Christopher Lee Explains Second Metal Album
Movie icon Sir Christopher Lee releases his second metal album Charlemagne: The Omens Of Death on May 27.
It follows Charlemagne: By The Sword And The Cross, which came out in 2010 and won him a Metal Hammer Golden Gods award, an event he describes as “the most amazing occasion.”
Lord Of The Rings star Lee, 90 – who’s better known for his association with Hammer, the cult horror movie firm – says the new record is more metal than the previous one.
He explains: “The first Charlemagne album is metal, of course, but what I sang was more symphonic. The Omens Of Death is one hundred 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 heavy metal.”
The music was arranged by Richie Faulkner just before he replaced KK Downing in Judas Priest. “Most of the songs were already there,” says the guitarist. “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. 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 neighbours thought!”
Tracklist
01. The Portent
02. Charles the Great
03. The Siege
04. Massacre of the Saxons
05. Dawning of a New Age
06. Let Legend Mark Me as the King
07. The Betrayal
08. The Devil’s Advocate
09. The Ultimate Sacrifice
10. Judgement Day