There is something about Christopher Lee that the idea of him doing a “heavy metal” album based upon the life of Charlemagne seems like it should work. Sadly, it doesn’t. In part, because the album, Charlemagne: By the Sword and the Cross, is treated like a musical play, with each song merely a sequence in the play itself. Some of it somewhat works, but as a whole — the “heavy metal” experience is not there.
There are elements of interest to the story. It highlights the bloody path Charlemagne took to forge his new empire. He is himself shown contemplating that actions he took. Was what he did as necessary as he thought? The irony of the Christian Emperor doing to the pagans what pagans did to Christians can be read into the story, but for Charlemagne, his actions are viewed as a defense, doing what was needed to be done because if he didn’t do it, his opponents would. We see in it how questionable such a posture is while also appreciating why many would follow it through.
“Charlemagne:
Four thousand men all dead in one day
They would not renounce their pagan ways
Thirty years of campaigning consumed
To subject those pagans to Christian rule.
Choir:
To build a better world than ever has been seen.
Charlemagne:
And empire made great by deeds of great men.”
Contemplating the final judgment, the musical Charlemagne says:
“I did what I had to, to spread the true religion.
Was the terror of extreme punishment as a means
To enforce observance of the doctrine of peace”
War for peace — is it what we really want? That is the question which is brought before us in this album. Christians have grown used to expressing the way Islam has spread by “the sword,” that we forget how much of our faith was spread by similar means. It is not that Charlemagne is shown to be a blood-thirsty tyrant who desires war, but rather, that war came upon him, that he had to act for the safety of his people:
“In borderland raids they came in their hordes
Ransacking villages, taking the spoils
With nothing to lose and possessions few
Bold, study, fearless and cruel.”
As is typical, Christopher Lee’s voice reigns supreme; everything and everyone else, especially the narrator, just cannot compare. They should have made him narrate as well as sing, especially since this Charlemagne’s story being told as he prepares for death. The music sometimes works, sometimes doesn’t, but the story itself brings out interesting questions about violence in the name of peace which we as Christians need to investigate. The lyrics, though raising important questions, fail to inspire and bring one into the story itself. If this was used for a music, it would fall into the unintended camp category.
As a fan of Christopher Lee, I am glad to have this oddity, though I cannot say I would recommend it to everyone. It’s not an album I can see myself putting on my stereo to listen for enjoyment.
6/10 for the whole cd.
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