Tolkien in modern music? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

vanwalossien · 04-24-2004, 03:07 PM

I'm a huge fan of both Blind Guardian and Nightwish, and I'd just like to recommend BG's album "Nightfall in Middle-earth" for any metal fans out there, which is more less only inspired by the Silm, it's really excellent. And if you don't like metal you could download their song The lord of the Rings, which isn't especially heavy.
Nightwish aren't as obviously influenced by Tolkien as Blind Guardian, but they are, and besides, their music is great anyway (haha I've got concert tickets for July 24th, yeah!)

Numenorean · 04-26-2004, 10:04 AM

A College friend of mine was/is really into Hawkwind, so one time he plays this old (1982) album of theirs called 'Choose Your Masques' which was decent enough, I guess. Anyway, my friend then claims that the first track is actually all about the Lord of the Rings. Sure enough the lyrics follow general themes from Wars of the Ring, but right at the end there is a really eerie sample that sounds so convincing that it may have even been lifted straight from a radio adaption of LoTR. Amongst some strange atmospheric noises it goes:

"I have come. But I do not choose now to do what I came to do..."

Legolas · 04-26-2004, 10:18 AM

Like Hawkind, there are several other progressive rock bands named after Middle-earth and/or with songs about Middle-earth. There are bands called Gandalf, Iluvatar, Eru's something-or-other, and many others I can't recall immediately. I think my favourite song is a song by Camel titled 'White Rider' - guess who it's about...

Evisse the Blue · 05-17-2004, 02:14 AM

Ah, I was just going to say Nightwish! (definitely my favourite band at the moment). Apart from the obviously influenced Elvenpath (And Kinslaying may well relate to the kinslaying) there are LOTR references in Wishmaster, Crownless, End of all hope. And for me the song Away also relates to LOTR and fantasy in general, one only has to listen to the lyrics to understand why. And what makes it even cooler is that the majority of the members name Tolkien as their favourite author...as if that wasn't obvious enough.

- OT: vanwalossien, have loads of fun at the concert, I take it you're from Norway...lucky you!

I like Blind Guardian as well, from what little I've heard, and I agree it's got Middle Earth written all over it. I also get the impression that Rhapsody are also a bit Tolkien-influenced - can anyone relate to this?

I can't believe there's a band called Gandalf...lol, I find it funny somehow...

Bombadil · 05-17-2004, 09:05 PM

Im also a huge blind guardian fan. If anyone was looking to just download a few songs ME related, id suggest

- Lord of the rings (studio and live version)

- The Bard's Song (there are two versions, one called in the forest the other called the hobbit ) IN the forest is a mellow song with an incredible guitar lick for the intro! A very stairway- medieval feel to it

- Nightfall (one of my favorites by far)

- The curse of Feanor

- The Iron Hills

Most of the time you find prog metal bands who sing about these types of stories/ mythology. Listen to BG first, and if you're into it, I suggest trying these other bands:

-Rhapsody
-Hammerfall
-Kamelot
-Symphony X (very cool and musical!)
-Virgin Steel

And There is another band I've seen named "Isengard." For a long time now ive been searching for clips of their music, and trying to dl their songs, to no avail. So if anyone can get a hold of some of this music please give me a review on how they are! thanks!

Legolas · 05-17-2004, 10:11 PM

The dream pop/shoegaze band Malory does a slow, hazy version of 'The Road Goes Ever On and On' - definitely worth a listen if you're having trouble sleeping.

mark12_30 · 05-18-2004, 06:47 AM

The band "Hobbit" is fun. More or less seventies/ eighties style, Yes/ Foreigner/ Survivor...

04-24-2004, 03:07 PM	#1
vanwalossien Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: middle of Nowhere/Norway Posts: 372	Blind Guardian ladies and gents! I'm a huge fan of both Blind Guardian and Nightwish, and I'd just like to recommend BG's album "Nightfall in Middle-earth" for any metal fans out there, which is more less only inspired by the Silm, it's really excellent. And if you don't like metal you could download their song The lord of the Rings, which isn't especially heavy. Nightwish aren't as obviously influenced by Tolkien as Blind Guardian, but they are, and besides, their music is great anyway (haha I've got concert tickets for July 24th, yeah!) __________________ "The ships hung in the air in much the same way as bricks don't"

04-26-2004, 10:04 AM	#2
Numenorean Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bay of Eldanna Posts: 94	Hawkwind A College friend of mine was/is really into Hawkwind, so one time he plays this old (1982) album of theirs called *'Choose Your Masques'* which was decent enough, I guess. Anyway, my friend then claims that the first track is actually all about the Lord of the Rings. Sure enough the lyrics follow general themes from Wars of the Ring, but right at the end there is a really eerie sample that sounds so convincing that it may have even been lifted straight from a radio adaption of LoTR. Amongst some strange atmospheric noises it goes: *"I have come. But I do not choose now to do what I came to do..."* __________________ '…Avallónë, the haven of the Eldar upon Eressëa, easternmost of the Undying Lands, and thence at times the Firstborn still would come sailing to Númenor in oarless boats, as white birds flying from the sunset…'

04-26-2004, 10:18 AM	#3
Legolas A Northern Soul Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Valinor Posts: 1,847	Like Hawkind, there are several other progressive rock bands named after Middle-earth and/or with songs about Middle-earth. There are bands called Gandalf, Iluvatar, Eru's something-or-other, and many others I can't recall immediately. I think my favourite song is a song by Camel titled 'White Rider' - guess who it's about... __________________ ...take counsel with thyself, and remember who and what thou art.

05-17-2004, 02:14 AM	#4
Evisse the Blue Brightness of a Blade Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: wherever I may roam Posts: 2,685	the heaven within... Ah, I was just going to say Nightwish! (definitely my favourite band at the moment). Apart from the obviously influenced Elvenpath (And Kinslaying may well relate to the kinslaying) there are LOTR references in Wishmaster, Crownless, End of all hope. And for me the song Away also relates to LOTR and fantasy in general, one only has to listen to the lyrics to understand why. And what makes it even cooler is that the majority of the members name Tolkien as their favourite author...as if that wasn't obvious enough. - OT: vanwalossien, have loads of fun at the concert, I take it you're from Norway...lucky you! I like Blind Guardian as well, from what little I've heard, and I agree it's got Middle Earth written all over it. I also get the impression that Rhapsody are also a bit Tolkien-influenced - can anyone relate to this? I can't believe there's a band called Gandalf...lol, I find it funny somehow... __________________ And no one was ill, and everyone was pleased, except those who had to mow the grass.

05-17-2004, 09:05 PM	#5
Bombadil Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Old Forest Posts: 488	Im also a huge blind guardian fan. If anyone was looking to just download a few songs ME related, id suggest - Lord of the rings (studio and live version) - The Bard's Song (there are two versions, one called in the forest the other called the hobbit ) IN the forest is a mellow song with an incredible guitar lick for the intro! A very stairway- medieval feel to it - Nightfall (one of my favorites by far) - The curse of Feanor - The Iron Hills Most of the time you find prog metal bands who sing about these types of stories/ mythology. Listen to BG first, and if you're into it, I suggest trying these other bands: -Rhapsody -Hammerfall -Kamelot -Symphony X (very cool and musical!) -Virgin Steel And There is another band I've seen named "Isengard." For a long time now ive been searching for clips of their music, and trying to dl their songs, to no avail. So if anyone can get a hold of some of this music please give me a review on how they are! thanks! __________________ "'Eldest, that's what I am... Tom remembers the first raindrop and the first acorn... He knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.'"

05-17-2004, 10:11 PM	#6
Legolas A Northern Soul Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Valinor Posts: 1,847	The dream pop/shoegaze band Malory does a slow, hazy version of 'The Road Goes Ever On and On' - definitely worth a listen if you're having trouble sleeping. __________________ ...take counsel with thyself, and remember who and what thou art.

05-18-2004, 06:47 AM	#7
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	The band "Hobbit" is fun. More or less seventies/ eighties style, Yes/ Foreigner/ Survivor... __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.