Cygnus Rock Band - The Tavern of the Dwarves (Death And Glory)

This song has got two versions. One of them, the acoustic version comes right after The One-eyed Wanderer. The second, the so-called metal version is the second last song of the album. This review is about both songs.

The song is clearly based on the universe of J. R. R. Tolkien

No. Don't. DON'T. Don't ever try to tell me that you don't know who J. R. R. Tolkien is. You really, really don't want to claim that today, in the second half of 2023 you have no idea about Tolkien and his works. You don't want my brain cells to die right here, do you? Or do you?...

In this latter case I would like to ask you please to switch off internet and for the rest of your life be a teapot. Or a wheelbarrow. You know, that way at least you'd be sort of useful. 

As for me, I need to lay down now.

describing the lovely, noisy, always cheerful atmosphere of a tavern for the tough, hard-working and talented children of Aulë. The music absolutely suits the ambience; it's an acoustic song with folk instruments only. Though the real magic of this song is not just the folkish melody but the ambient noises. You will hear the clinks of cutlery and glasses, the refreshing sound of

(excuse me, I need to wipe my mouth now)

beer foaming into the mugs

(seriously, you feel the taste of beer in your mouth and it will make you cry right there)

as Deneb and Ruxx together glorify the place. There are a lot of absolutely humane background noises, too, talking, laughter, but the best part comes under the second verse. As the story continues and both our singers are singing togheter, Ruxx himself personifies the unlucky dwarf in the background

(no, I'm not telling you the story, you kindly open your ears, your brain and all that is required for you to comprehend the world around yourself and you LISTEN)

and it comes with all sorts of other hilarious atmosphere sounds and noises.

The other thing that - in my opinion - adds a lot to this song is the rhythm. I think this is what is called "Reneissance rhythm" or "medieval rhythm" (correct me, please, if I'm wrong). Cygnus Rock Band had used this rhythm on their previous albums as well and I really hope from the depths of my heart that they will use it on their upcoming albums, too, because I love it. And in this song's case this rhythm will definitely make the listener dance. Don't ever hold back your legs!

The list of miracles in this song doesn't stop here. If you listen to it well, you will hear different languages appearing in the background. Right in the beginning you will hear Deneb's voice speaking in ancient Norse. In that memorable scene under the second verse Ruxx talks in Dwarvish, at the very end... well, at the very end you again hear something on a langauge, but I won't tell who says it, on what language and what is it all about, because... it might not be proper for this blog :)))

The metal version of the song doesn't differ much from the acoustic one. The folk instruments are removed and enter the guitar, the bass and the drums. Everything else is the same, the melody, the rhythm, the lyrics, the atmospheric noises, just this time we are not in a homey tavern, but definitely at a metal gig. I'm as sure as I'm sitting here writing these lines that the metal version of "The Tavern of the Dwarves" will be a fan-favorite on Cygnus concerts. I know from experience that songs like this make the audience not just jump and scream but also make a giant circle in the pit, grab each other and dance around while singing the lyrics from the top of their lungs.

People love such songs on gigs. It has got a wonderful, folky tune, an amazing rhythm that was created right there for dancing, while the distorted guitars and the heavy rhythm section gives it an absolutely rock/metal feeling. After 1-2 drinks the audience will explode and this song might even be the top moment of a Cygnus show.

See you in the mosh pit!

Acoustic version:

Metal version: