in the middle of a huge battle. My only critique on this one would be the length, with 2:36 it is quite short and especially when a track is this good making you want more.
Victory: 8
Following The March For Victory, starting with Trumpet/Horns and then a melody that really make you feel like you've won the battle that was happening while The March For Victory was playing. It's like a celebration track that is played afterwards and feels uplifting.
Epilogue: 8,5
The closing track of the album, it slows down the atmosphere and rhythm which makes you feel like the end is here. As it is the closing track, it does exactly what it is supposed to, slowly end the story of the journey while keeping the feelings uplifted from victory.
Average track score: 95 / 12 = 7,9 = 8
Sound Design: 8/8,5
The overall sound design is great. I really like all the actual instruments implemented in each of the tracks. Almost all effects and leads sound well polished and this is pretty much also the same for the kicks. As mentioned at The Longest Road for example, sometimes the kick doesn't come through as clear as I personally would like, but it doesn't diminish the listening experience.
Artwork: 9
The combination of a timepiece (Clock(artz)) with musical notes and a piano on the inner ring works incredibly well. It doesn't happen often that the artwork is a helping factor in my decision to purchase an album, but this time it was.
Atmosphere: 9/9,5
The use of actual instruments and the way everything builds up or down is done incredibly well. Everything ties together like a single story and the feelings from one track can really feel like a follow up of the previous one. Each specific song has an atmosphere and feeling that it tries to create for the track title and almost all the time this is exactly spot on.
Creativity (bonus points): 0,5
Album: (Average track score + sound design + artwork + atmosphere) / 4 = 8,6
As an album in its entirety it's incredible. The story, the atmosphere, the seamless way of listening to it all is just unheard of in Hardstyle. There aren't as many tracks that would mainly be amazing for the dancefloor at a festival (they'll still do well in creating a show like V @ Impaqt) but for listening to it as an album or simply a piece art, it is amazing.
End result: Album score + Creativity = 9,1 = 9
Personal Favorite Track: The March For Victory
TLDR: (Sorry for this book I've written)
No other words than really well done guys for creating such a piece of art.
Last edited by
Byron on 21 Nov 2019 09:41, edited 1 time in total.
Hopelijk kan ik morgen het album in zijn geheel luisteren.
. Dit weekend binnen gekregen en vandaag in de auto op gehad. Het totaalplaatje is echt briljant. Je wordt er van het begin tot het eind in mee gezogen en het lijkt een soort film waarin je je begeeft. Precies de hardstyle die ik gaaf vind! Moet hem nog vaker opzetten om de beste nummers te kunnen benoemen.
