Spectacular video footage is undeniably the best byproduct of consumer drone technology. There are many as-yet-unresolved concerns about privacy and safety, but at their most innocent, drones are the perfect tool for capturing stunning images.

Unfortunately, for every epic viral drone video, there are about 20 unoriginal copycats that duplicate someone else’s idea without improving on it in any way. There’s also the problem of desensitization: What was a groundbreaking idea for a drone video way back in 2010 has now become commonplace. If you watch enough of these videos you start to recognize some patterns, too. Namely, that drone enthusiasts seem to love electronic music.

Braving a sea of grating dubstep soundtracks, we've filtered through the rubbish and brought you only the most original, creative, epic, radical, [choose your own adjective] drone videos on the web.

Brace yourself for vertigo.

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Flying Through a Fireworks Show

It's one thing to see a fireworks show. It's something entirely different to experience it... from the inside.

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Strafing Surfers in Hawaii

There are thousands of surfing videos on the web, but this one stands out for its image quality, the sheer size of the waves, and the unique perspective it affords. The dubstep, however, is a bit much.

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Surveying the Hong Kong Democracy Protests

The Umbrella Movement. A city of seven million people. How else could you appropriately capture the scope of the protests?

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Enjoying Beautiful Santa Monica

This would be a pretty routine cruise down the California coast if it weren't for the drone's perfectly choreographed movements. Watch closely.

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Diving Into a Volcano

If you needed more proof that drones can be an invaluable videographic tool, going places human beings cannot... well, just watch as flying volcanic embers graze the camera.

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Going on an African Safari

The only thing missing is Sir David Attenborough.

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Documenting a Pair of Crazy Russian Daredevils

If you have a fear of heights, DO NOT CLICK PLAY. If not, well, Russians are crazy.

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(Gotta Have a) Cinematic Montage

This collection of cinema-quality drone footage looks like a Christopher Nolan demo reel.

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Seeing Lovely Niagara Falls!

Because the American side of the Falls is just boring.

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RELATED: 10 GoPro Videos You Wish You Shot

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Hero image: Antimedia