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Hi everyone,

I made this song because I am concerned what is happening in the world nowadays. A lot of tension between the Western world and most of the others. But in this case especially the 'peace mission' from Russia against Ukraine.

Wind of War, https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130/winds-of-war

The winds I meant are the tensions coming from that man in Russia.
I used some effects, like explosions and a siren in the song. Things I normally don't do, but in this case there were some functional reasons. If you don't like that, tell me!

I was away for nearly 2 weeks in Spain, so I haven't listen to your songs during that time. I will, of course, listen to them, but give me some time.
And because Eastern is coming I thought my song had to be on the forum too ;-)

I hope you like the song, but let me know what you think of it.

Happy Eastern!
Hans

The lyrics are on SoundCloud.
The technical stuff:

Style: DANCE2U.STY (Dance To You Soulful Dance Rock). Key: D, tempo 105 bpm

RealTracks: 2615:Bas
RealTracks: 3163:Guitar, Bariton
RealTracks: 2905:Guitar, Electr. Bluesy Pop Colin Gel 100
RealTracks: 1531:Guitar, Electr. solist Pop Power Gel 120
RealTracks: 2535:Guitar, Electr. Gritty
RealTracks: 3957:Bass, Synth DramaPianoOctaves 65
RealDrums: Disco and metal drums [Multi]

And loops, effects from Logic Pro and Native Instruments (keyboard)


Hans Berkhout
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Wow, what a dynamic production! This is powerful music..
Excellent...


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Hans,

POWERFUL!

Excellent write.

Excellent production.

Good vocals - also very powerful.

Solid mix.

This really packs a punch.

Bravo. Your best!!!

fj

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Hi Bloc-Head,

A moment ago I was commenting on 'Anymore or less' from you and now I do the same on your comment on my song!
That's very simple, because you only had nice compliments! Thanks for that.

And still take care about the eggs...
Hans


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Happy Easter, Hans. Man, I really dig your passion in this passionate plea. Such a strong song. Damn. Wouldn't it be cool if wars were won with the best song. Hans down this would destroy the competition. Personally I like the bombs you place.


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

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Wow, definitely my new favorite from you, Hans!

Just outstanding in every way, well done!

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A great piece, musically, and thank you for not speaking obliquely.

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Hi Floyd, Marty, Dave and Mark,

I am very glad that you liked the song as you describe it in your posts.
Probably not everyone is fond of it, looking at the amount of reactions. But who cares, I felt the need to make it and that's the most important thing.
Thanks a lot for your so very nice compliments and let's hope it doesn't get any worse on the subject!

Originally Posted By: floyd jane
Hans,
POWERFUL!
Excellent write.
Excellent production.
Good vocals - also very powerful.
Solid mix.
This really packs a punch.
Bravo. Your best!!!

fj


Hi Floyd, this is a great compliment from you! I'm just getting used to your last words (joke).

Originally Posted By: BabuMusic
Happy Easter, Hans. Man, I really dig your passion in this passionate plea. Such a strong song. Damn. Wouldn't it be cool if wars were won with the best song. Hans down this would destroy the competition. Personally I like the bombs you place.


Hi Marty, that is a huge compliment! Than I could create peace without killing, how nice that would be! But I also like the bombs in the song ;-)

Originally Posted By: BlueAttitude
Wow, definitely my new favorite from you, Hans!
Just outstanding in every way, well done!


Hi Dave, that is also a huge compliment! It makes me proud reading this!

Originally Posted By: Mark Hayes
A great piece, musically, and thank you for not speaking obliquely.


Hi Mark, that's very nice of you (first part of your post), especially the word 'great'. Thanks for that!
About your second part you never have to worry (unless you made a joke). In my first version I didn't even mention the countries or that president. I used 'Mordor' for his country (from Lord of the Rings) and 'him'. 'Mordor'sounded so nice with multiple vocals, instead of 'Russia'. But two pre-listeners wanted me to be clear on who is involved. So I changed it, because I'm a pleaser ;-)

In the Netherlands today it is the Eastern monday, our second celebration day of this event that a lot of people don't even know what it is about, except bunnies and eggs.
That's why I wish you all a happy 2nd Eastern day!

Hans


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Hi Hans,

Yes I agree with others - one of your best songs, timely and well sung.

Best Regards
Nigel


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Hans,

Truly outstanding... You have captured the horror and mood perfectly.

Bob

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Very direct message, which makes it punchy in a good way, although I would have preferred Mordor and calling the man Gollum as I can imagine him holding nuclear arms and saying "my precious".
Powerful intro, very good chorus, strong vocals.
Excellent choice of instruments: The simplistic dance backing creates a marching war mood,
and the solo guitar is very cool. Excellent use of effects, not too much, thus effective.

Janne


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Hans...that was intense and powerful which given the subject matter is so appropriate...I love the strength of the instrumentation and your vocal...it's easy to forget what's going on over there in the comfort of our distance...we shouldn't...thanks for the reminder...songs like theses are always necessary in the social comment lest we forget! Thanks for posting this.


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Really good arrangement Hans.
That piano hammering the changes on the left sounds ominous and explosive at the same time.
Vocals are cool and you surely mean what you sing.

I do wonder, amongst this current crop of protest songs, where the ones for Palestine, Yemen, Syria etc are.
Higher death tolls but, the reality is, the further from Europe the less dread is felt I suppose.

Fine song, fine sentiments, fine performance.


Cheers
rayc
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Hans, this is an outstanding song

Great vocal and lyrics

Super mix and sound effects

Lets Pray that this isn't the start of WWIII

Your best to date


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Wow, this is something else. Apart from its undisputed urgency, I love the tension in this song. The initial FX sounds are convincing, but what's really interesting is the interaction of the lead guitar and the vocal. Really takes it to another level.

Goed gedaan Hans!

Rob


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Hi Nigel, Bob, Janne and Firesong,

Thanks for your nice comments on this song.
I know it's not a song you can 'enjoy', because of the subject.
But you all had the ability to avoid that, and loaded me with compliments. Even that I can consider it my best song so far.
I hesitate a bit on that compliment. Some of my other songs I like more. But it is definitly my most aggressive song until now ;-)

Originally Posted By: NigelSpiers
Hi Hans,
Yes I agree with others - one of your best songs, timely and well sung.
Best Regards
Nigel


Hi Nigel, thanks for you nice compliments and se what I wrote above.

Originally Posted By: rsdean
Hans,
Truly outstanding... You have captured the horror and mood perfectly.
Bob


Hi Bob, I'm glad you said that. As I found out it's not so easy to capture those feelings while avoiding to make a very dark song.
And at first I had some problems using 'cheap' effects like the explosions and siren, but then my worries about it all and the potential escalations made me decide to use them. And, according to you, it worked out well.

Originally Posted By: jannesan
Very direct message, which makes it punchy in a good way, although I would have preferred Mordor and calling the man Gollum as I can imagine him holding nuclear arms and saying "my precious".
Powerful intro, very good chorus, strong vocals.
Excellent choice of instruments: The simplistic dance backing creates a marching war mood,
and the solo guitar is very cool. Excellent use of effects, not too much, thus effective.

Janne


Hi Janne, you had the same as me about using Mordor and so on. But I agreed with my pre-listeners (who listens to my concepts) I had to be transparent in what it is. It was a sentence from someone else, an American diplomat or so, about Russia and it's UN vetoright too that made me decide to skip mordor. It's crazy that a terrorist nation can veto the UN on its own way of acting. That's that free card on rape , murder and destroying nations. What if this state attacks Finland when you enter Nato? Will it destroy, while using it's veto? You won't like that, do you? But enough of politics, this is why I came to skip Mordor.

Originally Posted By: firesong
Hans...that was intense and powerful which given the subject matter is so appropriate...I love the strength of the instrumentation and your vocal...it's easy to forget what's going on over there in the comfort of our distance...we shouldn't...thanks for the reminder...songs like theses are always necessary in the social comment lest we forget! Thanks for posting this.


Hi Firesong, thank you for your kind and worrying words. You are right on what's far away concern us less than when it is nearby. But if you look at what I wrote to Janne (He is Russia's neighbour) and if you realize that a man like Putin never backs off, it's easy to think what his next step can be. Using weapons of mass destruction. And what will be our answer? Does that lead to total war? Well a lot to worry about, don't you agree? But it was a nice respond to my song. Thanks.

Somewhere on my attic I have a bag full of German, English, duitch and American helmets. Most of them from WWII and collected with my sons. For us it was adventure. Let's hope it stays that way, otherwise we might need them again ;-)

Have a nice and musical day,

Hans


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I think this is one of your best song Hans. Loved the intro. Mix just brought my studio to life. Really cool vocal and lyric. Band was perfect.

I was watching a crime series from Finland called Bordertown. Was suprised to see how close Russia is to allot of countries in Europe. With all the covid problems in the world Putin has to create all this chaos and destruction as well.


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Powerful!

The winds are blowing the war right into our laps.

Well done!

moto

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This is epic, Hans!

The mix, arrangement, band and your performance all sound excellent.

We love the way you sing “Russia” and “Putin” with such disdain and disgust.
The war in Ukraine is such an awful situation and your song expresses our feeling about it too.

Here’s hoping there’ll be an ending to it all soon that will inspire another song from you.

Good one John, uh, we mean Hans! smile

J&B


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Hans,

Terrific stuff . . . and what a powerful opening—great use of the effects. I think among your best vocal performances . . . all adding up to a very compelling tune. The Pop Power soloist works really well here as well. Cool arrangement and production!

Hope all is well in your world,

Deej

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