Really strong song. Definitely one of the highlights of Act II.
I also agree somewhat with Kev that Act II feels like it meanders a bit. And while there is plenty of original music, and the reprises are done very well and very creatively with nice twists and turns put on them, it does start to feel a bit like a re-hash of Act I from a musical perspective. That said, I do really like Act II, in case that wasn't clear. But although the album is already long enough, one thing I personally feel would have helped make Act II and the entire story even stronger and take it over the top, would be the inclusion of an additional song near the beginning. If I had been so privileged as to have the band ask for my creative input (
as if that would happen!), here is what I would have suggested: Create a song with almost entirely new riffs and melodies (i.e., no reprises or different versions of what we have already heard) that deals with the impending revolution from the two opposite but parallel perspectives: From the Ravenskill perspective, the militia are gearing up for war and conflict. They are hopeful, but afraid, and are preparing for devastating losses and bloodshed. Despite the inevitable loss of life, they see war as their only option, especially now that Naf' has given his 3-day ultimatum. On the GNEA side, despite that Naf' has agreed to meet at Heaven's Cove, he orders only a
temporarily power-down of the NOMACS to appease Faythe, while secretly also issuing an order that the NOMACS will subsequently ramp up their activity and oppression, and the GNEA army will launch a series of pre-emptive strikes against the rebellion to stamp it out before it starts. Naf' is conflicted because part of him hopes that his meeting with Gabriel will go as Faythe hopes and will bring peace. But he is simultaneously making preparations for what he believes the more likely scenario--i.e., the meeting failing and ending in conflict that could be the initial spark of rebellion.
From a story-telling perspective, the above would up the ante a bit in terms of the tension of the story and the rebellion itself being more real. It would also help remind the listener that, although the main thrust of the story focuses on the interpersonal relationships of the main characters and how those relationships end up shaping history, the conflict is much bigger in scale and scope. From a musical perspective, having one more song that uses original motifs instead of reprising existing ones would help Act II feel stronger as its own entity. All in my humble opinion, of course.
Topic: The Path That Divides appreciation thread (Read 4967 times)