In my previous post, I stated that Zardonic's Antihero album is the inspiration for an upcoming short fiction story I have slated to publish on Halloween. I also made a quick comment, about my theories regarding music and literature, but I would say that the Antihero album, as with many others, is a form of literature. This will not be me raving, or reviewing the music itself, but, rather, me starting a discussion about the merits of this album that could make it appeal to the literary crowd, in as few points as possible.
First, and foremost the album tells a story. Each track contributes to this arc that appears to be obscure. There may not be any characters or clear plot points described in the lyrics, but that is because obscurity is where the story is found. It is left open ended with each track conveying a tone and message that the listener's imagination uses to tie together their own story. This is what defines all great stories.
The reader is given the freedom to interpret the meaning and emotion conveyed without having it shoved down their throat. Parables and myths serve their purpose to educate the young, by giving them a strict moral guideline, but once someone grows into adulthood it is the duty of creators to allow them to think for themselves, lest we make a society of slaves to one man's ideology.
By creating an album that explores tone, and offers titles and lyrics that suggest themes and action, but do not give away the whole story, Zardonic has made a work that allows the listeners own minds to feel the anger, excitement, and will to fight in their own way and gives them a sense of ownership. This is done in a way that still allows the artist's original emotion to move with the listener, without taking full control of their response.
The other leading factor in Zardonic's Antihero that also lends itself to the literary art form, is the face that album's arc can be divided into acts, with each one carrying a different mood. The following is an interpretation of the story told. It is solely to convey the point, another listener may have gained something completely different, and I encourage you to share it.
The prolog sets the scene with a sense of unease, and the feeling that something big is coming. Then we jump right into the action of the first act with 'Against All Odds'. The story begins with a fight that cannot be won, but the determination and motivation to find a way through gets injected with 'For Justice'. As the story moves through the next track the drive slows, and gears begin to shift as we move into the second act.
'Vigilante' takes the story to a more subtle place, as the conflict becomes personal and internalized. The hero puts the desire to win before any other consideration. Then the sense of dread is realized in 'Override' as the big thing finally arrives, and the story begins to look dire. The energy and will are still there, however, for the third act, which opens with 'Pure Power' as the listener's hero finds a way to fight back and push through, but now their mission has become selfish, and they walk a darker path. At this point, we find ourselves rooting for the antihero.
The final battle begins with 'The Time Is Now', and the antihero is bent on the ultimate destruction of their villain. Emerging victorious the hero who has taken the destructive path to victory is now blamed for the fallout of the battle. Now they must fight for their own survival as they have become the villain, but that is what happens when you make a deal with the devil.
The album is out now, and I highly recommend you pick it up. The artist and the label have clearly put time and effort into making a quality experience, and deserve the compensation.
