Aquilo and The Gladiator

Today I have music for you by the duo known as Aquilo. Now they don't have a lot of music out, but the music they do have is absolutely spectacular and magical. There is this sense of simplicity and calm to the music they compose and write. And with that simplicity comes a dreamily sad kind of sound. But this is the kind of darker sound that seeps into your skin and soul. But the thing is, it doesn't fill you with sadness, rather just brings you down to this level of serenity and calm. Weird I know, but it just works so magically. This song gives you chills, and has so many emotions all in one that you feel a wave of everything wash over you. Aquilo is a really special band because their music has a story to tell. This video in itself is a two part story, the second half to a tale of sadness and heartache. The two songs in this mini series are actually the same story told from different perspectives. This one is done from the perspective of a boy in love with a girl who is spiraling downwards. She gets involved with another person who happens to be a terrible influence as well, from his side of things. But you can see and feel that heartfelt tragedy the song emulates. Aquilo is a one of a kind band because all of their music is like this. All of their music has this sad beauty to it, something that is indescribably intoxicating but also full of anguish. In this song, the lead vocals flex their breathtaking sound over a euphonious mix of empathetic violins, soft spoken piano work, and orchestral percussion. In fact the ethereal vocals are supported but this brilliantly mastered orchestral instrumental work, giving the entire piece a dramatically emotional sense and an auditory example of the sentimentale style of playing. Aquilo has a lush electronic soundscape which seems at odds with the dense orchestral work, but the two styles really get along in Aquilo's work. This is a band that I will definitely be on the lookout for when new music pops up. Despite it all, I have fallen in love with the beauty of their grievous stories and the way we hear that in the music. Aquilo is an artist on the rise and I cannot wait to hear more from them. Today I have music for you from a movie that I am pretty sure I have posted about over five times. And I may have even posted all of the soundtrack up. But, I am madly in love with both film and score. The Gladiator is a timeless epic for me. The story, the acting, and the overall depth and emotion of the movie is absolutely brilliant and spellbinding. Even if you have heard this piece of Hans Zimmer's masterpiece score, I think it is always a great song to hear again and again. I could actually listen to this score all day and not tire of it. This is a score that captures every emotion so well in a way that only music can. I hope you enjoy the music and please feel free to comment!