The winner of YourEnigma's Rather Official Remix Contest! This one's unofficially titled "The L-Train's Rage Against The Answering Machine Remix" :)

So a few weeks ago YourEnigma announced a "rather official remix contest" asking for remixes of his two awesome songs On Hold and I'll Come Running ... and I saw that "any genre is accepted and encouraged" ... so then this happened. Special thanks to YourEnigma for holding the contest and releasing his stems and to Rhyme Flow for his vocal skillz.

Original version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IriEHtRIjU
Rhyme Flow: http://www.youtube.com/user/IAmRhymeFlow
YourEnigma: https://www.youtube.com/user/Yourenigma

Download from Bandcamp: https://yourenigma.bandcamp.com/album/tavi-and-scratch-the-call 
Instrumental: https://soundcloud.com/the-l-train-9000/on-hold-the-l-train-remix-instrumental

Artwork by crutonart: http://fav.me/d7wru7k


On Hold (The L-Train Remix)

So when I heard that PonyCon AU had re-christened Surfers Paradise as "Seaponies Paradies" I knew there was one song I needed to play at my show there :) So here's my guitaristic take on a classic tune from MLP G1.

Also, come see me play live at PonyCon AU! Get your tickets at https://ponycon.com.au/.


Seaponies

A couple of weeks ago I played a live set at PonyCon AU, which was a lot of fun and I got to meet many new (and some old) friends, one of whom was the inimitable https://soundcloud.com/cherax. So here's my rock-esque interpretation of his wonderful tune "The Rescue", based on the fanfic "University Days".

Original version: https://soundcloud.com/cherax/the-rescue

Based on the fanfiction "University Days": http://fimfiction.net/story/13477/vinyl-and-octavia-university-days
Artwork by Adalbertus: http://fav.me/d66otup

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/theltrain9000


The Rescue (CxDr cover)

Another preview of this thing I'm doing. (I'm genuinely surprised by how well the second half turned out.)

Opal / Sugilite

I love this show, it's got some great characters, entertaining stories, just the right amount of absurdity and a lot of heart. It's also got a wonderful soundtrack, courtesy of the talented duo of Aivi & Surasshu, whose jazz piano + chiptune style has some interesting parallels to my own metal + orchestra approach. So here's my tribute to the wonderful music of Steven Universe, a 12 minute whirlwind tour of Steven's world done in my usual Symphonic Metal style. Translating some of this music led me in some rather odd directions, but I had a lot of fun doing this :)

Original versions of all of the songs can be found over at Aivi & Surasshu's soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/aivisura

Music written by Aivi & Surasshu, Rebecca Sugar, Jeff Liu and probably some other folk I'm forgetting. All instruments arranged, performed and/or programmed by me (The L-Train). Special thanks to SmastersonMusic and Samuel Dawant for providing transcriptions of some of the songs. My sincerest apologies to Cartoon Network, the Steven Crewniverse and all of the Steventhusiasts around the world.

Track list:
00:00 Intro
00:45 We Are The Crystal Gems
01:17 Pearl's Theme
01:50 Let Me Drive My Van Into Your Heart
03:16 Drop The Strawberry
03:57 Alone Together
04:48 Strong In The Real Way
06:30 Opal
07:30 Sugilite
08:17 I Am Lapis Lazuli
09:06 Stronger Than You
10:40 The Ocean Returns
11:03 Love Like You

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/theltrain9000


Download

A Symphonic Metal Tribute To Steven Universe

A version of https://soundcloud.com/the-l-train-9000/asmt-steven-universe without the vocal parts (played on lead guitar / other instruments), for those who'd like to play along or sing along. Free for anyone to use, just make sure you let me know so I can enjoy your version too :)

A Symphonic Metal Tribute To Steven Universe (karaoke version)

Pinkie has a secret. Behind her pink fluffy exterior and unnaturally cheerful demeanor, lies a completely different mare. Sometimes she talks to herself. And if you're not careful, one day you'll wake up in the basement of Sugarcube Corner, next to a flat-maned pink pony, where she'll be Making Cupcakes.

---

So, a while back (like ... a year ago?) Jake contacted me with an idea about pony-fying the classic Megadeth track "Sweating Bullets". He'd written a killer set of lyrics with his friend Hap but needed help getting the backing track and the mixing together. After some false starts we finally found Vannamelon, who put in a terrific performance as Pinkie. 

Also, I couldn't resist putting a ponyish slant on Mustaine's guitar solo - bonus points to whoever can correctly name the references in the solo :)

Vocals: @Vannamelon (https://www.youtube.com/user/Vannamelon)
Guitars, bass, mixing: The L-Train
Drums: Jake the Army Guy (https://www.fimfiction.net/user/Jake+The+Army+Guy)
Cover Art: Hap (http://happyswitch.deviantart.com/)

Parody lyrics by Jake the Army Guy & Hap

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/theltrain9000
and follow Vanna, too: https://twitter.com/Vannamelons

Lyrics:
Hello Pinkie, meet the real Pinkie
Throwing parties is my life
A hot pink blast is my
Everyday obsession

Gummy's party had laughs aplenty
But looking back it's all a bit fuzzy
Missed the party due to odd obstructions?
Nice story. Tell Equestria Daily!

Feeling paranoid, true enemy or false friend?
Icing on my hooves and I don't know where I've been
Made a brand new recipe and I need ingredients
I'm putting in the bit and my hair is getting limp,
Making Cupcakes!

Hello Pinkie, it's me again
You know the girls never really loved you
You'll get a migraine headache
Trying to convince yourself
Yeah, just keep on thinking they're your friends
And stay an inch or two out of bucking distance
A pony has got to know
Her limitations

Feeling claustrophobic, like the walls are closing in
Bloodstains on the wall and my air is getting thin
Take a bite, take a nap, wake in my basement
I'm sharpening the axe and my hair is getting limp,
Making Cupcakes!

[guitar solo]

Okay Pinkie, I'll take it from here,
Say hello to Pinkamena!
Soon all of Ponyville will know,
That "life is a party!"
And if my "friends" will not attend,
Then they might as well be dead
Rainbow's knocking on my door,
Guess her number's UP!

Feeling paranoid, true enemy or false friend?
Icing on my hooves and I don't know where I've been
Feeling claustrophobic, like the walls are closing in
Bloodstains on the wall and my air is getting thin

Once you partied with me,
Now you've abandoned me!
Given validity,
to my insanity!
I'm putting in the bit,
and I'm sharpening the axe,
Now it's harvest time!
Making Cupcakes!


Making Cupcakes (ft. Vannamelon) (Sweating Bullets parody)

Preview of the first two tracks from my upcoming solo album "Between Worlds".

Still missing all vocals (lyrics about half written) and a guitar solo (at 4:46).

Departure / Leave This World Behind WIP

What did you all think of StevenBomb 3? I loved it, though watching Pearl struggle through the week was excruciating (in a good way?) ~ So here's my extended symphonic rock version of Amethyst's song from Cry for Help.

Music and lyrics by @jeff-liu
Artwork by c0si: http://fav.me/d91lv8p

Guitar tab (original version): https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/46480801/Tower%20of%20Mistakes%20guitar%20tab.pdf

Tower of Mistakes (SU cover)

Here's the instrumental version of my extended cover of "Tower of Mistakes" from Steven Universe. Free for anyone to use, just make sure you let me know so I can enjoy your version too :)

Music and lyrics by @jeff-liu
Artwork by c0si: http://fav.me/d91lv8p

Guitar tab (original version): https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/46480801/Tower%20of%20Mistakes%20guitar%20tab.pdf

Tower of Mistakes (instrumental)

Here's the result of the choir auditions for Fall Of An Empire :) Just like for Moonrise, it required lots of editing, and I included my own voice for two different parts (Alto and Bass, this time!), but I think it sounds pretty good! Also, Virtual SoundStage (www.parallax-audio.com) is awesome for blending voices and building epic choirs.

Now, all I've got to do is finish writing the opera (!).

The Fall Of An Empire Choir

A little section from a Symphonic Metal Tribute I'm currently working on. I thought it sounded cool...

(bonus points for anyone who can guess what song I'm covering and/or what the Tribute is to.)

Also, I love Sample Modeling's The Trumpet, it's just so expressive :D

A mysterious preview

A small preview from something I'm working on. Sometimes you have to leave the guitars silent and just be "symphonic" rather than "metal".

(also, each character thus far has ended up with a characteristic instrument. Alphys's is bassoon.)

Music (and Alphys's character design, and pretty much the entirety of Undertale) written by Toby "Radiation" Fox.

Alphys (orchestral version)

My symphonic metal take on Undertale's boniest (wannabe) royal guardsman.

(A little preview from the Symphonic Metal Tribute that I'm currently working on.)

Bonetrousle (Symphonic Metal cover)

* (The orchestra strikes up a familiar tune, filling you with determination.)

Part love letter to, and part deconstruction of a number of old school games, its surprising twists, entertaining characters and wonderful story (depending on which route you take, of course) wormed their way into the hearts of gamers worldwide. My favourite element of the game was its wonderful soundtrack, written by the game's main developer Toby Fox, featuring a number of charming recurring motifs and perfectly complementing the game's style.

So here's my 20 minute sonic tour of Undertale, as played by symphony orchestra and rock band.

If you haven't already played the game, go to www.undertale.com and buy it! I promise you won't regret it :)

All music written by Toby "Radiation" Fox. Arranged, performed/programmed and produced by me (The L-Train).
Special thanks to the folk on the Steam forums at https://steamcommunity.com/app/391540/discussions/0/487870763294856117/ for transcriptions of the various songs.

Tracklist:
0:00 - Once Upon A Time
1:37 - Your Best Friend
1:57 - Enemy Approaching
3:06 - Fallen Down
3:42 - Heartache
5:47 - Bonetrousle
7:22 - Undyne
7:49 - Spear of Justice
10:13 - Alphys
11:16 - Oh My...
11:35 - Death by Glamour
14:08 - Megalovania
15:48 - Bergentrückung / ASGORE
16:48 - Fallen Down (Reprise)
17:41 - Hopes and Dreams / SAVE the World
20:33 - Last Goodbye

A Symphonic Metal Tribute to Undertale

Here's a track from my latest project, a symphonic metal opera titled "Fall Of An Empire"!

Check out the whole album on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtBqTFsiLxM
Buy the album from Bandcamp: https://thel-train.bandcamp.com/album/fall-of-an-empire

Credits:
The L-Train (https://www.youtube.com/user/TheLTrain9000, https://twitter.com/theltrain9000) - composer, producer, arranger
SkyBolt (https://www.youtube.com/user/SkyBoltsMusic) - lyricist, story

Musicians
The L-Train - guitar, bass, keyboards; orchestral and drum programming
TheMusicReborn (https://www.youtube.com/user/TheMusicReborn) - trumpet (Ch 7)
Marc v/d Meulen (http://www.marcvdmeulen.com/, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzzvUuTkl3NhEmmU83ndBlg) - viola (Ch 2, Ch 3)
Secret Metal (https://www.youtube.com/user/SecretMetalFromAbyss) - guitar solo (Ch 1)
Dylzal (https://www.youtube.com/user/DYLZAL) - guitar solo (Ch 8) 

Lead Vocalists
SkyBolt (https://www.youtube.com/user/SkyBoltsMusic) - The Storyteller 
DaWillstanator (https://www.youtube.com/user/DaWillstanator, https://twitter.com/DaWillstanator) - Sombra
TrueSailorComet (https://www.youtube.com/user/truesailorcomet) - Celestia 
Hayley Nelson (https://www.youtube.com/user/haylizbethofficial) - Luna 
The L-Train, Francis Vace, Swedely, Northbound, Jacob W / Adar Nasiykh, Secret Metal, Chris Hau, Emily Barnaby, Seriff Pilcrow - Crystal Ponies (Ch 7)

Choir
CxDr (https://www.youtube.com/user/ph3r0x)
Chris Hau (https://www.youtube.com/user/Qweeqkk) 
Citric Acid (https://www.youtube.com/user/CitricAcidMusic)
DaWillstanator (https://www.youtube.com/user/DaWillstanator)
Dylzal (https://www.youtube.com/user/DYLZAL)
Emily Barnaby
Francis Vace (https://www.youtube.com/user/FVaceslav)
Jacob W / Adar Nasiykh (https://www.youtube.com/user/AdarNasiykh19, http://soundcloud.com/adarnasiykh19) 
Matthew Eater (https://soundcloud.com/matthew-eater)
Neighrator Pony (https://www.youtube.com/user/NeighratorPony)
Northbound (http://northboundsail.deviantart.com)
Secret Metal (https://www.youtube.com/user/SecretMetalFromAbyss)
Seriff Pilcrow (http://seriff-pilcrow.deviantart.com/)
Swedely (https://www.youtube.com/user/FlameLionheart, https://www.youtube.com/user/swedely)
The L-Train
TrueSailorComet (https://www.youtube.com/user/truesailorcomet)

Cover art: Viwrastupr (http://viwrastupr.deviantart.com/) 

Kingdoms Divided (from Fall Of An Empire)

So who else is loving Steven Universe's "Summer of Steven"? Mr Greg was an incredible episode, probably the best musical episode of an TV show I've ever seen! And while everyone was blown away by Pearl's solo, I thought that this gem of a song has been a bit neglected ... so here's my own spin on "Both Of You".

Music and lyrics by Rebecca Sugar, Aivi and Surasshu.

Instrumental version: https://soundcloud.com/the-l-train-9000/both-of-you-instrumental

Both Of You (The L-Train's cover)

Here's the instrumental version of my cover of "Both Of You" (https://soundcloud.com/the-l-train-9000/both-of-you). Free for anyone to use, as long as you give me proper credit and let me know what you make with it!

Both Of You (instrumental)

Steven Universe: a cartoon for kids, where the main character deals with, uh, PTSD? You know. For kids ... All jokes aside, I think it's wonderful that a show like SU isn't shying away from dealing with topics like this. Mindful Education was a wonderful episode, and I loved the song "Here Comes A Thought", so here's an a cappella rendition. 

Here Comes A Thought (a cappella version)

Here's another track from "Between Worlds", the debut EP from my experimental solo project Transcendental Orchestra. For this song I've turned away from the aggression and bombast of the rest of the album and instead gone for a more delicate aesthetic.

(No download because I'm still working on this thing! Also this isn't really a final mix. Also please feel free to send me your constructive criticism!)

Star Iris

Here's the third track from "Between Worlds", the debut EP from my experimental solo project Transcendental Orchestra. This is one of the strangest pieces of music I have ever composed, featuring 8-string guitar, a sax quartet, an "epic tom" ensemble and some very strange tonalities and rhythms.

The EP is now available on Bandcamp (and iTunes and Google Play and Spotify and ...)

Between Worlds

Helios

Here's the final track from the debut EP from my instrumental symphonic metal prog neo-Romantic jazz fusion solo project Transcendental Orchestra! This one is about falling to a certain death ... but going out in a blaze of glory.

The EP is now available on Bandcamp (and iTunes and Google Play and Spotify and ...)

Meteoric

Testing out some new techniques for creating epic choirs.
Dies Irae from Verdi's Requiem, because O Fortuna has been done to death.
This is just my voice, plus a truckload of plugins.

(please excuse my Latin pronunciation)

Dies Irae (choir test)

More testing. This one by popular request.

Still kinda phasey. Need to futz with the plugin settings maybe. (Or invest in some sort of de-phasing plugin maybe? Is that even possible?)

Sausage, yo

i imagine the bird bard would appreciate an over the top version of his theme song

Kass' Theme (BoTW)

I was asked to create an instrumental for @haylizbeth 's cover of "Defying Gravity", so I decided to put my own spin on it. This version is mostly based on Kerry Ellis' version (with Brian May!) as well as on the original Broadway version.

Check out Haylizbeth's cover here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooviLIqfNM4

Defying Gravity (L-Train symphonic metal version, instrumental)

Breath Of The Wild is probably Nintendo's most ambitious ever entry in the Legend of Zelda series. The game's soundtrack caught some flack for abandoning many of the series' familiar themes for a sparser, more atmospheric approach, but I personally loved the music and thought it was perfect for the game. So here's a musical tour across the wide world of Hyrule, as played by symphony orchestra and rock band.

All music written by Manaka Kataoka and Yasuaki Iwata. Arranged, performed/synthestrated and produced by Leonard "The L-Train" Hume.

Tracklist:
00:00 Main theme (1st half)
01:21 Field (Day)
01:56 Battle (Field)
03:02 Shrine
03:53 Kakariko Village
04:38 Zora’s Domain
05:27 Gerudo Town
05:51 Dragon
06:27 Hinox Battle
07:54 Goron City
08:48 Link’s Memories
09:06 Cave
09:47 Rito Village
11:38 Kass’ Theme
12:27 Hyrule Castle
13:31 The Divine Beasts Strike
13:58 Calamity Ganon
15:25 Ganon Vanquished (Zelda’s Lullabye)
15:58 Main theme (2nd half)

A Symphonic Metal Tribute to Breath Of The Wild

Just realized I never uploaded this here! whoops

I saw the My Little Pony movie a while ago, and I loved it! Sure, it's not perfect: there's plot holes you could drive an airship through, and one too many of everything, but it's a lot of fun and I thought it delivered wonderfully on the premise, i.e. My Little Pony but two hours long and epic. So here's my little contribution to the fandom!

Fun fact: Sia actually hails from my own hometown of Adelaide! Though she moved away long before she became famous...

Lyrics:
I know you, you're a special one
Some see crazy where I see love
You fall so low but shoot so high
Big dreamers shoot for open sky

So much life in those open eyes
So much depth, you look for the light
But when your wounds open, you will cry
You'll cry out now and you'll question why

I can see a rainbow
In your tears as they fall on down
I can see your soul grow
Through the pain as they hit the ground
I can see a rainbow
In your tears as the sun comes out
As the sun comes out

I am here and I see your pain
Through the storms, through the clouds, the rain
I'm telling you you can not escape
You can do it, just feel, baby

I can see a rainbow
In your tears as they fall on down
I can see your soul grow
Through the pain as they hit the ground
I can see a rainbow
In your tears as the sun comes out
As the sun comes out

Here comes the sun smiling down
Here comes the sun smiling down

[Guitar solo]

I can see a rainbow
In your tears as they fall on down
I can see your soul grow
Through the pain as they hit the ground
I can see a rainbow
In your tears as the sun comes out
As the sun comes out

The L-Train - Rainbow (Sia Cover)

I'm working on another Transcendental Orchestra album! Tentatively titled "Tales of Triumph and Tragedy", it's going to be a full length album (unlike Between Worlds which was just an EP) and absolutely epic. With possibly some guest vocalists as well?

Here's the first completed track for the album, "Once And Future Heroes". Stay tuned for more Transcendental Orchestra news!

Once And Future Heroes (Transcendental Orchestra)

I'm (still) working on another Transcendental Orchestra album! Tentatively titled "Tales of Triumph and Tragedy", it's going to be a full length album (unlike Between Worlds which was just an EP) and absolutely epic. With possibly some guest vocalists as well?

Here's an 8-string sludgefest I wrote for the album. With some snarling low brass lines to complement the stupidly-low-tuned guitars.

Awaken The Giant (Transcendental Orchestra)

I recently bought a new strings library so I decided to re-render the strings in this unreleased Transcendental Orchestra tune. I'm liking the new workflow and sound.

Tales of Triumph and Tragedy

Once And Future Heroes (Transcendental Orchestra) v2

Quicksilver and I wrote this slice of metalcore for Ponies at Dawn's latest album Enigma. Listen to the full song at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zxiC2MxdRc, and you can download the full album at https://poniesatdawn.bandcamp.com/album/enigma

Quicksilver & L-Train - Stolen Time (instrumental)

Hiya! I'm The L-Train: composer, multi-instrumentalist, metalhead and epic music enthusiast.


Popular tracks by Leonard "L-Train" Hume