Cygnus Rock Band - The Great Heathen Army (Yggdrasil)

This is a beautiful and very interesting song. And as it's usual with Cygnus's beautiful, really interesting, complex songs, it is also an underrated one.

Let me guess, dear average, casual music listener with earwax-clogged auditorial meatuses, blind heart and sleeping soul, being seduced with superficial joys only, either because you are scared of depths and soul-searching or you're simply a lazy sod, that this is the first time you hear about this Cygnus-song.

No, don't say a word 😒

This song is a gem in itself. Very special theme, extraordinary harmonies, amazing chorus, I hear a bit of experimental ideas in it as well - but as always, these are only my ears.

Keep in mind that these men were not beginner musicians at all when they recorded this album. They had been in the industry for years, with albums, tours and all sorts of experiences behind their back. They were already total badasses. So, even when they decided about walking a brand new musical path, they already had a lot in their hands. And they were not afraid of using them!

The song has a beautiful, quiet but intense folk intro. Tiple, shaman drum

yep, perfect blend

these men really know how to make me melt

and Ruxx's vocals.

I love it how the instruments quieten and let the humane voice rule the theme. This isn't the only song like that, but definitely one of the earliest ones of the "Viking era". And even at this point it's so powerful that it brings you goosebumps.

Told you these men were badasses already at this time!

And then all the instruments enter with the power, might and pride of a Viking army. They disarm you and surround you, each and every one of them. The guitar, the bass, the drums, along with the galloping, war song theme.

And I swear that with a tempo change as well.

Nice, nice, very nice. Only the 2nd song of the album, but all my soft spots are touched. Not only touched but grabbed, squeezed, possessed and owned, in the most irresistible way.

Have I mentioned how I love Cygnus?

You surrender. You drop your weapons, you drop your shields. You reach out your hands and all you can whisper is "love me".

And they do.

They bring you another theme for these stanzas. Ruxx's voice commands respect, the galloping battlefield theme grabs you and there's something aethereal in the background, very soft, very humble

a subtle string instrument? or keyboards? or something else?

that carries it all on its wings.

I love these little hidden gems, too. There's some beauty, harmony even in the most aggressive war songs, something that softens the dark, hard, bitter atmosphere, something that has a distant, tiny but heart-warming light like the Phial of Galadriel in the depths of Mordor.

The chorus carries another theme, 

and I only whisper it, with dried lips that there's again a tempo change that I sense

pure love, seriously

and I find it very interesting. For my ears they carry a very creative contrast with the main theme, still it so beautifully completes the original one.

These men were on the top even back in those days, weren't they? 💗

And for the joy of your ears, the instruments continue to sing the chorus's theme. As Ruxx joins them, powerfully, already with a smoky-dusty tenor, singing about the legend of a Scandinavian coalition and their campaign in 865 AD.

After the 2nd chorus comes the solo and it's again something that brings a wonderful, full-of-art, full-of-beauty contrast with the song's general theme. I love it. After the war cry filled, heavy stanzas and chorus the solo arrives with a simple, very melodic line and

and....

and another tempo change

don't resist, dear listener. Let those tears flow

gently caressing your ears and before it lets the warriors' chorus back, it gently kisses your forehead.

Don't worry. It won't dissolve into thin air. It will stay inside your heart.

And the chorus returns with its amazing, one-of-a-kind melody

but before it returns, the solo teases your ears and gives a tiny gift right into your hand, kissing your fingers, and it's another tempo change

and you realize that you fell in love.