What makes Charlemagne: By the Sword and the Cross by Christopher Lee notable?

This album is notable for its ambitious scope, intertwining historical narrative with progressive musical elements, and it reached number one on the Classical Albums Chart in the UK. Christopher Lee became one of the oldest artists to achieve such a milestone, demonstrating that age does not limit creativity or commercial success. Released in 2010, 'Charlemagne: By the Sword and the Cross' marked the third studio album for Christopher Lee, who was primarily known as a legendary actor. It came after his successful foray into music with 'Revelation' in 2006 and showcased his unique ability to merge classical music with heavy metal influences, solidifying his status as an unconventional artist in his twilight years.

How many songs are on Charlemagne: By the Sword and the Cross?

Charlemagne: By the Sword and the Cross has 14 tracks, running approximately 62 minutes.

Charlemagne: By the Sword and the Cross

Christopher Lee · 2010

62 min · 14 tracks

A cinematic blend of orchestral metal and operatic vocals narrates the epic tale of Charlemagne's reign.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Act I: King of the Franks — This track establishes the powerful thematic foundation of the album, showcasing Lee's commanding vocals alongside a dramatic orchestral arrangement that immerses listeners in Charlemagne's early conquests.
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Act III: The Bloody Verdict of Verden — This track combines intense instrumentation with narrative depth, vividly depicting Charlemagne's controversial military decisions while highlighting Lee's operatic prowess.
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The Age of Oneness out of Diversity — This piece reflects the album's overarching theme of unity through diversity, blending various musical styles while delivering a poignant message about harmony and coexistence.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album's operatic and orchestral blend creates a unique narrative experience, though its impact remains limited to niche audiences.

What we noticed

The album is structured in five acts, each beginning with an introductory track that sets the thematic tone for the following piece.
Operatic vocals are prominently featured throughout, often layered with orchestral arrangements that create a cinematic soundscape.
Several tracks incorporate choral elements, enhancing the grandiosity of the narrative and contributing to the overall epic feel of the album.
The final track serves as an instrumental reprise of a previous song, providing a reflective conclusion to the overarching story.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Overture 2:53
2 Act I: Intro 1:34
3 Act I: King of the Franks 7:14
4 Act II: Intro 1:46
5 Act II: The Iron Crown of Lombardy 8:12
6 Act III: Intro 3:26
7 Act III: The Bloody Verdict of Verden 6:16
8 Act IV: Intro 2:31
9 Act IV: The Age of Oneness out of Diversity 6:07
10 Act V: Intro 2:09
11 Act V: Starlight 4:40
12 Finale 3:57
13 Iberia 5:10
14 The Bloody Verdict of Verden (instrumental) 6:20

What to play next

Listen next

Charlemagne: The Omens of Death

2013

Go back to

Revelation

2006

Full Christopher Lee discography Artists like Christopher Lee

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata