Shingeki no Kyojin OP (Track no. 1)
Shingeki no Kyojin OP 2 (Track no. 2)
Tracklist:
1. Guren no Yumiya
2. Jiyuu no Tsubasa
3. Moshi Kono Kabe no Naka ga Ichiken no Ieda to Shitara
1. Guren no Yumiya
Tension-inducing war drums and choral chanting open the song, calmly setting the battlefield for the aggressive and strong opening we all know and love. The arrangement found here is the very definition of epic, as we get every heart-racing fanfare, drum, violin, guitar, synth all intertwined together with the filtered vocals to make an unforgettable impression. I was even surprised at how hard-hitting it was, since the anime short version was significantly lighter in the dark, battling atmosphere. Although the chorus is the most memorable part of the track, we get it only at the beginning and the very end, with the middle of the track being crossed with various different themes and melodies, which all serve to reflect the character of Eren in a different fashion. The more peculiar form similar to that of classical music needs getting used to, since everything except the main theme was cut out from the opening sequence as well, but the forceful guitar solos and parts where Revo sings with less background support are still every bit as impressive as the whole track. Without any doubt, this is the best song in the Spring 2013 season.
2. Jiyuu no Tsubasa
After some roaring crowd noise, Juiyuu no Tsubasa directly continues from the previous track, in a more uplifting hymn-like melody before becoming turbulent and energetic again. Unlike Guren no Yumiya, this song is quite subdued and more techno-rockish, though I tend to like it even more because of the several touching and catchy melodies. While following the same unusual form, some darker chord progressions are present, making me wonder which melody of the many will be converted in the "anime mode", since every one of them is equally attractive and energetic. After several transitions, the whole instrumentation stops entirely to deep-voiced narration in German, with a Final Fantasy-like ambiental background and surprisingly dark church bells play, follower by a slow version of the main melody from Guren no Yumiya, and ending with the same theme from the start. Seeing as this will be the opening theme to the, still unreleased, second season of Shingeki no Kyojin, I wonder how the reactions will turn out, because it occasionally even surpasses its predecessor.
After some roaring crowd noise, Juiyuu no Tsubasa directly continues from the previous track, in a more uplifting hymn-like melody before becoming turbulent and energetic again. Unlike Guren no Yumiya, this song is quite subdued and more techno-rockish, though I tend to like it even more because of the several touching and catchy melodies. While following the same unusual form, some darker chord progressions are present, making me wonder which melody of the many will be converted in the "anime mode", since every one of them is equally attractive and energetic. After several transitions, the whole instrumentation stops entirely to deep-voiced narration in German, with a Final Fantasy-like ambiental background and surprisingly dark church bells play, follower by a slow version of the main melody from Guren no Yumiya, and ending with the same theme from the start. Seeing as this will be the opening theme to the, still unreleased, second season of Shingeki no Kyojin, I wonder how the reactions will turn out, because it occasionally even surpasses its predecessor.
Rating: 10
3. Moshi Kono Kabe no Naka ga Ichiken no Ieda to Shitara
Everything in this single is seemingly tied together, and this track with the unfortunate, arduous title continues the chain from Jiyuu no Tsubasa. Immediately after the last choir dies down, not a moment of silence passes until a quiet, ticking clock can be heard, bringing back many nostalgic memories from Chrono Trigger. Building up, a gentle, repeating melody stacks on top of the ticking clock, and a female vocalist appears this time around. A very surreal and serene scenery is made when the song starts playing with the human perception of space by listening to something, and adding a flowing stream of water, children running around and playing, the sound of someone cooking in a kitchen, and so on, all while not imposing on the original melody. After some time, the track unravels into a proper song, with the same marching drums and effective atmosphere, but in a slower tempo. Besides again touching me deeply for nostalgia with some Final Fantasy chords, the dramatic and sad vocals are a nice change after Revo's somewhat obscured singing. Summing up, everything dies down for a music box sequence, which again leaves space for the same, lone clock ticking. Just as we thought everything is over, and we can turn the volume down, the opening choir from Guren no Yumiya starts singing again, but leading in a sudden blackout instead of continuing, making everything in a full circle.
Everything in this single is seemingly tied together, and this track with the unfortunate, arduous title continues the chain from Jiyuu no Tsubasa. Immediately after the last choir dies down, not a moment of silence passes until a quiet, ticking clock can be heard, bringing back many nostalgic memories from Chrono Trigger. Building up, a gentle, repeating melody stacks on top of the ticking clock, and a female vocalist appears this time around. A very surreal and serene scenery is made when the song starts playing with the human perception of space by listening to something, and adding a flowing stream of water, children running around and playing, the sound of someone cooking in a kitchen, and so on, all while not imposing on the original melody. After some time, the track unravels into a proper song, with the same marching drums and effective atmosphere, but in a slower tempo. Besides again touching me deeply for nostalgia with some Final Fantasy chords, the dramatic and sad vocals are a nice change after Revo's somewhat obscured singing. Summing up, everything dies down for a music box sequence, which again leaves space for the same, lone clock ticking. Just as we thought everything is over, and we can turn the volume down, the opening choir from Guren no Yumiya starts singing again, but leading in a sudden blackout instead of continuing, making everything in a full circle.
Rating: 10
I can't even begin to describe the greatness of this single as a whole, and not just the mere thing from the Shingeki no Kyojin OP everyone is excited about. It's pretty hard to find many different words for god-like. My overall rating is: 10 - RECOMMENDED.
And, once again, just in case you didn't get it properly:
LISTEN TO THIS SINGLE.
I can't even begin to describe the greatness of this single as a whole, and not just the mere thing from the Shingeki no Kyojin OP everyone is excited about. It's pretty hard to find many different words for god-like. My overall rating is: 10 - RECOMMENDED.
And, once again, just in case you didn't get it properly:
LISTEN TO THIS SINGLE.
