Chill Collins - The Darkstar Anthologies

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Chill Collins’ The Darkstar Anthologies provides a beautifully layered, complex auditory adventure that has the boisterous energy, intense drama and action needed to create a compelling sonic companion to a comic book series. Chill Collins has woven together emotion, expression and musical quality into a compelling soundtrack.

A luscious plethora of synth tones, timbres and textures spills out through The Darkstar Anthologies. Chill Collins creates intertwining imagery through synth sounds that sparkle, flash and cascade at times or delicately caress as they slip past. There is bass that can be unctuous and soothing before looming with terrible force and drums that sometimes guide and sometimes charge. As a whole, these varied synth components become an entertaining and engaging journey.

Like any good comic book, The Darkstar Anthologies soundtrack ranges from bombast to deep emotion. Chill Collins uses his synth palette to evoke all of these contrasting states. Glistening synth delineates triumph while massively snarling bass conveys danger. Pastel-shaded gentleness glides in before jagged synth slashes, each segment telling another part of the story. In total, they unfold in exciting motion and strong expression.

I am drawn to this album’s storytelling through sound. Chill Collins pulls the listener in with the auditory tapestry of his synth choices and then keeps us invested in the music by continually writing ear-catching melodies, propulsive percussion parts and layered harmonies.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Prologue” begins as fragile synth piano trembles tenderly as expansive, trumpeting synth flows out with strength and nobility. Piano chords effectively create movement between light and darkness.

Orchestral strings add reverence as trumpeting synth soars out and battering drums pound. Impressive bass swells and choral voices ring out, the track becoming more robust as a dramatic female voice leaps in broadly ringing notes. Galactic energy pours forth as the strings and other instruments rush to a crescendo and fade out.

Wind flows rapidly into the track before a huge drum strikes once and hollow sound flows above crushing bass to open “ArtOfficial.” Twisting synth cuts through sharply and a disturbing sonic exhalation moves past.

Thunderous drums impact with tremendous force as bass snarls and strings flash with intensity while brassy synth cries out. Intertwining panpipe synth sings a melody that skilfully generates feelings of activity, affection and ache in me. Ephemeral strings move above giant drums that form a guiding pulse.

Gentler sounds float over flaring notes that skip through above dominant bass. Panpipes sing a soothing, dreamy melody out above intimidating bass weight and creaking sound before the track ends.

“SimCity” starts with a deep-voiced vocal sample that distorts into strangeness. A colossal bass oscillation is broken by slicing, blaring synth. A snare drum impacts in a shaping pulse and chiming notes delicately trickle past. Brassy synth breaks into an elevated part, shining out with pleasing positivity as flickering chimes dance.

In contrast, the drums are truly overwhelming and bass adds sinewy support, while sparkling higher notes skip past. A gentle sound twists in before a medium-high, smoothly rounded synth sings the tranquil, encouraging main melody. The track ends with hopeful emotion before trumpeting synth flares and fades.

Rain pours, thunder cracks and distorted synth forms a melancholy pattern as it flows to open “Breakout.” Sweeping sounds pass before hard-hitting drums punch in an active rhythm.

Raised synth radiates intense glow and bending notes create dramatic strength, propelled by surging bass. Aquatic, high synth ripples out and fades. Now gleaming synth draws me in as it fills the track with mysterious emotion. A cutting bass pulse and rebounding drumbeat guide widely twirling arpeggios.

An expressive female voice rises with deep emotion as digital arpeggios wash in to create texture. Gargantuan drums drive on while raised, glistening notes glide through in the distance. Angular sound lacerates before soft notes go quiet.

“Predator” commences as ominously rushing bass creates a dangerous feeling as snare drum punches hard. Glockenspiel notes shimmer as luminous arpeggios dance and angular, lacerating motion fills the drums. Rounded notes climb in the distance as varied, aggressive drums smash and charge onward.

Ethereal sounds wheel as chimes shine and noble notes rise in a well-crafted melody full of defiant triumph. Coruscating arpeggios twirl and haunted sound shifts below them. Sharp-edged, lambent synth sings a melody that fills me with dramatic energy as madly dancing high synth breezes past. I feel my heart and soul lifted by the climbing melody as cascading drums smack in. Glockenspiel rings out as delicate strings shiver and silence falls.

Haunted, echoing voices call out above a sharp-edged bass flow as drums batter in fierce bursts to start “Transit Lines.” A vocal sample calls out with intense strength as intimidating drums thud and flashing notes leap out. Quickly bursting synth charges as the vocals arc with pleasing passion and expression.

Laser-like synth dances in radiance as breathy vocals cry out. Caressing synth slips past in gentling motion as the vocals are joined by aggressively cutting sounds. Soft-edged arpeggios slide past while hollow drums tap. Glimmering synth bursts explode and the track flows out into open air.

“Reva’s (Till The Break Of Dawn)” opens as slightly wavering, medium-high synth rises in sunlit notes as a rushing drum and bass pulse creates propulsive motion. Encouraging, light filled lead synth carries a melody that lifts me up as delicate vocals drift behind. An angular, dynamic beat pulses as open-voiced, reverent notes create a calmer feeling.

Whirling synth leaps past before hazy synth slips above the gigantic, hard-hitting drums as muscled bass pulses. The misty notes have a swirling motion as a segment in which ethereal voices peacefully glide. Once again, slightly broken drums and bass patter as the choral voices add a sacred feeling and the track ends.

Spectral chimes ring out above steadily pulsing, shadowy bass that shifts below them to begin “WAVE FM.” Pumping synthwave drums and bass oscillate below melancholy, echoing chimes as brighter synth dances past. Retro drums batter with mass and energy as refulgent synth energizes the track.

Drums full of dynamic life burst as wide-sounding, bell-like synth suffuses the music with wistful light. The drums batter before guitar howls out to add intricate energy. I enjoy the guitar’s passionate melody while flickering synth frolics before the distant, chiming notes slip into quiet.

“The Coiling” starts as looming bass is joined by colossal, battering drums. A disembodied voice floats out and drums slam hard while skipping synth gleams. The lost vocals coruscate with passion in a way I find compelling. Weighty drums punch in and the jagged bass slides in below.

Sharply leaping chords cut in and the broadly shining synth notes entangle. The vocals soar passionately and the drums hit with tidal force. Effulgent lead synth trembles and the bass soars with the passionately angry vocals slice in while the low end adds rushing motion before silence falls.

Tenuously flickering, ghostly synth carries a pained melodic pattern out above a truly overwhelming bass rumble to bring “OB-X” to life. Drums and bass from a propulsive, rebounding pattern below radiant synth as snare drum rattles rapidly.

Bass snarls in broken pulses as jumping percussion shifts. Fragile chimes sparkle distantly in interlocking motion. Nervous energy fills the actively bursting bass and the high notes are wonderfully gentle in contrast while the percussion taps and ticks before the track ends.

“Coastal Infini” comes into being as rough-edged bass snarls dangerously while watery notes trickle and gigantic drums begin to pound in insistent motion. Pipe-organ notes add intense shine. Sacred voices rise in an encouraging flow that I enjoy.

Warmly luminous synth fills the track with light as it dances in a caressing melody. Tranquility permeates the music while the soaring voice calls out with powerful emotion before silence falls with buzzing static.

Terrified synth utters a scream as it creeps in against an echoing background to open “P0W3RCR33P.” Growling bass flows below broadly slipping, tragic synth that cals out in huge chords.

Slicing bass oscillates and monumental drums thunder before panpipes carries a haunting, ethereal melody. Triumphant chords glimmer and tremendous bass pulsates before hard-hitting drums punch with intensity.

Echoing panpipes create mysterious emotions in me as the bass snarls and presses forward. Spectral sounds trail tendrils while the low end smacks in. A wind flows around the open-voiced pipes as martial drums powerfully slam. Twisting, isolated synth slips and silence falls.

“Sunsetter” starts off as slightly nasal, metallic synth carries a wistful melody as a steady shine fills the background and drums tick. Heavily vibrating bass with lush depth is joined by bursting drums as the melody shifts energetically. Densely spinning arpeggios shift as the wide-sounding drums burst and thick bass clouds rise.

Synth with a rounded, cradling sound carries a charming, encouraging melody as the creaking arpeggios twirl. The main synth instrument carries the dreaming, energetic melody out over leaping drums, twirling arpeggios and luscious bass. The bass climbs in enfolding clouds before the track ends.

Trumpeting synth flashes while gruff bass growls and a reverent luminosity fills “Glow” as it opens. Jazz organ carries a soothing, melancholy melody as gritty bass growls and big drums hit hard to shape the track.

Peaceful chords swirl below the rebounding drums as climbing, flaring synth rises to effectively add victorious emotion. Distorted, medium-low synth carries an energizing melody as staggering bass snarls.

Interlocking, arpeggiating synth lines shimmer above steadily guiding drums as light pours from piano-like, muffled synth. The bass towers over the other sonic elements. The track ends on bell-like jazz organ.

“20808” begins as rough-edged synth creates intimidating mass below nervous arpeggios. The heaving bass and throbbing drums propels the track below a strange, computerized vocal sound.

Enigmatic synth with a soft-edged quality carries a questing melody. Chimes ring out to add brightness as the gigantic bass throbs and the drums create motion. Choral voices add exalting emotion flitting chimes suffuse the music with sunlight.

Hard-edged bass growls in the depths as crushing drums drive and piercing radiance flows from the arpeggios. I enjoy the palpable sinew in the bass and the drums batter forcefully as soaring synth shines before silence falls.

Bass snarls as pipe organ chords add intense gleam while seething arpeggios shiver to start “Trans_Ending.” Worshipful choral vocals rise above the shadowy tide below them as the organ adds more strength and drums shape the music.

Surging bass rumbles as everything slows down until it goes quiet. The silence extends, effectively leaving the listener in suspense before a crackling moves alongside rapidly flickering synth. An active bass oscillation shapes the music as a piano softly trails and woodsy notes call out.

A hallowed choral voice rises in yearning motion and xylophone rattles warmly. The drumbeat becomes martial and driving while dense bass elevates the other sonic elements. Xylophone provides an organic contrast while the drums press on, metallic sounds move through before raised notes fall silent.

Conclusion


The Darkstar Anthologies is an enjoyable auditory exploration. It roams through rich emotional terrain while drawing images in my mind’s eye. I can feel the action and drama unfurl in the music, leavened by gentle emotion. Every sonic element combines to produce an ear-pleasing final product that keeps me coming back.