Charlemagne: By the Sword and the Cross is a symphonic metal concept album by actor and singer Christopher Lee. It was released on 15 March 2010. This was Lee's first full-length album in the genre, having previously worked with such bands as Rhapsody of Fire and Manowar.
It tells the story of Charlemagne, the first Holy Roman Emperor, to whom Lee can trace his ancestry. The album's promotional MySpace page garnered over 20 million hits from around the world. The album features 2 metal bands, and a number of guest vocalists playing the different roles in the story. Music was composed by Marco Sabiu. A music video for "The Bloody Verdict of Verden" was released in June 2012.
A heavy metal follow-up album, titled Charlemagne: The Omens of Death, was released in 2013.
Track listing
All lyrics written by Marie-Claire Calvet, all music composed by Marco Sabiu. "Overture" – 2:53 Act I: "Intro" – 1:34 "King of the Franks" – 7:14 Act II: "Intro" – 1:46 "The Iron Crown of Lombardy" – 8:12 Act III: "Intro" – 3:26 "The Bloody Verdict of Verden" – 6:16 Act IV: "Intro" – 2:31 "The Age of Oneness Out of Diversity" – 6:07 Act V: "Intro" – 2:09 Starlight – 4:40 "Finale" – 3:57 "Iberia" – 5:10 "The Bloody Verdict of Verden" (Instrumental) – 6:20
Personnel
Vocals
Christopher Lee – Charlemagne (Ghost) Vincent Ricciardi – Charlemagne (Young) Lydia Salnikova – Hildegard Christina Lee – narration Phil SP – Pepin the Short Mauro Conti – Pope Hadrian Christi Ebenhoch – storytelling singer Dave "Grav" Cavill – additional vocals John Wistow – backing vocals European Cinematic Symphony Choir – choir