Get all 4 Herc releases available on Bandcamp and save 20%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Melian (feat. Arno Menses), Of Light and Darkness, Towards the Mountains, and Of perilous realm... & other tales.
1. |
Behold your music
02:18
|
|||
In the beginning I conceived the Ainur and I taught them of the Art of Music. They have improvised in a song, greater than what they had ever sung. Melkor, among them, waved opposing music deliberately, so that he would stand out. I then, proposed a second theme, but Melkor’s discord rose up against it. There was dismay among the Ainur so I raised my hand and a third and final theme unfolded. It had two dominant melodies: a slow one with an immeasurable sorrow and a sharper, harsher one. There was a vast crescendo of conflict, until I finally brought it all to a crashing conclusion with one massive chord, deeper than the Abyss.
Behold thy music…
|
||||
2. |
Of silver and gold
06:09
|
|||
I’ve sung of trees and branches
And green that grows upon this world
These are my beloved creatures
That gave life in Arda’s first spring
The light that was brought by Aulë
And hallowed by the Valar
Has spread its warmth and beauty
Alas, it wasn’t meant to last
Bridge
For Melkor was lurking in (the) shadows
Where the light of Illuin was cold and dim
He brought destruction and fire
And darkness arose in the realm
Chorus
Of silver and gold, beyond the walls of Pèlori
Of silver and gold, we’ll bring light back to Valinor
I’ve sung of Telperion and Laurelin
That the tears of Nienna grew them high
Their leaves had shone upon us
Bringing life back into this world
Bridge
But Melkor kept lurking in shadows
His spirit won’t rest until everything is gone
Now with plots of hate and revenge
He wants to rule them all
Chorus
Of silver and gold, beyond the walls of Pèlori
Of silver and gold, we brought light back to Valinor
Of silver and gold, beyond the walls of Pèlori
Of silver and gold, now our fate walks into the unknown
|
||||
3. |
Mahal
06:09
|
|||
I breathe life into stone
Seven souls of pure impulsiveness
My fear now has grown
Should I beg for my forgiveness?
For I have fallen into folly
And my arrogance has left me blinded
Yet creation is my joy
How can I be so divided?
Bridge
He brandished his hammer up high
They shrank and begged for their lives
He wanted to smite them all
With their bodies to blanket the floor
Chorus
Mahal, Mahal
Blessed be thy creation
Mahal, Mahal
For thy art will be your salvation
Come now my children come
Embrace the life that was gracefully spared
Sleep now my children, swiftly
And let this darkness embrace you deeply
Bridge 2x
Their time is not yet to come
They sleep now deep under the stone
What is done it can’t be undone
But they cannot be called the “Firstborn”
|
||||
4. |
Of light and darkness
06:54
|
|||
(ELVES)
Newborn stars have brightened the darkened sky
Our time has come to awake
We first beheld Varda’s starlight
Our journey’s just begun
We dwell and wander, we sing and cheer
Our voices have spread across the realms
Then he came upon us, a benevolent figure
We’ve seen the light of Aman in him
(MELKOR)
Yet I fear of this omen that comes from afar (up high)
I will gather all evil at hand
And with poisonous words I will sicken their minds
An imprisoned beauty I will now turn into dark
Chorus
We are marching to the North to siege Utomno
And imprison the One, Melkor Bauglir, the Dark Lord
We are marching to the battle without fear in our souls
We will wrestle him down, we will bring him to the ground
“All this beauty, I despise thee,
All the Elves and Men, they shall suffer!
All this this beauty, all this light,
I’ll destroy thee and then I will rule in darkness”
(ELDAR)
A long and tedious journey we made
We travel now afar; the decision seems tallied
Beyond the Misty Mountains high
And the shores of Anduin where many of us dallied
(MORIQUENDI)
Reluctantly we heeded these summons
Our wish, to remain behind, for the wrath we have seen
Has dreadfully filled our hearts
Chorus
We are heading to the North with Oromë on our side
With no road to follow, we are letting him guide
We travel now for long, without fear in our hearts,
Northward into Beleriand x2
|
||||
5. |
Melian
05:45
|
|||
She, she is the enchantress
Her voice took his conscience away
For Melian was her name
And she filled the silence of Middle-Earth
He, he wandered through the forests
He followed her enchanting calls
Thus, enamoured of her became
And for many years transcended he remained
Chorus
In a clearing in Nan Elmoth
The two souls became one
For the spell was too strong
They are now bonded forevermore
|
||||
6. |
Onwards to Eldamar
11:57
|
|||
The sound of the sundering sea
Has filled the air across the shores
As the Lonely Isle draws
Its course onto Aman
We were searching hopelessly
We lingered and were left behind
We should put our grief and despair aside
And pursue the hope, our Maiar Lord to find
Chorus
Through a crack in the mountains
There’s a passage of light
Our fate has left us together in dwelling
In the city of Tirion upon Túna, up high
Prosperity and fellowship are unveiling
The time had come for us to leave
For the desire was so strong and profound
Beneath the starry skies of Eldamar
We tamed the waves with the swans on our side
Across the shores of Valinor
Onwards the borders of Dark
Ιn seek of the unknown
We explored the lands far, far beyond
For the love of knowledge would be vast in our hearts
What fate would bring, only time will reveal at last
|
||||
7. |
Spirit of fire
08:15
|
|||
On glorious and blissful days
As a fateful son, I was born
Destined to bear the curse of my kin
For I sought the counsel of none
With crafty hands and a subtle mind
I became a masterful figure
With piercing eyes of bright
And hair dark as the night
My will to go forth I reassured
Bridge
Her body consumed in the bearing of him
Her spirit departed to the Halls of Mandos
Chorus
Spirit of fire, your will is so strong
Spirit of fire, you’ll be led by none
Spirit of fire, your fate is doomed
Oh, mighty Fëanor my loss I should have endured
Now, he who deceives with poisonous words
Is free to roam this world
For he fooled them with vows, from within his bitter heart
And poisoned their minds, he will turn them apart
I will never, never be deceived
I can comprehend your darkness within
I will never, ever listen to the words
That will be spit from the dark mouth of yours
And the Noldor took delight in the hidden knowledge that he could reveal to them; and some hearkened to words that it would have been better for them never to have heard.
Bridge
Her shadow will cover his house forevermore
For it had never departed from his mind
Chorus
Spirit of fire, you’re wise and strong
Spirit of fire, you’ll be led by none
Spirit of fire, your fate is doomed
Oh, mighty son my loss I should have endured
|
||||
8. |
Seeds of hatred
09:50
|
|||
Thoughts and concerns have troubled his mind
Foreshadowing the doom that was drawing near
With all his power, his lore, and all his subtle skill, (he) ensured
The light of the Trees would never disappear
He captured it inside three jewels, resilient in any force
Their fire within was burning up so bright
No one could lay a hand on them, mortal or evil, they were blessed
To utmost darkened places they could shine their light
Bridge (Melkor)
Thy fire is now burning in my heart Inflaming my darkest desire
I lusted thee, oh precious Silmarils, Gems of light, I must acquire
Chorus
The seeds of hatred were planted, Their harvester now walks among us
With lies he blossoms his plants of hate, to bring days of doom upon us
The seeds of hatred made us believe, that these thoughts were our own
We now must face what is to come, our darkened fate no one can now atone
Thus, jealousy sparked between the two elder sons
His whispering lies have spread across Eldamar
As hands went armed with axes and swords
The kindreds have driven each other apart
In secrecy he forged swords and helms tall
Rebellion he emerged against the Valar
For the dark lord’s words have poisoned his soul
The Noldor now he wants to deliver and take afar
“Father, wilt thou restrain the pride of our brother
Who he thinks of himself, as if he were the King?”
Bridge (Fëanor)
Be gone thee, take thy due place, for my sword is sharper than thy tongue
I shall rid thee, usurper, who seeks, to be the master of thy thralls
Thou art no king, thou shall not turn against thy kinsman
We shall banish thee, thy punishment has begun
Now he who deceives, In growing shadows, he moves
He feigns friendship but his will now is clear,
A fierceful rage, he awakes
|
||||
9. |
As darkness falls
07:45
|
|||
Avathar…
South of this world,
To a dark land unexplored
Where the shadows grow longer and deep
Beneath the shores of mourn
And the sheer walls of Pelóri
The monstrous mistress lived in a ravine
She (was) hungered for light
So, she sucked it up all
Dark webs of gloom were her spawn
Her hunger diminished not,
She lusted for more
Though she was filled with a great fear,
His bid, she could not ignore
Bridge (Melkor)
If thou hunger endures
After everything is done
I will feed thy lust with whatever
Thy may demand
Chorus 1
Lead the way my dear
Let us bring them (a) great fear
As darkness falls, in this deep sea of night
I will spread around terror and grief
They both set forth to the blessed Valinor
Covered in a dark woven cloak
While the people of the realm,
Had put aside all their grief
In the great halls, upon Taniquetil
Then they came upon
The great Trees of Light
Their shine won’t last for long
For her thirst diminished not
She lusted for more
While both Trees were drained off
(Their light)
Bridge (Ungoliant)
My hunger remains
After their sap was gone
I will feed my lust with whatever
I may demand
Chorus 2
Drink, drink my dear
Let them now be in fear
As darkness falls, in this deep sea of night
I will spread around terror and grief
Bridge (Trees)
He stabs the Trees
Deep wounds into their flesh
Bright sap was poured out on the ground
She dips her teeth to quench her thirst
'Till their lights are no more around
A piercing look through this deep bitter night
Saw darkness beyond dark, impervious
And while pursuing the shadows in the north
Lost and powerless, we beat the air in vain
Darkness has fallen
Darkness has fallen
Darkness has fallen
Darkness has fallen
|
||||
10. |
||||
In lamentation, they drink this cup of woe
For the Trees, they are dead, dark and cold
Though, there lies a tiny hope,
a tiny hope…
(Valar)
Our wish, we hope that you will grant it
Your precious gems, to us, to be handed
(Fëanor)
I wish not to relinquish
the light of my stones
I will rather be slain in front of you all
Anguish and pain then drowned his heart
For the king was slain
and the gems were extract
A curse from within arose
A curse whence the bleak north blows
(Fëanor)
I curse thy name, Morgoth you shall be
The black foe of this world, my eternal enemy
I curse thy summon in this ring of doom
I am grieving inside, my soul in a gloom
The master of thy words now speaks
Into the hearts of people
Anger and hope he breeds
They swiftly gathered around to hark,
While he stirred them into madness
(Morgoth)
My hands are burned
By the light of these gems
Yet I refuse to feed her
With their preciousness
All the treasures of Formenos
Now lying devoured in her guts
For my very life I cry
while her darkened webs shut
(Lammoth)
Summon the ones, undiscovered foes, undiscovered foes
To deliver thy lord from her darkened webs,
from their fiery whips away she flees, away she flees
(Morgoth)
I declare myself king of the world
Heavy is my crown yet I will never take it off
In these renewed ruins of Angband
I shall remain and govern you all
Beneath the gloomy veil of agony
Beneath the gloomy veil of despair
Into these bleak times where hope
Hope Matters more, hope matters more
hope matters more than breathable air
(Fëanor)
Why, oh why, all servants must we be
To the ones that failed to protect us?
Instead, war, oh war we shall bring
Upon the One of their kin
The one who destruction
and slaughter brought us
And once everything is done
The only masters will be Us
Lords of the unsullied Light
Everlasting Dark shall set upon
whoever may lay a hand on a Silmaril
For they shall never,
ever leave our sight again!
With burning hearts of anger
They march beyond the dark
A bitter farewell, they bid
In the dead wilderness of grinding ice
Hunger and fear slowly rise
As the cursed kin marches on their doom
Beyond this world, into the gloom (unknown)
And as their angry hearts withered
The weight of this frozen wilderness
Plunged their weeping souls into emptiness
|
||||
11. |
Of Gonnhirrim
09:33
|
|||
Shining stars are burning in the night
Like silver fires they light up the Northern sky
Into the deep woods of Neldoreth
Where once Lúthien was brought to life
In the passing of the ages
Over the Blue Mountains we arrived
By the sides of Ered Luin
We have built and we thrived
(Bridge)
We’ve been praised and entitled
As the Masters of the Stones
Yet no one can deny
Our great love for the gemstones
(Chorus)
Into the deeps of Beleriand we go
We let our iron to meet its rock
With our we’ve built
The great Halls of Menegroth
And as the new age drew on
We have spoken of our great foe
We might have captured the dark lord
Yet his foul beasts freely roam
(Bridge)
Will prosperity be demised?
To prevent that, we’re obliged
We’ve stored the armouries of the Elven lords
With chainmail of glimmering splore
That will never, ever get old
(Chorus)
Into the deeps of Menegroth we work
The sounds of pounding have spread across its halls
With our sturdy hands, we pound, we forge
We let our hammers temper mighty swords
Into the deeps of Menegroth we roam
We are the masters in this kingdom of stone
With our edgy, crafty minds we’ve sealed
A higher bonding with our Elven Lords
Into the deeps of Menegroth we dwell
At the edge of prosperity,
a Great War will begin
We pledged our hammers and our hearts
to the realm
For we are the Gonnhirrim
|
||||
12. |
Doriath
09:07
|
|||
A blissful time, as thoughts float
Into a tide untroubled
Where beauty’s thriving,
Like the dawn during spring’s morning
(Bridge)
Long was this time of prosperity,
Little were the tales to be told
Now everything is forgotten and perished
Upon the shadow of the war
(Chorus)
She, who devoured all light
In a cloak of darkness she vanished
In the Mountains of Terror, she came
All light and life itself now are banished
He, who cried in despair
Built it anew and fortified his dark lair
And as the reek of death sneaked out from its towers
He set forth to bring war with all of his powers
The land is drawn into twilight
Fear grows in the hearts of men
Echoes, echoes of a desperate cry
Hark! Oh hark, oh hark, the herald of death
(Bridge)
(Chorus)
Great was the battle,
Yet plundered was the land
Many have lost their lives
In this first war of Beleriand
Fenced is the dominion by the spell of Melian
While evil roamed beyond the unseen walls of Doriath
|
||||
13. |
A celestial dance
09:40
|
|||
There’s no heal for these wounds,
a failing hope of revive
A flower and a fruit yielded before
the Trees’ last fading light
In the vigilant, murky realm,
sleepless we remained
We have held our voiceless council
and our choices we ordained
With eyes of bright, of splendour
that no one could withstand a stare
She became the chosen one to carry
the Golden Fruit up in the air
A lover of the silver,
he was pleased with their accord
He is the one with the task of tending
the Silver Flower for evermore
And as the first light of Moon
arose above the realm of the stars
Things awoken from their slumber;
a sign of hope had come at last
Then, the Sun arose in glory,
a great fire in the sky
Upon the towers of Pelóri,
it cast its rays on every side
(Tilion)
We’ve been sent to keep our courses
In this eternal celestial dance
Our light so bright, so radiant,
discloses all evil at a glance
(Arien)
Yet you’re drawn, drawn to me,
our dance has started to fall afoul
Your light is now diminished, it fled
and scorched away like a howl
(Varda)
For I decided, I wanted you to stay aloft
I proposed to alternate thy courses
Now as the one slept to west
The other from the east arose
By breaking your conjunctions;
I gave the land a night and day
My command for you to follow,
a wish I wanted you to simply obey
Atop of the Blessed Realm,
they are now sharing the open skies
A little sort of hide and seek below
the ground where all the evil lies
And while chasing one another
upon a predefined pace
Lured, he was, he came so close to her
and brought some darkness amid the day
(Reprise)
Of silver and gold, above the skies of Pelóri
Of silver and gold,
we brought light once again to our world
As fear dethroned the delights of evil,
He attempted to murder the light
Avoiding a war was of their choice, they raised mountain-walls of a great height
(Reprise)
Of silver and gold, around the walls of Pelóri
Of silver and gold,
we fortified our precious Valinor
|
Streaming and Download help
Herc recommends:
If you like Herc, you may also like:
Bandcamp Daily your guide to the world of Bandcamp