#lindsey stirling duality

[snowcodes]

This is a top song for me today while I code. The tone and rhythm just have me tip tap typing away at such a good pace!

Share a song you're obsessed with while you code! I'd love to see what you're all listening to

[fidjiefidjie]

Bon Soir ❤️🎻💃🆕️🌸

Lindsey Stirling 🎵 Eye Of The Untold Her

(Duality)

[gracewing08]

HOLY MOLY WHAT A MV

[glassisland]

Simply astonishing. Every time.

[throughdigitaleyes]

Boston Experiences the ‘Duality’ of Lindsey Stirling

Boston’s MGM Music Hall at Fenway hosted Lindsey Stirling on Tuesday night (8.13.24) as she unveiled the Duality Tour to her Massachusetts Stirlingites.

It had been far too long since I’d caught Lindsey Stirling on a standard tour, so I was especially excited to see what she had in store for us on this one. But then again, the Duality Tour feels like so much more than just your standard tour. Boasting truly stunning production, a jaw-dropping collection of costumes, always breathtaking choreography, heart-stopping aerial-work and a setlist that features a whopping ten of the twelve tracks off of her newest—most personal?—album, ‘Duality’, this tour showcases Stirling’s immense musical and physical talent in an emotionally cathartic manner that’s as relatable in its vulnerability as it is affecting in its positive perspective and sheer candor.

Throughout the show, Stirling and her fantastic troupe of dancers (and musicians) lead us on an ethereal odyssey not only through the story of ‘Duality’, but through Stirling’s entire artistic journey, offering a refreshingly honest look into her professional struggles and personal insecurities while beautifully displaying the talent, strength and determination that got her this far. This is a concert experience that’s as inspirational and technically impressive as it is utterly exhausting and downright fun.

I’ll always be absolutely blown away by the physicality of Stirling’s performances, so it’s no surprise that the highlights of the show came in the form of songs that featured her exhilarating aerial work. She blew the whole audience away with her gasp-inducing work on the silks during ‘Evil Twin’, and her work on the hoops during ‘Shatter Me’ had many on the edge of their seats. But there was so much more, too. I really enjoyed the production on the show-opener, ‘Eye of the Untold Her’ (with its creative shadow play), and ‘Underground’ (its lighting and choreography were stellar). The infectious violin work on ‘Les Fées’ and ‘Untamed’ cemented their status as favorites off of the new album. And the power move of ending the show with a song as positive and full of raw strength as ‘Survive’ was such a satisfying way to close out the night.

Walk Off the Earth (and adorable guests Luminati Suns) opened the show with a bonkers set that immediately grabbed the crowd’s attention and refused to let go. The set was filled with a gleeful energy that wholly embraced the communal spirit of live music. I was especially taken with the creativity and silliness behind their two medleys of covers.

FULL PHOTO ALBUMS from the show can be seen on Facebook: Lindsey Stirling; Walk Off the Earth.

All photos ©Timothy Patrick Boyer, 2024.

[lianailia]

Okay, after a week of listening every day, this is my review for Lindsey's Duality. This truly is an amazing record. Well done Lindsey. I really can't wait until I see her live in August! If you get a chance to, you will not be sorry! I've seen her 4 times already. Anyways, my review:

Evil Twin: Interesting that it's the start of the album! It took a couple of listens to like. And the very beg I still don't really. It's not a listen to every day song.

Eye of the Untold Her: still amazing. I can't wait to see this live in Aug. And the rest of the album! But the music video was so powerful.

Surrender: yes! Lindsey! Omg. I'm dying. This is so beautiful. I can't believe I'm listening to this. This song is truly amazing. I'm still not sick of it, a week later. It's my fav.

Serenity found: also really pretty. Making me cry. Imagery I'm getting is a pan over a large waterfall. Then the water is coming down. Ugh, so simple yet so pretty.

Untamed: I like it. Kind of like soldiers marching into battle. And her vocalizing. I love the plucking.

Purpose: the slow build. She has lines! I'll have to see what she's singing. Towards the end! Wow.

The Scarlet Queen: I like the beat. Might have to grow on me.

Inner Gold: This song has really grown on me. I love it and her voice. The beat makes me want to dance and it gets stuck in my head. So not a bad thing.

Survive: I like the tune. Not sure on her voice. I'm sure live will be amazing.

Kintsugi: more lines. So pretty.

Firefly alley: I like it. My 3rd fav but it changes daily really. But I love the start and then the drums come in. It's a good driving and cleaning song.

La Fees: wasn't sure at first, but then it became like something out of a movie. Like an Ocean's type film. I really like it. I think she's having fun with this song at the end after being so serious in the beginning.

Ranks

1. Surrender

2. Eye of the Untold Her

3. Firefly Alley

4. Serenity Found

5. Purpose

6. Kintsugi

7. La Fees

8. Evil Twin

9. Inner Gold

10. Untamed

11. Scarlet Queen

12. Survive

[frostymj]

Eye Of The Untold Her

Obsessed with this song.

[amber-lucca44]

Favorite 2024 albums (with rating and favorite song 💖)

Post Human: NeX GEn (Bring Me The Horizon), 9.5/10

Plastic Death (glass beach), 9.5/10

Dostrotime (Squarepusher), 9.5/10

GNX (Kendrick Lamar), 9.5/10

brat (Charli XCX), 9/10

Duality (Lindsey Stirling), 8.5/10

Negative Space (Poppy), 8.5/10

Dark Matter (Pearl Jam), 8/10

Saviors (Green Day), 7.5/10

The Tortured Poets Department (Taylor Swift), 7.5/10

[myvinylplaylist]

Lindsey Stirling: Duality (2024)

Target exclusive rose pink vinyl + 2 bonus digital songs

Concord Records

[happymeishappylife]

You can read my reviews and see my favorite songs from these albums here.

[the-gateway-to-madness]

I feel like I should already know these, but 🖋 💾 for FTGOA, lez go!

🖋 Something that snuck up on me during planning/writing... oh, boy, um. Ooh! Cara and Varvatos are going to have an arc in 3B season 2. That detail popped in without much warning, but it's a very natural continuation of something that'll happen at the end of TH season 3 and a plot point that gives 3B season 2 a lot of richness in Cara's arc for this specific timeline.

💾 The music associated with FTGOA! I've already talked about Epic: the Musical, that's definitely been huge. "Royal We" by Janani K. Jha is up there too. "Save Me", Bruno Martini. "Sad Sometimes" and "Who I Am", both Alan Walker. "To Ashes and Blood", by Woodkid, from Arcane season 2. "Champion", "Machine", and "Army", all by Neoni. The "Battlecry" album by Two Steps From Hell, and the "Duality" album by Lindsey Stirling. Plenty, basically!

[nitefyre443]

Song of the Moon and Sun

Song of the Moon and Sun 

By 

Nitefyre 443

I'm a huge Castlvania fan, I can’t tell you how much I love this game and franchise. I fell in love with the whip wielding vampire slaying Belmont's, Dracula, Alucard, all of it. I have not played every Castlevania game because there are a lot of them. My first Castlevania game was Castlevania II: Simon's Quest on the NES, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night being one of my all time favorite games. Also as many Castlavania fans I’m  heartbroken at the state of this important and beloved franchise. This is why the Deat’s Brother’s and Powerhouse’s Castlevania Animated Series excite me so much. They seem to be the only people who give a damn about this world, its story and its character because Konami could care less. So when Castlevania Nocturne the follow up to Castlevainia was announced, I was ready and Powerhouse Animation did not disappoint.  

What I’m going to talk about today is the music video for this song “I’m Free” by  Sydney James Harcourt  and Lindsey Stirling. What a beautiful song that serves as the character theme for not only Annette but Richter and Marie as well.  Watch the video here and let it play along while readying because damn Sydney James Harcourt and Lindsey Stirling did the thing with this one.

So the song and video starts with clips of Annette's childhood, with beautiful gentle and sorrowful lyrics   

See them stand ready to die  For whose sake  Was life fair?  

The way one could look at the start of the song is Edouard as an observer, a freed man himself  seeing his people in chains, literally worked and beaten to death for the sake of those that enslaved them, that is blatant and in  your face. However there is a lovely duality to this song when applied to the Belmont's in the context of Castlevania itself. Yes both meanings are valid and true to both Annette and Richter. I will go further into what this song means for Richter, his story and his legacy within the Castlevania franchise but let's say making his love interest and romantic partner, formerly enslaved Black woman, is absolutely brilliant on the writer's  part. Especially for Richter post the events of Symphony of the Night.  So we move to the next part of the verse 

Pleasure pleased and power gained  Slay I deal death, enough they seek to slay   

This part is one that I love and I’m all over the place about it. It feels very much from a vampire's perspective, this could be seen as applicable to Olrox in some way even though he is not shown in the video. The way the video presents it, makes it look like Annette's struggling as a child realizing she is going to have to kill to survive. There are no ways around it. I’m going to need to stew on this more. 

Sick at heart  Wicked betrayal  Another life escaping sight  The realm of flesh  were all things change  That life is mine and I am there x2 

Annette is now a “runaway” slave which is horrific in its own rights, a girl running for her very life  in a place where people saw her as nothing more than livestock to be sold, worked, bred and traded. There was no one who she could trust, absolutely no one. She is terrified and alone at this point with no place to go on an island with a slave master's dogs at her heels  Until she  fatefully runs into the opera house where Edouard is performing. This is the point where the song takes a dramatic shift from a lonely melody to this amazing warmth, life and full of color when the chorus kicks in. 

I’m free x2  unbound by fear that’s holding me  Holding, holding, holding, holding,  Holding me 

Now we move into the second verse and we see clips of when Annette first met Edouard, the first person that gave her refuge and trust when she was alone. Also this first time where Lindsey Stirling violin far more clearly, it was in the background earlier much subdued. This is important because each character is tied to an instrument. For Richter it’s the violin which can express sorrow and grief but also freedom and boldness. Maria’s the French Horn, why the French horn because Maria is a lot like that horn. She is loud and you will hear what she has to say on freedom whether you like it or not. The French horn has a very distinct sound and often heroic sound, we know it when we hear it and it’s declaration, so it just fits. Annette is the drums and percussion which by the start to come on strong in this second verse. 

Death am I, immortal life Touch the sky again and repent  The dark alive inside of me  Loving made  But makes no sense 

The drums being Annette's instrument is so perfect, her being the descendant of Ogun the Yoruba god of War and Iron on her fathers side, war and drums are like peanut butter and jelly.  This goes even deeper because drums are some of the first musical instruments we as humans created, anything can be a drum they are as old as you can get for instruments or than our singing voices. Hold up, who is the first person she meets oh it’s Edouard an opera singer, well  look at that. This is the part of the song where percussion kicks in strong as we cover Annette and Edouard time fighting in Saint-Domingue during the slave rebellion that kicked the French's sorry asses off the island that would become Haiti. This verse also has  Annette realizing her rage not anger but rage. Anger is not a strong enough word. What I love about Castlevania:Nocturne is that it does not chastise Annette for her rage, it is justified and the weapon she wields, but it is not the source of her strength. “You wield rage but it is not the source of your strength” This is where  “Loving made but made no sense” applies that rage is born from being subjected to brutality and injustice beyond what anyone should live through. From witnessing so many you love taken away by such senseless cruelty. The source of her strength is love and the rage born of when that love is wronged by injustice and cruelty. Where it can’t stand to witness the sight of such brutality and action must be taken. Remember love and war are often bedfellows.   

The potency of evil kings  None can parish trust in me  None can perish trust in me  

This is where we hear Richter’s violin in the background and a little of Maria’s French horn. This little section covers the first night the trio meets and its the first time you here all three of the respective instruments together in the song. Annette's drums and percussion, Richter's violin and Maria's French horn but they are not unified yet, they are all still on separate paths but not one unified song.

I’m Free x 2  Unbound by fear that’s holding me Holding, Holding me   

Just like in the series when the trio meets there is tension and bumping up against each other. You have a set of wounded people fighting to survive in cruel times learning to trust each other.  This moves into the second chorus where Annette's percussion becomes much more clearer, defined and vibrant, she knows who she is and like a good drummer she is setting rhythm, she is the cadence it which the trio marches. Maria French horn settles in nicely as she is already very clear  on what she believes. 

I’m Free x 2  My love, My light  Will shine on thee  Will shine on, shine on, shine on, shine 

Richter’s violin is here  but still very distant in the background. Just like in the series he’s not quite there yet. It’s not until he see’s Annette during her speech that he realizes, “Oh shit, she is the one”  The shown in lovely fashion with a clip Richter awe struck during her speech. Also notice the lyrics changed. No longer is it just “unbound by fear”, its “My love, my light will shine on thee” Annette offering the same hand to Richter that Edouard offered her. See what they did there. Now we jump into a damn amazing part of the things and build up this just chefs kiss 

My heart set on truth That no fire can contain  Burnin the body lay life in the flame   I scoured the good  And I thrusted the Evil Back  Sacrificed everything  Watched as it burned to ash   No more self pity  No more will I wait  I’m breaking a path  That will take me away   From this place 

Remember when I said this was also Richter's song, well here it is because this part is all him and the Belmont's, this furious build up all this emotion the pain, fear, love, hate, having the generations fighting the shadows in the night. Him being the last descent of the family of Vampire slayers, being so terrified when faced with his own trauma and nightmare he did the only thing he remembered to do, the last words his mother said  to him “Richter, run” Remember everyone starts out running. Now, though he is running no more, because he is not alone in this fight anymore, the Belmont's, who are never really alone, he has his friends, his family, his love, his deadbeat grandfather Juste, and a pain in the ass recluse mentor Alucard. This is where Lindsey Stirling comes in with the violin and his melody as clear, bright, bold and triumphant as it must be for Richter Belmont, where we see him tie his famous white bandana around his head and become the Richter we know that kicked the monster of the night asses. Even giving us a clip of him using the greatest magical technique the Belmont's used, The Grand Cross. Yes that was the  burst of flame ya’ll saw when he faced off against the Hunters on the lake. 

Now I’m Free  Now I’m Free  Unbound by fear that holding me Holding me  Now I’m free  Now I’m free  My Love, My light  Will Shine on the 

The song is their song finally coming together clear, and bold.  Richter violin, Annette's percussion  Edouard voice, Maria French Horn, and even a choir saying cheering them on saying “Shine on”  which we can say is Julia, Juste, Annette mother, Tera, and those that came before urging them forward.  Also the lyrics change again, to "Now, I’m Free." It’s just no longer saying they are free, it’s now a declaration, not just a wish but a statement of fact. They are free and no longer afraid to face the denizens of the night. 

What a journey this song was in the 4 minutes and 27 seconds we were with it but what a perfect song for Castlevania: Nocturne.  A song that is Annette’s song but very much it’s Richter's song by the end because he is a Belmont he is the clear unifying melody where everything just comes together. Richter is so important for not just his martial prowess, but because he was one the last Belmont's to solely by himself wield the Vampire Killer. After the events of Castlevania:Symphony of the Night, realizing that it could not just be the Belmont's who wield these powers to fight the monsters of the night. He trained others and he placed an enchantment on the Vampire Killer that if one wished to wield it they would fight his shadow, if they won they would be allowed to wield it, if not, the Vampire Killer killed them. He made it so more than just the Belmont's duty to fight the night, it was not just one family's legacy anymore, The family legacy itself being a very old world concept, any and everyone could take up arms. This theme runs through the period of history in which Castlevania: Nocturne takes place the fights for independence and revolution. Richter reforms lead to the creation of the Order of Ecclesia. The theme of an animated series featuring Richter Belmont being titled “I’m Free” has so much meaning not just in the narrative of this story set within the Castlevainia world but for the franchise itself.  Some Ster Werms shade Richter is everything Luke should have been and what Ben Solo could have been for Star Wars. 

Now if we could just get Castlevania free from  Konami and get some new games.  

[gracewing08]

Why didn’t I do this edit sooner??? Somebody tell me PLEASE

Song is Eye of the Untold Her by Lindsey Stirling and none of the footage is mine btw

[offbeatmusicuk]

Albums Of 2024: 50-26

What a strong year it ended up being. Plenty of fantastic records to choose from, with definitely more than one very worthy of an Album Of The Year title.

My criteria: If it is 9 or more tracks, it is an album. If it is 8 tracks or less and 30 mins or longer, it is an album (unless specified otherwise by the artist). Any less than that, it is an EP or a mini-album and not eligible for this list. No compilations, best ofs, re-recordings of older material are included. Nor are live albums where the songs are available on other studio albums.

Honourable mentions to some artists whose albums very nearly made the list but just missed out:

Eli & Fur, Yours Truly, Ad Infinitum, Pale Waves, Terrorvision, Snow Patrol, Union Of Knives, The Last Dinner Party, Aurora, Sum 41, Emiliana Torrini.

Let the countdown begin.

50.

Bring Me The Horizon "POST HUMAN: NeX GEn"

Much more accessible these days than on their early critically acclaimed albums, but BMTH aren't just dishing out radio friendly tedium. A relentless mix of post-hardcore, alt metal, pop punk, electronic production and more.

49.

Jody Wisternoff "Welcome To My World"

Prog house, breaks, many of the sounds he has unleashed in his career so far. It doesn't reach the genius levels of much of the Way Out West output, but there are familiar hints of it.

48.

Kate Nash "9 Sad Symphonies"

Kate's back on form with her quirky indie-pop, this time backed with orchestration (as well as other instruments and electronic production). Great stuff.

47.

Banco De Gaia "Trauma"

A mesmerising collection of ambient, downtempo and tribal tunes from the genre veteran.

46.

Ben Böhmer "Bloom"

Gorgeous, melodic, downtempo, progressive house and breaks, with some lush guest vocals.

45.

Sløtface "Film Buff"

Catchy, joyous indie-pop-punk on the 3rd album from the Norwegian collective.

44.

Luttrell "Life At Full Speed"

Progressive and deep house beauties from Eric Luttrell on his 4th album, along with some quirkier, more lighthearted tunes, presumably influenced by becoming a father.

43.

LØLØ "Falling For Robots And Wishing I Was One"

Debut album from the Canadian singer-songwriter. A mix of pop, pop-punk and pop-rock, containing earworms aplenty.

42.

Tinlicker "Cold Enough For Snow"

Deep house, progressive house, and some great songwriting, produces a classy 4th album from the Dutch duo.

41.

Moby "Always Centered At Night"

A fairly mellow, soulful, song-based affair this time around, every track has a featured vocalist. Some cracking tunes here.

40.

Kyau & Albert "All In Good Time"

A blend of soundscapes, piano house, trance, progressive house, techno, breaks, all to make an album both familiar and distinctive.

39.

Shed Seven "A Matter Of Time"

The Britpop legends' first ever UK number 1 album, and while not as classic as their first couple of full lengths from back in the 90s, it's proof that they still have some singalong indie anthems in them yet.

38.

Kaleida "In Arms"

Icy, floaty, sultry vocals, over widescreen, atmospheric, pretty, trip-hop-esque production. Lovely stuff.

37.

ZOYA "Eternity"

A beautiful debut album of progressive house, with the traditional dashes of trance and breaks. Quality stuff.

36.

Lindsey Stirling "Duality"

Massively cinematic sounding strings, with dubstep beats and bass, and a couple of full on pop songs thrown in for good measure.

35.

Feeder "Black/Red"

A double album, then, for Feeder's 12th full length (though at just over an hour in total, it doesn't need to be). It doesn't break the mold, and isn't an instant Feeder classic like their previous album, but it is solid, quality modern rock, and will keep the fans happy.

34.

Linkin Park "From Zero"

The most anticipated comeback album of the year, and the fanbase was incredibly divided after just the first single. It could easily be accused of playing it too safe, with not enough layers of sound, and not enough unpredictabe turns. But that doesn't make it bad, far from it. It's a good album, with a few great songs, and new vocalist Emily does a convincing job alongside Mr Shinoda. Hopefully just the first step of new heights to come.

33.

Public Service Broadcasting "The Last Flight"

The tragic story of American aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart's final, ill-fated flight in 1937, told in unmistakable Public Service Broadcasting style. Epic instrumentals with found speech, songs with guest vocalists, overall, moving and beautiful.

32.

Becky Hill "Believe Me Now?"

An excellent collection of pop songs backed by well produced dance tracks, touching on progressive house, drum & bass, trance and more. Growers and earworms delivered by a powerful voice.

31.

Desperate Journalist "No Hero"

A spacious, gorgeous, catchy, post-punk album, lead by Jo Bevan's occasionally Bjork-esque vocals, that should push the London quartet to the next level.

30.

John Askew "A Room Full Of Pros & Cons"

Scene veteran John Askew's latest artist album, packed with various trance styles (tech, acid, psy, uplifting), plus breakbeat & downtempo, with some great guest vocalists. A thrilling journey.

29.

Nightwish "Yesterwynde"

Arguably the biggest symphonic metal band on the planet give us their tenth album. And it is a prime example of the genre. While a grower, in terms of style and production it sounds closer to their 2004 masterpiece "Once" than they have done in a while.

28.

Nicky Elisabeth "The Way Of Love"

The debut album from the Dutch singer, songwriter, DJ & producer. A pop leaning mix of house, trance-esque elements and breaks. Catchy, uplifting, and gorgeous.

27.

Pure Reason Revolution "Coming Up To Consciousness"

Ok, disclaimer, I am well aware that this is an incredibly harsh position for this album. PRR are one of the greatest bands on the planet (3x Offbeat album of the year winners, so far), and musically this album is wonderful. Spaced out modern prog, beautiful vocal melodies, the occasional almightily chunky guitar riff. The reason it is so low, is that the lyrics are about the loss of Jon Courtney's dog and the grief and guilt that comes with it. Having gone through the same thing this very year, I find this album too upsetting. The one time I managed to tune out the lyrics for the majority of the album, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Subject matter aside, it's highly recommended.

26.

We Are The Catalyst "Friction"

The band describe themselves as "Dark Pop meets Ferocious Alternative Rock/Metal". Some of it has the hugeness of symphonic metal, massive melodies and female vocals, with electronic touches and chunky riffs. Quality stuff

--------------------------------------------------

Watch numbers 25-1 as a video countdown, here

or click below, for the part 2 of the blog (numbers 25-1) including links to Spotify and YouTube playlists for the Top 50 here:

[khelinski]

Favorite albums of the year...

Honorable mentions:

-Lindsey Stirling 'Duality'

-Bruce Dickenson 'The Mandrake Project'

-Linkin Park 'From Zero'

[bdpst24]

Lindsey Stirling: " Van valami megmagyarázhatatlan varázsa Budapestnek "

Lindsey Stirling: " Van valami megmagyarázhatatlan varázsa Budapestnek "

Lindsey Stirling visszatér Budapestre – október 11-én fellép az MVM Dome-ban! Lindsey Stirling világhírű hegedűművész október 11-én lép fel Budapesten, az MVM Dome-ban. Az előadás során legújabb, Duality című projektjét mutatja be, amely a belső erő, az identitás és az átalakulás témáit járja körül. A koncert különleges vendége NYA lesz. Október 11-én Budapesten az MVM Dome-ban ad…