On the Way

This post was originally on my other blog about exploring spirituality and philosophy through post-rock music. I share many of the posts from that blog when I write them, as they fit in well here too. This one is about Nietzsche’s philosophy as an inspiration for an energetic/emotional stance towards life, for instance. At the beginning of the year, I wrote a post on the best albums of 2022 in post-rock, so I recommend checking that out if you find the music in this post interesting.

I’ve written about Russian Circles a few times on this blog, and in many ways, this won’t differ much, as I find the same refrain of empowerment and an abundant life force that grows above and beyond challenge, oppression, and calamity.

This post won’t differ greatly in that sentiment, but I’ve wanted to express my passion about this song for some time, and the feelings I have around it line up well with another post I just wrote on my other blog – the ending passage of it with an Empress riding her sea turtle Chariot off across the seas of self-doubt in the Moon (yes, all tarot allusions). I’m hoping that this will act as an accompaniment to that other post, offering a different expression and media around it.

If I had to guess, the song I’ve listened to most in the last few years has been “Micah” from Russian Circles’ original album, Enter. There’s something about the progression of this song that haunts me. It’s so simple and complex at the same time, so slowly intentional at first with an uptick in the middle of smooth virtuosity and energy. It feels empowered on every level – a sense that my forward movement is a growing, unstoppable force, but not one of any animosity, rather determination. At the same time, it rests in between movements, taking that considered tone again and regrouping – an open heart that relishes being on this journey without ever giving up, despite the melancholy edges to the tone. The second uptick of the cymbal play with the guitar creates one of the most epically driving and cataclysmic builds I’ve ever heard in a song – to me, it is truly riding that Chariot (the card of agency, crushing obstacles, rushing ahead unimpeded, and reaching one’s goals).

A couple months back, I walked through the dark of my neighborhood – an exercise loop of a weighted vest and climbing hills, while listening to this song on repeat. Somewhere near the end of the walk and the 7th or 8th time of listening to the song, I flashed on those tarot cards and associated meanings as a whole – the Empress (abundant life force) riding the Chariot (the fast, unimpeded forward movement) as a Hermit (finding connection to deeper inner truth – that inner light of compassion revealed, learning on the journey and that learning lighting the way forward).

Truth be told – that combo is currently an inspirational view of myself or who I aspire to grow into/presence as. That’s precisely the feeling of awe and empowerment I take from this song, and I can only hope music like this touches others in a similar fashion.