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View Full Version : Soundtrack Review: FAFNER in the azure -No Where-


L-sama
11-22-2006, 07:07 PM
Title: FAFNER in the azure -NO WHERE-
Number of Tracks: 29 + Opening and Ending Themes (U.S Release Only)
Run Time: 65:59
Release Date: July 19, 2005
Price: $14.99

Tracks:

1. Prologue -Beginning-*
2. False Paradise
3. Blue Sky
4. A Girl's Wish
5. Comrade
6. Rapport*
7. Truth
8. Impatience
9. Perplexity*
10. Anguish*
11. Opposing Friend
12. Flowing Tears
13. Valkyrie
14. FAFNER -An Oath-
15. An Omen
16. Advent
17. Festum -Encroachment-
18. Are You There? -Battle-
19. Assimilation Crisis
20. Resolution -Departure-
21. Opening of Nightmare's Gate*
22. Blue Sky of Sorrow
23. -SHOKO-
24. TSUBAKI -A lullaby-
25. Life*
26. Hope
27. Prayer
28. Sky*
29. FAFNER in the azure*
30. Shangri-La (U.S Exclusive)*
31. Separation (U.S Exclusive)

*- Recommended Listening

Score: 92%

Highs: Well composed and executed; Low price for number of tracks offered
Lows: One element doesn't fit


Fafner’s OST is among a rare breed in the anime world; it is among few that can be listened to over and over again and not lose its charm or intensity.

Performed by the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, every track tells its own story, be it sorrowful, suspenseful, or triumphant. Tracks like Prologue –Beginning- and FAFNER in the azure give the immediate tone of an epic event or victory, while Perplexity and Anguish are soft and gentle. Opening of Nightmare’s Gate can be seen as a descendant of Evangelion’s own horn-driven battle themes. Rapport gives a break from the seriousness with its almost playful pizzicato strings and violin solo. For the U.S release, the full opening and ending themes, Shangri-la and Separation, are also included.

However, there’s just one thing that keeps this OST from being untouchable by any other. Three tracks on this CD, Valkyrie, TSUBAKI –A Lullaby-, and Prayer, contain opera-like voices in the background. Though this may not seem like a bad thing, these voices seem very out of place when sung with their respective pieces. At times, they just sound awful. However, this only happens in those cases.

With each track, not including the opening and ending, having an average length of nearly 2 minutes, this OST is well worth the price. FAFNER in the azure –NO WHERE- is a gem among mecha anime soundtracks, hands down. If you’re a fan of orchestral soundtracks, pick this one up now.

Tyrdium
11-22-2006, 07:37 PM
Opening of Nightmare's Gate = complete winz. I'm not such a big fan of the soft and gentle tracks, but the epic and battle type tracks are great.

L-sama
11-24-2006, 03:37 PM
Totally. Opening of Nightmare's Gate is one of my favorite tracks too, but I also have to say that Anguish is right up there too. I personally like the piano part in it.