Legendary actor Christopher Lee, who has appeared in such cinematic milestones as Lord Of The Rings , Star Wars , The Man With The Golden Gun and Dracula amongst many others, is releasing the Heavy Metal album Charlemagne: The Omens Of Death on 25th May 2013. The singer-actor s first solo affair into the metal genre was the critically acclaimed album, Charlemagne: By the Sword and the Cross (2010), which was more symphonic than its successor. The Omens of Death, signifies his move into full on Heavy Metal. In an interview with Jamie Stangroom for BBC Radio 5 live Up All Night he said: I was first introduced to metal when I sang with a [band] called RHAPSODY, he said. But what I sang was not heavy metal; I sang with a tenor. Then I worked with MANOWAR as a narrator, I think it was in Germany, and again, that was not me singing metal. I became rather fascinated by this, cause in terms of history of music, it s fairly recent, really. And if it s properly done and you can understand the story and you can understand what the people are singing and you have the right bands and the right singers, I think it s rather exciting. When I was approached to do the first Charlemagne album, By The Sword And The Cross , it is heavy metal, of course, but what I sang was more symphonic. Now on the second one, The Omens Of Death , it is 100 percent heavy metal. I ve done my bits and pieces, and they are heavy metal. I m not screaming or anything like that, but it is definitely 100 percent heavy metal. Lee also spoke about being presented with the Spirit Of Hammer prize by BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi at Metal Hammer magazine s Golden Gods awards in London in June 2010, Lee said, It was a most amazing occasion for me very exciting and something I d never had happen to me my whole career, my whole life, in terms of awards, he said. I have received quite a few. But I was interviewed, actually in this room, by Tony Iommi, who founded BLACK SABBATH. And I hadn t heard them, but I made it a point [to do so]. [And] I thought it was extraordinary. And then I went to O2 [in London] in front of a fairly large crowd, I would say, all, of course, very young. And I got a greeting, which was really quite amazing. The decibel level was very high. Very high, very high. The music was arranged by Ritchie Faulkner, now the lead guitarist at Judas Priest. In an interview with Peter Hodgson at Guitar Talk, he said: Yeah, that was a really interesting project to work on. Sir Christopher s team sent me some songs that were very orchestral and symphony-based and asked me to arrange them into metal songs.Most of the songs were already there, but they needed riffs, drum parts and musical parts that reflected what the guys wanted which was a metal record with an aim to be played live by a band.The team and Sir Christopher were great and they gave me a free creative reign really for any ideas I felt the songs needed. Some of the tracks didn t have any music at all and were just Sir Christopher singing his melodies. I remember how surreal it was sitting in my place at the time with Saruman blasting out over the speakers! I ve no idea what the neighbors thought!. The album features Guitar Idol Champion Hedras Ramos Jr, who takes over the lead guitar duties from Richie Faulkner.Singers: Christopher Lee as Charlemagne (Ghost) Vincent Richiardi as Young Charlemagne / Phil S.P as Pippin The Short / Mauro Conti as Pope Hadrian / Lydia Salnikova as Hildegrad / Gorgon Tittsworth as Roland / Aaron Cloutier as Duke Lop Musicians: Electric Guitar: Hedras Ramos Jr. / Bass Guitar: Hedras Ramos Sr. / Drums: Ollie Usiskin.
N**N
I bought this out of curiosity, I can't put it down, I love it, Sir Christopher Lee is awesome
This is just a short review, this album is AWESOME. It sounds something like a mix between Cradle of Filth and Iron Maiden, or maybe Iron Maiden covering Cradle of Filth (rather than the reverse, which has been done)it shouldn't work, it is incoherant, inconsistant, has four tracks (redone) from the previous album, sometimes Lee sings, sometimes he sings badly, sometimes he sings in duet (which with his deep voice sounds great), sometimes he is hardly in the songs (it's a concept album telling a narrative so there are many characters) you cannot tell the characters apart, the lyrics are laughably terrible, some of the acting and sound effects are even worse, the story is hard to follow, an early song sounds likes climatic, his mid-life crisis also sounds like it is a deathbed confession, even the first track (an intro) goes off in about four different directionsit should be the worst album everBut it is just so DAMN AWESOME, I have been playing it over and over for days,it is awesome
B**B
As cheesey as you'd like.
If you have his last Charlemagne album (and who hasn't) then you'll be pleased to hear that this is the album that the first one should have been! Infact, it's pretty much a re-recording, with the same vocals (or lyrics at least) over new music. It must be said that the new music is of top quality and you can easily see where his time with Rhapsody has helped with this album. Where the last album decended into opera, this album uses those opera elements to add choirs to the mix (just like Rhapsody) and Mr Lee's vocals seem far more at home here. But, it's also a bit poor in places too. Sometimes the vocals really don't fit the music, mainly on the early tracks, but once it all finds it's feet, it's a very enjoyable romp. Well worth picking up.
S**.
One Star
Charlemagne, Frankish for Carl or Man head of House hold and dependant on mutual Frankish loyalties that dissipated amongst his Sons, I liked this, the music was good and Sir Chris's Stentorian singing/narration was well , interesting , but the value is that it might get a few kids interested in History and the events around it so GOOD!
R**T
THE Dark Lord
This is the first time i have listen to Christopher Lee talent in music I have been a fan of his since my early days, Saturday night of horror.So i thought to give this a try, what can i say it is a history lesson with a rock/ metal feel unusual mix puts a smile on my face thank you Mr Lee
O**R
Sounds like a dream come true!
I still remember watching many horror films and Dracula with Christopher Lee! Now imagine him doing an epic movie!This cd is it! An epic movie just for the ears! The metal runs in the vein this warrior with 92 years!Simply The Best!
S**R
Potentially great music let down by the recording.
Great LP cover but let down by the quality of the recording. I have a mid range plus system but at times Christopher Lee's voice is very much in the background and hardly distinguishable-drowned out by the music. It reminds me of the "War of the Worlds."-Richard Burton's voice definitely not in the background!
T**E
Couldn't believe what I was hearing... Fantastic stuff
Absolutely amazed what Christopher Lee has done hear.. Just couldn't believe what I was hearing.. The guy is 92 .. The Album is a concept album which tells the story of Charemagne a historical true event.. Love the driving metal tracks .
C**.
Christopher Lee Sings
This is unusual. Christopher Lee singing to heavy metal tunes. He is a fine actor, and not bad as a singer either. I have not regretted buying this album, and plan to buy the other album at a later date.
T**A
Muy bien
El disco es genial y escuchar a Christopher Lee cantar es otro nivel.Llegó todo perfecto.
.**.
Unesco weltkultur erbe
Am liebsten würde ich sofort in den krieg ziehen, mit schild und schwert. Ich hoffe vergleichbar mit dem kommenden spoken word act von joey de maio.Wieso bekommt obama einen friedens nobel preis und lee nicht.
L**K
*.*
Il cd di un grande attore che si è dato alla musica.Arrivato perfettamente, velocemente e in ottimo stato.Cosa si può volere di più?Ascoltarlo, ed è ciò che mi accingo a fare! =D
M**O
Christopher Lee
Produit reçu en temps et en heures, juste pour le plaisir d'écouter à nouveau et pour toujours sa voix de velours, parfaitement enclin à l'inscrire dans la légende qu'il incarne, aujourd'hui et à jamais, la flamme dans nos cœurs.
酒**仙
クリストファー・リー 三代怪奇俳優の一人
もういいお歳だが、御大元気。３年ほど前にクリスマスソングを聴いたことがあるが、こういったこともできるとは、予想外でよかった。
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