The last of the Eternal pre-releases, and it’s a good one! Francis Vace teams up with his usual ska punk fare, with PegasYs joining him on vocals this time. While all the familiar elements of ska punk are recognisable in his sound, the track is laced with 8-bit sounding synths to complete the piece. With great references to Autumn Blaze and her all too familiar song that needs no introduction, this is a piece you can’t pass up. Eternal releases on October 6th!
Rock
Rarity Advocate – Blossomforth | Soft Rock
After their piece about Rarity, Rarity Advocate’s back with another tribute to the background pony Blossomforth, and this one is much different! This track is a rather stripped down number, consisting of a guitar and bass, plus what sounds like a melodic bell. A clean guitar riff reminiscent of a midwest emo song from the 90s is the most prominent element and carries the song right up to the end. Ponies like Blossomforth need more love!
Crusader! – My Dragon Waifu | Pop Punk
Perhaps echoing the classic Tubby Wubby Pony Waifu, Crusader wrote an upbeat yet rocking tune about the #1 dragon waifu choice Ember! This is sure to please the enthusiasts of Tsundember love, with the catchy anthem conveying all of our feelings in harmony, along Crusader’s lovely vocals!
Djohn Mema – It’s Nightmare Moon (feat. Cyril the Wolf, SlightlyAmiss, Pinkaboo & Blackened Blue) | Metal
We can never get enough fan songs about classic themes, and these cool lads understood that very well. A lovely collab from Djohn Mema featuring Cyril the Wolf, SlightlyAmiss, Pinkaboo and Blackened Blue, this new Metal treat is quite impressive as it sings in the perspective of Nighmare Moon and there’s some kind of voice acting to it too, and that is definitely one of the many special powers of the genre. The doomsday keyboard melodies are amazing to act as the harbinger of the mare’s wrath, as the heavy guitar riffs reflect all her suppressed feelings so well. A masterpice for sure!!
[P@D] Blackened Blue – Set In Stone | Metal
Part of Ponies at Dawn Eternal, this pre-release is giving a taste of all the delightful rock/metal gems that you’ll find on the album. I’m happy that Blackened Blue is kicking it off on YouTube, with such a lovely and deep tribute to the Pillars of Equestria! All of Blackened’s mastery of the genre was used to craft this piece of many wonders that will take you through several vocal styles and a rich instrumentation with all those blissful rock instruments that we love. Give it up for Blackened, who’s also helping out in here at Horse Music Herald!
Forest Rain – The End of the World | Punk Rock
Forest Rain has just put out her second album of the year: a 12 track concept album about an apocalyptic war breaking out in Equestria. It starts out with an eerie spoken word intro featuring the voice of actor Reagan Murdock followed by a dark organ melody along with the voice of a female leader addressing the nation to stay calm before the haunting sound of countless screams can be heard, which is then followed up with the first full track, The Fight. It’s a fast-paced punk rock track coupled with orchestral strings and bells along with Forest’s powerful vocals and amazing guitar work to set the mood for the entire album.
For the first half of the album, the album charges forward relentlessly with uptempo rock tracks with soaring choruses and the occasional guest spot; Borders Fall features guest vocals from Wubcake, Steel Chords and Cyril the Wolf to add character and freshen things up some, and We Stand features Whirlwind, performing live drums. The album’s halfway point – The War – brings things down quite a notch in intensity, turning somber as if to represent the dystopian aftermath of Equestria after the war. Following this track is Beacon in the Dark, one of the more unexpected tracks on the album. It has a more electronic backing, and also showcases Forest rapping with ferocity in each verse.
Overall, this album as a cohesive whole is undeniably excellent and powerful, and tells the story presented with precision. Standout tracks are The Fight, The Battle, We Stand, Beacon in the Dark and In Memoriam, but for the best experience, I highly recommend you listen from beginning to end. The album is fresh off the presses on Bandcamp, and also currently has a limited run of jewelcase CDs, so get them while they’re hot!
Elias Frost – Better Way to Be Bad (Covering Daniel Ingram) | Metal
A much welcome Metal cover of the acclaimed Better Way to Be Bad, in pure Elias Frost style! An awesome music video is accompanying this re-imagining of the villains’ song, in which that lovely dynamic is re-enacted all over again along the guitar riffs, for a Metal version that retains the uplifting side of the original all while bringing the power of rock music!
Koron Korak – YayYayYay (NomNomNom Parody) | Rock
Our friend Koron definitely has the cutest pony ideas! Ponifying Parry Gripp’s song NomNomNom with Flutteryays, the dedicated musician echoes similar pony vocal chops-centered fan works, making cute melodies out of Fluttershy’s cuteness! And check out that blissful rock arrangement! Definitely a very fluffy and nostalgic release, that is so welcome!
Przewalski’s Ponies – Winter Snow (feat. Velvet R. Wings) | Gothic Rock
Cutting through the snow as it pierces through our hearts, this new release from Przewalski’s Ponies is of pure beauty, showcasing much emotion from the rich soundscape and melodic aspect, Andy Feelin and Velvet R. Wings‘ duet, and the meaningful and deep lyrics. Definitely a shining collab!
StableTwoStallion – DrIacSonCeqOuuRsD | Industrial Metal
Neue Deutsche Härte is alive and well, and it’s spreading in the fandom thanks to StableTwoStallion! This track’s about the chaotic side of Discord, represented perfectly with his gravelly voice (which is eerily reminiscent of Till Lindemann) and the gothic choirs in tandem with the riff-driven guitars. I guess you could say it’s about as chaotic as Discord himself!
Horse Music Herald 