Best album intros/outros

[Pretsy 1343]

Do you remember my album opener and closer threads? Good - because Pretsyboi is getting all active posting-wise, albeit "still playing safe" as usual.

 

What are the opening/closing SEs (or in formal English, intros and outros) you cherish the most? We are going with the same rules as in my previous threads, but hey - repetition is the mother of all learning:

 

When I say "intros/outros", think of them through everyday context: usually short-ish, minimal-ish and "preparing"/"finishing" piece of certain album etc. - so make sure that you put pieces that are considered as these in common knowledge or by musicians themselves (they tend to mark these as "SE"s in Asian/Japanese (?) music, FYI) - AND 4 POSTS PER PERSON/POST as usual.

 

No "nationality/language-based limitations" here, btw - so feel free to post anything non-Asian too (as in my older threads)

 

OP starting:

 

1)  Dir en grey - Kyokotsu no Nari (from "DUM SPIRO SPERO")

This album is something that radically divides people into two parts - those who love it, and those who hate it with passion. Despite these differences, I have seen many people - including myself, warming up to this introductory piece. Starting out with quite dissonant, partial piano playing - and moving on with almost apocalyptic mix of ambient-ish synths, low-tuned guitars and Kyo doing his "best Gollum impersonation" til the end...I might not be necessarily "digesting" this album that well, but god this is one hell of a hype track - despite being an intro only. Many pluses to "Kyokotsu" for sounding even creepier/more immense during lives!

 

2) Versailles - Sound in Gate (from "JUBILEE")

"Soul Calibur intro avec cheesy fantasy narration" aside, this track can be basically anything - an intro, outro or even just an interlude to something majestic! Kamijo and co. managed to position this track into such place, where it feels like JUBILEE is basically going full circle (and thus possibly making listener go for a nth round). Talk about careful planning!

 

3) Merry - Sasurai RHAPSODY (from "Modern Garde")

*whistles* talk about a classic-sounding start for a good vk classic! Merry always managed to make some goodie interludes, and this is no exception (as many "vk veterans" know it already). So get your jazz hands ready and hum/whistle along!

 

4)  Kagrra, - Miyako (from "Miyako")

Very mysterious, immense introductory number from Kagrra - I don't dig them that much, but boy - they do have some hidden gems! No "faux-Japanesque" merrymaking here, folks!

 

S'il vous plaît!

 

ps. in case you can't find your favs in YT, google "tunestotube" and use it for uploading your tracks...

[Bear 1817]

Bathory - Odens Ride over Nordland (from Blood Fire Death)

This is hands down probably the best intro there is. Not only because the beautifully cinematic and haunting intro itself is fantastic, but also because it sets the atmosphere for the album, and the way the intro segue into the ethereal acoustic intro to of A Fine Day to Die is noting short of perfection. It's the kind of intro that sends shivers down you spine. Three of the finest minutes ever composed by a human being.

 

Added the video with the intro and the first proper track of the album because it's beyond perfect. Enjoy.

[Furik 832]

Any intro GazettE comes out with.

[nullmoon 784]

For me, probably the best ever is Dir En Grey's 'Mode of Adam'. The way it kicks in is just plain astounding.

 

Plus, dat bass line

 

[enyx 903]

Enter Shikari - Common Dreads

Intro to their second full-length of the same name. Ominous, and a total change in tone from their first album. Although Enter Shikari's switch to a more politically-driven band (which pretty much started here) has certainly turned off a portion of their fanbase over the years, I think most can agree that this is a fantastic intro regardless. Also, it transitions fantastically into the following track, Solidarity.

 

DIR EN GREY - SA BIR [Remastered & Expanded ver.]

Intro to the remaster of their seventh full-length 'UROBOROS'. I already liked the original version of this track, but this version takes the cake. The slow ambient build-up, the ticking clocks, and the pounding bass of the original track all combine really well to kick off a great remastering of one of the most memorable albums of recent times.

 

the GazettE - OMEGA

Outro for their fifth full-length 'TOXIC'. If there's one word I could use to describe this album as a whole, it would either be "boring" or "uninspired". I think that's part of the reason why this outro stands out to me so much. After a mind-numbingly dull 50 or so minutes, you go into what you assume is going to be another generic "wubwubwub" SE, then it out of nowhere it suddenly breaks down into probably the most disturbing 30-40 seconds in the band's discography. That final scream creeps me the hell out. Unfortunately this video cuts out the eerie final few seconds after that scream, but you get the point. 

[blackdoll 907]

http://youtu.be/cFZDWIyL3h0

It really gets you hype for this album, or grabs your attention if you into this type of music.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHORCELXGTg

Hits you with brutalness, and that's a yes in my book!

[Seimeisen 4406]

I'm not a fan of SE tracks, because it seems that VK bands use them as lazy excuses for not making a proper first/last track. There are a few exceptions, though...

NEGA - OMNIA VANITAS

While this song was probably treated like an SE track, it doesn't feel like one; it feels like "a song" that just so happens to be short and instrumental. Apart from the fact that I simply love the composition, this song is a great way to wind down the album after the very depressing HINDSIGHT. It's very calm, but very emotional. It's a nice little epilogue to the preceding track, and a fine way to close out the album.

Fragments Of Unbecoming - Up From The Blackest Of Soil

I really like an intro track that segues perfectly into the following track, as if it's simply a cut segment from that song, and this is a great example! Also, I love, Love, LOVE, the atmosphere created by this song, with the simulated sound of rain and the acoustic guitar, that sets the mood for the entire album. I always like to listen to this album when it rains. Every other band in the world could take a lesson or two from FOU on making intro/outro/intermission tracks!

Following track for reference:

the GazettE - 剥離 (Detachment)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A8N5ikDu6c

It's calm, serene, atmospheric... it's misleading. It's very well known that the GazettE aren't big on incorporating atmosphere and ambience into their music, "SE tracks" aside. Hearing tracks like 剥離 and [Depth] really make you wish that they would incorporate a similar atmosphere into their "main music." Also: that guitar composition! It's damn beautiful. I really don't know what else to say. This is fucking awesome, just click that damn play button already!

the GazettE - PEOPLE ERROR

Again, another outro that's really a song that happens to be instrumental. Something about this song (maybe the fact that it's at the end of the album) feels pretty awkward, so the name PEOPLE ERROR is quite fitting. While I like the composition. PEOPLE ERROR is an awkward ending to an awkward album.

Also, side note: I saw a live clip of this (it was played over the PA system at one of their shows)... the audience clapping along did more than a perfect job at completely destroying the mood.

These are the only ones I can think of at the top of my head...

[bryyodt 15]

This is a beautiful piece.

 

[Keiyuu 745]

【zɔ́:diæ̀k】 (zodiac) - 「R・E・A・L」

Not really an "album intro" but it's the intro to their Destiny to,,, demotape and I think it captures the atmosphere of this bands concept very well.

 

[Nisimaldar 153]

What do you guys think of the intro of Mucc's "Shion" called 水恩 (Suion)?

 

http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/j-a-ywKFpwg

 

I think I kinda love it but that might be because I usually listen to Shion in my car and somehow driving makes me like whatever the fuck I listen to (whether it's Nicki Minaji or Black Sabbath). I like the way it slowly builds up and has the instruments added almost carefully. Plus, it fits the tone of the album very well and the transition to the next song is so very very smooth.

[beni 2149]

http://youtu.be/cFZDWIyL3h0

It really gets you hype for this album, or grabs your attention if you into this type of music.

I'm not a fan of SE tracks, because it seems that VK bands use them as lazy excuses for not making a proper first/last track. There are a few exceptions, though...

NEGA - OMNIA VANITAS

While this song was probably treated like an SE track, it doesn't feel like one; it feels like "a song" that just so happens to be short and instrumental. Apart from the fact that I simply love the composition, this song is a great way to wind down the album after the very depressing HINDSIGHT. It's very calm, but very emotional. It's a nice little epilogue to the preceding track, and a fine way to close out the album.

^ Totally seconding both these two tracks. I'm not really a fan of intros/outros but when it captures the mood/style of the whole album, it really gets you excited and prepared for what you're about to let yourself in for. So I'll be adding two of my own choices, because I doubt I'll be able to choose another two, sorry, sorry.

 

While I prefer Hide and Seek #3, I have to choose Hide and Seek #4, by 'Pura' on their same titled album because that fits the criteria. Even the original tracks from the original album are just as eerie and mysterious, making for a wonderful and fitting close to both album versions. Also, their Ink intro and outro are just as perfect for the opposite effect of making us feel melancholic and rather lonely (imo). <3

 

My next pick is scene:RAM, from vistlip's THEATER album. Sounding ever so similar to their same album closer, scene:KISS, both songs make for a magical and exciting sound. It's uplifting, in my opinion, and both tie in very neatly to the next/previous track, making a positiviely coherent album as a whole.

 

What do you guys think of the intro of Mucc's "Shion" called 水恩 (Suion)?

 

http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/j-a-ywKFpwg

 

I think I kinda love it but that might be because I usually listen to Shion in my car and somehow driving makes me like whatever the fuck I listen to (whether it's Nicki Minaji or Black Sabbath). I like the way it slowly builds up and has the instruments added almost carefully. Plus, it fits the tone of the album very well and the transition to the next song is so very very smooth.

 

Ooh, me likey! I always love a build up in a song, it's really enjoyable to listen to and makes you want to continue listening even more. I've been meaning to listen to that album of theirs for ages, wow, you've just got me hooked!

[Jigsaw9 6783]

(1st minute)

 

D'ERLANGER's intro to their La Vie en Rose album (and consequently, the title track) is just too cheesy and weird and trying-to-be-dark-and-twisted that it's a treat to listen to. xD Made by the wonderful Hoppy Kamiyama btw who did a lot of synth/programming for the band and many others.

[doombox 4421]

What do you guys think of the intro of Mucc's "Shion" called 水恩 (Suion)?

 

http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/j-a-ywKFpwg

 

I think I kinda love it but that might be because I usually listen to Shion in my car and somehow driving makes me like whatever the fuck I listen to (whether it's Nicki Minaji or Black Sabbath). I like the way it slowly builds up and has the instruments added almost carefully. Plus, it fits the tone of the album very well and the transition to the next song is so very very smooth.

I really love most of Mucc's album intros/SE's, they're always really interesting to me... Homura Uta, Shinsou, Kuchiki no tou, 666, Suion, Kyutai, Chemical Parade (not sure if that's correct order but eh..) I'm almost let down at this point if they don't have one. 

 

Intros

NEW BREED - "-intro-" Super original name, I know, but one of the few intros that really does a good job of amping the listener up and preparing them for what is coming from the rest of the album. It's a little bouncy electronic piece that sets up for all the synth background work this band does. Love it.

 

blessthefall - "2.0" When this album dropped and this was the first thing I got to hear I lost my shit. It still gets me so hype I can't deal. Nothing original or unique, but exactly what I want from a band like them. It's just perfect.

 

 

Outros

Dance Gavin Dance - "12 Hours. 630 Miles" Perfect ending to arguably their best album. It blends almost seamlessly from the last song and really leaves you in this calm and sentimental place after the album was an emotional roller coaster. And there Jonny Craig's voice is one of my most favorite things in this world and he sounds flawless here.

 

Crossfaith - "Chemicarium" It reminds me of the ending of a storm and it being safe to come back outside. The beat is like the calming and slowing of one's heart, but it's also intense at the same time, somehow.

[nullmoon 784]

Totally forgot about 2.0...it's probably the coolest opening ever. So fucking badass