After a long wait, it’s finally here. Track 1 from Thrasher’s newly-released album Welcome to Insanity is an ominous electronic opener that perfectly sets the tone for the album. The first half builds up an amazing atmosphere with a dark synth pad that fades in and descends, coupled by the image of countless changeling eyes, almost as if you’re being surrounded. A minute in, the moon rises into view and soon enough, the sound of a constant kick drum in front of some driving bass can be heard as if it’s being played inside a club, before quickly becoming more audible. As the guitar joins, the sky seems to flash with colours as if the changeling hive’s just decided to start up a rave. However, after a computerised voice says “Welcome to Insanity”, we’re met with a vision of the album’s artwork followed by a change into Thrasher’s typical style of metal mixed with electronic elements. The drums sound clean and powerful and the guitar riffs and lead behind it really add to the dark mood introduced. Despite its short length, what this track sets out to do is purely amazing. And this is only the opening track!
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[P@D] mikuma – Raygun (feat. J. Free) | Hybrid Trap
Let the bass rock your speakers. Track 45 of Ponies at Dawn: Eternal sees the grand return of mikuma, their first feature on a P@D album since 2018’s Enigma. Being their first release since that year, they’ve come back with a banging hybrid trap tune that starts strong and stays strong. Along with mikuma is the iconic J. Free, who provides a tactical serving of rap flow towards the end of this slice of trap mastery. Welcome back to the fold, mikuma!
Jyc Row – The Necromancer (feat Yoed Nir) | Orchestral
The penultimate track from Jyc Row’s Legion EP is here, and it’s a truly menacing piece about Grogar. Joining him is Yoed Nir on the cello to really bring this piece to life. All the ominous percussion, choirs, strings and bells come together to perfectly capture Grogar’s personality as a tyrannical leader to be feared. If he ever makes an appearance in a future MLP show, this would be the perfect introductory music.
Ponytronic – Falling Love Harvest | Liquid Drum & Bass
Ponytronic’s back, with a big change of pace from his last handful tracks. This one is a late Thanksgiving special about PearMac with a blissful atmosphere and cheery mood. The song’s perfect blend of orchestral elements alongside the drum and bass foundation makes the melody really feel like a celebration of their relationship and later marriage. What more could you ask for when it comes to these two beauties?
Francis Vace – Horses In Real Life EP | Ska Punk
It’s never too late to release an album on our favourite sextuplet of pastel coloured horses, which is exactly what Francis Vace recently decided to do. Horses In Real Life is a 6 track EP of all original catchy ska punk songs based on the concept of the Mane 6 living in the real world. Track 1 is My Rainbow Horse and Me, first released on Ponies at Dawn: Eternal, and depicts a scenario where Rainbow Dash is living in someone’s house after popping through a TV. She’s said to be a messy freeloader, living with no job and using the character’s utilities for herself. AJ’s Honest Apples tells the story of a new brand of apples reaching town, with the chorus being sung from her point of view. These apples are free of pesticides and taste like no other apples you’ve ever had! Interview With A Fashion Icon tells the story of Rarity being interviewed about her time in the human world as well as her fashion endeavours. While keeping the familiar ska elements, it’s a slower number that feels like something Rarity would have no problem singing. The fastest track on this album, Bright Pink Horse, is about Pinkie simply dancing in the street, with the fast pace capturing Pinkie’s hyperactive personality with flying colours. Overall, with six fast tracks about our six favourite ponies in six unique scenarios, this is an EP you can’t pass up. If you’ve enjoyed Francis’ work over the years, this will be a great addition to your collection!
[P@D] loophoof – We Will 2.0 | Drum & Bass
loophoof returns with another exclusive track to Ponies at Dawn: Echoes with track 50, a fantastic remake of his older track We Will! There’s an incredible amount of vocal chops from Rainbow Dash, and believe me when I say there’s a lot. A good 75% of the song is filled with them, but they’re put to good use, and fit well with the beautiful synths and fast drums. The loophoof ride never ends!
SmD House – Finding Yourself | Orchestral / Chillout
Mellow pizzicato string plucks start out this soothing piece by SmD House. They are soon to be accompanied by a piano and harmonious single-note violins under a pulsating drum line. Occasionally, very occasionally, there is a deep, dark, filtered synth line peering into the track that starts playing before the drums cut out. But before you miss the drums for too long, they come back over an even more harmoniously stacked sound. The only thing regrettable thing about listening to Finding Yourself is that it ends, and that can easily be solved with the loop button!
Skron – Apple Cannon | Deathstep
Basshoof Records are kicking off their first release with a bang by promoting Skron’s Apple Cannon. A very hard and gritty tune with foreboding and varied vocal splices, screaming basses and a powerful and tense melody in between the breaks, this one is a very strong first step for this label, and they’ve definitely got my attention!
Ampderg – Mindless (feat. Suskii) | Alternative Rock
Suskii‘s really branching out into the rock stratosphere lately. This track is a collab between the former and a fresher face, that being Ampderg. Suskii’s emotional vocals on top of Ampderg’s hard hitting rock background is an impressive combo with lyrics about pushing forward through an anxiety attack and not looking back. Raw emotions permeate through this track, and it’s clear there was a lot of love put in!
[Equinity] Tw3Lv3 – Am I Interrupting ? (feat. Retronax) | Lo-fi
Tw3Lv3 has really been bringing the pony tunes lately, and up today is this Fluttershy-inspired lo-fi collab with Retronax. Very mellow and easy to vibe with, Am I Interrupting is a feature on the new Equinity compilation album available for pre-order. The tag team put in some choice Fluttershy chops to add a satisfying, homely feel to a great chill song.
Horse Music Herald 