Day of Fate (Metal Ver.)

"Day of Fate" is a musical embodiment of the climax of a character's arc—specifically Gohan from Dragon Ball Z—representing the shift from pacifism to righteous violence. The song explores themes of destiny, responsibility, and the breaking of limits.

The central theme is the acceptance of one's shadow to protect the light. The lyrics describe a "loveless world" that the villain seeks to create, serving as the catalyst for the protagonist's transformation. For a long time, the protagonist (Gohan) held back his power out of fear of his own anger. The song marks the moment he realizes that holding back is no longer a virtue but a liability that endangers everyone he loves. The "Day of Fate" is the moment the timeline shifts, where the reluctant boy becomes the warrior.

The bridge is particularly significant, subverting standard superhero tropes. The protagonist declares, "I am not the hero these people wanted. I am the monster you created." This line signifies that to defeat an absolute evil (Cell), one must sometimes embrace a terrifying level of power and ruthlessness. It is a song about the weaponization of empathy; it is because he cares so deeply for the "plants and animals" and the people that he allows himself to become a "monster" to save them.

The song opens with a solemn, ancient-sounding Latin chant, heralding the arrival of a prophesied era and a savior figure. This transitions immediately into a tense atmosphere where an encroaching, endless fear grips the protagonist. A malevolent force is drawing nearer, described as a "grinning monster" with an evil soul, intent on destruction. The protagonist realizes they are at a critical juncture—a turning point of destiny where surrender is impossible. The stakes are life and death, and fleeing is no longer an option.

As the energy builds, the protagonist declares an awakening of their own strength. A burning internal flame and force of will surge within them, dispelling the doubt. The chorus is a triumphant explosion of realization: the "Day of Fate" has arrived. The protagonist accepts this destiny, their spirit growing to match and exceed the demon facing them. They vow to turn the enemy's confident laughter into fear, rejecting the vision of a loveless, broken world that the villain intends to leave behind.

The song features a dramatic spoken-word bridge where the protagonist fully embraces a darker, necessary role. They dismiss the concept of simple revenge, framing their violence as a demand for justice from the fallen. In a chilling admission, they acknowledge they are not the clean-cut hero the world might have wanted, but rather the "monster" the villain's own cruelty created—a force capable of keeping the demons at bay. The song concludes with a final, overwhelming surge of power and a promise of the enemy's defeat.

This song was released on March 6, 2020, as a collaboration between popular YouTube musician Jonathan Young and the content creation group TeamFourStar (TFS). It is a cover of the song "Unmei no Hi ~Tamashii vs Tamashii~" (Day of Destiny ~Spirit vs Spirit~) by Hironobu Kageyama, which famously played during Gohan's Super Saiyan 2 transformation in the original Japanese broadcast of Dragon Ball Z.

The creation of this specific version is deeply tied to the legacy of Dragon Ball Z Abridged (DBZA), a parody series by TeamFourStar. For their series finale (Episode 60), TFS wanted to pay homage to the original source material's most iconic moment. While the episode itself featured a cover by Paulo Cuevas, Jonathan Young (a frequent collaborator with TFS) produced this heavy metal rendition to coincide with the finale's release, celebrating the conclusion of the years-long project. The lyrics were adapted to English to fit the rhythm of the metal arrangement while retaining the original's meaning, with the added spoken-word monologue that specifically references the dramatic dialogue from the show.

The song follows a generally consistent AABB or ABCB rhyme scheme in the verses, though it often prioritizes rhythm and impact over perfect rhyme. For example, "fear that takes you hold" and "revealing such an evil soul" (slant rhyme). The lyrics are written to fit a driving 4/4 meter with a rapid tempo (approx. 150-160 BPM), typical of power metal.

The rhythm of the lyrics matches the "gallop" of the guitars. In the chorus ("By my power! Whoa whoa..."), the phrasing opens up, using longer, sustained vowels to allow the melody to soar, contrasting with the staccato, punchy delivery of the verses which mimic the frantic nature of combat.

Musical Techniques:

• Power Metal Arrangement: The song utilizes fast-paced, chugging guitar riffs, double-bass drumming, and high-gain distortion to create an adrenaline-fueled atmosphere typical of the genre.
• Vocal Delivery: Jonathan Young uses a blend of grit and soaring, operatic cleans. He employs a "grit" technique in the lower registers to convey anger, switching to powerful, belted high notes in the chorus to symbolize triumph and unleashing power.
• Orchestral Elements: The inclusion of the "Yuduliya-vele" chant (likely synthesized or layered vocals) adds an epic, cinematic scope, grounding the modern metal sound in the song's operatic roots.

Literary Techniques:

• Direct Address/Apostrophe: The bridge speaks directly to the antagonist ("Demons like you, Cell"), making the conflict personal.
• Juxtaposition: The contrast between the "loveless world" and the "burning energy" of the hero highlights the thematic battle between emptiness and passion.

This cover holds a significant place in the Western Dragon Ball community. For decades, the original Japanese song "Unmei no Hi" was a "holy grail" track for fans, often replaced in Western dubs, leaving many to seek it out online. Jonathan Young's cover, released in conjunction with TeamFourStar's finale of Dragon Ball Z Abridged, served as a cathartic release for fans who had grown up with the series.

It bridges the gap between the "memetic" humor of DBZA and the genuine, unironic love for the source material's drama. It is frequently used in Gym playlists and AMVs (Anime Music Videos) due to its high energy. It stands as one of Jonathan Young's most popular anime covers, cementing his status as a leading figure in the "Nerdcore" metal scene.

The lyrics are dense with imagery relating to spiritual awakening and cosmic conflict:

• The Latin Chant (Venit aevus ille...): Represents ancient prophecy and the timeless nature of the battle between good and evil, elevating the fight from a physical brawl to a mythical event.
• The "Grinning Monster": A metaphor for Cell (the villain), but also represents arrogance and the chaotic force of destruction that laughs at life.
• The "Burning Flame": Symbolizes the Super Saiyan energy (specifically the rage-fueled SSJ2). Fire here represents purification and raw power that burns away fear/hesitation.
• "Day of Fate": Represents the singularity in time where all past actions converge. It is the inevitable point where the protagonist must stop running from their true nature.
• "I am the monster you created": An irony; the villain tried to create a perfect being (himself) but inadvertently created his own destroyer by pushing a gentle soul too far.

"YUDULIYA-VELE": A recurring chant from the original Japanese song. It acts as a mystical anchor, a motif that signifies the gathering of spiritual energy (Spirit Bomb/Ki) and connects this cover to the nostalgia of the original track.

"Whoa whoa": A melodic hook in the chorus. While simple, it serves as an anthemic release of tension, allowing the listener to sing along and feel the surge of energy described in the lyrics.

"The Day of Fate": The titular phrase is repeated to emphasize the inevitability of the moment. It is not just a day, it is the day everything changes.