Golden Ages by Eltao – A Swiss Classical Gem That Stuck With Me
Alright, let’s talk about Golden Ages by Eltao. This album is one of those quiet surprises that sneaks up on you when you're not expecting much. Released under the esovision label outta Switzerland, it's a proper classical record with all the elegance and depth you'd hope for—but also some moments that just feel… human, y’know? Like, it’s not trying too hard to impress; it just does.
First off, the tracklist includes tunes like "Serenade," "Coronation," and "Tourney Riders." I’ll be honest, I didn’t dive deep into every single piece (life’s busy, man), but two tracks really stood out to me: “Serenade” and “Tourney Riders.” Let me break ‘em down real quick.
“Serenade” hits you right away with this warm, inviting vibe. It’s got these soft strings that kinda wrap around you like your favorite blanket—super cozy. But what makes it stick in my head isn’t just how pretty it sounds; it’s the way it builds up slowly. You can almost picture someone walking through an old European town at sunset, maybe stopping to glance at the stars. There’s no rush, no unnecessary drama—just pure atmosphere. Honestly, if I could bottle that feeling and sell it, I’d make bank.
Then there’s “Tourney Riders,” which is a whole different beast. This one feels more alive, like it’s telling a story without words. The tempo picks up, and suddenly you’re imagining knights charging into battle or something epic like that. What gets me is how dynamic it is—you’ve got these bold brass sections clashing with lighter melodies, almost like chaos meeting order. It’s the kind of track that makes you sit up straight and go, “Whoa, okay, THIS is happening now.”
The rest of the album keeps things classy, don’t get me wrong, but those two tracks are the ones I keep coming back to. Maybe it’s because they feel so vivid, like little movies for your ears. Or maybe it’s because Eltao knows how to balance simplicity with emotion without overdoing it. Either way, props to ‘em.
So yeah, Golden Ages might not reinvent classical music or anything groundbreaking like that, but it doesn’t need to. Sometimes, music just needs to exist in its own space and do its thing. And this album? It does its thing beautifully.
Oh, random thought before I sign off: listening to this made me wonder if Eltao ever played video game soundtracks. Because seriously, these tracks would fit perfectly in some medieval RPG where you’re saving kingdoms or whatever. Just saying.
