Lord Saruman The White has got a new treat in store for fans this Christmas, as reported by independent.co.uk.
Christopher Lee, the world’s oldest man known to sing heavy metal, has released a Christmas single called ‘Darkest Carols, Faithful Sing’.
The song marks the third year The Hobbit star has released Christmas material following 2012’s “A Heavy Metal Christmas” and 2013’s “A Heavy Metal Christmas Too”.
The 92-year-old’s new Christmas song appears to be more of a medley, including his heavy metal takes on ‘The Little Drummer Boy’, ‘Silent Night’, ‘Jingle Bells’ and ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’. Check it out below:
The single also includes a version of Frank Sinatra’s very unfestive ‘My Way’ – perhaps meant as a statement about the actor’s intentions to continue recording heavy metal material well into his Nineties.
‘Darkest Carols, Faithful Sing’ includes Hedras Ramos on guitar, Brook Hansen from Prog Rock Orchestra on instrumental mix and Ziv on extended vocals mix.
The single has been produced by Lee’s own heavy metal label Charlemagne Productions Ltd.
The actor has released four albums but only ventured fully into the heavy metal genre with his last record “Charlemagne: The Omens of Death” in 2013.
He is best known for his roles in JRR Tolkien’s franchise, but has starred in hundreds of other films including Tim Burton‘s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the original Moulin Rouge movie in 1952.
Skynews.com have reported that Christopher Lee, the world’s oldest heavy metal performer, has released a new album to coincide with his 92nd birthday.
“Metal Knight” is a mini album featuring seven tracks, two of which are covers from the Man Of La Mancha musical which is based on the character Don Quixote.
Sir Christopher said: “As far as I am concerned, Don Quixote is the most metal fictional character that I know. Single-handed, he is trying to change the world, regardless of any personal consequences. It is a wonderful character to sing.”
He has uploaded a YouTube video in which he explains the songs, including ‘The Impossible Dream’ and ‘My Way’, popularised by Frank Sinatra:
The Lord Of The Rings star started his second career a decade ago when he worked with the Italian symphonic metal band, Rhapsody Of Fire.
“I associate heavy metal with fantasy because of the tremendous power that the music delivers,” he has said.
His roles in films such as Dracula, The Wicker man and The Man With The Golden Gun are thought to have inspired metal songs.
In June 2010, he received the Spirit of Metal awards at the Golden Gods Awards from Black Sabbath‘s Tony Iommi for his work in Charlemagne: By the Sword and the Cross and his contribution to metal themes on the silver screen.
Last Christmas, his rendition of Jingle Hell (Bells) achieved number 18 in the Billboard Charts, making him the oldest performer – at 91 – ever to chart.
“Metal Knight” is available now from all digital music stores.
Iconic movie actor Sir Christopher Lee made music chart history this week when his seasonal metal song Jingle Hell entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 22.
That makes him the oldest person to record a hit single and the oldest living person to have a chart hit. At 91 years and six months when he recorded the track, he’s far ahead of previous record-holder Tony Bennet, who was 85 when he recorded Body And Soul with late pop star Amy Winehouse in 2011.
Lee – best known for playing Saruman in The Lord Of The Rings, Dracula in a series of Hammer movies, James Bond villain Scaramanga and Lord Summerisle in The Wicker Man – previously described Jingle Hell as “a bit naughty, entertaining and certainly different.”
Now he comments: “Wonderful news! I want to thank everyone involved, especially the fans. I have spent my career surprising people, so here’s to the next one.”
He has a history of musical work across many genre, and released his first metal album, Charlemagne: By The Sword in 2010. Last year he launched the follow-up Charlemagne: The Omens Of Death.Jingle Hell is a track on his EP A Heavy Metal Christmas Too, following a similarly-titled release last year.
Legendary actor Christopher Lee, who has appeared in such cinematic milestones as “Lord Of The Rings”, “Star Wars”, “The Man With The Golden Gun” and “Dracula”, released his second heavy metal album, “Charlemagne: The Omens Of Death”, on May 27 on audio CD, a two-disc gatefold vinyl and MP3 downloads.
“Charlemagne: The Omens Of Death” signifies Christopher Lee‘s move into “full-on” heavy metal.
Speaking to Skullbanger Media, Lee stated about his new album: “‘The Omens Of Death’, apart from being the continuation to the first album, ‘By Sword And The Cross’, no longer makes use of the introductions to the songs, or has symphonic elements. This creates a different atmosphere which shapes the story.
“Throughout Charlemagne‘s life, there had been key events which could have taken various turns, and these have shaped the world in which we live today. He was the ‘Father of Europe’ and responsible for carving the map as it is today.
“As Charlemagne recounts his life, he focuses on these key elements which represent omens, hence the title ‘The Omens Of Death’. By attempting to unify the people of Europe and take them out of the dark ages of ignorance and chaos, he also created death and destruction.”
Asked how he feels about the fact that he has been a major influence to metal musicians through his film work and now that he is part of the genre itself, Lee said: “Going back to the early stages of my career, my work, my acting has always been influenced by the German composer Wagner. Now that I have been able to listen to many metal albums, I realize that the genre is a direct evolution of the world and the sounds that Wagner imagined. I am, of course, very pleased and honored to have been able to carry these themes through.”
Regarding whether there any other heavy metal artists out there he would be interested in collaborating with, Lee said: “It’s fair to say that since the early 1970s, I had been asked to do collaborations with metal bands and even now I receive offers from various bands. I guess that the difference between then and now is that I have more time to explore projects that are different and new to me. I take the same approach as when a movie offer comes through: I look at the story and the character that I am asked to portray and if it appeals to me, I will do it. As things stand now, I am already committed into participating in several projects, one of which will be announced fairly soon.”
The music in “Charlemagne: The Omens of Death” was arranged by Richie Faulkner. He completed the work shortly before he was called to join JUDAS PRIEST as lead guitarist.
“Charlemagne: The Omens Of Death” track listing:
01. The Portent (4:29)
02. Charles The Great (6:23)
03. The Siege (7:09)
04. Massacre Of The Saxons (5:41)
05. Dawning Of A New Age (4:40)
06. Let Legend Mark Me As The King (5:45)
07. The Betrayal (5:02)
08. The Devil’s Advocate (4:54)
09. The Ultimate Sacrifice (5:09)
10. Judgement Day (3:41)
Singers:
* Christopher Lee as Charlemagne (Ghost)
* Vincent Ricciardi as Young Charlemagne
* Phil S.P as Pippin The Short
* Mauro Conti as Pope Hadrian
* Lydia Salnikova as Hildegard
* Gorgon Tittsworth as Roland
* Aaron Cloutier as Duke Lop
* Daniel Vasconcelos as Oliver
Musicians:
Electric Guitar: Hedras Ramos Jr.
Bass Guitar: Hedras Ramos Sr.
Drums: Ollie Usiskin
Legendary actor Christopher Lee, who has appeared in such cinematic milestones as “Lord Of The Rings”, “Star Wars”, “The Man With The Golden Gun” and “Dracula”, has released Christmas heavy metal singles “The Little Drummer Boy” and “Silent Night” via iTunes and Amazon.
Audio samples of the songs can be heard below.
Christopher Lee may have turned 90, but it doesn’t look like he plans to retire any time soon. He appeared in “Dark Shadows” earlier this year, you can catch him in “The Hobbit”, and he isn’t afraid to try something a little bit different like this heavy metal Christmas project.
Vocals: Christopher Lee
Backing Vocals (“Silent Night”): Michelle at StudioPros
Guitars: Hedras Ramos Jr.
Bass: Hedras Ramos Sr.
Drums: Ollie Usiskin
Musical arrangements by Hedras Ramos Jr.
Recorded at: Bonafide Studios, StudioPros and Audio 7
Engeneering: Leopoldo Lopes and Hedras Ramos Sr.
Mixed and mastered at Sound Pressure Studios
The singer-actor’s first creation, “Charlemagne: By The Sword And The Cross”, which won critical acclaim, was more symphonic than the upcoming “Charlemagne: The Omens Of Death”, which is due in 2013.
He told BBC Radio 5 “Up All Night”‘s Jamie Stangroom how he got involved in the genre.
“I was first introduced to metal when I sang with a [band] called RHAPSODY,” he said. “But what I sang was not heavy metal; I sang with a tenor. Then I worked with MANOWAR as a narrator, I think it was in Germany, and again, that was not me singing metal. I became rather fascinated by this, ’cause in terms of history of music, it’s fairly recent, really. And if it’s properly done and you can understand the story and you can understand what the people are singing and you have the right bands and the right singers, I think it’s rather exciting.
“When I was approached to do the first ‘Charlemagne’ album, ‘By The Sword And The Cross’, it is heavy metal, of course, but what I sang was more symphonic. Now on the second one, ‘The Omens Of Death’, it is 100 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 100 percent heavy metal.”
Lee also spoke about being presented with the “Spirit Of Hammer” prize by BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi at Metal Hammer magazine’s Golden Gods awards in London in June 2010, Lee said, “It was a most amazing occasion for me — very exciting — and something I’d never had happen to me my whole career, my whole life, in terms of awards,” he said. “I have received quite a few. But I was interviewed, actually in this room, by Tony Iommi, who founded BLACK SABBATH. And I hadn’t heard them, but I made it a point [to do so]. [And] I thought it was extraordinary. And then I went to O2 [in London] in front of a fairly large crowd, I would say, all, of course, very young. And I got a greeting, which was really quite amazing. The decibel level was very high. Very high, very high.”
Legendary actor Christopher Lee, who has appeared in such cinematic milestones as “Lord Of The Rings”, “Star Wars”, “The Man With The Golden Gun” and “Dracula”, has celebrated his 90th birthday by releasing a second heavy metal album.
The singer-actor’s first creation, “Charlemagne: By The Sword And The Cross”, which won critical acclaim, was more symphonic than the upcoming “Charlemagne: The Omens Of Death”.
He told BBC Radio 5 “Up All Night”‘s Jamie Stangroom how he got involved in the genre.
“I was first introduced to metal when I sang with a [band] called RHAPSODY,” he said. “But what I sang was not heavy metal; I sang with a tenor. Then I worked with MANOWAR as a narrator, I think it was in Germany, and again, that was not me singing metal. I became rather fascinated by this, ’cause in terms of history of music, it’s fairly recent, really. And if it’s properly done and you can understand the story and you can understand what the people are singing and you have the right bands and the right singers, I think it’s rather exciting.
“When I was approached to do the first ‘Charlemagne’ album, ‘By The Sword And The Cross’, it is heavy metal, of course, but what I sang was more symphonic. Now on the second one, ‘The Omens Of Death’, it is 100 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 100 percent heavy metal.”
Lee also spoke about being presented with the “Spirit Of Hammer” prize by BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi at Metal Hammer magazine’s Golden Gods awards in London in June 2010, Lee said, “It was a most amazing occasion for me — very exciting — and something I’d never had happen to me my whole career, my whole life, in terms of awards,” he said. “I have received quite a few. But I was interviewed, actually in this room, by Tony Iommi, who founded BLACK SABBATH. And I hadn’t heard them, but I made it a point [to do so]. [And] I thought it was extraordinary. And then I went to O2 [in London] in front of a fairly large crowd, I would say, all, of course, very young. And I got a greeting, which was really quite amazing. The decibel level was very high. Very high, very high.”
You can listen to Lee‘s interview with BBC Radio 5 “Up All Night”‘s Jamie Stangroom at BBC.co.uk.
