We check in with all things heavy on RTRFM’s Critical Mass show.
He might be better known for playing iconic characters like Dracula, Saruman the White Wizard in The Lord of the Rings and … um, Count Dooku in Star Wars, but there’s no denying that Sir Christopher Lee has maintained an impressive 67-year (and still counting) career as an actor. The talented thespian has also ventured into heavy metal territory by lending his trademark “bari-groan” to several albums as a guest vocalist with Rhapsody and Manowar.
Now, to celebrate his 91st birthday, Sir Lee has released his own metal album, Charlemagne: The Omens of Death.
The Omens of Death is a follow up to his 2010 symphonic metal concept album Charlemagne: By the Sword and the Cross and tells the story of the First Holy Roman Emperor, King Charlemagne (a.k.a. Charles The Great). Charlemagne’s reign, from 768 to 814, was a tumultuous period of almost constant battle.
History lesson aside, the new album plays out like some kind of heavy metal opera, with vocals more spoken than sung by Sir Lee and a cast of others. The guitar work by World Guitar Idol champion Hedras Ramos Jr is impressive, as is the music which was arranged by current Judas Priest guitarist, Richie Faulkner.
If you can get past what looks like a trainee-photoshopped album cover, there is some interesting material here, but it will probably only appeal to die-hard Lee/historian/concept album fans.
One can only hope Sir Lee doesn’t quit his day job at Isengard.
