Concept albums that are based on literature
EDIT: I've linked my favourite tracks to the song titles rather than embed them in the post. It looks less cluttered that way.
I've said before that I'm a big fan of power/progressive/symphonic metal (hereon in called fantasy metal) because of the fantasy imagery in the lyrics and in the music itself. There's an almost literary quality to the genre as it deals with sweeping story arcs and imagined lands. Fantasy metal draws its inspiration from novels and folklore, so it's no surprise that there are concept albums that are based entirely around books. Here are my favourites.
Kamelot - Epica and The Black Halo
[based on Faust by Goethe]
Kamelot is my favourite fantasy metal band, and this two-part epic is the reason why. The MC, Ariel sells his soul to the demon Mephisto in order for untold knowledge and power.
My favourite song from these albums is Descent of the Archangel, where Ariel sells his soul to Mephisto.
My favourite track from this album is called Fireroses Dance. I'm not greatly familiar with the novel, so I'm not sure which part of the story it covers.
Nightfall in Middle-Earth - Blind Guardian
[based on The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien]
Blind Guardian are likely to be the archetypal fantasy metal band. They are heavily influenced by Lord of the Rings, and Nightfall in Middle-Earth is no exception. The album chronicles the events of The Silmarillion, the prequel to The Hobbit.
The whole album is teeming with Tolkien-y goodness, but if I have to pick a track it would be Nightfall.
The Dark Saga - Iced Earth
[based on the Spawn graphic novels by Todd MacFarlane]
Iced Earth are another band that are heavily influenced by fantasy and sci-fi in their work (check out their 17-minute epic of Dante's Inferno and their horror-themed concept album Horror Show). The Dark Saga follows a man who sells his soul to the Devil for the woman he loves, only to find that she has betrayed him.
The best track on this album for me is A Question of Heaven, where the protagonist realises that he cannot escape the bargain he has made.
So those are my top picks for metal albums that are based on books.
Do you like music that is based on literature? Are you a fan of concept albums like these?
I've said before that I'm a big fan of power/progressive/symphonic metal (hereon in called fantasy metal) because of the fantasy imagery in the lyrics and in the music itself. There's an almost literary quality to the genre as it deals with sweeping story arcs and imagined lands. Fantasy metal draws its inspiration from novels and folklore, so it's no surprise that there are concept albums that are based entirely around books. Here are my favourites.
[based on Faust by Goethe]
Kamelot is my favourite fantasy metal band, and this two-part epic is the reason why. The MC, Ariel sells his soul to the demon Mephisto in order for untold knowledge and power.
My favourite song from these albums is Descent of the Archangel, where Ariel sells his soul to Mephisto.
Vanden Plas - Christ 0
[based on The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas]
Christ 0 reinterprets the original Dumas novel in a more modern setting, showing a man who is imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit. Vanden Plas use orchestral pieces and large choirs to give their music a very epic feel.
My favourite track from this album is called Fireroses Dance. I'm not greatly familiar with the novel, so I'm not sure which part of the story it covers.
[based on The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien]
Blind Guardian are likely to be the archetypal fantasy metal band. They are heavily influenced by Lord of the Rings, and Nightfall in Middle-Earth is no exception. The album chronicles the events of The Silmarillion, the prequel to The Hobbit.
The whole album is teeming with Tolkien-y goodness, but if I have to pick a track it would be Nightfall.
[based on the Spawn graphic novels by Todd MacFarlane]
Iced Earth are another band that are heavily influenced by fantasy and sci-fi in their work (check out their 17-minute epic of Dante's Inferno and their horror-themed concept album Horror Show). The Dark Saga follows a man who sells his soul to the Devil for the woman he loves, only to find that she has betrayed him.
The best track on this album for me is A Question of Heaven, where the protagonist realises that he cannot escape the bargain he has made.
So those are my top picks for metal albums that are based on books.
Do you like music that is based on literature? Are you a fan of concept albums like these?
Honestly, I have not heard of the subgenre of metal, but WOW! I am going to have to check these out. They look and sound amazing. Thanks for posting these.
ReplyDeleteAll right, I haven't heard of any of these bands but I do like music that's based on literature.
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who composes music and he's actually written a couple of songs based on my fantasy WIP and he would like to do more some day. It's kind of cool.
To be quite honest, I've never heard of something like this! It's a great idea, though.
ReplyDeleteI've not heard of these, but I've found some good stuff on your site previously so I'll check them out later.
ReplyDeleteJamie, this post was a bit difficult for me to penetrate-- not because of what or how you've written but because the images sort of ran together for me. (It's not you, it's me. ;))
ReplyDeleteWhat I did want to say though is that I like the way your mind always strives to take things existing in the wider culture and to bring your own intellect to bear on them. You may not have your own manuscript to ship off to agents but your mind is teeming with connection, review, commentary and reflection. And I like that about this blog.
there's also 2 spanish folkrock bands that do this all the time, Mago de Oz(Spain) and tierra santa (Argentina) specially the second one because most of their song are based on popular folk stories and mythologies or even biblical happenings like sodom and gomorrah
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of any of this, but anything inspired by Middle Earth is awesome as far as I'm concerned. I thought Led Zeppelin was the only band to do that.
ReplyDeleteVery cool post! I'm going to have to check out some of these.
ReplyDeleteI know those bands! Dig the Vanden Plas.
ReplyDeleteThe Vanden Plas song you linked was a great one. I liked it so much I tried finding it on itunes. Alas, it wasn't there. Oh well.
ReplyDeleteBlind Guardian are influenced by many SFF writers,not just Tolkien.
ReplyDeleteMichael Moorcock's characters from Eternal Champion series - check out the songs "Damned for All Time" and "Fast to Madness".
"Follow the Blind" is based on Stephen King & Peter Straub's The Talisman.
"Traveler in Time" is based on Frank Herbert's Dune
"Black Chamber" is based on the cult TV show Twin Peaks.
"Somewhere Far Beyond" is based on Stephen King's The Dark Tower.
"Otherland" is based on Tad Williams' Otherland series
anyway,there are a lot more but i will stop here ,basically anything one can think about in SFF lit ,they have written songs about it,cool band.
Hey Jaims, it was perfectly fine the way it was. I am a bit flattered though that you'd change anything on my account.
ReplyDeleteCheers. :)
You know, I'm not even sure this existed as a genre! I know that a few years back I encountered a band on MySpace (I know, I was young!) who based their music around the works of David Gemmell, wish I could remember their name now...
ReplyDeleteOh wow - never come across this before, but the cover art is enough to grab my attention... off for a youtube trawl - great post, thanks!
ReplyDeleteLx
I like albums that have a theme or tell a story. Will have to check these out.
ReplyDeleteI'm visiting from the Blogfest. Lots of writers in the mix. I will check them out.
ReplyDelete