This review covers the downtempo track Rob D – Clubbed to Death (Kurayamino Mix).
This track was released in 1999 as part of The Matrix: Music from the Motion Picture soundtrack.
The track starts with multiple layers of stringed instruments. A drum kit then takes over and the lower stringed elements continue. Another element is added. Another layer of string is added. A pitch edited percussion is added along with a few synth effects. An additional more melodic string is added. An added effect is thrown in every so often.
After a reverse cymbal crash, a couple of the elements are removed, leaving largely the strings and drum kit. The strings hit a section with rapidly changing notes. A synth is added on the left channel.
Another reverse cymbal crash hits and the whole track drops out. A piano solo takes over. A string element with shorter notes is added. Filtered white noise makes an appearance, then the drum kit returns. Some of the string elements have a phaser filter added to them. Another set of strings is added.
From there, the effects are added and some equalization filtering is added to a small degree. The piano then makes a return. The synth effect makes a return. Some of the short note strings also make an appearance here as well.
A piano note is struck and most of the track drops out. All that’s left is a bass guitar and the piano. The bass guitar has a heart beat sound. After that, the piano returns backed by the shorter string elements. The piano pattern repeats, but a few extra notes are added. A swell of strings makes an appearance and they lead the track out.
One of the great aspects of this is the well-realized emotion throughout the track. It has such a serious business-like nature to them that you don’t often hear in music. You also can get that undercurrent of evil ebbing throughout the track which works quite well.
Another positive about this track is the fact that it has an interesting balance of more gentle piano and string mixed with heavier bassy elements such as some of the elements in the drum kit and the bass guitar. The two sides ping pong through parts of the track, but at the same time, there are times when both overlap. It winds up working quite well.
Overall, this is a great track. It has some well realized emotion throughout. The strings and piano are nicely done. The drum kit and bass guitar also work quite well to offset this. So, an overall great track if you ask me.
Score
8/10
Drew Wilson on Twitter: @icecube85 and Facebook.
