Charlemagne: By the Sword and the Cross

Charlemagne:
By the Sword and the Cross
Studio album by Christopher Lee
Released 15 March 2010
Genre Symphonic metal, power metal
Length 62:21
Label Charlemagne Productions Ltd.
Producer J. Aneiros, C. Canonici
Christopher Lee chronology

Revelation
(2006)
Charlemagne: By the Sword and the Cross
(2010)
Charlemagne: The Omens of Death
(2013)

Charlemagne: By the Sword and the Cross is a symphonic metal concept album by actor and singer Christopher Lee. It was released on 15 March 2010. This is Lee's first full-length album, having previously worked with such bands as Rhapsody of Fire and Manowar. The album won the "Spirit of Metal" award from the 2010 Metal Hammer Golden God awards ceremony. The award was presented to him by Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi.[1]

It tells the story of the First Holy Roman Emperor, King Charlemagne. The album's promotional MySpace page garnered over 20 million hits from around the world. The album features 2 metal bands, and a number of guest vocalists playing the different roles in the story. Music was composed by Marco Sabiu. A music video for "The Bloody Verdict of Verden" was released in June 2012.[2]

A heavy metal follow-up album, titled Charlemagne: The Omens of Death, was released in 2013.[3] A musical based on the album is set to debut in 2013.

Track listing

All lyrics written by Marie-Claire Calvet, all music composed by Marco Sabiu.

  1. "Overture" – 2:53
  2. Act I:
    1. "Intro" – 1:34
    2. "King of the Franks" – 7:14
  3. Act II:
    1. "Intro" – 1:46
    2. "The Iron Crown of Lombardy" – 8:12
  4. Act III:
    1. "Intro" – 3:26
    2. "The Bloody Verdict of Verden" – 6:16
  5. Act IV:
    1. "Intro" – 2:31
    2. "The Age of Oneness Out of Diversity" – 6:07
  6. Act V:
    1. "Intro" – 2:09
    2. Starlight – 4:40
  7. "Finale" – 3:57
  8. "Iberia" – 5:10
  9. "The Bloody Verdict of Verden" (Instrumental) – 6:20

Personnel

Christopher Lee receiving the "Spirit of Metal" award at the 2010 Metal Hammer Golden Gods awards ceremony.

Vocals

Musicians

Production

References

  1. Gates, Lydsey. "Results in From Metal Hammer's Golden Gods". SoudSphere. Archived from the original on 2012-03-15. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
  2. Christopher Lee: "The Bloody Verdict of Verden" Music Video on YouTube, 8 June 2012.
  3. Farrell, John (28 May 2012). "Christopher Lee Celebrates 90th Birthday By Recording Heavy Metal". Forbes. Retrieved 11 August 2013.

External links