To listen to some tracks from this CD, visit "Themes of the Revolution"'s [OST 2] page.

In a total inverse of the first CD, we hit the ground with conflict, which is the core of the Kurobara (Black Rose) Hen: Conflict of the self, conflicts with friends. It's only fitting that the chunk of the story renowned for its vicious Duels should have a CD draped, winterlike, in black and white and shades of grey...none of the bright summery colors from the first CD here, less innocence. Utena has passed her first test and must face the unrefined darknesses of the soul in the form of the dying, fragile Black Rose Fraternity... Here, in this CD, darkness is omnipresent, most of the tracks are haunting, the Duel themes contain vicious pointed edges. Percussion has become stronger and more dominant, electric instruments used instead of classical ones, guitars instead of violins, synth instead of piano. There isn't room for gentility in a fit of rage. The Black Rose arc in general and most of the duel themes and songs that dominate this CD are of sadness, duality, the contrast between the hidden self and the outer self.

EOI's favorite songs from OST2 (and why):

Track 4: "Earth as a Character Gallery" - probably my favorite of the Black Rose Duel themes. The sheer driving intensity of this song is almost unmatched by any other in the series with the possible exception of the title track of the CD that followed...

Track 7: "Magic Lantern Butterfly Moth, 16th Century" - Wakaba's Black Rose duel theme and an exceptional piece of music. I can't listen to this without seeing the joined dance of careful footsteps as the Duellists move in flawless, lethal grace, in perfect parallel, before the 'merciful' killing blow...

Track 13: "Requiem" - Darkly charming, and ironically one of the 'warmer' of the cold pieces on this album, almost as if it were trying to deny its name...

Track 15: "A Hunch on the Look in the Eyes" - Another contemplative track, placed in its logical position on the second half of the album. Once the battles are over, breathing time returns, time to think and regroup powers...

Track 16: "Dreaming Cells" - Repeating the original 'overture' theme in a darker vein,this is a song of sunset, many of the primal scenes between Akio and Utena are set to this music. The sun still shines, but it shines golden now in the final burst of glory before fading...

Track 18: "Nostalgia of Diversion" - My second favorite piece of piano-based music in ALL of Utena, "Baiser" from CD 5 holding the number one spot. The pleasant feeling of being in control, the wistfulness of realizing it can't last, the knowledge of doom coming with the fall of night... this music crosses us over toward the Ootori Akio Hen, leads us gently, hand in hand, to the darkness and the Apocalypse coming fast...

Track 22: "Knife of Nectar" - A vocal celebration of the darkness, matched only by the eerie wailing that rises to accompany the Million Swords of Hate in the final turn of Revolution. But do the voices praise, or supplicate to God for release and salvation?

Track 25: "Absolute Destiny Apocalypse" - version 3. Now, the male and female choruses are in balance; the first version was dominated by girlish voices, the second by deep male voices... in this version, neither side overpowers the other. Utena moves to the next stage of her ascension to the Castle. The whole world is becoming in accordance, coming together....

Track 26: "The Fruits of Sin"- Moving past the spiritual and psychic blockage of the smothering, enraged Black Roses, the ultimate secrets are ready to be revealed, the oldest wounds to be torn open at last as the Victor has earned that right through conquest...