DuuuuuuuUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUDE this was an incredible collaboration! This album was already stellar, and all these music videos are spoiling us. Keep up the great work!
@@Thorgon-Cross sums up 90% of governments out there not only USA, everyone is part of elite network, no ones care about their own ordinary people anymore. USA is no way uniquely bad or good. I live in Sweden and the same corrupt shit is going on here as well, All the praise is just none swedes that has no clue.
I also like the "You pray unto a God who loves, the hungry and the weak, but your actions do not match the prayer you speak!" I have a real bee in my bonnet about hypocrites, and to my mind the world is full of them these days.
It's accurate too. Around the 1900 in Europe, a low mortality rate of the population, especially children was politically seen as an indicator for a civilized country. Germany, Austria and Russia had some of the highest mortality rates of young children (in Germany 1 out of 4 children died within their first year of life). Reasons where starvation and unhygienic living conditions, as well as deseases like smallpox , tuberculosis, rachitis etc. So a states self image was basically the reason for social laws, and improvements being made. That of course was even more possible due to a disenchantment with religion in the 19th century. It made the earthly life more important and death via sickness and poverty not some "godly punishment", but a thing of cause and causality. And this hasn't changed until today. Access to basic human needs (food, weather, shelter, Healthcare etc) is still considered a marker for a countries development in combination with their financial wealth. Unfortunately in reality very few country's on earth can actually provide these needs to a majority of their inhabitants. We in the western world can't actually grasp what a luxury it is that most of our children make it to adulthood, and won't just die within their first few years. So yeah this line leaves a haunting image.
took me till my tenth viewing to realize why the king using his own throne as a suit of armor is such good symbolism. The usage of the literal Seat of Power, becoming the only real defense the king personally has is ingenious. The visual storytelling is masterful!
Given their fae appearance and the appearance of his supernal abilities, as well as his personal feeling of responsibility for the others in opposition to humans he may be related to, or even be the Fae King Oberon
i don't know who maked the animation but they truly deserve a animation show,i would love to see the story in a full show. and ofcourse the song and the performance of Jonathan is amazing as always
Hey everyone! We're so happy you enjoyed the animation! This was made by me and @topspinthefuzzy (the in-video credits got fudged ^^')! Thank you so so much for watching and keep supporting Jon's kick ass music
I love the symbolism of the Stag forming a rebellion to overthrow a Pig pretending to be a Lion. Considering the Lion and Stag are symbols of nobility while the Pig is a symbol of greed and gluttony. And to have destroyed the crown at the end instead of crowning himself was also a nice touch. The people needed a leader not a ruler, with the crown being a symbol of corruption. Favorite character has to be the wolf though. Had enough of the army's shit and stood against a false king with someone who was worthy to become a leader.
At first I thought all the guards and the king were human so I thought it was an allusion to the mistreatment of minorities. Then I realized all the guards were canines. But until I saw your comment I was sure entirely about the king. But now that you point it out, I see the lion
@@DelphineIgnia I'm pretty sure the King is supposed to read as human. Under this interpretation, the King is being presented as fundamentally _different_ from the people he rules, and elevated by that difference. This fits with how the peerage and the gentry use things like fashion, food, and modes of speech to separate themselves from the common people, and with the rejection of nobility in a song about storming the castle and killing the King. The reveal that he's not different from anyone else and has been using the wealth he's gaining from the people's suffering to wallow in excess is encapsulated in him being the fattest, ugliest pig-man
I like the fact that when the king is revealed as the monster that he is that he falls back on his throne and it forms armor. The throne, his seat of power which for many a king is the true sign of authority is literally used as the armor to attempt to sheild and protect him from the consequences of his greed and malice. It is symbolic of how he hides himself from the people in the trappings and authority of the throne. But in the end it isn’t enough because when a true noble creature being the stag comes along he is able to cut right through it.
It's even more symbolic to the stag's resolve due to the fact that he had his legs torn off when his buddies were pulling him from the rubble of his burning house. To fight for what is right despite the detriments afflicted upon you. Physical or otherwise.
also PIGS are a simbol of COMMUNISM !!!. lmao and the STAG and deers are a Rune, the simbol of Life used by German nationalist socialists... Also reference to ÄNIMAL FARM" book.. " All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others. ” said the PIG... A quote from 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell explaining disparities that exist in a communist society
Another good detail of this main character is that, when hes down, when he remembers all the wrong that happens, he never once uses his own injuries and traumas as a means of motivation, he never lets it stoop to vengeance, but rather justice for his fellow people. That's a wonderful detail
A true leader is one who makes every ones pain and trauma as their own and they hold it tightly in their hands until it burns them ! Then they say " no more not again NEVER AGAIN "
I mean, if you watch those, they don't really mean anything. A kid is sick, a farmer is tired, people have to pay taxes? It ain't precisely a dystopia.
@@shellfire6931a kid is sick with the parents not being able to pay for medicine or medical attention or this directly don't exist, farmers being exhausted because of hard unpaid labor(basically slavery) and government collecting unfair taxes making the people to have basically nothing to eat or how to pay for food. Yeah nothing wrong with it. At least that's what I think the video intends to communicate
@@shellfire6931I think in this particular case, the king is a despot who is strangling his own people and abusing his power. A good king wouldn't let the people who feed and clothe him starve. Though I would have preferred the people elect a new king than shatter the crown, I hope they do have a plan to govern and protect the people now that the guards and king are dead. Either they split the riches between themselves and abandon the kingdom to start new lives under less corrupt rulers, or they try to establish a new government and hope they can stand against other kingdoms who would gladly assault a vulnerable new settlement.
the touches of gore like when our protagonist was pulled from the ruins of his home really force you to recognize the brutality of it all. you can glaze over the sick and hungry all you like but nobody can ignore "have your legs ripped off or die in an arson attack". every single little thing about this is too good
That last scene is so good, for a split second when the crown is under his foot you can see a future where he takes it and becomes everything he hated but he promptly rejects that possibility as he crushes it utterly.
The fact that the deer isn't even an adult. Two points means two years old, and deer reach maturity at around three-and-a-half years. This is a child, a teenager, who's been forced into this fight. Who lost his legs to survive an arson attempt on his life. Who fought a tyrant. A child who should've never had to worry about this forced to step up because someone needs to. Such an incredible detail!
Four actually, deer antlers form a point every year and no they dont form in Pairs. Also realistically it would be a year or two before the attack, mostly because of the time it would take to forge his new legs. Making something like that be able to articulate at all even the fairly simple way that knees do would be difficult, add in the needed time to be able to walk correctly on said legs, a few months of dedicated training, and a month minimum to make his swords and we are looking at two or three years before the rebellion would assault the keep.
@@JohnDoe-sp1bu maybe something to do with fighting evil with the utmost fury and prejudice to prevail, bear your fangs and show them your bite when given no other alternatives. storm the castle, kill the king. :)
i love how the king at first seems to be the most human looking character at first (excluding that little kid who tried to eat that apple) but when his illusion is broken he's actually the least human looking. and i just find his true appearance being porcine to be so fitting for some reason.
It's amazing how much you can tell about the characters in this without any dialogue. Take the black-haired wolf guy for example, judging by his argument with his superior near the start you can easily infer that he joined the guard to protect people but had second thoughts after seeing what they were really doing (my favourite character in this btw, I have a soft spot for the former evil henchman joining the good guys trope). It just goes to show the power of 'show don't tell'.
"You let one ant stand up to us, then they all might stand up. Those puny little ants outnumber us a hundred to one. And if they ever figure that out, there goes our way of life! It's not about food. It's about keeping those ants in line." - Hopper, A bug's Life That deer boy was that one ant, while they are weak and puny individually, in great numbers they can do extraordinary things and overpower creatures much larger and stronger than them.
Lyrics (feel free to comment mistakes): We will not be prisoners In a kingdom taken hostage by her crown But we will not abandon her We would die before we let our homeland down And the walls they claim protected us A lie that's wearing thin All along our only enemy within Rise now, stand and fight Take your freedom, claim your right Rise now, stand and sing Storm the castle, kill the king Look upon your countrymen You can see that they are drowning in despair Is a kingdom really mighty when For a sick and starving child it doesn't care Then you pray unto a god who loves The hungry and the weak But your actions do not match the prayer you speak Rise now, stand and fight Take your freedom, claim your right Rise now, stand and sing Storm the castle, kill the king Safe in his castle while we bicker twixt ourselves Above the rabble, he's protected from our hell His keep could shelter hundreds His gold could feed far more I have but one last question What are you waiting for? Rise now, stand and fight Take your freedom, claim your right Rise now, stand and sing Storm the castle, kill the king Rise now, stand and fight Take your freedom, claim your right Rise now, stand and sing Storm the castle, kill the king Rise now, stand and fight Take your freedom, claim your right Rise now, stand and sing Storm the castle, kill the king Edit: Fixed some spelling
Been watching Jonathan Young for awhile, and love everything, but this was at a whole other level of awesome. Made me want to storm a castle somewhere.🏰
I agree on Sabaton, there are some very similar vibes and I love it. Jonathan has his own style for sure, but I feel like there is also a nice inspiration.
The line that really gets me is "then you pray unto a God that loves the hungry and the weak, but your actions do no match the prayers you speak." Reminds me of certain current events.
it has been a thing for a lot of our history. a ruler with absolute power or an institution with absolute power claiming one thing is good and secretly doing the opposite. just go back into medival times here in Europe. Chistian kings ignoring the whole "be good to other humans" things that is a big part of christianity (at least according to what is often told in the church and can be read in at least the newer parts of the bible) and living a good life while people are starving outside on the streets.
@@roberine7241 Not every religious order has a clergyman willing to talk back to a king. Hell, read Samuel when Natan the Prophet tells off King David. Natan had balls of steel.
Absolutely amazing. Everything went together perfectly! The animal aspects gave me Animal Farm vibes the whole time and the final reveal was just icing on the cake. Bravo!
Well, there's just a lot to love here, from the banging song to the fluid animation and the nonverbal storytelling, but there's a minor detail I'd like to focus on: the hands. For darker-skinned characters you can see the palm of the hand is a lighter color, which is true to life and isn't usually drawn in animation. It's a nice touch!
I wanted to make sure this detail remained since as you say is common for art not to depict lighter palms on people of color. Not sure why! Probably just time saving haha but it was important to me🖤🙏
Headcanon Time. The hero's power up at the end comes from the god referred to in the song (likely the statue the goat's praying to at the start). The King happily invokes divine right and preaches their beliefs to help justify his rule while tredding on everything the deity actually stands for. When the time comes for the 'hungry and weak' to take their land back, their god is firmly on their side.
It's no accident that the goddess statue was shown in the rain, streaming past her eyes. The goddess looks upon her people and weeps for their suffering. Thus, with our hero exposing the king for what he really is AND surviving a hit while rejecting the idea of it being about him, she saw her chance to cleanse his evil by empowering the young hero (and healing his injuries apparently). Makes sense, yeah?
I just appreciate that the young stag became an outstanding warrior and head of the rebellion against the greedy King despite being a double amputee. His legs were torn off when his buddies were trying to pull him from the rubble of his burning house that was set a blaze by the Kings loyal bloodhounds. And all because someone spoke out against him and is tyranny and greed. To fight for what is right despite the detriments afflicted upon you. Physical or otherwise. My heart goes out to him and to the warriors in real life who lost a limb in battle.
He started a civil war in which thousands will die and you call him a hero because he's stupid. Maybe you also consider the terrorists heroes? They love too
As a DM, this concisely captures the feeling of many a story I've seen (although one I've personally never done exactly like this, parties tended to deal rulers in many... other ways), it is amazing to see such a great visualization and thematic flare of underdogs fighting for their sakes and their future against monsters that dare abuse the power once bestowed by their very subjects. I hope one day to run a campaign that captures the vileness of the king in a villain, the despair of the people (although I personally think i got that one down), and the unending resolve of heroes that spells the end of the corrupt. Amazing video as always, and of course, that is to say nothing about the metal music that so beautifully captures the feeling and ties it all together in such an amazing way.
That the hero doesn't just kill the king but smashes the crown says that they're not just killing this king, but that they're also killing the idea of a king. Which is a million times cooler than if they'd taken up the crown and become king themself.
I love this song, and I'm hyped that it got a video as kickass as it is! Awesome as ever, and I'm thrilled that you're able to be making more original content than you used to 🙂
You know, the animation sort of reminds me of Animal Farm, only with a different twist. The animals rise up against the pig overlords, who employed (dogs or wolves, it's been a while since I've read it), and they actually take down the monarchy. Such a great animation, accompanied by the song, well done Jonathan, Topspin, and Lady Red.
as cool as it would be to see this story in a show or movie, can we please just appreciate that these animators gave us a *whole* story in one music video? all of the context is there, it's incredibly animated, though i suppose there's the question of why the main character went super XD
If you treat it as a dnd campaign. The wolf is a fighter former guard. The chick is a maul wielding barbarian or similar. And i see the deer/antelope guy as an Artificer. With the spells to buff himself but lacking the money and material for a lot of the really good stuff an artificer gets to have. I like to think of him as a battlesmith artificer to explain his more physical tendencies over the magic use.
You know this album is a master piece when you listen to the music without the clip, then listening again with the clip, you have the same feeling, and the same pictures.
Love that inversion of every ending like this. The hero taking up the crown... not this time! This time they BREAK the crown! STORM THE CASTLE! KILL THE KING!
I imagine he still takes the throne but things are different from before. He wears no crown, he sieges not a golden throne, but a chair carved wood. He refuses to expend the kingdom’s wealth for personal luxuries, not when so many have suffered for the previous king’s expenses. He will not become the same greedy pig his predecessor was. If he must live like a pauper so that the people can live as lords, so be it!
@@alexanderkazantzis8019 I feel like they'd probably wind up leaning more towards a democracy or at least implement some sort of system where the power no longer falls to one individual.
Don't know if it was intentional to post this on the UK Queens birthday. But as from someone from Scotland who has no love for royalty...... I love it!!!!
I have a fascination with the wolf guard. He knows how corrupt it is, and quits, but also uses his experience to help protect the people that he was under the impression he was protecting all along. Side note, he's crazy hot, and I will not apologize for that.
My dude didn't just make a song, he made a whole ass DnD campaign! I am so hooked on this right away, I'd watch this if this was a whole series where all music and animation was this good. I am in utter love!
At first "Settle it with a swordfight" was my favourite song in this album. Then this song hit me like a truck. It's so powerfull, melodic and amazing.
Y'know, listening to this song and picturing a video for it... I never would have imagined it with furries. ...but it actually works surprisingly well. I always imagined the king as your standard fantasy muscly, bearded warrior-tyrant, but the symbolism of making him the most disgusting pig you've ever seen hidden behind the false image of a "well-bred" foppish aristocrat is so much better.
I wonder if the part where the king, the only not animal-looking character, transforms into a pig could be a reference to ending of Animal Farm? The theme of abusing the power bestowed previously by one's own subjects is present as well, and in the ending it is said that pigs became indistinguishable from humans...
In addition to this, the soldiers are all menacing predator animals (presumably wolves) while the oppressed villagers are all weak prey animals (deer, mice, rabbits, etc.).
@@luecypher1542 My first thought was definitely Animal Farm. My second thought was "...yet another game where it turns out that Ganon was the final villain all along."
These songs already go so hard. I love the style of the animation with the different humanoid creatures. Really cool pairing with music that you aren't getting anywhere else. Keep up the work!
I love how the video doesn’t end with him killing the King, but when he smashes the Crown. Because that is far more symbolic of Destroying the King that just killing one Tyrant. The Parasitic Cycle of Tyranny and Rebellion is that the old Incompetent King is replaced with the Rebel Leader who is just as unfit to rule a country as the previous King was. And you can see that the Hero hesitates before stomping on the Crown. He knows the people will need a Leader now that the King is Dead, and as the Leader of the Rebellion, he will probably be the one the people elect. But then he remembers what the Absolute Power of the Crown did to the previous king. And he knows that he will inevitably fall down the same path if he gains that same power. Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely. He smashes the Crown to symbolize that not only does Kingdom not need the Tyrant as a King, not only does it not need him as a king, but it will never need a King again. Perfection.
Additionally, the crown shatters. Real gold wouldn't do that. Real gold would crumple and cave, but not shatter underfoot. meaning the crown was forged of lies.
Any country needs a ruler, a leader, a king, a leader. Without it, people will kill each other. The deer started the civil war. One of the lords will win it and become the new king
I....can't get enough of it! The Music, the Animation, the Storytelling! I'm a fan! I am an aspiring Animator, though...life has made it difficult to both overcome the art block to update the design for the protagonist and also get an actual character reference sheet done, and be able to grasp a steady job to be able to pursue this curiosity of mine... Anyway, it initially started after I came across an animation from Monty Oum. Specifically his "Dead Fantasy" series, where he pitted characters from Dead or Alive and Final Fantasy against each other. My absolute favorite episode from it being the one that was focused entirely on Tifa vs. Hitomi. That series is where my curiosity for animation began, and, while I've never actually fiddled around with the animation process itself, I do have a good amount of story that I want to tell, the protagonist being a character I've been designing on and off since I was bored as f*ck in a Math class when I was in Gr.6, where he started out as a Clawed Gauntlet doodle in 2010 which grew into an Original Character for RP purposes. Now, he's a D&D character, and his adventures, past and present, are stories I aim to animate at some point. But, from my layman's perspective, this is masterful. I think I've found myself two more inspirations to pursue Animation. Monty Oum lit the initial spark in 3-D Animation, LadyRed and Topspinthefuzzy have certainly ignited the passion for 2-D Animation as well. Before, I knew if I attended the College Course I was aiming for, I saw 2-D Animation as something I would have to learn, but, I didn't think it could overthrow my interest in 3-D animation. But...this will certainly have me looking at both in equal light. And, realistically, will be something I can explore more thoroughly long before I get the chance (And adequate technology) to play with 3-D animation. I also admire the wordless story being told with no character voice, but only the lyrics acting as a unique form of narration. Such as the 2 Secondary Protagonists, The Defector Houndsman, and The Blacksmith Lady. Anyhow, you see enough to know the main story, but not all the details of the side stories, leaving the viewers free to come to their own theories and conclusions about said details. Here are my thoughts on them from my observation, if anyone is curious. The Defector Houndsman. -Judging from the would-be Assassin of the Satyr Boy's reaction as well as his damaged Helm, the Defector has been within the Ranks long enough to have a reputation among the Houndsmen. A certainly menacing one, considering it was enough to make the Assassin cease his attack, and presumably retreat, knowing that the Defector was out of his League. His reason for leaving, could either have joined the Houndsmen with the genuine intention to protect people, and was disgusted by the way the Houndsmen truly treated people. Or was a Mercenary who, for all the cruelty that the King asked of him, was not worth any amount of coin, and tossed aside their emblem. Going to find that Satyr Boy with the Resistance Posters, only to save him from a would-be Assassin. After the Fire, he helps train the Satyr boy in getting his balance back with the prosthetics, I would think, and also teaching him how to properly fight as well. He offers inside knowledge of the Castle as a former Houndsman, and said information would prove vital. As it allows him and the Blacksmith to save the Satyr Boy just in time from those larger Houndsmen lurking outside the Throne Room, giving him the opportunity to claim the life that he had hated for so long. The Blacksmith -Firstly, I adore her design and personality. After she hammered in that one Houndsman, her expression afterward made me think. "Don't worry! I gotcha!" She's adorable and I love her. Anyroad, she struck me as a hardworking Lady who perhaps served as a local craftswoman or Lumberer, considering the wood bundle on her shoulder in her introduction. After the fire, she likely was the one who taught the Satyr Boy how to smith his Sword and Armor, and also was likely the one who crafted his prosthetics. She seemed to be a good friend or sisterly/motherly figure to the Satyr Boy as, when she notices he had fallen into a moment of helplessly remembering the Fire, she lightly taps him and consoles him and continues to teach him and watch his progress. During the plan to siege the Castle, she seems to bring up a question or concern to the Defector from her expression. And, considering the fact she shows no hesitation to cave in a Houndsman's Helm with her Hammer, and the fact she brings up her concern to the Defector says that she was a Mercenary or Soldier of some form at one point, and she was concerned about a suggested strategy from the Defector. (Quite possibly, having her and the Defector sneak into the Castle and lower the Drawbridge for the Satyr Boy, who is significantly inexperienced compared to the two of them, to lead the charge into the Courtyard.) But, ultimately going with it, perhaps being set at ease of the Defector knowing a quick route to the corridor to the Throne Room, so they can aid the Satyr Boy in ending the torment under the King's Rule. There's also another story to be told in the details... Those blue gems in both the Sword and Circlet of the Satyr Boy....They seemed to grant him power in response to a need to free his countrymen from the sea of death and despair, and less for a desire to end the life of the man who took his legs and his home. How did they get access to the gems if they granted such power? I am curious about them. There is so much in this animation and I absolutely love it. And, I know I've been gushing about the animation and the story I perceive from it. But, Jonathan, you did an excellent job with the music as well. It fits the animation like a glove, and I can't get enough of it. Bravo! TLDR: I love it and would absolutely watch more.
Thank you so much for your wonderfully insightful comment! It was a pleasure to read. And for watching the video of course. If you're interested, the characters do have names, even if we obviously could not give them within the video. But I am sharing more info about them on my twitter @lady_redhaired. The deer protagonist is Strider, the soldier is Wolf (yes) and the smith is Brass!. I would say you have pretty much nailed the ideas I might have had for them when trying to write them into the video, but I enjoy leaving a lot to the imagination. I personally think Wolf leaves because he joined the ranks with the earnest intention to protect people only to find himself a cog in a machine for suffering and exploitation of the people he wanted to help to begin with. His helmet is cracked to represent that AND the fact that he might have been a bit reckless and confrontational of his fellow soldiers many times before, but finding that he could not change anything from the inside he eventually quits to join the resistance to fight outright against it all. You're pretty dead on about Brass though! I am glad their character came through clearly. Thanks again for the lovely words! I hope your artistic journey takes you to nice places c:
This song is such a bop! And I love the last line of the bridge- the way ‘what are you waiting for?!’ is sung adds a bit of anguished determination in the vocals. And that animation?? I love all the details- like the protag’s shadow having fully grown antlers when they bust through the door at 2:33. Awesome work in all!
Almost makes me want a full movie out of this. There's even some backstory that's not shown to us, like the black haired guard giving up his position and joining the resistance. It reminds me of the classic animated Disney movies (how fitting considering Jonathan's excellent Disney villain covers) but more brutal. Oh and the song is cool too, I guess. (Jokes aside, this is probably my favorite of your originals and I absolutely love it)
One Eyed Wolf is a POWERFUL character in this. Deer dude is the Protagonist but O.E.Wolf comes to his rescue at least twice, trains him in swordfighting, is in the Gatecrasher break-in, AND is a cool design to boot. In the start, it's when MeanGuard points to Deerguy as a rabble rouser that O.E.Wolf throws down his shield and guardsman's helm. Deerguy is spooked by the Attention, and scampers out of view just before O.E.Wolf goes "I've seen enough"
I love how collaborative this is. It's not just that Stag is the Chosen One, they couldn't have succeeded without Wolf to teach them to fight and Brass to teach them to forge!
So many things to love here! 1. The wolf leaving the evil side because he had been tricked into believing they were working for the people but instead were hurting them. And his moral conflict with that ultimately leading him to rebel. 2. The protagonist standing for the people and not making his fight about his own personal trauma *love it* 3. The representation of the stag, the wolf, and the lion that is used so many times in literary media to portray rebellion like this! 4. The king actually being a literal pig (also used in literature as a representation of counterfeit) which he is here, a fraud! 5. The king using the throne itself (his title) as the only thing he has to defend himself! And the throne becoming his actual fight armor was crazy symbolizm 6. And FINALLY, the protags moment of hesitation before crushing the crown when he was facing the temptation to pick it up and put it on his head. BUT he resisted the urge. INSANE STORYTELLING! INSANE ART! INSANE MUSIC! THANK YOU ALL ...and thanks for reading my 3 am rant
I often listen to your music while writing or thinking about the plot of my stories, it is always a great source of inspiration, even just because of the amazing sound you give to both your original works and your covers. Right now I'm working on the backstory of a king who took his throne by killing his tyrannical predecessor, so this new original song is not only awesomely good, but it also came out at the perfect moment for me. Please keep up the good work, you are so talented and your music is astounding. I wish you all the best :)
I love the subtle detail of how the stag contemplates taking the throne for himself and the mental dilemma he’s going through in just the span of a couple seconds you can see on his face his changing expressions from being seduced by power to remembering why he’s fighting-To free his own people from the tyranny. Absolutely genius animation and a powerful song!
Amazing song!!! Also Lyrics for anyone who wants them: We will not be prisoners In a kingdom taken hostage by her crown But we will not abandon her We would die before we let our homeland down And the walls they claim protected us A lie that's wearing thin All along our only enemy within Rise now, stand and fight Take your freedom, claim your right Rise now, stand and sing Storm the castle, kill the king Look upon your countrymen You can see that they are drowning in despair Is a kingdom really mighty when For a sick and starving child it doesn't care Then you pray unto a god who loves The hungry and the weak But your actions do not match the prayer you speak Rise now, stand and fight Take your freedom, claim your right Rise now, stand and sing Storm the castle, kill the king Safe in his castle while we bicker twixt ourselves Above the rabble, he's protected from our hell His keep could shelter hundreds His gold could feed far more I have but one last question What are you waiting for Rise now, stand and fight Take your freedom, claim your right Rise now, stand and sing Storm the castle, kill the king Rise now, stand and fight Take your freedom, claim your right Rise now, stand and sing Storm the castle, kill the king Rise now, stand and fight Take your freedom, claim your right Rise now, stand and sing Storm the castle, kill the king
So many amazing, small details. Who spotted that the city walls have a heraldic boar on them, for example? If this was an RPG I'd definelty be playing the wolf guard turned rebel fighter at the table. Thats my jam.
It took me a few watches to notice it, but the wolf fellow's clothing colour going from red to blue once he joins the rebellion is a cool piece of symbolism.
The detail on this is incredible. The ear movement to show emotion, the wink before bashing the soldiers head in. Like it has old school animation vibe, but the little stuff makes it spectacular.
My favorite part of all of this is the rabbit woman with the spear in the shot of the resistance storming the castle at 2:16. just goes to show that anyone can make a difference. even a slightly overweight (No body shaming here, she's awesome and i love her!) rabbit lady who looks like a single mom just showed up in her daily dress and a spear.
Ikr? Best part is, she can actually be seen at the start of the story. She's at the market where the protagonist gives one of their speeches. I believe everyone who storms the castle can be seen at some point before.
Colorful but brutal (and very well made) animation. This song is also so freaking good, that it's weird it's not my favorite one in the album, but, hey, brutal competition with Army of Tigers and Final Frontier being there too.
I craved an animation for this song, this is WONDERFUL. AMAZING. AWESOME. The story, the drawings, the music, everything mix in the best way possible. It reached my heart, gave me goosebumps, and let me explore a different world as if I was there. I loved every single frame, this was beyond perfect, 20 out of 10!
I see the wolf getting a lot of love (well deserved, cool character), and, of course, the stag, but my favorite is the white-haired lady (what creature is she? Anyone know?). She isn't as charismatic as the stag or as much of a fighter as the wolf. Her joining isn't a big event. And yet, it is clear she is a key part of this resistance. She helps him build his new legs. She helps make the plan. She's on his right side when he gives his speech before storming the castle. And while the wolf is clearly "the fighter," she's no slouch in the final battle. I don't know. The hard worker who's just out of frame but is indispensable to a good cause really resonates with me. So I wanted to share. (And, seriously, figure out what animal she is, so please help)
according to supplementary material, that's Brass, apparently the town smithy and Unshakable Optimist with no subtlety, reflected in the choice of a sledgehammer weapon wielded gleefully to great effect
this probably my favorite song from Starship Velociraptor and the AMV for it makes me want to watch a 10-24 episode anime that tells the exact same story, but with a few extra bits and more money and/or time to make the animation even better keep up the great work, especialy the originals
I don't know how many times I've watched this, but it just keeps getting better! Would love a full-length story to pair with this, be it a movie, show, or novel.
I really love the animations and how the song helped tell the story so well. I really loved how the characters displayed there emotions, espeshaly with there's ears and tails. I almost never see that now a days. Thanks for the inspiration.
I like the fact that when the king is revealed as the monster that he is that he falls back on his throne and it forms armor. The throne, his seat of power which for many a king is the true sign of authority is literally used as the armor to attempt to sheild and protect him from the consequences of his greed and malice. But just like many a tyrant king it isn’t enough to protect him from the champion of the people.
I was genuinely eager to see what an animation with this song would be like, and it does not disappoint in the slightest. The animators performed beyond spectacularly and made something beautiful that fit the theme of the song. Truly an amazing piece of work.
Watching this again, I'm still amazed lol. Seriously, I know you'll probably never see this, but Jon, your music videos are some of the best I've ever seen :)
I haven’t watched yet but, yes yes yes yes! This is my favorite song on the album and I can’t sit still waiting for epic awesomeness. Okay, I watched it. It is everything I wanted in a fast-paced tale of rebellion against a corrupt ruler. Reception for a guard, surprisingly agile pig, and the end result for the crown was perfect. Now comes the wait for the next.
NAH BUT THE 2:18 SEQUENCE IS JUST SO GOOD! I've been awestruck with all animations from Straship Velociraptor, man, both you and the animators did a superb job!
This is the song I imagine a lv20 bard in dnd singing while the townspeople and the adventuring party are sacking a corrupted kings keep during the climax of a campaign! Great song!
It’s been 3 months. I still can’t get over the fact that this music video created a better redemption arc for a character in 3minutes and 26 seconds than we ever get to see in most books/movies. The knight who betrayed the order could’ve easily become a savior or some shit but he understands how to make sure he isn’t hogging the spotlight.
Was not expecting that video 😲 that was like a whole show in 3 minutes lol what an amazing job by the animators! Goes perfectly with such a badass song 😁
Hoo boy. I love that this song in particular got its own music video to go with it! It has been my favourite since the album dropped, and I have been listening to it in spotify over and over again. The animation in this is beautiful, and I think it showcases the power of of the song that I had so many similiar mental images in my head while listening to it, that I can now see in animation form. This would make for an awesome plotline for a videogame or a DND campaign. Yes the premise is simple, but as seen in the visuals of this animation, so many elements can be built on the sheer power of the song. So good to see more of your original work to get the spotlight! Cheers man, this absolutely made my day!
Be sure to send some love to Topspin the Fuzzy and Lady Red for making this animation! 🙏
DuuuuuuuUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUDE this was an incredible collaboration! This album was already stellar, and all these music videos are spoiling us.
Keep up the great work!
It's really amazing, good job, guys! ❤👍👍
Absolutely awe-inspiring piece of art!
All of you did a splendid job!
SO MUCH LUV
hey thanks fella ❤❤
"Is a kingdom really mighty when for a sick and starving child it doesn't care?" is such a raw line
Really sums up the USA...well the whole world, and not just these past two years.
@@Thorgon-Cross sums up 90% of governments out there not only USA, everyone is part of elite network, no ones care about their own ordinary people anymore. USA is no way uniquely bad or good. I live in Sweden and the same corrupt shit is going on here as well, All the praise is just none swedes that has no clue.
I also like the "You pray unto a God who loves, the hungry and the weak, but your actions do not match the prayer you speak!"
I have a real bee in my bonnet about hypocrites, and to my mind the world is full of them these days.
It's accurate too. Around the 1900 in Europe, a low mortality rate of the population, especially children was politically seen as an indicator for a civilized country. Germany, Austria and Russia had some of the highest mortality rates of young children (in Germany 1 out of 4 children died within their first year of life). Reasons where starvation and unhygienic living conditions, as well as deseases like smallpox , tuberculosis, rachitis etc. So a states self image was basically the reason for social laws, and improvements being made. That of course was even more possible due to a disenchantment with religion in the 19th century. It made the earthly life more important and death via sickness and poverty not some "godly punishment", but a thing of cause and causality. And this hasn't changed until today. Access to basic human needs (food, weather, shelter, Healthcare etc) is still considered a marker for a countries development in combination with their financial wealth. Unfortunately in reality very few country's on earth can actually provide these needs to a majority of their inhabitants. We in the western world can't actually grasp what a luxury it is that most of our children make it to adulthood, and won't just die within their first few years. So yeah this line leaves a haunting image.
So, America.
This looks like a part of a really cool show that's basically a DND campaign. I love it.
*reads this comment immediately after posting this song to my D&D group*
You're gonna love the Vox Machina animated show
@@TarninTheGreat *reads this comment immediately after sending this song to my husband who is a DM*
I would watch this show obsessively.
I'd definitely play in that campaign.
took me till my tenth viewing to realize why the king using his own throne as a suit of armor is such good symbolism. The usage of the literal Seat of Power, becoming the only real defense the king personally has is ingenious. The visual storytelling is masterful!
Thank you!
He did not take the crown for himself. He crushed it.
What a symbol.
A really nice touch is that there was a moment of hesitation. Just to show that he isn't infallible
@@mullerpotgieter
Exactly, it showed his inner battle with temptation in his moment of truth
@@mullerpotgieter And therefore strengthened his character's honor and heroism, by choosing to destroy the cycle instead of repeat it.
Given their fae appearance and the appearance of his supernal abilities, as well as his personal feeling of responsibility for the others in opposition to humans he may be related to, or even be the Fae King Oberon
@@mullerpotgieter tbh it seemed to me less of "do i want to take it instead" and more "do i want to curbstomp it OR kick it into the wall at mach 5"
i don't know who maked the animation but they truly deserve a animation show,i would love to see the story in a full show. and ofcourse the song and the performance of Jonathan is amazing as always
That'd be @topspinthefuzzy and I! Thanks for enjoying it!
@@LadyRed furries are degenerates.
@@LadyRed great job and amazing art
Yes agreed! If an animation series would be this epic, it will change history 🙌🏼
What was with that last slash though? He cut horizontally from the king's left and somehow ended up chopping vertically into the right shoulder
Hey everyone! We're so happy you enjoyed the animation! This was made by me and @topspinthefuzzy (the in-video credits got fudged ^^')! Thank you so so much for watching and keep supporting Jon's kick ass music
wonderful incredible talented never before seen so good amazing ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
The animation was INCREDIBLE! Well done!
This comment should be pinned. ❤
Beautifully done animation!
Fantastic job!! Absolutely amazing work!!
Such an amazing job! 👏 💕
I love the symbolism of the Stag forming a rebellion to overthrow a Pig pretending to be a Lion. Considering the Lion and Stag are symbols of nobility while the Pig is a symbol of greed and gluttony. And to have destroyed the crown at the end instead of crowning himself was also a nice touch. The people needed a leader not a ruler, with the crown being a symbol of corruption.
Favorite character has to be the wolf though. Had enough of the army's shit and stood against a false king with someone who was worthy to become a leader.
At first I thought all the guards and the king were human so I thought it was an allusion to the mistreatment of minorities. Then I realized all the guards were canines. But until I saw your comment I was sure entirely about the king. But now that you point it out, I see the lion
@@DelphineIgnia I'm pretty sure the King is supposed to read as human. Under this interpretation, the King is being presented as fundamentally _different_ from the people he rules, and elevated by that difference. This fits with how the peerage and the gentry use things like fashion, food, and modes of speech to separate themselves from the common people, and with the rejection of nobility in a song about storming the castle and killing the King. The reveal that he's not different from anyone else and has been using the wealth he's gaining from the people's suffering to wallow in excess is encapsulated in him being the fattest, ugliest pig-man
I like the fact that when the king is revealed as the monster that he is that he falls back on his throne and it forms armor. The throne, his seat of power which for many a king is the true sign of authority is literally used as the armor to attempt to sheild and protect him from the consequences of his greed and malice. It is symbolic of how he hides himself from the people in the trappings and authority of the throne. But in the end it isn’t enough because when a true noble creature being the stag comes along he is able to cut right through it.
It's even more symbolic to the stag's resolve due to the fact that he had his legs torn off when his buddies were pulling him from the rubble of his burning house.
To fight for what is right despite the detriments afflicted upon you. Physical or otherwise.
also PIGS are a simbol of COMMUNISM !!!. lmao and the STAG and deers are a Rune, the simbol of Life used by German nationalist socialists...
Also reference to ÄNIMAL FARM" book.. " All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others. ” said the PIG... A quote from 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell explaining disparities that exist in a communist society
That felt like a whole movie told in 3 minutes
love ur vids man
Creeps! I agree, dude. Great to see you here tho!
Ello again Groomer.
@@thenateshow4371 Context?
Edit: there seems to be enough context on google and yikes...
Awesome to see you here, dude! and thank you Jonathan!
Another good detail of this main character is that, when hes down, when he remembers all the wrong that happens, he never once uses his own injuries and traumas as a means of motivation, he never lets it stoop to vengeance, but rather justice for his fellow people. That's a wonderful detail
even better that he *almost* goes there, but the flashback cuts away at the last second, as if he's telling himself to not make it personal.
A true leader is one who makes every ones pain and trauma as their own and they hold it tightly in their hands until it burns them ! Then they say " no more not again NEVER AGAIN "
I mean, if you watch those, they don't really mean anything. A kid is sick, a farmer is tired, people have to pay taxes? It ain't precisely a dystopia.
@@shellfire6931a kid is sick with the parents not being able to pay for medicine or medical attention or this directly don't exist, farmers being exhausted because of hard unpaid labor(basically slavery) and government collecting unfair taxes making the people to have basically nothing to eat or how to pay for food. Yeah nothing wrong with it.
At least that's what I think the video intends to communicate
@@shellfire6931I think in this particular case, the king is a despot who is strangling his own people and abusing his power. A good king wouldn't let the people who feed and clothe him starve.
Though I would have preferred the people elect a new king than shatter the crown, I hope they do have a plan to govern and protect the people now that the guards and king are dead. Either they split the riches between themselves and abandon the kingdom to start new lives under less corrupt rulers, or they try to establish a new government and hope they can stand against other kingdoms who would gladly assault a vulnerable new settlement.
the touches of gore like when our protagonist was pulled from the ruins of his home really force you to recognize the brutality of it all. you can glaze over the sick and hungry all you like but nobody can ignore "have your legs ripped off or die in an arson attack". every single little thing about this is too good
Yeah, I didn't notice that at first, but heading to the anvil to forge himself a new pair of legs? That's pretty badass right there.
Yeah I didnt catch that at first I was wondering why only his legs had armor
The antler symbolism, both in the shadow and the energy form, was a very nice touch!
I'm pretty sure the fangs are an allude to the Chinese water deer who are somehow related more to the blue whales!!
I got nature god vibes. The hoof legs, the fangs and antlers, and his eyes had rectangle pupils in that scene.
@@anglepsycho i think the species of deer in America (i cant think of the name) that has fangs
That last scene is so good, for a split second when the crown is under his foot you can see a future where he takes it and becomes everything he hated but he promptly rejects that possibility as he crushes it utterly.
STORM THE CASTLE, KILL THE KING!
I KNOW RIGHT ITS SOOO GOOD
i put my video to 0.25 speed and 1080p yet i still cant fucking see it
@@1bucketcrusader834 The moment he blinks with an almost blank look before he scowls and crushes the crown.
@@1bucketcrusader834 Can't see it either
Edit: I'm stupid
The fact that the deer isn't even an adult. Two points means two years old, and deer reach maturity at around three-and-a-half years. This is a child, a teenager, who's been forced into this fight. Who lost his legs to survive an arson attempt on his life. Who fought a tyrant. A child who should've never had to worry about this forced to step up because someone needs to. Such an incredible detail!
Also, when fighting the king, his antlers grow huge, as if he's been forced to mature due to his circumstances
@@Zamtrios245 and to mention that he grows fangs, maybe a suggestion he has to partially become more than what he was born to.
Four actually, deer antlers form a point every year and no they dont form in Pairs. Also realistically it would be a year or two before the attack, mostly because of the time it would take to forge his new legs. Making something like that be able to articulate at all even the fairly simple way that knees do would be difficult, add in the needed time to be able to walk correctly on said legs, a few months of dedicated training, and a month minimum to make his swords and we are looking at two or three years before the rebellion would assault the keep.
@@JohnDoe-sp1bu maybe something to do with fighting evil with the utmost fury and prejudice to prevail, bear your fangs and show them your bite when given no other alternatives. storm the castle, kill the king. :)
i love how the king at first seems to be the most human looking character at first (excluding that little kid who tried to eat that apple) but when his illusion is broken he's actually the least human looking. and i just find his true appearance being porcine to be so fitting for some reason.
Also might be a clever Legend of Zelda reference. Ganondorf's Demon Forms in boss fights have always been Pig like in appearance.
@@ryhi5 didn't think of that. But yeah, that's possible
The little kid is a dog pup! His ears sort of blend into his hairstyle. But yes to all!
@@LadyRed ok then. My analysis still stands.
@@evanraynolds8699 I was agreeing yes ^^'
It's amazing how much you can tell about the characters in this without any dialogue. Take the black-haired wolf guy for example, judging by his argument with his superior near the start you can easily infer that he joined the guard to protect people but had second thoughts after seeing what they were really doing (my favourite character in this btw, I have a soft spot for the former evil henchman joining the good guys trope). It just goes to show the power of 'show don't tell'.
Loved that you caught so much with only images! Makes it worth the hard work!
@@LadyRed That hard work definitely paid off, you did a grand job!
@@LadyRed Btw what animal is the woman with the hammer? I can't quite tell.
@@arcanejack Pretty sure it's a cow.
@@arcanejack Zebra! Her skin stripes/markings are supposed to hint at it ^^'
"You let one ant stand up to us, then they all might stand up. Those puny little ants outnumber us a hundred to one. And if they ever figure that out, there goes our way of life! It's not about food. It's about keeping those ants in line." - Hopper, A bug's Life
That deer boy was that one ant, while they are weak and puny individually, in great numbers they can do extraordinary things and overpower creatures much larger and stronger than them.
A Bugs Life has always been a highly underated movie in my opinion. Deffinetly one of pixars finests
I shared that in a libertarian group in 2020. Probably should again.
Hopper is such a quality villain. When he says, "First rule of leadership: Everything is your fault," you really fell he knows that from experience.
Unless you get a exterminator, although again there is the same thought, fools in great numbers can be dangerous, for the better or worse.
The ending where he crushes the crown is just icing on the cake. Incredible job.
There's only one similar scene I can think of that that does it better. ruclips.net/video/yLtzA0A7w90/видео.html Great music video.
The king goes from looking like the most human to looking the most animal when his illusion is broken. Nice imagery there.
Lyrics (feel free to comment mistakes):
We will not be prisoners
In a kingdom taken hostage by her crown
But we will not abandon her
We would die before we let our homeland down
And the walls they claim protected us
A lie that's wearing thin
All along our only enemy within
Rise now, stand and fight
Take your freedom, claim your right
Rise now, stand and sing
Storm the castle, kill the king
Look upon your countrymen
You can see that they are drowning in despair
Is a kingdom really mighty when
For a sick and starving child it doesn't care
Then you pray unto a god who loves
The hungry and the weak
But your actions do not match the prayer you speak
Rise now, stand and fight
Take your freedom, claim your right
Rise now, stand and sing
Storm the castle, kill the king
Safe in his castle while we bicker twixt ourselves
Above the rabble, he's protected from our hell
His keep could shelter hundreds
His gold could feed far more
I have but one last question
What are you waiting for?
Rise now, stand and fight
Take your freedom, claim your right
Rise now, stand and sing
Storm the castle, kill the king
Rise now, stand and fight
Take your freedom, claim your right
Rise now, stand and sing
Storm the castle, kill the king
Rise now, stand and fight
Take your freedom, claim your right
Rise now, stand and sing
Storm the castle, kill the king
Edit: Fixed some spelling
Good job! Two minor corrections:
In a kingdom taken hostage by **her** crown
**Then** you pray unto a god who loves
@@studyingcereviciae Fixed, thanks for the heads up :D
I could swear I was hearing
"In a kingdom taken hostage by a clown"
@@tenshi.kurama that does make sense
Thanks Mate !
Been watching Jonathan Young for awhile, and love everything, but this was at a whole other level of awesome. Made me want to storm a castle somewhere.🏰
RUclips headquarters is basically the same
Preferably in D.C., but your local Senate can suffice
lets start with the white house and move on from there
Thank you!!!
@@murakumo65 understood I’ll fight by y’all’s side any day
Powerful like Wind Rose
Heroic like Sabaton
Catchy like Jonathan Young 💪
Chorus is actually very similar to Sabaton's Uprising
I agree on Sabaton, there are some very similar vibes and I love it. Jonathan has his own style for sure, but I feel like there is also a nice inspiration.
Holy like PowerWolf
Lovely, a splendid piece that combines the style of rock and music from video games.
As expected from Johnny boi
This was so F* AMAZING!! This is just added inspiration to kick me into gear into showing what stories are in my head for the songs I listen to
The line that really gets me is "then you pray unto a God that loves the hungry and the weak, but your actions do no match the prayers you speak." Reminds me of certain current events.
it has been a thing for a lot of our history. a ruler with absolute power or an institution with absolute power claiming one thing is good and secretly doing the opposite. just go back into medival times here in Europe. Chistian kings ignoring the whole "be good to other humans" things that is a big part of christianity (at least according to what is often told in the church and can be read in at least the newer parts of the bible) and living a good life while people are starving outside on the streets.
@@roberine7241 Not every religious order has a clergyman willing to talk back to a king. Hell, read Samuel when Natan the Prophet tells off King David. Natan had balls of steel.
@@jonahelliot4241 I am well aware. I was mostly focusing on the rulers themselves.
Absolutely amazing. Everything went together perfectly! The animal aspects gave me Animal Farm vibes the whole time and the final reveal was just icing on the cake. Bravo!
Well, there's just a lot to love here, from the banging song to the fluid animation and the nonverbal storytelling, but there's a minor detail I'd like to focus on: the hands. For darker-skinned characters you can see the palm of the hand is a lighter color, which is true to life and isn't usually drawn in animation. It's a nice touch!
I wanted to make sure this detail remained since as you say is common for art not to depict lighter palms on people of color. Not sure why! Probably just time saving haha but it was important to me🖤🙏
Dude this could be a full length like, 30 minute long animation with a fully voice acted story, this was badass! Fuckin awesome!!
Theme song for a fantasy anime series, anyone? If this was the teaser/trailer, I'd watch this!!
@@alexisgrunden1556 same! This could be the first like, 3 episodes lmao
Counter proposal - this shows very well that movies don't have to be OVER THREE HOURS!!
Headcanon Time. The hero's power up at the end comes from the god referred to in the song (likely the statue the goat's praying to at the start). The King happily invokes divine right and preaches their beliefs to help justify his rule while tredding on everything the deity actually stands for. When the time comes for the 'hungry and weak' to take their land back, their god is firmly on their side.
It's no accident that the goddess statue was shown in the rain, streaming past her eyes. The goddess looks upon her people and weeps for their suffering. Thus, with our hero exposing the king for what he really is AND surviving a hit while rejecting the idea of it being about him, she saw her chance to cleanse his evil by empowering the young hero (and healing his injuries apparently). Makes sense, yeah?
An armored hero who smites evil and gets magical power from a divine being? Sounds like a paladin to me!
I just appreciate that the young stag became an outstanding warrior and head of the rebellion against the greedy King despite being a double amputee.
His legs were torn off when his buddies were trying to pull him from the rubble of his burning house that was set a blaze by the Kings loyal bloodhounds. And all because someone spoke out against him and is tyranny and greed.
To fight for what is right despite the detriments afflicted upon you. Physical or otherwise.
My heart goes out to him and to the warriors in real life who lost a limb in battle.
He started a civil war in which thousands will die and you call him a hero because he's stupid. Maybe you also consider the terrorists heroes? They love too
Don't denigrate a noble breed of dog by applying it to those jackals.
As a DM, this concisely captures the feeling of many a story I've seen (although one I've personally never done exactly like this, parties tended to deal rulers in many... other ways), it is amazing to see such a great visualization and thematic flare of underdogs fighting for their sakes and their future against monsters that dare abuse the power once bestowed by their very subjects. I hope one day to run a campaign that captures the vileness of the king in a villain, the despair of the people (although I personally think i got that one down), and the unending resolve of heroes that spells the end of the corrupt.
Amazing video as always, and of course, that is to say nothing about the metal music that so beautifully captures the feeling and ties it all together in such an amazing way.
That the hero doesn't just kill the king but smashes the crown says that they're not just killing this king, but that they're also killing the idea of a king. Which is a million times cooler than if they'd taken up the crown and become king themself.
👏👏👏👏
"You could be a King."
"It's just a title." *SMASH!*
"No more kings."
Smash the bourgeoisie?
@@wiilov and no more presidents, anarchism now
I love this song, and I'm hyped that it got a video as kickass as it is! Awesome as ever, and I'm thrilled that you're able to be making more original content than you used to 🙂
You know, the animation sort of reminds me of Animal Farm, only with a different twist. The animals rise up against the pig overlords, who employed (dogs or wolves, it's been a while since I've read it), and they actually take down the monarchy. Such a great animation, accompanied by the song, well done Jonathan, Topspin, and Lady Red.
Napoleon had his dogs in Animal Farm, here they're wolves. But I totally agree with your recognition.
OH MY GOSH YESSSSS
Brilliant observation!
as cool as it would be to see this story in a show or movie, can we please just appreciate that these animators gave us a *whole* story in one music video? all of the context is there, it's incredibly animated, though i suppose there's the question of why the main character went super XD
If you treat it as a dnd campaign. The wolf is a fighter former guard. The chick is a maul wielding barbarian or similar. And i see the deer/antelope guy as an Artificer. With the spells to buff himself but lacking the money and material for a lot of the really good stuff an artificer gets to have. I like to think of him as a battlesmith artificer to explain his more physical tendencies over the magic use.
@@Rikimaru0523 interesting, i dont know anything about dnd so i was just taking it at face value :0
@@CrazyGreenFluff it's a good game to get into. A lot of creative freedom with the right groyo to play with.
@@Rikimaru0523 I like the idea that the MC is a bard. Spending all that time gaining popular support for the cause.
@@jonahelliot4241 sounds more like folk hero background.
You know this album is a master piece when you listen to the music without the clip, then listening again with the clip, you have the same feeling, and the same pictures.
Love that inversion of every ending like this.
The hero taking up the crown... not this time!
This time they BREAK the crown!
STORM THE CASTLE! KILL THE KING!
HAIL THE REVOLUTION!
I imagine he still takes the throne but things are different from before.
He wears no crown, he sieges not a golden throne, but a chair carved wood. He refuses to expend the kingdom’s wealth for personal luxuries, not when so many have suffered for the previous king’s expenses. He will not become the same greedy pig his predecessor was. If he must live like a pauper so that the people can live as lords, so be it!
@@alexanderkazantzis8019 nice thought, but it better not be a monarch, because often times people without the skill to lead will still became king
@@alexanderkazantzis8019 I feel like they'd probably wind up leaning more towards a democracy or at least implement some sort of system where the power no longer falls to one individual.
I mean that kinda stopped being the case well over a decade ago, now revolution stories are much more common
Don't know if it was intentional to post this on the UK Queens birthday. But as from someone from Scotland who has no love for royalty...... I love it!!!!
as an American i had no idea, nor could even name any of the family minus the two boys Diana had.
No one lives royolty they just pretend to...... To look good on public me I just say it stright out FUCK The Queen she's a worthless outdated system
🤣🤣🤣
isn't royal family have no real power now?
My God please don't kill me for laughing so hard!!!!!!! jajajajajajaja
I have a fascination with the wolf guard. He knows how corrupt it is, and quits, but also uses his experience to help protect the people that he was under the impression he was protecting all along. Side note, he's crazy hot, and I will not apologize for that.
Nor should you. He ain't my thing, but I have eyes, I can see how hot he is.
My dude didn't just make a song, he made a whole ass DnD campaign! I am so hooked on this right away, I'd watch this if this was a whole series where all music and animation was this good. I am in utter love!
At first "Settle it with a swordfight" was my favourite song in this album. Then this song hit me like a truck. It's so powerfull, melodic and amazing.
Y'know, listening to this song and picturing a video for it... I never would have imagined it with furries.
...but it actually works surprisingly well. I always imagined the king as your standard fantasy muscly, bearded warrior-tyrant, but the symbolism of making him the most disgusting pig you've ever seen hidden behind the false image of a "well-bred" foppish aristocrat is so much better.
I am so glad you saw the allegory haha
I wonder if the part where the king, the only not animal-looking character, transforms into a pig could be a reference to ending of Animal Farm? The theme of abusing the power bestowed previously by one's own subjects is present as well, and in the ending it is said that pigs became indistinguishable from humans...
In addition to this, the soldiers are all menacing predator animals (presumably wolves) while the oppressed villagers are all weak prey animals (deer, mice, rabbits, etc.).
@@luecypher1542 My first thought was definitely Animal Farm. My second thought was "...yet another game where it turns out that Ganon was the final villain all along."
@@arcanejack Yup yup!!
These songs already go so hard. I love the style of the animation with the different humanoid creatures. Really cool pairing with music that you aren't getting anywhere else. Keep up the work!
I love how the video doesn’t end with him killing the King, but when he smashes the Crown. Because that is far more symbolic of Destroying the King that just killing one Tyrant. The Parasitic Cycle of Tyranny and Rebellion is that the old Incompetent King is replaced with the Rebel Leader who is just as unfit to rule a country as the previous King was. And you can see that the Hero hesitates before stomping on the Crown. He knows the people will need a Leader now that the King is Dead, and as the Leader of the Rebellion, he will probably be the one the people elect. But then he remembers what the Absolute Power of the Crown did to the previous king. And he knows that he will inevitably fall down the same path if he gains that same power. Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely. He smashes the Crown to symbolize that not only does Kingdom not need the Tyrant as a King, not only does it not need him as a king, but it will never need a King again. Perfection.
Additionally, the crown shatters. Real gold wouldn't do that. Real gold would crumple and cave, but not shatter underfoot. meaning the crown was forged of lies.
Any country needs a ruler, a leader, a king, a leader. Without it, people will kill each other. The deer started the civil war. One of the lords will win it and become the new king
Okay... but they still need a leader. What's their plan?
I....can't get enough of it! The Music, the Animation, the Storytelling! I'm a fan!
I am an aspiring Animator, though...life has made it difficult to both overcome the art block to update the design for the protagonist and also get an actual character reference sheet done, and be able to grasp a steady job to be able to pursue this curiosity of mine... Anyway, it initially started after I came across an animation from Monty Oum. Specifically his "Dead Fantasy" series, where he pitted characters from Dead or Alive and Final Fantasy against each other. My absolute favorite episode from it being the one that was focused entirely on Tifa vs. Hitomi. That series is where my curiosity for animation began, and, while I've never actually fiddled around with the animation process itself, I do have a good amount of story that I want to tell, the protagonist being a character I've been designing on and off since I was bored as f*ck in a Math class when I was in Gr.6, where he started out as a Clawed Gauntlet doodle in 2010 which grew into an Original Character for RP purposes. Now, he's a D&D character, and his adventures, past and present, are stories I aim to animate at some point.
But, from my layman's perspective, this is masterful. I think I've found myself two more inspirations to pursue Animation. Monty Oum lit the initial spark in 3-D Animation, LadyRed and Topspinthefuzzy have certainly ignited the passion for 2-D Animation as well. Before, I knew if I attended the College Course I was aiming for, I saw 2-D Animation as something I would have to learn, but, I didn't think it could overthrow my interest in 3-D animation. But...this will certainly have me looking at both in equal light. And, realistically, will be something I can explore more thoroughly long before I get the chance (And adequate technology) to play with 3-D animation.
I also admire the wordless story being told with no character voice, but only the lyrics acting as a unique form of narration. Such as the 2 Secondary Protagonists, The Defector Houndsman, and The Blacksmith Lady. Anyhow, you see enough to know the main story, but not all the details of the side stories, leaving the viewers free to come to their own theories and conclusions about said details. Here are my thoughts on them from my observation, if anyone is curious.
The Defector Houndsman.
-Judging from the would-be Assassin of the Satyr Boy's reaction as well as his damaged Helm, the Defector has been within the Ranks long enough to have a reputation among the Houndsmen. A certainly menacing one, considering it was enough to make the Assassin cease his attack, and presumably retreat, knowing that the Defector was out of his League. His reason for leaving, could either have joined the Houndsmen with the genuine intention to protect people, and was disgusted by the way the Houndsmen truly treated people. Or was a Mercenary who, for all the cruelty that the King asked of him, was not worth any amount of coin, and tossed aside their emblem. Going to find that Satyr Boy with the Resistance Posters, only to save him from a would-be Assassin. After the Fire, he helps train the Satyr boy in getting his balance back with the prosthetics, I would think, and also teaching him how to properly fight as well. He offers inside knowledge of the Castle as a former Houndsman, and said information would prove vital. As it allows him and the Blacksmith to save the Satyr Boy just in time from those larger Houndsmen lurking outside the Throne Room, giving him the opportunity to claim the life that he had hated for so long.
The Blacksmith
-Firstly, I adore her design and personality. After she hammered in that one Houndsman, her expression afterward made me think. "Don't worry! I gotcha!" She's adorable and I love her. Anyroad, she struck me as a hardworking Lady who perhaps served as a local craftswoman or Lumberer, considering the wood bundle on her shoulder in her introduction. After the fire, she likely was the one who taught the Satyr Boy how to smith his Sword and Armor, and also was likely the one who crafted his prosthetics. She seemed to be a good friend or sisterly/motherly figure to the Satyr Boy as, when she notices he had fallen into a moment of helplessly remembering the Fire, she lightly taps him and consoles him and continues to teach him and watch his progress. During the plan to siege the Castle, she seems to bring up a question or concern to the Defector from her expression. And, considering the fact she shows no hesitation to cave in a Houndsman's Helm with her Hammer, and the fact she brings up her concern to the Defector says that she was a Mercenary or Soldier of some form at one point, and she was concerned about a suggested strategy from the Defector. (Quite possibly, having her and the Defector sneak into the Castle and lower the Drawbridge for the Satyr Boy, who is significantly inexperienced compared to the two of them, to lead the charge into the Courtyard.) But, ultimately going with it, perhaps being set at ease of the Defector knowing a quick route to the corridor to the Throne Room, so they can aid the Satyr Boy in ending the torment under the King's Rule.
There's also another story to be told in the details... Those blue gems in both the Sword and Circlet of the Satyr Boy....They seemed to grant him power in response to a need to free his countrymen from the sea of death and despair, and less for a desire to end the life of the man who took his legs and his home. How did they get access to the gems if they granted such power? I am curious about them.
There is so much in this animation and I absolutely love it. And, I know I've been gushing about the animation and the story I perceive from it. But, Jonathan, you did an excellent job with the music as well. It fits the animation like a glove, and I can't get enough of it. Bravo!
TLDR: I love it and would absolutely watch more.
Thank you so much for your wonderfully insightful comment! It was a pleasure to read. And for watching the video of course. If you're interested, the characters do have names, even if we obviously could not give them within the video. But I am sharing more info about them on my twitter @lady_redhaired. The deer protagonist is Strider, the soldier is Wolf (yes) and the smith is Brass!. I would say you have pretty much nailed the ideas I might have had for them when trying to write them into the video, but I enjoy leaving a lot to the imagination. I personally think Wolf leaves because he joined the ranks with the earnest intention to protect people only to find himself a cog in a machine for suffering and exploitation of the people he wanted to help to begin with. His helmet is cracked to represent that AND the fact that he might have been a bit reckless and confrontational of his fellow soldiers many times before, but finding that he could not change anything from the inside he eventually quits to join the resistance to fight outright against it all. You're pretty dead on about Brass though! I am glad their character came through clearly.
Thanks again for the lovely words! I hope your artistic journey takes you to nice places c:
The animator is truly talented, as well as you, Jonathan. You never disapoint.
Amazing work.
Not only the song is glorious, but this right here has better plot and animation than a bunch of anime out there, great job as always!!
This song is such a bop! And I love the last line of the bridge- the way ‘what are you waiting for?!’ is sung adds a bit of anguished determination in the vocals.
And that animation?? I love all the details- like the protag’s shadow having fully grown antlers when they bust through the door at 2:33.
Awesome work in all!
That’s what tv tropes refers to as “five second foreshadowing”
Almost makes me want a full movie out of this. There's even some backstory that's not shown to us, like the black haired guard giving up his position and joining the resistance. It reminds me of the classic animated Disney movies (how fitting considering Jonathan's excellent Disney villain covers) but more brutal.
Oh and the song is cool too, I guess. (Jokes aside, this is probably my favorite of your originals and I absolutely love it)
Your not the only one, I absolutely LOVE this. The story and the song is just *chef's kiss* perfect
One Eyed Wolf is a POWERFUL character in this. Deer dude is the Protagonist but O.E.Wolf comes to his rescue at least twice, trains him in swordfighting, is in the Gatecrasher break-in, AND is a cool design to boot. In the start, it's when MeanGuard points to Deerguy as a rabble rouser that O.E.Wolf throws down his shield and guardsman's helm. Deerguy is spooked by the Attention, and scampers out of view just before O.E.Wolf goes "I've seen enough"
I love how collaborative this is. It's not just that Stag is the Chosen One, they couldn't have succeeded without Wolf to teach them to fight and Brass to teach them to forge!
I love how in the end he just says "screw the monarchy" and straight up destroys the crown instead of wearing it.
So many things to love here!
1. The wolf leaving the evil side because he had been tricked into believing they were working for the people but instead were hurting them. And his moral conflict with that ultimately leading him to rebel.
2. The protagonist standing for the people and not making his fight about his own personal trauma *love it*
3. The representation of the stag, the wolf, and the lion that is used so many times in literary media to portray rebellion like this!
4. The king actually being a literal pig (also used in literature as a representation of counterfeit) which he is here, a fraud!
5. The king using the throne itself (his title) as the only thing he has to defend himself! And the throne becoming his actual fight armor was crazy symbolizm
6. And FINALLY, the protags moment of hesitation before crushing the crown when he was facing the temptation to pick it up and put it on his head. BUT he resisted the urge.
INSANE STORYTELLING! INSANE ART!
INSANE MUSIC!
THANK YOU ALL
...and thanks for reading my 3 am rant
I often listen to your music while writing or thinking about the plot of my stories, it is always a great source of inspiration, even just because of the amazing sound you give to both your original works and your covers. Right now I'm working on the backstory of a king who took his throne by killing his tyrannical predecessor, so this new original song is not only awesomely good, but it also came out at the perfect moment for me. Please keep up the good work, you are so talented and your music is astounding. I wish you all the best :)
Talk about great timing lol
Can I just say how much I love this? The music, the animation, the message, it's all awesome!
I love the subtle detail of how the stag contemplates taking the throne for himself and the mental dilemma he’s going through in just the span of a couple seconds you can see on his face his changing expressions from being seduced by power to remembering why he’s fighting-To free his own people from the tyranny. Absolutely genius animation and a powerful song!
Idk if that's what I saw. All I saw was him looking at the crown, and immediately looking disgusted at what it represents and crushing it.
Welp, I'm officially obsessed with this song now
Got like, a whole season of a show in one music video. Love it. This song is definitely what a bard is singing during the final fight.
This is my favorite song from the CD, love to see it featured here.
New favourite song found!
The lyrics to this song are SO clever and honestly well worth understanding
Art style is sick. Animation is mad. Story is mad. Music is fucking awesome. Gives me goosebumps. Love it
So epic music!
So epic animation!
So epic final fight!
300% Epicness!
Amazing song!!!
Also Lyrics for anyone who wants them:
We will not be prisoners
In a kingdom taken hostage by her crown
But we will not abandon her
We would die before we let our homeland down
And the walls they claim protected us
A lie that's wearing thin
All along our only enemy within
Rise now, stand and fight
Take your freedom, claim your right
Rise now, stand and sing
Storm the castle, kill the king
Look upon your countrymen
You can see that they are drowning in despair
Is a kingdom really mighty when
For a sick and starving child it doesn't care
Then you pray unto a god who loves
The hungry and the weak
But your actions do not match the prayer you speak
Rise now, stand and fight
Take your freedom, claim your right
Rise now, stand and sing
Storm the castle, kill the king
Safe in his castle while we bicker twixt ourselves
Above the rabble, he's protected from our hell
His keep could shelter hundreds
His gold could feed far more
I have but one last question
What are you waiting for
Rise now, stand and fight
Take your freedom, claim your right
Rise now, stand and sing
Storm the castle, kill the king
Rise now, stand and fight
Take your freedom, claim your right
Rise now, stand and sing
Storm the castle, kill the king
Rise now, stand and fight
Take your freedom, claim your right
Rise now, stand and sing
Storm the castle, kill the king
So many amazing, small details. Who spotted that the city walls have a heraldic boar on them, for example?
If this was an RPG I'd definelty be playing the wolf guard turned rebel fighter at the table. Thats my jam.
It took me a few watches to notice it, but the wolf fellow's clothing colour going from red to blue once he joins the rebellion is a cool piece of symbolism.
"WHY WON'T YOU STAY DOWN?"
"Because I can still hold my sword"
This (and Final Frontier) is my favorite from Starship Velociraptor and the video is amazing and just perfect for this song and topic! 💙
The detail on this is incredible. The ear movement to show emotion, the wink before bashing the soldiers head in. Like it has old school animation vibe, but the little stuff makes it spectacular.
I keep coming back to this animation, it's so damned good.
My favorite part of all of this is the rabbit woman with the spear in the shot of the resistance storming the castle at 2:16.
just goes to show that anyone can make a difference. even a slightly overweight (No body shaming here, she's awesome and i love her!) rabbit lady who looks like a single mom just showed up in her daily dress and a spear.
Ikr? Best part is, she can actually be seen at the start of the story. She's at the market where the protagonist gives one of their speeches. I believe everyone who storms the castle can be seen at some point before.
She looks dead-scared to be there, but even more terrified to *not* be there.
Colorful but brutal (and very well made) animation. This song is also so freaking good, that it's weird it's not my favorite one in the album, but, hey, brutal competition with Army of Tigers and Final Frontier being there too.
The animation is so good. Amazing job!
The Shadow when the protagonist runs into the throne room is such a nice touch
WE NEED A FULL SERIES RIGHT NOW!!! 👹
This music video is just incredible! My favorite character would have to be the lady with the hammer. I particularly love her sassy personality.
I craved an animation for this song, this is WONDERFUL. AMAZING. AWESOME. The story, the drawings, the music, everything mix in the best way possible. It reached my heart, gave me goosebumps, and let me explore a different world as if I was there.
I loved every single frame, this was beyond perfect, 20 out of 10!
I see the wolf getting a lot of love (well deserved, cool character), and, of course, the stag, but my favorite is the white-haired lady (what creature is she? Anyone know?). She isn't as charismatic as the stag or as much of a fighter as the wolf. Her joining isn't a big event. And yet, it is clear she is a key part of this resistance. She helps him build his new legs. She helps make the plan. She's on his right side when he gives his speech before storming the castle. And while the wolf is clearly "the fighter," she's no slouch in the final battle. I don't know. The hard worker who's just out of frame but is indispensable to a good cause really resonates with me. So I wanted to share. (And, seriously, figure out what animal she is, so please help)
according to supplementary material, that's Brass, apparently the town smithy and Unshakable Optimist with no subtlety, reflected in the choice of a sledgehammer weapon wielded gleefully to great effect
this probably my favorite song from Starship Velociraptor and the AMV for it makes me want to watch a 10-24 episode anime that tells the exact same story, but with a few extra bits and more money and/or time to make the animation even better
keep up the great work, especialy the originals
This song brings out emotions I haven't felt, from the bottom of my heart and charges me with utmost power!
This is one of the few music video's that I pump up the volume every time I hear it. I love it so much!
Wish this was a whole movie with your music and their animations would watch daily
You never disappoint man great job as always
Oh, this is fantastic. Love that you seem determined to have an animated music video for every song on your album, I'm absolutely thrilled!
I don't know how many times I've watched this, but it just keeps getting better!
Would love a full-length story to pair with this, be it a movie, show, or novel.
A novel would be great.
I really love the animations and how the song helped tell the story so well. I really loved how the characters displayed there emotions, espeshaly with there's ears and tails. I almost never see that now a days. Thanks for the inspiration.
I like the fact that when the king is revealed as the monster that he is that he falls back on his throne and it forms armor. The throne, his seat of power which for many a king is the true sign of authority is literally used as the armor to attempt to sheild and protect him from the consequences of his greed and malice. But just like many a tyrant king it isn’t enough to protect him from the champion of the people.
I was genuinely eager to see what an animation with this song would be like, and it does not disappoint in the slightest. The animators performed beyond spectacularly and made something beautiful that fit the theme of the song. Truly an amazing piece of work.
That's exactly how I visualised the song when I was listening to it, but now I want to watch this but as a full length movie :)
Took about 10 watches before I noticed the foreshadowing boar-head emblems on the arch at 0:10
;)
This has managed to be both my favorite song, and my favorite music video!
Watching this again, I'm still amazed lol. Seriously, I know you'll probably never see this, but Jon, your music videos are some of the best I've ever seen :)
I haven’t watched yet but, yes yes yes yes! This is my favorite song on the album and I can’t sit still waiting for epic awesomeness.
Okay, I watched it. It is everything I wanted in a fast-paced tale of rebellion against a corrupt ruler. Reception for a guard, surprisingly agile pig, and the end result for the crown was perfect. Now comes the wait for the next.
NAH BUT THE 2:18 SEQUENCE IS JUST SO GOOD! I've been awestruck with all animations from Straship Velociraptor, man, both you and the animators did a superb job!
I've been waiting for this one! It's my favorite of your album!! :D
This is the song I imagine a lv20 bard in dnd singing while the townspeople and the adventuring party are sacking a corrupted kings keep during the climax of a campaign! Great song!
It’s been 3 months. I still can’t get over the fact that this music video created a better redemption arc for a character in 3minutes and 26 seconds than we ever get to see in most books/movies.
The knight who betrayed the order could’ve easily become a savior or some shit but he understands how to make sure he isn’t hogging the spotlight.
TBH when I first watched it I thought the wolf would become a double agent and betray the hero. Glad to see it didn't happen.
Was not expecting that video 😲 that was like a whole show in 3 minutes lol what an amazing job by the animators!
Goes perfectly with such a badass song 😁
Thanks!!
Lady red and I worked very hard on it!
Hoo boy. I love that this song in particular got its own music video to go with it! It has been my favourite since the album dropped, and I have been listening to it in spotify over and over again. The animation in this is beautiful, and I think it showcases the power of of the song that I had so many similiar mental images in my head while listening to it, that I can now see in animation form. This would make for an awesome plotline for a videogame or a DND campaign. Yes the premise is simple, but as seen in the visuals of this animation, so many elements can be built on the sheer power of the song. So good to see more of your original work to get the spotlight! Cheers man, this absolutely made my day!
Damn, that's some good animation! Love the spinning animated fight at 2:20, that's some real talent!!!
The song and animation work so well together, this is so good!
Absolutely amazing, I love this so much, the music is sooooo good and the animation ❤