“Let There Be Fire” by Aviators: A Review
A Track-By-Track Review of Let There Be Fire by Aviators
1. Painted Ashes (Overture): A lovely, melancholy opening track. While there are no lyrics, its title is a reference to the Painted World of Ariandel: A snowy, dreamlike land hidden inside a painting, its rot waiting to be burned away.
This is an appropriate name, as the next song, the first full song on the album, is about Ariandel's ruler: Sister Friede.
 |
| The Painted World of Ariandel. |
Rating: 7/10
2. Angel of the Dark: This song is glorious goth rock with distorted yet dreamy guitars accented by bell-like synths and moody percussion. The strings that dominate the bridge are also lovely. The lyrics are about a strange and tragic woman named Sister Friede.
Sister Friede was one of three sisters who founded the Sable Church of Londor, but she had a falling out with her sisters. She left her home for the Painted World of Ariandel, and she became its ruler. When the Painted World of Ariandel began to rot, instead of having the rot be burned away, Friede embraced the rot. When the Ashen One enters the painting with the intent of burning the rot away, she tells them to return to their world and let the Painted World of Ariandel rot. This song is Friede's plaintive plea to be left in peace. This song was the first single Aviators released to promote the album, and it was an excellent choice.
 |
| Sister Friede presides over her domain. |
Rating: 9/10
3. Traveler's Song: The best part of this song is the production. The Celtic style and stomping beat are very enjoyable. Unfortunately, the lyrics are forgettable. Instead of being based off just one story, every verse is about a different video game. While an interesting idea, in practice it means the song is never able to establish an emotional connection. It also leads to a lack of detail in the lyrics, because there just isn't much time to devote to each story described. To be fair there are some good lines in the second verse - I particularly like the line "Heaven's doused and set alight/We're knocking on the gates of Hell tonight" - but that's it.On top of that, the chorus is generic. It's not a bad song, and maybe I'd like it better if it was on another album. But here, it's severely outclassed. Which makes me ask: Why was this song a single? Yes, Aviators released this slice of mediocrity as a single to promote the album. In my opinion, he should have released "Paralyzed" instead.
Rating: 5/10
4. Let There Be Fire (feat. Miracle of Sound): With its powerful guitars, sweeping strings, and backing choir, this song reminds me of symphonic metal bands like Nightwish and Epica. The melody is grand and anthemic. This perfectly fits the lyrics, which recount the Chosen Undead's quest to link the Fire, preventing the sun from going out. The chourus is inspiring, and the bridge's lyrics reflect the Chosen Undead's acceptance of the fact that they're basically on a suicide mission, as linking the Fire will lead to them burning themselves alive as fuel for the First Flame that keeps the sun from going out.
Also, Gavin Dunne from Miracle of Sound is a perfect fit for this song as the guest vocalist.
 |
| The Chosen Undead links the fire, burning themselves alive. |
Rating: 9/10
5. Blood and Snow: The production on this track is subdued yet majestic, featuring driving percussion, icy keyboards, cinematic strings, and ethereal backing vocals. The lyrics are powerful, describing the determination of the warrior queen Daenerys Targaryen as she returns to her homeland, dead set on reclaiming her father's throne. The bombastic lyrics combine with the serene delivery to project a mood of tranquil fury.
Rating: 8/10
6. Awakening: This song's lyrics are full of passion. The song's story is about two lovers on opposite sides of a conflict. The verses are about how they feel pulled towards each other, even though they are enemies; while the chorus and bridge are about the lovers' decision to rebel so they can be together. The production is full of dynamics. Sometimes the only instruments are romantic strings, delicate keyboards, and icy bells. Other times, electric guitars and punchy drums are added to the mix to accompany the other instruments. The varying levels of complexity and volume add to the dramatic tone. For some reason, this song makes me think of vampires. No, I don't know why.
Rating: 8/10
Rating: 8/10
7. Monumental: The lyrics about the song are about the Maiden in Black, a powerful and benevolent being who is unable to die and is imprisoned in a place called the Nexus. The only way for her to finally find peace in death is for the Slayer of Demons to put an unfathomably mighty and ancient entity called the Old One back to sleep. In this song, the Maiden in Black asks the Slayer of Demons to continue in their quest to put the Old One to sleep so she can finally find release. The production uses contrast excellently, with cinematic string and dreamy synths combining with staccato percussion and distorted guitars to create sweep and warmth.
Rating: 7/10
8. Ordinarily Human: This song is a reflection of the mental struggle of a man named K as he questions his humanity, wondering if he is really a human or actually a robot; if his thought and memories are really his or are pre-programmed. These themes are well-complemented by the production. The heavy guitars and driving drums reflect inner turmoil, while the unearthly synths, bright string plucks, and accents of delicate piano add a spiritual edge.
Rating: 8/10
9. Paralyzed (feat. Lectro Dub): This is the song that Aviators should have released as a single instead of "Traveler's Song". First, Lectro Dub, the featured artist who sings on the bridge, is a perfect complement for Aviators. The production has a classic 70s/80s style, featuring a strutting bass guitar, brilliant synthesized strings, icy synths, zingy electric guitar, and punchy snare drum. That's perfect for the lyrics, which are about a confident and talented hunter tracking down their monstrous prey. About half of the lyrics are perfectly-worded taunts by the hunter to their prey, which I can't help but love. Now, this song isn't about him, but it really reminds me of the Punisher.
Part of that's the lyrics, but I think it's the nostalgic 70s/80s style and the scary-but-sexy vibe that make it truly Punisher-esque.
Rating: 9/10
10. Incandescent: The production on this song is very rich, with chimes, harpsichord, guitar, synths, strings drums, and even sitar and saxophone all adding brightness and warmth. But the best part of the production is the large choir singing with Aviators on the chorus. This is perfect for the lyrics, which are about Solaire and his friendship with the Chosen Undead.
Solaire is a knight in shining armor, kind and brave, and is a true friend to the Chosen Undead in a bleak and hostile world. This tribute to Solaire is as grossly incandescent as he is.
Rating: 8/10
11. Streets of Gold:
This song is the definition of filler. It doesn't tell a story or present a character, it's just a generic song about feeling weak and asking someone else to help you. Furthermore, the lyrics are nowhere as good as the lyrics of the majority of the songs on this album. There is exactly one good line in this song: "And I can't shake the feeling/You'll arrange the stars to lead me home". That's it. Contrast that to the rest of the album, not counting "Traveler's Song", which are all filled with great lines. But despite its mediocre lyrics, at least "Traveler's Song" was well-produced (as is every other song, for that matter). But this song? The instrumentation tries to sound big, but fails. The piano that dominates the track is leaden, the strings are dull and sappy, the percussion has volume but no impact or force, and most bizarrely of all, the brass somehow gets lost in the mix. But the worst part is the tone. This song can't decide if it wants to be depressing and downbeat or hopeful and uplifting, so it ends up being neither and landing in an emotional dead zone.
Rating: 8/10
9. Paralyzed (feat. Lectro Dub): This is the song that Aviators should have released as a single instead of "Traveler's Song". First, Lectro Dub, the featured artist who sings on the bridge, is a perfect complement for Aviators. The production has a classic 70s/80s style, featuring a strutting bass guitar, brilliant synthesized strings, icy synths, zingy electric guitar, and punchy snare drum. That's perfect for the lyrics, which are about a confident and talented hunter tracking down their monstrous prey. About half of the lyrics are perfectly-worded taunts by the hunter to their prey, which I can't help but love. Now, this song isn't about him, but it really reminds me of the Punisher.
 |
| Once I associated this song with Castle, I couldn't see it as about anyone else. |
Rating: 9/10
10. Incandescent: The production on this song is very rich, with chimes, harpsichord, guitar, synths, strings drums, and even sitar and saxophone all adding brightness and warmth. But the best part of the production is the large choir singing with Aviators on the chorus. This is perfect for the lyrics, which are about Solaire and his friendship with the Chosen Undead.
 |
| Solaire praises the sun. |
Rating: 8/10
11. Streets of Gold:
 |
| An image of streets of gold more compelling than the song of that name. |
Rating: 4/10 (I'd rank it lower, but it's too dull to be truly bad)
12. When Our Bodies Wash Ashore: This song is a dazzling example of psychedelic romanticism. The song is from the perspective of a man who hears voices from beneath the waves. He journeys out to the ocean, looking for the source of the voices. He finds the source: An eldritch goddess named Kos, the queen of the ocean. He has unholy spiritual communion with her.
Kos grants the man deeper insight into the supernatural world and spiritual truths hidden within the ocean, but at the cost of his sanity. The man becomes fascinated by his knowledge of this spiritual world in the sea, and he becomes obsessed - perhaps even falling in love - with Kos, so he gladly gives his sanity up to her. Eventually, not only does he give up his sanity to gain knowledge and insight, but he also sacrifices his life to find ascension and transcendence in death, forever united with Kos. The production is perfect for these psychedelic themes, with dreaming synths, pulsing strings, ethereal female backing vocals, pounding percussion, chilly piano, dark bass, and goth rock guitars. This song is nine and a half minutes long, and every second is earned.
Rating: 10/10
13. Requiem for the King: This is such a beautiful and melancholy song. The production expertly balances industrial percussion with delicate piano, ghostly backing vocals, and swelling strings. The haunting production is very appropriate for this song, as this song is about a king who sacrifices himself to protect his kingdom and his queen. When his kingdom was threatened by the dangerous and ancient flame he journeyed into the heart of the fire to protect his kingdom from its danger. Before he left, he made his beloved queen the new monarch, so that she could rule in his place. The king is now battling the flame from within its heart to protect his kingdom while it tortures him by burning him. Meanwhile, his queen mourns him while hoping that he will someday die and be freed from his torment.
Rating: 7/10
14. Monumental (VIP Remix): This remix isn't better or worse, it's just different. It's colder than the original, but more romantic. The layers of icy keyboards accented by electronic drums, as well as the bold synth lead and bright bells make this a classic example of synthwave.
Rating: 7/10
15. Incandescent (Extended Version): This song is pointless, because it doesn't add anything. If anything, the instrumental padding takes away from "Incandescent"'s charm. It's still a good song, but that's because "Incandescent" is a good song. An extended version wasn't needed. What I would have preferred as a bonus track would be a radio edit of "When Our Bodies Wash Ashore" that clipped it down to a less insane (I mean that in a good way) running time. A more out-there alternative would be a dance remix of "When Our Bodies Wash Ashore". Now that would have been interesting.
Rating: 7/10
16. Angel of the Dark (The Winter Cavalry Remix): How often is a remix better than the original, especially when the original is already great? How often is the best song on an album a bonus track? Not often, but that's what happened here. As good as "Angel of the Dark" is, The Winter Cavalry's remixing of it somehow makes it even better. The dark bass keyboard, romantic strings, icy bells, sound sweeps, minimal yet strong drums, and borderline metal electric guitar all borrow from different styles - the strings and icy bells are darkwave, the bass keyboard and sound sweeps are club/dance, and the drums and electric guitar are heavy metal - and yet it works. It works perfectly. The Winter Cavalry also adds dreamlike female vocals and echos Aviators's vocals, both of which add to the song's grand feel. But the best part of the remix is the brass on the chorus. The brass is bold and powerful. More importantly, it changes the mood of the song while keeping the message - "go away; leave me in peace" - the same. The brass changes the tone from melancholy to triumphant. The original is a plaintive plea, but the remix is a victorious battle cry.
Rating: 10/10
Overall average rating: 7.6875; rounds to 8/10 or four stars
Best lines:
10. So may your dreams be monumental/When your spirit guides the way
9. Light a candle for me/On this winter's day
8. When every blade falls down defeated/When our own champions are slain/I will carry on
7. Like the cracks in the pavement/I've fractured my mind
6. We're incandescent/A glorious flame
5. I will carry the light/And build on the pyres with my bones
4. And I'm not sure where the dark turned into the light/The closing abyss between us
3. So I know what you've been thinking:/That you're the only thing that's lurking in the night
2. When our bodies wash ashore/Sorrow's children nevermore
1. I have a holy call to answer:/To be an angel of the dark!
12. When Our Bodies Wash Ashore: This song is a dazzling example of psychedelic romanticism. The song is from the perspective of a man who hears voices from beneath the waves. He journeys out to the ocean, looking for the source of the voices. He finds the source: An eldritch goddess named Kos, the queen of the ocean. He has unholy spiritual communion with her.
 |
| A man has communion with Kos, eldritch queen of the sea. |
Rating: 10/10
13. Requiem for the King: This is such a beautiful and melancholy song. The production expertly balances industrial percussion with delicate piano, ghostly backing vocals, and swelling strings. The haunting production is very appropriate for this song, as this song is about a king who sacrifices himself to protect his kingdom and his queen. When his kingdom was threatened by the dangerous and ancient flame he journeyed into the heart of the fire to protect his kingdom from its danger. Before he left, he made his beloved queen the new monarch, so that she could rule in his place. The king is now battling the flame from within its heart to protect his kingdom while it tortures him by burning him. Meanwhile, his queen mourns him while hoping that he will someday die and be freed from his torment.
Rating: 7/10
14. Monumental (VIP Remix): This remix isn't better or worse, it's just different. It's colder than the original, but more romantic. The layers of icy keyboards accented by electronic drums, as well as the bold synth lead and bright bells make this a classic example of synthwave.
Rating: 7/10
15. Incandescent (Extended Version): This song is pointless, because it doesn't add anything. If anything, the instrumental padding takes away from "Incandescent"'s charm. It's still a good song, but that's because "Incandescent" is a good song. An extended version wasn't needed. What I would have preferred as a bonus track would be a radio edit of "When Our Bodies Wash Ashore" that clipped it down to a less insane (I mean that in a good way) running time. A more out-there alternative would be a dance remix of "When Our Bodies Wash Ashore". Now that would have been interesting.
Rating: 7/10
16. Angel of the Dark (The Winter Cavalry Remix): How often is a remix better than the original, especially when the original is already great? How often is the best song on an album a bonus track? Not often, but that's what happened here. As good as "Angel of the Dark" is, The Winter Cavalry's remixing of it somehow makes it even better. The dark bass keyboard, romantic strings, icy bells, sound sweeps, minimal yet strong drums, and borderline metal electric guitar all borrow from different styles - the strings and icy bells are darkwave, the bass keyboard and sound sweeps are club/dance, and the drums and electric guitar are heavy metal - and yet it works. It works perfectly. The Winter Cavalry also adds dreamlike female vocals and echos Aviators's vocals, both of which add to the song's grand feel. But the best part of the remix is the brass on the chorus. The brass is bold and powerful. More importantly, it changes the mood of the song while keeping the message - "go away; leave me in peace" - the same. The brass changes the tone from melancholy to triumphant. The original is a plaintive plea, but the remix is a victorious battle cry.
 |
| Sister Friede, ready for battle. |
Overall average rating: 7.6875; rounds to 8/10 or four stars
Best lines:
10. So may your dreams be monumental/When your spirit guides the way
9. Light a candle for me/On this winter's day
8. When every blade falls down defeated/When our own champions are slain/I will carry on
7. Like the cracks in the pavement/I've fractured my mind
6. We're incandescent/A glorious flame
5. I will carry the light/And build on the pyres with my bones
4. And I'm not sure where the dark turned into the light/The closing abyss between us
3. So I know what you've been thinking:/That you're the only thing that's lurking in the night
2. When our bodies wash ashore/Sorrow's children nevermore
1. I have a holy call to answer:/To be an angel of the dark!
Comments