The news about Clint Mansell being brought in to compose the score for the upcoming Mass Effect 3 rpg from BioWare has me listening through the score from the previous two games in the series. To continue the jonesing I’m getting from this news I’ve chosen track 25 from the Mass Effect 2 soundtrack to be the latest “Song of the Day”.
“Suicide Mission” comes into Mass Effect 2 around the beginning of the third and final act of the game when the player has gathered and assembled his team of rogues, assassins, berserkers and all sorts of undesirables to make that final jump through the Omega 4 Mass Relay. This track brings together the main theme from the very first game with the brass heavy and hopeful sound of track 5, “Normandy Reborn”, in the second game.
I sometimes just reload the save prior to the jump through the Omega 4 just so I can listen to this particular track of the soundtrack and see the visuals accompanying it. If I don’t feel like replaying that part of the game I’d just reload right before the end credits begins and just enjoy listening to it.
“Suicide Mission” just brings an epic sound to the game and anyone who has played it knows how it brings to rise goosebumps upon hearing it. For those who haven’t played the games this piece of music just brings to mind some of the best in epic, orchestral scores.
For today’s “Song of the Day,” I couldn’t decide between two tracks I had in mind—so I decided to feature them together. This time, it’s not just a “song of the day,” but “songs of the day.” Once you hear what I’ve chosen, you’ll understand why they belong side by side.
The latest selections come from film score composer Basil Poledouris, taken from what many consider his finest work and one of the greatest film scores ever written for the big screen: Conan the Barbarian (1982). The two tracks—Anvil of Crom and Riddle of Steel/Riders of Doom—especially in the Varese Sarabande release, form the powerful and unforgettable musical introduction to the Hyperborean world Conan inhabits.
Anvil of Crom opens the film with thunderous intensity. Timpani drums drive the rhythm while a massive ensemble of 24 French horns and bold brass deliver an overwhelming sense of might and grandeur. This introduction has become synonymous with Conan the Barbarian, earning fame well beyond the film itself—it’s often reused by other filmmakers in trailers for its commanding energy. Even though the piece runs under three minutes, Poledouris’s composition immediately establishes the epic tone audiences should expect from the journey ahead.
Following it is Riddle of Steel/Riders of Doom, which introduces the musical motifs for Conan and his nemesis, Thulsa Doom. The track begins peacefully, gradually building into Conan’s theme—the “riddle of steel” referenced in the title. This serenity is soon shattered as Riders of Doom emerges, dark and orchestral, marking Thulsa Doom’s presence. The second half bears a clear resemblance to Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, and while some critics suggest Poledouris leaned too heavily on Orff’s influence, I disagree. He may have drawn inspiration, but his execution stands triumphantly on its own, resulting in one of the most iconic pieces of film music ever composed.
Heard back-to-back, it’s evident why these two tracks must come as a pair. Anvil of Crom and Riddle of Steel/Riders of Doom are inseparable—an epic one-two punch that gives real force to the film’s opening narration by Conan’s chronicler, who speaks of “the days of high adventure.” The music doesn’t just accompany the words—it drives them home with a surge of raw, mythic power that perfectly captures the spirit of ancient legends and the world’s forgotten ages.
Since I have been in a metal state of mind since finding out that The Big 4 of thrash metal would be appearing together on-stage this coming April 23 at Indio, CA I just had to pick a metal song for the latest “Song of the Day”. The song picked was an easy choice. It was Diamond Head’s classic metal track, “Am I Evil?”, from their 1980 debut album Lightning to the Nations.
Taking inspiration from the openings of both Black Sabbath’s “Symphony of the Universe” and Gustav Holst’s “Mars, the bringer of war”, the beginning of Diamond Head’s “Am I Evil?” has become one of the most recognizable and beloved of all metal songs. Right from the start the song just oozes an aura of heavy evil and the lyrics of a young boy who witnesses his mother’s witch-burning and his quest to avenge that death just adds to the doom and gloom of the song.
Diamond Head was part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWBHM for short) bands which bridged the Atlantic from the mid-to-late 70’s all the way into the early part of the 80’s. While they were not as successful as other groups who came out of the NWBHM scene like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Def Leppard they were a huge influence on another growing subgenre of metal that was about to give birth in the U.S.
I speak of the rise of thrash metal and how it’s four horsemen (Metallica, Anthrax, Slayer and Megadeth) would look to Diamond Head as one of the NWBHM bands which influenced their sound with all four looking at Diamond Head’s “Am I Evil?” as one of those songs which taught them what heavy metal really meant.
It’s no surprise that during the concert tour season of 2010 these four giants of thrash metal would tour together and do seven shows with the show in Sofia, Bulgaria ending with three of the four bands sharing the stage to cover this Diamond Head classic.
Whether played by Diamond Head, Metallica or the Big 4 just listening to “Am I Evil?” definitely makes one feel like their soul just got darker and their heart colder. Just the way heavy metal should affect anyone and be glad that it does.
Am I Evil?
My mother was a witch, she was burned alive Thankless little bitch, for the tears I cried Take her down now, don’t wanna see her face Blistered and burnt, can’t hide my disgrace
27 every one was nice, gotta see them, Make them pay the price See their bodies out on the ice, take my time
Am I evil, yes I am Am I evil, I am man
As I watched my Mother die, I lost my head Revenge now I sought, to break with my bread Takin’ no chances, you come with me I’ll split you to the bone Help set you free.
27 every one was nice, gotta see them, Make them pay the price See their bodies out on the ice, take my time
Am I evil, yes I am Am I evil, I am man
On with the action now, I’ll strip your pride I’ll spread your blood around, I’ll see you ride Your face is scarred with steel, wounds deep and neat Like a double dozen before you, smell so sweet.
27 every one was nice, gotta see them, Make them pay the price See their bodies out on the ice, take my time
Am I evil, yes I am Am I evil, I am man
I’ll make my residence, I’ll watch your fire You can come with me, sweet desire My face is long forgotten, my face not my own Sweet and timely whore, take me home
It took awhile but Metallica has finally made another appearance in the “song of the day” feature. This time around they return with one of their best songs. A song which has become iconic of early-Metallica amongst their most die-hard fans. The song is “For Whom the Bell Tolls”.
This track comes in third on the band’s second album and was inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s 1940 novel, For Whom the Bell Tolls. It is also the song which contains one of the best opening riffs in metal history. A riff not born from lead guitarist Kirk Hammett’s axe, but from it’s bassist Cliff Burton. This opening riff shows Cliff Burton at his best and the fact that people continue to mistake the riff as guitar instead of bass just shows how talented the man was.
This song is all about Burton’s work on the bass with Hetfield supplying the vocals and Hammett’s lead guitar work almost behaving like an accompaniment. It is no wonder that whenever talk comes around as to who is the best metal bassist (or just rock bassist) ever no discussion could ever be considered credible if Cliff Burton’s name was not included.
While Burton died just two years after the single’s release while th eband was on tour in Sweden his contribution as both writer and composer to this song will forever cement his legacy amongst metal and music fans for countless generations.
For Whom the Bell Tolls
Make his fight on the hills in the early day Constant chill deep inside Shouting gun, on they run through the endless grey On they fight, for they are right, yes, but who’s to say?
For a hill, men would kill, why? They do not know Stiffened wounds test their pride Men of five, still alive through the raging glow Gone insane from the pain that they surely know
For whom the bell tolls Time marches on For whom the bell tolls
Take a look to the sky just before you die It is the last time you will Blackened roar massive roar fills the crumbling sky Shattered goal fills his soul with a ruthless cry
Stranger now, are his eyes, to this mystery He hears the silence so loud Crack of dawn, all is gone except the will to be Now they see, what will be, blinded eyes to see
For whom the bell tolls Time marches on For whom the bell tolls
The latest entry to the “Song of the Day” is from the American rock band Old Gods of Asgard. Their song I have chosen is their song “The Poet and The Muse”.
This particular song by the band was created years after the group’s very talented, but self-destructive guitarist Loki Darkens. The song was written by the band’s leader, Odin Anderson with his brother Tor Anderson and drummer “Fat” Bob Balder. It appears in the their 5th full-length album, The Black Rider Cometh, which was released in 1976. It would become one of their more popular songs and was even an inspiration decades later in a video game released for the Xbox 360 by Scandinavian game developer, Remedy Entertainment.
“The Poet and The Muse” plays like a Norse saga spoken to the accompaniment of the group’s music. It tells the tale of the poet named Tom and his beloved who he has dubbed his Muse. The song’s lyrics starts off simple enough about a couple deeply in love but as the song progresses it begins to take on a darker tone. This very dark presence in the lyrics gives the song an almost spooky story told by the campfire vibe which probably why the song became such a hit for the band despite their typical rock sound not appearing in the track until the very end of the song.
Whether the tale of Tom and his Muse is true or not really shouldn’t matter for the song is very good and to beginners to the music scene very easy to learn.
The Poet and The Muse
There’s an old tale wrought with the mystery of Tom The poet and his muse And the magic lake which gave a life To the words the poet used
Now the muse she was his happiness And he rhymed about her grace And told her stories of treasures deep Beneath the blackened waves
‘Till in the stillness of one dawn Still in its mystic crown The muse she went down to the lake And in the waves she drowned
And now to see your love set free You will need the witch’s cabin key Find the lady of the light gone mad with the night That’s how you reshape destiny
The poet came down to the lake To call out to his dear ‘When there was no answer ‘He was overcome with fear
He searched in vain for his treasure lost And too soon the night would fall And only his own echo Would wail back at his call
And when he swore to bring back his love By the stories he’d create Nightmares shifted in their sleep In the darkness of the lake
And now to see your love set free You will need the witch’s cabin key Find the lady of the light still ravin in the night That’s how you reshape destiny
In the dead of night she came to him With darkness in her eyes Wearing a mourning gown Sweet words as her disguise
He took her in without a word For he saw his grave mistake And vowed them both to silence Deep beneath the lake
Now if its real or just a dream One mystery remains For it is said on moonless nights They may still haunt this place
And now to see your love set free You will need the witch’s cabin key Find the lady of the light gone mad with the night That’s how you reshape destiny
And now to see your love set free You will need the witch’s cabin key Find the lady of the light still ravin in the night That’s how you reshape destiny
I remember being very young and getting the chills and scares whenever I heard the opening notes to the fifth entry to the week-long horror-themed “Song of the Day” feature for the site. Even now into my third decade I still get a bit of the willies whenever this song comes on TV, cable or I happen to click on the video on YouTube. The song I’m speaking of is the opening theme to William Friendkin’s horror masterpiece, The Exorcist.
The theme was composed by English musician Mike Oldfield in 1973. “Tubular Bells” is actually an epic piece of progressive rock music which is actually split into two parts. It’s the first part which was chosen and slightly reworked by Oldfield himself to become the opening theme to The Exorcist. This particular theme has become one of the most iconic film themes in cinema history. I’m not just talking about in the horror genre but in all of film.
A person who has never seen Friedkin’s masterpiece about a young girl possessed by the Devil and the ritual which happens soon after will know the theme once they hear it. The theme is literally played on the same name musical intruments. While the original has a more baroque sound with some synth manipulation added to the overall tone, the one used for the film definitely has a more progressive/synth rock to its tempo and tone.
In the end, this chosen theme for the day will be continue to scare and terrify old and new audiences of The Exorcist. Just looking at the video above with just the fog-shrouded Georgetown brownstone in the foreground and Father Merrin just standing there looking up at the home then having the theme playing would make even the most God-less person want to start praying for their eternal soul.
This pick for song of the day marks the fifth time the “Bards” from Germany has made an appearance. This song marks the third track to be chosen from their latest album, At The Edge of Time. To say that I am a fan of Blind Guardian would be just a tad bit of an understatement.
“Valkyries” is the latest song of the day and it’s Blind Guardian at their most progressive metal. As a band they’ve grown from a German speed and thrash metal band then became one of the progenitors of the power metal subgenre. For the past dozen or so years they’ve evolved their sound to incorporate progressive, melodic, symphonic and orchestral stylings to their basic power metal sound.
This song has lead bard Hansi Kürsch writing about Norse mythology, specifically the concept of the Valkyries who fly and roam above the battlefield to take those worthy slain warriors to Valhalla. Kürsch has been one of the best songwriters in the metal scene that I’ve had the pleasure to listen to. His songs are musical epic poems and if one has been following the previous “song of the day” entries involving this band they would’ve seen just how complex and intricate the lyrics Kürsch as come up with for each and every song. “Valkyries” lyrics are no different and listening to him sing it in his distinct voice conjures up images of glorious battlefields and brave warriors clashing in battle.
Listening to this song definitely would make for a great way to pump one up for the possibility of going into battle with battleaxe and sword in hand.
Valkyries
To the gods of the north, I pray And raise my cup for the fallen ones Then I cry In Valhalla they’ll sing
Rain Red blood keeps pouring down Come Valkyries, join me on that final ride
Here I lie bleeding Odin, I await thee
The battle rages on
New lines they’re weaving The future, the past and the present They’re one They will reveal their mask To show me a way to survive This bitter war
Soon it will be over He will be the one We’ll weave in
And terror will now rule these lands
When the battle is lost And the slain ones are chosen Valkyries will guide us home When the battle is lost And the slain ones are chosen Valkyries will guide us home
Destiny A spinning wheel The path of glory Round and round Come join us On your final ride to Asgard Let’s move on fast Allfather waits So let’s heed the final call
For now We leave this world behind It’s over
All glory to the brave Still blood will rain Through storm and fire Let war winds reign It’s the feast for the crows
Follow the light Just follow the light Or fade away
Soon it will be over He will be the one We’ll weave in and terror will now rule these lands
When the battle is lost And the slain ones are chosen Valkyries will guide us home When the battle is lost And the slain ones are chosen Valkyries will guide us home
We’ll keep on weaving We’re crushing through lines With our battering swords We’re marching on Assign the brave To survive This bitter war
Soon it will be over He will be the one We’ll weave in
And terror will now rule these lands
When the battle is lost And the slain ones are chosen Valkyries will guide us home When the battle is lost And the slain ones are chosen Valkyries will guide us home We’ll heed the final call A call to arms The valkyries will guide us home
Then finally I hear them say Carry on For Valhalla awaits you
Again the power metal lads from Germany, Blind Guardian, appears for the fourth time with one of their newest songs for Song of the Day. The song of which I speak of is the second ballad of two that Blind Guardian composed and produced for their latest album, “War of the Thrones”.
While metal bands have done ballads in the past and will continue to do so, Blind Guardian has shied away from the power ballads of most metal bands and have instead opted for the kind of folksy ballads that troubadours and traveling bards of the Middle Ages and the Age of Renaissance played much in inns and royal courts across the lands. In fact, the band has seen themselves more like traveling bards (but with a power metal kick to their music).
“War of the Thrones” definitely sounds like something a traveling troupe of bards would play at a royal court. Even the subject matter which inspired the song is from a historical fantasy series of novels by fantasy writer George R.R. Martin whose A Song of Fire and Ice many have seen as the American Lord of the Rings. The band never shies away from the fantasy aspects of their songwriting and with this song they embrace this aspect of their band’s sound.
The song’s lyrics has themes and ideas from Martin’s fantasy series. From the raging war for the throne of Westeros which has engulfed the lands south of the Wall to the sinister “Others” beyond the wall whose march will raze the Wall which keeps them from the warring kingdoms in the south. For fans of Martin’s fantasy series the song should be a delight as it brings up imagery from the books. For fans of Blind Guardian it’s a nice addition to their growing folksy ballads which goes hand in hand with their faster and more complex work.
War of the Thrones
Nothing will grow here
Icy fields – blackened sorrow
Legacy of a lost mind
Feed my void
What you’re waiting for
I’m too late
It is more than a game
The river reveals
Now I’m in between these lines
I cannot escape it seems
Sail on, my friend
All I ever feel is
All I ever see is
Walls they fall
When the march of the Others begins
All I ever feel is
All I ever see is
Rise and fall
When the War of the Thrones shall begin
While I sit there in silence
Come and talk to me
I can’t free my mind
It is all I’m begging for
While I sit there in silence
Will it ever end?
Will I find what I’m longing for?
Will I ever walk out of shadows so grey?
I’m condemned, I am hallowed
Icy fields they won’t hurt anymore
Will you walk with me?
Any further
There at world’s end
It’s me
I sing
I cannot escape it seems
Sadly I sing
All I ever feel is
All I ever see is
Walls they fall
When the march of the Others begins
All I ever feel is
All I ever see is
Rise and fall
When the War of the Thrones shall begin
Away
Watch the river it flows
(Now and ever)
I cannot believe in more
And now my time will come
Carry on
Will I ever learn from the past?
Will I fade away?
Will I ever stay where the shadows will grow?
There is luck at the gallows
I will free my mind
Soon it will show
Let it rain
There’ll be no spring
My dream is a mirror
It reveals a matter of lies
All I ever feel is
All I ever see is
Rise and fall
When the War of the Thrones will begin
All I ever feel is
All I ever see is
Rise and fall
When the War of the Thrones has begun
Leave a fee for the tillerman
And the river behind…
I think it’s time to slow things down a bit after several choices of rock and metal for Song of the Day. Thus, my pick for the latest Song of the Day is the song “We Are One” by Kelly Sweet.
Yes, I have a soft spot for adult contemporary singers like Kelly Sweet whose sound of modern jazz and classical leanings make for fine easy listening. Life can’t be all rock and metal. Got to have something relaxing and soothing once in awhile. Ms. Sweet is one of the hidden gems of the last couple years whose career is still doing a sow burn, but her debut album, also titled We Are One, has gained her quite a loyal following. The ballad chosen for the song of the day is one of her original songs in the album full of covers. While she does a great job doing both original and cover work, this paticular song is my favorite out of the bunch.
Her classical and jazz training gives her voice an almost ethereal quality during this song. It’s not too catchy and pop like her more successful contemporaries. Her songs are something both the younger and older generations can get into. This song will definitely not be something to inspire the casual booty call, but it is one that is definitely one to light up that slow burn romance that’s harder to create and even harder to keep.
We Are One
Didn’t need to ask
Don’t know the reason
Everything that I believe
Is right here
Not thinkin’ bout tomorrow
Couldn’t catch it if I tried
World is spinning too fast
So I’ll wait ’til it comes to me
I am you
You are me
We are one
Take me in your arms
And flow through me
I’ll flow through you
Steal my breath away
Cause I’m so moved by you
Deeper than I ever thought
Was possible, was possible, it’s everything, oh
Difference between me and you
It’s all in where your heart lies
And every day’s another chance
So let’s get it right
I am you
You are me
We are one
Take me in your arms
And flow through me
I’ll flow through you
Did you lose yourself out there
Did you lose faith and give up
Don’t turn away and hide yourself
Cause there’s a friend to make along the way
We are the heartbeat and our souls speak
And all the beauty I have ever dreamed
Is right here in front of me, oh
Is right here in front of me, oh
I am you
And you are me
We are one
Take me in your arms
And flow through me
I’ll flow through you…
Through the Shattered Lens 