The Tiberian Sons "Anthems Of Liberation" (2023)

Looking beyond Command & Conquer, The Tiberian Sons paint a lively love letter to another 90s game franchise. I've never played Namco's Ace Combat series but if this record is a fair impression, then its got an impressive soundtrack! Anthems Of Liberation has songs from across the series. Unleashing bottled up classic VGM energy, the group channel this animated music into a lively Prog Rock / Metal adjacent tone. Its plastered with rich instrumentation, layers of orchestration, synths and human voicings emerge, coloring its rocking riffs and crooning shred guitar with warm spirit.

At times the songs take on a grandiosity when this aspect becomes the focus. When not, the drums drive forward competent riffs for lead instruments to dazzle and shine as the music speeds away. They seem like they are from different universes. One is serious, epic and dramatic. The other half fun, playful, sprinkled with the best of that Top Gun style cheese. Along its journey, the push and pull between its ends is fantastic, always bursting with attitude and charisma yet keeping it fresh.

Anthems Of Liberation is a wallop of fun from start to end, after many spins I can barely figure out what my favorite tracks are. I'm almost tempted to check out the game that inspired it! Or at least the original soundtrack music for now. This one is a fine record for when needing some animated energy to vibe on!

Rating: 8/10