Oh funk, we’ve got another Ponies at Dawn: Echoes release! The compilation’s 39th track (as well as the 9th track on Ephemeral II: Parallels) sees a collab between SDreamExplorerS and L-Train that combines elements of funk rock and death metal; this track has it all. Groovy and technical basslines, atmospheric leads, brutal drums; just pure funky heaviness. An unstoppable dream team, these two!
Rock
Brownie – The Magic of Friendship Grows (Covering Daniel Ingram) | Metal
Guitar wizard and creator of the amazing Neighhem Fest events Brownie has graced us with an absolutely killer cover of the beloved The Magic Friendship Grows from MLP’s finale! It utilizes a gritty production aesthetic, is beautifully-executed (with the guitar tones in particular shining), and is sure to quench any of you headbangers’ thirst for more pony metal! As commenter, musician, and fellow HMH writer Blackened Blue puts it, “Get ready for the saddest moshpit ever.”
[Helpie’s Corner] Evdog – Say Goodbye | Soft Rock
The theme of longing for the past continues with Say Goodbye, the fourth track from Other Side of the Mirror, the first Helpie’s Corner album. Evdog’s contribution is a soft rock track with plenty of acoustic guitars and powerful harmonies in the chorus that just ooze emotion. Loss is a topic that definitely hits home for some, but hopefully this piece will help you through it.
[P@D] Francis Vace & Evdog – Perennial | Pop Rock
The ever-familiar Francis Vace has teamed up with Evdog for track 10 of Ponies at Dawn: Eternal! A softer track by Francis’ standards, it’s a duet between the two, with Francis taking the role of Pear Butter and Evdog as Bright Mac. The two’s voices come together greatly and perfectly accent the soft music which keeps some of Francis’ signature style of rock with the occasional horn. These two ponies were made for songs like this!
Thrasher – Welcome To Insanity | Album | Industrial Metal
Industrial metal musician Thrasher’s third studio album is finally here, and it’s definitely a treat. With 11 tracks of industrial metal goodness, this is an album you won’t want to pass up. Emanon, Blackened Eyes and A Villain’s Descent were released as pre-release singles, which leaves us with 8 brand new stellar songs to hear. After the album’s ominous opener, Evolution, we’re greeted with powerful metal tracks in the form of Emanon and Annihilation. Both of these songs are erratic and fast-paced, filled with chugging guitars that you’ll easily find yourself headbanging to. Track 4, – Disoriented – starts out with a unique Indian-inspired atmosphere, with tablas and sitars leading the intro before bringing the rhythm section and distorted guitars into the mix, making what can best be described as a heavier Tool-sounding song. The middle of the album sees a minute long interlude, consisting of a distant electric guitar ringing out before heading into the transition for the next track, Insanity. The two stand out tracks on this album are Colossus and The Word Above, both of which are longer than 6 minutes. Both tracks are heavy, filled with electronic elements and feel a lot shorter than they actually are. Overall, this album is a must-listen if you’re into industrial metal such as Fear Factory. You won’t regret it in the slightest.
Francis Vace – AJ’s Honest Apples | Ska Punk
Let’s take a moment of silence for the people who ate apples in 1982… Alright, now that that’s over, let’s listen to the third track from Horses In Real Life by Francis Vace. This nearly 3 minute long song is full of tasty ska goodness, just like the apples AJ sells. She’s fallen through the TV and made her way into human civilisation, where she makes a living through selling her signature honest apples. At least she’s doing well for herself, unlike another certain pony… For a challenge, try and count how many apples fall to the ground in the video. Good luck!
m2the3rd – Friends | Pop
Sometimes we fall and hit the ground, but M2the3rd will be there to show you that it isn’t that bad. M2the3rd has written a song about friendship and more specifically how friends are always there to lift you up, using the allegory of Twilight and the mane six. It would really be a shame to let it slip under the radar, as its cute melodies and emotional and mellow lyrics are a delight to the ear and very heart-warming. The guitar adds a soft and acoustic homelike feel, and the piano chords will harmonize the elements of your heart.
Thrasher – Evolution | Industrial Metal
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!
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!
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!
Horse Music Herald 