15. Arena Americanada

[Omikron]

The title can also be interpreted as a portmanteau of America+Canada. Given that it's BoC, this is probably deliberate. For me, this track is the highlight of the album.

[turquoise70]

There's no doubt in my mind that the ambiguity is built-in as a feature

[sowhereareyouliving?]

I say it like empanada

Also like Michelada - the worlds most bizzare drink, thanks Mexico

[Den]

While sounds from Tomorrow’s Harvest appear throughout the Inferno, Arena Americanada is the one track that actually sounds like it could have been made for Tomorrow’s Harvest but didn’t fit. The drums sound like they’re coming directly from that world, and the arrangement - despite the bright, commanding melody - is restrained in a way that feels aligned with TH.

throughout Inferno*

Has anyone else felt this? The choral sounds too.

I think the synths with that big reverb definitely remind me of TH, like Cold Earth and Sick Times. It's so beautiful when they ring out for the first time on the track

Listening again today - the drums resemble Split Your Infinities and then the high strings throughout…

[zmo]

Could be used in movie Flight of the Navigator also

[Widmerpool]

So, on paper, what it reminds me the most of is Trans Canada Highway's Skyliner.
And of course I am mishearing, but what I misunderstood in my first listen are the words:
"Aa-va-looon!" Arthurian nonsense in an 8-bit arcade rendition. Nothing to do with with the actual song, as far as I know; but some of us are lunatic enough to draw strongly from our mistakes. So this tune will forever be connected with myths and videogames.

[Mexicola]

The thought of BOC sampling Bryan Ferry is delicious.

[Twentington]

Do the fleeting sections of arpeggio synth remind anybody else of classic who wants to be a millionaire

The rest sounds like a time slip where the Romans battled in 1980s coliseums

[turquoise70]

I say it like empanada

Also like Michelada - the worlds most bizzare drink, thanks Mexico

Oh my God, I LOVE a Michelada... I don't drink anymore but a chelada made with N/A beer would be amazing

First fell in love with Micheladas while I was living in where else? SoCal baby

[Negamuse]

There's almost a bit of Simple Minds in some of the sounds in this. Fellow Scots

[Mexicola]

There's almost a bit of Simple Minds in some of the sounds in this. Fellow Scots

Me and Techboy bumped into Mick McNeil at his brother's croft once. True story. #smallclaimscourt

[ColinWallis]

As an angry and disgusted Canadian that loves America, and actual freedom -

Beyond pleased, this song is insane.

Definitely some standout synth riffage on this track!

Uber classic, instant classic.

[Waterbagel]

what's going on with that more overdriven synth sound, sounds like the pitch is being sidechained to the LFO or something. fuckin cool

[Redd Panderson]

Getting some Thomas Dolby vibes of this - reminiscent of "Budapest by Blimp" and those glassy 80s synths. Lovely.

Love seeing you bring up Thomas Dolby. My first memory was hearing the ascending low-register synth melody on She Blinded Me With Science on the radio when I was 2 years old. I'd never heard anything like it at the time and its eerie and uncanny vibe REALLY hit me then and I feel was one seed that led to my electronic music session.

When I listened to Inferno for the first time I was just like "this is a masterpiece of electronic music, it's taking that same eerie quality only possible in electronic music and turning it up to 11. Masterpiece!"

Also, since this is my first post on the Arena Americanada thread, just have to plus one anyone who's called out the weird twangy sound in this one. Not quite the bass but rhythmically used, I don't know what to call it but I've not heard anything quite like it and I love it!

[Mexicola]

Dude! He'll interface remix?!?

[Negamuse]

Dude! He'll interface remix?!?

This is not OK

[superuser]

Anyone here the faint seagull cries on the fade out?

It seems like it might be accompanied by beach wave sounds as well. It’s so faint that it could potentially be running through the majority of the track and just becomes audible in the final 30 seconds or so.

[Mexicola]

Maybe I should upload it on Soulseek? Then you'll believe me

[llydia]

Dude! He'll interface remix?!?

This is the best thing I've ever seen. Why does the cover kind of look like Tony from the Sopranos? I believe...

[GeoDose]

As an angry and disgusted Canadian that loves America, and actual freedom -

Beyond pleased, this song is insane.

Definitely some standout synth riffage on this track!

Uber classic, instant classic.

"Actual freedom," where you aren't allowed to criticize the leadership and when you cross the border they literally go through your phone and your social media to make sure you haven't insulted their president recently.

Yeah, OK. Lol.