If there is one thing that Skyshard is well-known for, it is laying out a scene and emotion very early on in a song and growing from there without leading us astray. “Stargazer” immediately sets up a calming, atmospheric feeling with sounds meant to simulate a calm evening by a waterfront that immediately gets me in the mood to relax and reflect. It quickly changes to a feeling of wonder as the song goes on, simulating imagination associated with the act of stargazing. With all the hardcore styles of music that dominate the Brony music scene, it is always nice to come back to a gentle & calming track that is meant to give us that excitement without the high-energy feels.
Orchestral
Jyc Row – Molten Spike VS Ember & Thorax (Badlands Meltdown) | Orchestral
Jyc Row is back yet again with another incredible track for the Infinite Eclipse series, and like all the other tracks in the series it is full of epic orchestration and stunning storytelling through music. “Molten Spike VS Ember & Thorax (Badlands Meltdown)” is a direct sequel to “Wings of Destruction” and “Heroes Shall Vanquish Once again,” two other impressive narrative-driven tracks in their “Molten Spike” story from the “Prequel’s Finale” sub-series of Infinite Eclipse. Being the first track in a while to be fully instrumental, it brings out Jyc Row’s amazing talent creating his signature epic orchestral and highlights the celtic-type instruments that go into it. And don’t get me started on the male choir vocalization! I feel like I am immersed in a great dragon battle with a crowd of warriors backed behind me.
Ethan Toavs – Odysseys | Orchestral
John Doe – Pony Town Seasons: Autumn – 01 Jacket | Orchestral
As summer ended and with fall starting, John Doe released a new song for Pony Town on the theme of fall! The whole song has a really pleasant feeling attached to it, being both calm and peaceful as it allows us to remember all the memories we had on Pony Town thanks to its easily distinguishable music. Whether it’s to enjoy it as ambient music, or being fully focused on it while chatting with other pony friends, this song is a perfect choice.
Ethan Toavs – A Guiding Light | Orchestral
When it’s about releasing new orchestral music, Ethan Toavs never fails to surprise us! This time with a song bringing harmony and peace to soothe our ears. A Guiding Light keeps us on our hooves with dynamic rhythm, while still giving long releases to calm our minds. So make yourself some tea, lay back, and let the relieving song take it from there!
Ethan Toavs – Battle of Destinies | Orchestral
It is amazing time and time again, from how little of things muscians can draw inspiration and weave entire stories, and Ethan Toavs brings us another perfect example of such with his “Battle of Destinies”. The whole piece manages to create and increase tension from start to its conclusion, starting off with a military rhythm of the drums, brass, woodwinds and strings first working together to introduce the orchestration used to the listener, just for those to exchange turns with each other. And as soon as the percussion switches to a more rocky style and the whole orchestration sets back in together, the song will make you vividly imagine the armies of Nightmare Moon and Daybreaker start charging each other, both sides hopeful for victory. So make sure to let this awesome piece of musical storytelling inspire you as well by giving it a listen!
EveryDayDashie – Crusade for the Lost Mark | Medieval / Epic Orchestral
EveryDayDashie’s far from the first pony to have a go at big epic medieval sounds, but they’ve sure nailed it with and put their own mark on the style! Lots of layers of percussion create a driving rhythm and a blend of woodwind and string instruments make melodies that cut through the wall of sound that hits you. If you like this, be sure to check the rest of Dashie’s collection of genre fusions – mixing various world styles with more contemporary sounds.
Ethan Toavs – Skywishes | Orchestral
Ethan Toavs’ G3 character pieces are always wonderful to listen to – even if, like me, you know nothing about these ponies – but there’s something in particular I like about this one. Skywishes is composed of many short unique musical elements; every different instrument of the orchestra seems to play its own individual melodies and countermelodies. These drift in and out throughout the song, a bit like the breeze that powers this little pony’s kite.
EveryDayDashie – Over the Mounts and Streams | Chinese-Celtic Orchestral
With a unique mix of traditional music styles, EveryDayDashie takes us on a trip “Over the Mounts and Streams”. The music mimics the journey over wide mountains and across wild streams with an energetic and upbeat tune. The blend of Chinese and Celtic elements enrich each other and give this journey a mystical element. With all this emphasised by the percussion, the song will swiftly catch your imagination and bring out your inner wanderlust.
[Equinity] Skyshard & Darkspeen Shore – Moonglow | Ambient / Piano
Moonglow is a wonderfully gentle piece that closes out Equinity’s recent 06 compilation album; “Expedition”. It sends a chill through you and perfectly encapsulates that chilly calm of the night with some incredibly powerful strings padding out the soundscape that weave and float along the emotive piano trills and runs. It really gives you that sense of the world quieting down. Another fun note is how the song title is named after a jungle bound flower in Terraria and games like that are what immediately come to mind upon hearing this piece and in my opinion, really makes this an apt story to end this chapter out!
Horse Music Herald 