2016-07-02 4:00:45 ¶ ●

By George Buzinkai

The track art suggests ‘Train’ as in ‘training montage’, but the clacking percussion and hyper-chugging background melody puts this one on the rails. Maybe they’re practicing karate in a dojo-car towed by a locomotive.

2016-07-06 4:00:49 ¶ ●

By Malcolm Brown

Epic. Cataclysmic. Apocalyptic.

Starts off innocently enough: a bit of Terezi’s theme on piano, and some bullshit clownish organ in the background. But it all comes crashing to a head at 0:43.

What power. The harpsichord notes are played with hammer blows. The strings threaten to summon Norman Bates from his mother’s house on the hill. The guitar chug would make Ozzy Osbourne nod, ever so slightly, in stoic approval.

Malcolm Brown excels at the creation of those sorts of world-breaking transitions. Carne Vale at 0:20. Eternity Served Cold at 0:55. Savior of the Dreaming Dead at 0:55. He posted a WIP snippet of this track a while back, and the difference in the finished product is remarkable. That extra layer of guitar puts such a harsh edge on it.

I’m glad this song came out after Homestuck ended. Otherwise, Andrew would find a way to kill our favorite characters, yet again, all to the crushing beat of this tune.

2016-07-12 4:00:45 ¶ ●

By George Buzinkai

Cool main melody, but the background melodies are something else: rolling percussion in the first half, mournful, arpeggioed organ in the second. Really scratches that Castlevania itch. It’s a shame this one was released after Homestuck wrapped up; I’d love to see what kind of remix potential this one has.

2016-07-20 4:01:02 ¶ ●

By Thomas “EidolonOrpheus” Ferkol

Atmospheric. The liner notes mention that EidolonOrpheus was inspired by Calliope, hiding deep in the Furthest Ring. It was a place of temporary refuge, but one subject to an ever-present threat of annihilation. The instrumentation reinforces that feeling: light, yet somehow sad.

2016-07-28 4:00:49 ¶ ●

By Max “Imbrog” Wright

Warm and memorable. I like the contrast of the long, drawn-out lead melody against the staccato, wandering background.

2016-07-31 4:00:43 ¶ ●

By Seth “Beatfox” Peelle

What a way to sign off. By turns it’s morose, sentimental, and triumphant. The fanfare section is spectacular, starting at 4:13 (what an unremarkable coincidence). Its slow, ascending buildup in pitch and tempo peaks with a soaring final rendition of Homestuck Anthem to close out the album.