Rogue FX - Endgame

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Rogue FX’s Endgame is an album with dual meanings. It completes the tale of Max Rogue’s struggle against Mind Corporation, started on the 5th Step EP, but also explores the volatile and uncertain nature of the times in which we live. Rogue FX reflects on how we can best resist and make positive change. The combination of the artist’s vocals and songwriting is bolstered by ear-grabbing synth and first-rate guest performances from some of the scene’s most talented singers and musicians.

Perhaps the most important aspect of Endgame, which I enjoy, is the way in which it explores its themes. The emotional depth and engagement, along with the imagery it creates, pull me inward and invest me in the story and the thematic richness woven into the music. The overall atmosphere mingles joy and melancholy with undeniable strength.

Another strong reason for my enjoyment of Endgame is the way in which Rogue FX blends his vocal performances and songwriting. His voice is unique and compelling, with its own tone and timbre that give it a fresh feeling. In combination with his thoughtful and well-written lyrics, it delivers a punch right in the emotions and carries me along through the light and shadow of the music.

Musically speaking, I find myself drawn to the intriguing, well-selected synth sounds that Rogue FX employs. He explores a wide variety of fascinating auditory textures and instrumental tones, interweaving them with beautiful melodies and harmonies. When one includes his guest artists, the depth only increases further and all of the touches they bring only attract me more.

All of his guests bring their unique perspectives to the music. The performances from Aisle 9, Hollywood Brown, Mayah Camara, Dilemmachine, Kirsty Dewar and ARPRAXIS are high quality and full of heart and soul. The result of their contributions is that the album keeps me fully invested in listening from start to finish.

My Favourite Songs Analyzed

“Shot in the Dark” starts as flashing chimes ring out and richly toned guitar entangles in a hypnotic pattern. Sharp drums burst as Rogue FX's voice leaps exuberantly into the music. The guitar has a groovy quality as the drums punch onward and Rogue FX captures the lyrics’ emotions.

A cleanly slicing synth intertwines in a dynamic pattern as the drums rebound below the smooth vocals. Radiant synth wraps around the chorus as the chimes flicker. The drums and bass interlock as Rogue FX's voice slides through with emotive expression. I enjoy Rogue FX's unique voice as it carries the lyrics.

The drums are gigantic and add motion as Aisle 9 plays a solo that cries out with heartfelt expression. His virtuosic skills add depth as Rogue FX captures this song’s feelings. Aisle 9’s guitar leaps out again to add even more life before the music comes to an end with glittering chimes and the punchy low end.

Our storyteller said he was “coasting along” and minding where he was going. He was driving blindly until he had something he wanted to say and “leave behind me all those rich ill gotten gains.” Suddenly his way was illuminated and his previous life was burned down but “trouble breathes inside me.” He adds that “in a fleeting time I was always waiting to feel right” as he wanted to be strong and to belong.

The narrator has taken a shot in the dark and it's too late because he can't “deal with the chain reaction” or wait to get to the “main attraction.” He says that he's “slave to the sound of the chain reaction.” He was “hunting so high” and searching low as he hid in plain sight, subdued, as losing didn't feel right

Our storyteller is tired of trying to “hold the line” when that line has to break. He has to “pull it down for all our sakes” and even though the stakes are high, he's got a stack of aces. He concludes that he isn't “so jaded” because out of dimming light “we are rearranging.”

A muscled drumbeat and Hollywood Brown’s echoing guitar come in as the hard-hitting bass jumps in as “Nightcrawling” kicks off . The guitar wriggles through as bright synth explodes and Rogue FX's resonant vocals carry the mysterious melody while the low end smacks hard.

The vocals fly out with intense feeling as the drums and bass add more propulsion. The chorus floats past with charming expression and the track accelerates. Hollywood Brown's guitar shines with a fierce gleam as a string-like synth entangles and tumbles. The guitar echoes with intricate energy and Rogue FX's vocal performance captures me with its expression and feeling. The guitar adds luminosity as the drums let fly.

The chorus bursts forth as flaring notes erupt and the drums and bass pound. Hollywood Brown’s guitar unfurls in shining motion as the vocals glide and the pounding percussion presses forward. Rogue FX's voice jumps as the drums flourish and metallic synth trickles. The pumping drums and bass take hold of the song and drive it to an end.

The narrator says that "out of the blues, we ignite" because now it's their time to come to life. He says he and the song's subjects are walking under a bridge at night "in the shadows, just out of sight." He talks about feeling "the flames building up," as they are full of increased power and "a thousand heartbeats electrify the air." He says it's okay because "it's our right to a reply."

Our storyteller says that they are night crawling. He adds that you need to "catch your breath, we’re cold calling and the night's falling so don't look now." He says that there is "systematic uninstalling now." Life has been difficult "on a knife," but they've been returning to life and "making moves to capitalize." They're going to "revolutionize, day by day, one by one" because they're not "comfortably numb."

The narrator says that "like warriors we are revived" as they are "turning tricks, immortalized in the air." They are amplified because it's their right to reply. He tells everyone to "watch me when the thunder starts" because they'll either have to step aside or fall apart. He says, "the transmission is mobilized, the revolution is televised." He concludes, “catch your breath in the air… amplified, don’t look now.”

“Missing You” opens as reverberating drums collide and an effulgent synth slowly slips while the bass rumbles. The active percussion moves as Rogue FX ’s ultra-silky voice slides with sensual energy while the bending synth wriggles past. Smoothly dazzling notes slip as metallic chimes ring and the angular bass slices.

Rogue FX’s voice has a sibilant expressiveness that I find compelling and fascinating, while the grunting bass notes rumble. Satin-smooth synth slips with easy, snaking energy while the vocals slide and intertwine. The drums are dynamic and complex while incandescent notes ring out with haunting, laid-back sensations.

The sharper low-end pulse supports the spoken word segment as chimes flash with soft radiance. The synth trumpets with a melancholy-tinged melody that bobs through the music with poppy energy. Once again, the resonating vocals move with a chocolatey feeling as the track drives to an end.

Our narrator asks if it’s right not to feel worried “of the shadows in the night” or to feel nothing but “self-control.” He wonders if it’s right to walk away now and not turn back. He asks, “Is it right to ask no questions to save your soul?” He says that he’s been missing the song’s subject and “all the words you used to say” for so long.

The next question for our storyteller is whether it’s right to “cherish bad times and all those sleepless nights when the tears flowed like raindrops in our hands.” He asks if it’s right to “praise in wonder at the chaos of it all” as they drift through hurricanes like ghosts. He wonders again if it’s right to feel nothing “for the shadows in the dark” or to walk away “just to save your soul.”

As the song concludes, the narrator reiterates that he’s been missing the other person and all the words they used to say and adds, “I’ve been missing you and the games we used to play.”

Gliding synth slips past as a steady percussion drive creates a disco feeling and the guitar in the distance slides past to start “Invisible Sun.” Rogue FX captures the overall atmosphere with his emotive and chilled-out vocals as the low end pounds with laid-back cool.

Mayah Camara mingles her voice to add her own powerful and heartfelt energy, while Dilemmachine contributes a stronger disco vibe. Mayah Camara takes over, broadcasting intensity and soaring hope as the low end continues to pulsate and the lambent notes shimmy. The percussion continues to pump as Rogue FX’s voice slides in and Dilemmachine’s guitar sings with ultra-chilly sensations while the low end drives. The booty-shaking energy is undeniable while a quickly tripping synth figure adds another layer of hypnotizing power.

Rogue FX carries the performance again, propelling it with his vocals, accented by Mayah Camara’s voice, while the low end pounds and Bending Grid’s synth pads slide. The entangling guitar grooves and dances while the two singers join their voices with uplifting life and the disco beat throbs. The thick bass continues to pulsate and the song comes to an end.

Our narrators point out that at least we've all made it through “another cold day where no kind of sunshine has come to take the anxiety away.” They say that at least they have tomorrow, which has to be better than today, adding, “as the world keeps holding out for our sun to rise.” They say we’re living in “invisible sun.”

The storytellers remind us that it's difficult to forget “we are living in a dangerous world with so much sorrow.” They speak of the tragedy of witnessing everything we've learned and add that we have the future, which is uncertain. They say, “when the rain is falling down, gotta break away,” and continue, “it's a dangerous world, it's like we're living on the edge.”

Now our narrators encourage us by saying “the invisible sun will rise and glow again, transforming everything we know again.” They say it will give us new life and hope, “breathing air into our blood flow,” as that invisible sun shines again.

“Renegades” begins with a resonant synth trembling as Rogue FX’s eloquent voice is touched by delicate notes exuding soft luminosity. The vocal melody is swirling and creates a sense of enigmatic expression while the funky low end shifts above the thick bass. Glimmering notes float through the music as the silky vocals shift, the rounded synth sailing out in a surprisingly soothing melody. Rogue FX captures the lyrics with full expression as the string-like synth flickers with easy-going smoothness.

The drums rebound and the vocals are full of a sense of resistance, while the warmer notes move through the background. The bassline is animated as the drums create ear-grabbing patterns and Rogue FX’s vocals drift with a distinctive quality that I find quite enjoyable. As the percussion shifts, the chorus floats on Rogue FX’s gossamer voice. Shining notes wander past and the track comes to an end on the ringing main melody.

The storyteller says that outside, the world is turning and there's darkness in the air. He continues, "Too many beds are burning," as leaders stare passively from their heights. He goes on to say that we have to know and asks why we shouldn't take the pain away.

Our narrator declares that they'll make a change and refuse to live those lies. He adds, “We wear the scars, guilty as charged," but points out that as the sun rises, "A new way of life is not out of reach," and hope still remains alive.

The storyteller proclaims, "We can be renegades, burning passion inside," pointing out that this time, "Our destiny rides." As the wealthy continue to accumulate more wealth, their "Empire building serves corruption and exploitation."

Now, our narrator says that there's too much power to preserve, but people are awakening. They're enforcing a "cease and desist" in order to "crash the world and start again." He encourages people to "Shake it up" because the dream hasn't died.

Fulminating bass pulses with dangerous weight as rapidly flashing, hollow notes twist with a technical, robotic sound to open “Endgame”. Rogue FX's voice is full of smooth feeling and a sense of revolution, while glittering sounds drift past with silky ease. The mixture of encouragement and shadow within the velvety tones of the lead vocals captures the message of the song.

The low end is propulsive and dramatic while the pulsating notes above shine with intensity. Crystal notes twinkle and float as Rogue FX calls out with heartfelt emotion, drawing me into the power of his words. Tranquil notes shiver away in gentle touches as the drums continue to throb along with heavy bass. The sliding synth sound has a ghostly sensation as it runs through the music and the drums and bass slam together.

A sense of defiant success fills the lyrics, delivered by the soft but deadly vocals. As the low end heaves, tremulous sounds move along with chimes that levitate with a spectral glow. As the spoken word part flows, the drums and bass continue to throb hard. The slicing melody leaps as Rogue FX drives on again before the song ends.

The storyteller says that everyone has "come so far, taken so long and now we're high on hope." They reacted to a call for help and walked on a tightrope. There was "a power grab, a turn of tides, a journey back from hell." Now there's a cry for freedom and a "clarion call for lives they cannot sell." He adds that they've reached the endgame so "that's how we roll, watch the show.”

Our narrator talks of filthy lies and houses of cards in "an empire built on sand." He adds that comfort can't be found in vipers’ nests when "karma takes its stand." He speaks of the oppressed with their "broken souls, lost hearts and minds," but says that change is coming and "the good will out from this revolution show."

As the song concludes, the narrator says that in the endgame, "thy will be done" and everything has come undone. He says they'll be "making it right, lifting it high" as they reach the end of the night.

“Dancing in the Night” begins as echoing sounds move with smoothly crystalline chimes and a bouncing drum beat. The open-sounding synth has a silky delicacy as Rogue FX mingles his voice with Kirsty Dewar’s to create expressive emotion. The chiming notes are fragile and luminous as the vocals create touching affection that draws me in.

Rounded notes tremble with warmth as the digital-sounding synth floats while the energizing lead melody is cut with shimmering chimes. As the low end cruises, the computerized-sounding synth pulses and chimes glimmer with tenderness.

Kirsty Dewar’s voice is full of softness and soul-deep feeling as she carries the melody, and Rogue FX joins in while metallic notes in the distance trickle. Solid percussion guides the music as Kirsty Dewar calls out and the pulsing mid-range synth adds shape while the low end propels the song. Gentleness permeates the song as the drifting main melody sails out and wraps around my ears.

The low end drives on with a smooth heartbeat as the tripping sounds glide and a drum heartbeat mixes with the bass to add shape. As the song ends, a xylophone-like sound echoes out and the track slides easily to a close—before the drums pound and now the lyrics mingling flow as the distance turns hazy.

The male storyteller speaks of "high times we had, far too many years ago" when they were living different lives in different times. He says that "now the universe collides and shines, spotlights on me and you." He adds that people come and go, and there are "no more empty places, no changing faces or holding on to broken souvenirs."

Our narrators say that in the past "there was magic in the air and we knew it was so right," as they danced in the dark and "the stars above our heads, they were shining just like ice" as they danced through the night.

"Photographs fade away just like tail lights in the dark," says the female storyteller as she chases dreams day in and out. "It takes your breath and leaves you reeling, ‘cause life can hit so hard," so she wants to stop clocks and make time stand still. She adds, "It takes some real ambition, not indecision, to illuminate a galaxy of stars, make them shine like diamonds."

The male narrator points out that the book of love is black and white. It’s "heartbreak 101." He asks the song’s subject not to tell any lies and to keep their trust. He adds, "(The) relationship’s not done, you want to give some positives." He concludes that you need to leave a good influence "not negatives."

Conclusion

Endgame is an emotional and atmospheric exploration of defiance, passion, acceptance and revolutionary resistance. I enjoy both the musical and lyrical content it holds and find myself wanting to revisit it has a listening experience over and over again.

DREAD MAJESTY + C Z A R I N A - Gemini

Written by Chris Magdalenski

A Union Forged In Ethereal Flames. Sealed In Sacred Blood: A Review of the song Gemini by Dread Majesty and C Z A R I N A.

Somewhere across the multiverse there exists a world cast in the likeness of Dread Majesty’s music. Add one part Gothic Steampunk, one part Spanish Inquisition and mix vigorously with the Warhammer 40k aesthetic you begin to get an idea of the darkly brutalist sonic structures that are this Colorado-based band’s stock-in-trade.

Simply put, I consider Dread Majesty to be purveyors of some of the most creative metal I’ve heard in quite a while. When I heard they were doing a collaboration with one of my favorite artists of all time, CZARINA, I was beyond excited to hear what they were going to bring us.

I’m not sure what I was expecting exactly, but Gemini delivers it. Dread stays true to form, delivering a coal-hearted liturgy baptized in the souls of one hundred dead gods. The full fury of their amazing musicianship is on display, only this time the obsidian thick slabs of metal are shifted with the presence of CZARINA’s Warrior Queen vocals. Her powerful, yet soaring delivery gives the music a space that wasn’t there before. A sense of white hot divine fury penetrating every blackened corner and shadowy spire with lyrics that speak to control, betrayal, and chaotic co-existence…

Your hand raised in light

Mine, the night

The mirror cracked when they named me divine

One half left holy, the other maligned

Together now we are both crucified

Two nails, one name:

The Gemini


The intriguing lyrics give the song an even greater depth, especially when delivered with the fierce convictions that power both CZARINA and Dread vocalist Rex Vincent. I found myself reading through them a number of times, trying to put visuals to the epic story that unfolds across the song’s 7:24 runtime. 

Eventually however, I gave up, content to let the music speak for itself, while quietly hoping this duo will grace us with another collaboration sometime soon.

— ABOUT GEMINI —

From opposing altars of shadow and starlight, Gemini emerges—a divine convergence of the sacred and the elemental. Avant-garde gothic metal architects Dread Majesty join forces with cosmic darkwave priestess CZARINA to summon a tempest of fire and grace. This haunting duet of the Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine channels celestial rage and rapturous devotion, painting a mythic portrait of fractured holiness and sacred duality. Two voices, one soul—nailed to the same fate, baptized in ash, and crowned in stars. Gemini is not merely a song—it is a ritual invocation.

With thunderous grandeur and crystalline fury, Dread Majesty’s iron-clad soundscape entwines with CZARINA’s fierce etherealism, birthing a sonic revelation where saint and storm dance as one. Beneath veils of gothic futurism, the Twins reclaim what was stolen, casting off their cages to sing the world awake. This is the gospel of sacred rage. This is Gemini.

For more Dread Majesty, visit https://dreadmajesty.bandcamp.com

For more C Z A R I N A, visit https://czarinaofficial.com

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Six Months Of Superb Synth - Albums

by Karl Magi

The time has come again for me to round up my favourite albums, EPs and singles in a series of articles to explore what I've heard in the last half a year. All of these choices are difficult for me to make because I review so much excellent music, but this is the music that grabbed me and drew me in. I'll divide the articles into segments by album, EP and singles and singles. I hope you all enjoy reading through my summary of the last 6 months of incredible synth-based music from the inimitable #synthfam. We’re starting here with my favourite albums

Hill Valley Hero - Aura 

Hill Valley Hero’s Aura is a rich, retro fantasy soundtrack to an imagined '80s epic, weaving cinematic synth melodies with skilled instrumental performances to create a vivid sonic world. With gripping themes, a plethora of synth textures and a strong narrative arc, the album transports listeners into a magical realm of wonder, danger and triumph. 

Hill Valley Hero’s synth work and melodic writing evoke sweeping vistas and emotional depth, while collaborations with Manuel Trabucco on sax and Juani on guitar add soulful intensity and dynamic flair. Aura is not just a nostalgic journey it's a captivating work of musical storytelling, brought to life with vision and artistry.

GammaFlow - Twin Palms

GammaFlow’s Twin Palms is a dreamy, sun-drenched escape into a luxurious 1980s fantasy, where flickering synths, smooth guitars and laid-back grooves conjure images of pastel suits, palm-lined boulevards and glistening swimming pools. 

With a strong sense of atmosphere and a deep love for retro aesthetics, the album blends chill-out ease with the indulgence of an imagined high life. The presence of talented guest artists adds depth and variety, enriching the album’s rich textures and enhancing its tranquil charm. Twin Palms is a glowing tribute to vintage glamour, delivered with style, warmth and effortless cool.

Midsummer Ex - Fake It Till You Make It

Midsummer Ex’s Fake It Till You Make It is a vibrant, emotionally charged synth-pop album that blends '80s-inspired textures, infectious energy and poignant songwriting. The artist moves effortlessly between upbeat, danceable tracks and introspective, lyrically rich explorations of obsession, nostalgia, healing and heartbreak. 

Each song showcases complex synth layering, memorable melodies and eloquent storytelling whether in the darkly cinematic “Hollywood Star,” the hopeful ache of “Missing You,” or the nostalgia of “Always 1985.” With a keen ear for sonic detail and a deeply felt emotional core, Midsummer Ex crafts a journey that’s both cathartic and endlessly listenable.

L’Avenue – Tokyo Nights

L’Avenue’s Tokyo Nights is an absorbing journey into a dreamlike, neon-drenched vision of Japan. Intricately intermingled synths and serene, emotive melodies create an elegant, calming soundscape that washes over me like moonlight on water. The use of traditional Japanese sounds alongside effulgent synth textures adds calming depth and sonic richness.

Each track unfolds like a sonic painting, carefully crafted and full of reflective calm. Guest vocalists Josh Paulino and Elise Devane add expressiveness that deepens the emotional resonance. Tokyo Nights is soothing, beautifully produced and filled with moments of introspection and wonder.

Jessie Frye – Otherworld

Otherworld by Jessie Frye is a hauntingly beautiful album that unfolds in a dreamscape woven from heartfelt emotion, lyrical grace and luxuriant musical textures. Jessie Frye’s voice, airy yet powerful, carries a rich emotional weight that breathes life into each song, capturing both vulnerability and strength.

Collaborating with Matt Aslanian, Jessie Frye showcases some of my favourite songwriting of the year, filled with intimate sorrow, glimmers of joy and fresh honesty. The instrumental landscape matches the lyrical depth and vocal performances with subtle guitar work and a flowing rhythm section that creates a seamless sonic experience. As a whole, Otherworld is a deeply affecting album.

The Secret Chord – Generation X

Generation X by The Secret Chord is a layered and emotionally complex album that draws on nostalgia and Cold War anxieties while maintaining a hopeful future view. Through rich synth arrangements and grounded lyrical themes, the album crafts a brooding atmosphere.

First rate vocal performances from NINA’s stark spoken-word delivery to Ollie Wride’s aching soulfulness imbue each track with a distinct personality and emotional depth. The lyrics speak about historical and contemporary struggles, exploring freedom, loss and resilience. Musically, the album merges retro 1980s influences with modern clarity, creating an evocative soundscape.

Various Artists – A Portrait: The Music & Art of Shae Green

A Portrait: The Music & Art of Shae Green is a soul-stirring tribute to a gifted artist who made a profound impact on those who got to know him. The album is a loving homage filled with sincere performances, showcasing Shae Green’s lyrical talent and emotional clarity. Each guest artist interprets his songs with care and authenticity, preserving the emotional core that made his work so compelling.

In addition to Shae Green’s own words, the album includes moving original lyrics written in tribute by those affected by his life and loss, adding layers of shared grief and admiration. The production is crisp, allowing Shae Green’s musical ideas to shine and the final track interwoven with personal memories serves as a deeply emotional farewell that underscores the depth of his impact.

Bad Guys Get Dead – Stellar Cartography

Bad Guys Get Dead’s Stellar Cartography is a cosmic journey through sound, evoking the vastness, mystery and beauty of space with a textured and emotionally engaging sonic palette. The album’s expansive atmosphere captures the listener from the first note, using varied synths and quality production to build a sense of interstellar wonder.

Each track feels like a voyage through stars and shadow, with sweeping melodies that oscillate between melancholy and exaltation. The interplay between electronic and organic elements creates a multidimensional listening experience. Stellar Cartography is an odyssey that balances galactic scale with human emotion.

Alpha Chrome Yayo – Dream Chaser

Dream Chaser overflows with joy, hope and boundless energy. Alpha Chrome Yayo blends funky synth textures, bright jazz elements and explosive melodies to create music that celebrates life with every beat. There’s a strong sense of encouragement throughout the album, lifting my spirits and pushing me to keep chasing my dreams.

Melodies sparkle with exuberance and a touch of nostalgia, bolstered by rich harmonies and Eurobeat energy that conjures memories of rhythm games and carefree times. Yet, behind all the fun, the album reveals serious musical chops, complex, playful and packed with personality. Alpha Chrome Yayo delivers both heart and artistry.

Out Runner – Stellar Drifter

Stellar Drifter is a bold, emotional voyage through space, where Out Runner fuses powerful guitar work with soaring synths to chart a course across vast starfields and shadowed nebulae. His guitar playing is expressive and dynamic, infusing each track with unbridled feeling and a sense of cosmic grandeur.

Synth textures enhance this vision, building a synthscape that evokes massive celestial structures and interstellar travel. The melodies are cinematic, adding emotional punch to the atmospheric sweep. Stellar Drifter grips me with its beauty, scope and the touching emotion at its core.

Cat Temper – From a Whisker to a Scream

Cat Temper’s From a Whisker to a Scream is a thrilling auditory odyssey, skilfully weaving together tranquility and cosmic power. The artist uses vivid synth textures and striking melodic writing to conjure interstellar landscapes and emotions that rise and fall like solar flares.

There’s a beautiful interplay of sound and structure, as scintillating tones, interwoven synths and visceral drama unfold across each track. The melodies shine with emotional intensity, conveying wonder, danger and awe in equal measure. It’s an album that grips me with its celestial imagination and the sheer impact of its musical storytelling.

The Pyramid – The Tannhäuser Gate

The Tannhäuser Gate is a breathtaking, emotionally resonant journey through the cosmic vastness, composed with a profound sense of scale and beauty. The Pyramid’s melodic writing is at the album’s heart, delivering memorable themes that deeply touch me and pull me into star-swept dreamscapes.

Synthesizers bloom in lush, radiant tones, creating a textural and tonal complexity that supports the album’s journey and transports me to alien galaxies and breathtaking celestial panoramas. The mood is deeply evocative, equal parts majestic and intimate, as The Pyramid balances the grandeur of space with a touching reminder of life’s fragile beauty.

Neon Shards – ELKTRO

ELKTRO is a detailed sonic adventure through a glowing retro-future metropolis. Neon Shards mingles fascinating synth tones and expressive guitar playing to create a vibrant, cinematic soundscape full of emotional intensity and visual storytelling. The textures are dense and engrossing evoking bustling neon streets and lonely, windblown rooftops.

Neon Shards’ guitar playing is intricate, clean and bursting with expression, lifting the melodies to new emotional heights. Each synth sound is carefully chosen to support the music’s narrative and mood, while Anthony Hawkins’ vocal and lyrical contributions on “A Shot For Dreams” add emotional clarity and resonance to this compelling album.

Earmake - Cosmic Hero 4

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Earmake’s Cosmic Hero 4 continues the saga of the cosmic hero in his adventures across the universe. Earmake skillfully and creatively combines a broad range of synth tones and textures with inspirational melodies and thrilling dynamism. His music creates intensely detailed and compelling imagery along with a sense of excitement and exploration. The addition of guest producers adds another layer of depth and richness to the sonic tapestry as it unfolds.

One of the standout features of Cosmic Hero 4 is the atmospheric nature of its music. Earmake has a knack for mingling fascinating sonic detail with melodic writing that is gripping and ear-pleasing. Along with the memorable nature of his melodies, all of the different soundscapes which he weaves from synths that sparkle and growl, dance and drive, are mixed with well-written melodies that are full of emotion and compelling depth.

Another reason for my enjoyment of Cosmic Hero 4 is the way in which the story unfolds across it. Each track is like a cinematic shot, composed and designed to draw one further into the storytelling. As the arc of the tale goes from dramatic battles to lonely flights in space, each track acts as a plot point to carry the adventure forward and engage the listener in that adventure with the sonic depth on offer.

Each of the guest producers featured on Cosmic Hero 4 contributes to the musical quality and auditory intrigue. They all bring their unique sensibilities to the overall project and imbue it with fresh sounds and approaches. At the same time, they respect the integrity of what Earmake is doing and combine their vision with his to create an ear-pleasing end result.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Magnum Opus” comes into being with distantly rumbling bass that swells into life along with lacerating echoes and a pounding kick drum. A synth drifts with a melody mingling eerie sounds and a sense of exploration as the low end surges forward. The vocal-sounding, reverberant synth drifts with the melody again, transporting me into a new sonic world.

Dominating brass carries the melody as it shifts with dark splendour above the driving low end. The main melodic line floats past as incandescent notes exude exultant strength. String-like notes flash past, unfurling with scintillating brilliance as the low end punches unstoppably. An impression of great strength fills the music as we move into a segment in which shadowed bass throbs below slowly pulsating drums.

Sparkling notes oscillate in a dynamic pattern as the drums rebound and the track takes on a driving quality. The bass snarls as the elevated notes pour out galactic light. The drums and bass fade for a moment and then press on as the rising notes gleam with intense brilliance, creating an impression of a journey across a vast star field. The brass section sings again as the drums and bass jump, an angular synth cutting into the music, before the track presses on to an end.

Hollow mechanical noises vibrate ominously as “Morior Invictus” begins. These sounds start to form an industrial pulse above a threatening bass that grows in power. The drums and bass erupt with massive strength as a low synth slashes in crunchy lines and dominating notes begin to shine above the crushing rhythm section.

Brassy notes leap with blazing light as the drums flourish. The lead synth is darkly insistent, erupting with dense brilliance while the track pounds on. The bass creaks dangerously as the music seethes. Breathy sounds inhale and exhale, echoing into open space and the epic-sounding, trumpeting synth is full of restrained anger and triumph as the low end continues to pulsate weightily.

The drums accelerate and a raging synth tears into the track with strikingtic strength and the feeling of inevitable success. The track explodes and flies forward with the lead synth pouring out fierce light—before silence falls on the undulating bass.

“Whispering Eons” opens with softly running water and gentle piano notes that glitter as broadly gliding sounds move with them. Crystal chimes shine with luscious luminosity while the water flows in the distance. The drums rebound as the main melody calls out with mournful grace, floating through my heart.

As the melody evolves, it takes on an ethereal feeling and a sense of distant stars. The low end is slowly throbbing as the raised chimes spill out radiance with tenderness. The piano notes sparkle and dance as they glide through the sweeping sounds.

A cleanly cutting synth moves with heavy bass in a hypnotic pulse while the drums flare and burst. As the echoing space moves, a sense of tension grows within the song. Now the bass pulses alone with ominous power before the yearning melody calls out again—reaching with hope and loneliness—while the bass pulsates and the drums shift and shape.

Loss permeates the melody along with heartache while the drums and bass continue to undulate. As the song ends, peace washes through me while the waves splash the shore.

Vast, slowly revolving synth moves into open space along with solidly throbbing bass to start “Auriga Anomaly.” In the distance, dazzling chords float above the steadily oscillating low end, exuding softness. The snare drum comes in now to launch the music, with radiant flashes spilling out into the track with concentrated brilliance.

The clean snare drums continue to pulse as the warmly intertwining notes interact with graceful and emotive sensation. A polished synth slowly calls out as the melody evolves with aching warmth and the drums and bass press on. The melody takes on a noble and wistfully dreamy quality as it calls out.

The kick drum pulses as glittering notes float with easy shine over the soundscape. Open sounds flicker as the kick drum continues to throb and the track feels cosmic in scope. The lambent notes spill out starlight as the drums drive on and the bass rumbles below.

A sense of progress permeates the music as the track glides into a smoother, calmer segment. The drums launch again as the glowing synth carries the melody, which reflects exploration and hope above the low end.

"Escape from Gamma Ray" commences with distantly glimmering notes swirling in a repetitive pattern as wind sweeps and towering drums and bass launch into an exciting pattern. Tightly wound synth flashes as gossamer notes hang like stars in a dark sky. The low end is heavily driving as a brass section climbs out with victorious nobility above the intensity below it. Sensations of a powerful flight to freedom permeate the music and draw me along with it.

After a sweep of sound, the low end explodes into heavily trembling motion as chimes exude radiance and the wheeling notes above arpeggiate smoothly. Tightly gleaming sounds flow through the music as the low end thunders now. Pure energy leaps forth with shining speed as the drums cruise below and the bass throbs. Every element of the music is full of urgency and rushing thrill as a twisting, nasal-sounding synth cries out with a haunting melodic pattern.

The drums are truly epic and unstoppable as the main melody cries out with cosmic mystery. The bass rumbles and high notes shiver before the main melody trumpets out again, the brass section full of pride and defiance as the low end hits. The track ends with the melody rising out and evoking imagery of a starship rescuing trapped crew and succeeding in their mission.

Threatening, rising notes cry out with dramatic force to open "Subterrania." lustre spills from trickling notes that twinkle as the drums accelerate into a smoothly shaping beat and satiny synth drifts with smooth relaxation as sparkling notes skip past in laid-back flow. Now a string section calls out with classical expression, warm and full of positivity as it radiates into the music. I feel my heart uplifted by the singing strings as the percussion drops away and quickly flashing notes leap brightly.

As the notes cascade, brightness erupts with flaring strength as the dark notes below swirl. The drums continue to pound hard as the track pours out radiance. As the music drives on, bass growls while the tiny synth lights glimmer and the track drives to the end with piano shimmering until it fades.

“Outer World” begins with a jagged synth slicing into the track along with blazing notes that spill out above the portentous low end. Strings intertwine with a melody that is majestic and full of elegiac emotion, filling me with its intensity. Crystalline notes shine proudly as they move above the steadily pulsating drums, filling the music with brilliancy.

Drums continue to rebound as the shining notes float and the sense of triumph becomes more palpable. Lustrous notes ring out as melancholy strings carry the melody above the unstoppable drumbeat. Peaceful feelings permeate the higher notes. A sense of drama rises from the smoothly slipping sounds, touching and powerful, while a polished arpeggio twirls above the heavy bass before the track ends.

A wind rages and dark notes climb with threatening feelings to start “Storm.” The bass is thick as elevated, burnished notes shine while the stormy sounds continue to intermingle. The heavy-hitting drums add shape to the music as a synth moves with delicately intertwining sounds.

The drums drive and trip while tapping sounds shift and diaphanous notes pour out. The drums burst into a smoothly moving pulsation as serenity fills every note. The rhythm cruises along while tapping sounds move and notes exude gentle luminosity. Synth ripples while the huge bass shifts.

The drums erupt as spinning notes tumble above a gently flowing background. The storm still rages as more peaceful notes glide. The main melody adds refulgent shine as the drums throb in a steadily evolving beat. Stormy sounds echo while the twirling notes dance along. The track ends with brightness and fades.

Conclusion

Cosmic Hero 4 travels across the galaxy with thrilling energy and exciting storytelling. Earmake paints vivid imagery and engages my heart and soul with the melodic and harmonic depth that he creates. The addition of guest producers only intensifies the quality and sound of the album.