Title: The Bastion of Eternal Morn Style: Epic Power Metal / Symphonic Speed Metal Tempo: 200 BPM (Galloping "Horseback" Rhythm) Structure: Multi-solo sections with "Wall of Sound" vocal layering. [Intro] (Sound Effect: A massive iron horn blasts, echoing across a canyon. Sudden explosion of twin-lead guitar harmonies. High-speed double-bass drumming starts immediately.) [Verse 1: The Gathering Storm] From the crags of the northern frost to the salt of the southern spray, The banners of the broken rise to claim the light of day! With the hammer of the forefather and the shield of the ancient elm, We march against the shadow that would overtake the realm. There is fire in the belly and a hunger in the soul, To mend the fractured kingdom and to make the spirit whole! Not for silver, not for glory, but for the hearth and for the home, Through the brambles of the forest and the white of the ocean foam! We are the descendants of the giants who once stood against the tide, With the ghosts of every hero walking closely by our side! [Pre-Chorus] (Sound Effect: Swords clashing in rhythm. Multi-track choir begins to swell.) Can you hear the mountain calling? Can you feel the darkness falling? Lift the chin and set the gaze! Through the smoke and through the haze! [Chorus: The Radiant Anthem] (Sound Effect: MASSIVE 10-SECOND REVERB TAIL. High-pitched power metal scream.) CARRY THE EMBERS OF HOPE THROUGH THE NIGHT! WE ARE THE BLADE IN THE DARKNESS OF LIGHT! NOBILITY FLOWS LIKE A RIVER OF GOLD! STILL TELLING THE STORIES THE ANCESTORS TOLD! RISE! (Rise!) FEEL THE THUNDER UNDERNEATH THE HEEL! BORN OF THE SPIRIT AND FORGED IN THE STEEL! [Verse 2: The Trial of the Peak] (Guitars mimic a frantic, upward climb. Words are delivered at breakneck speed.) Every muscle is a cable, every sinew is a vine, Scaling up the precipice where the sun refuses to shine! The air is thin and freezing but the blood is boiling hot, We will give the final measure, give the everything we’ve got! See the citadel of silver gleaming high upon the crest, A sanctuary for the weary and a temple for the blessed! There’s no magic in the water, just the will to carry on, To be the first to witness the arrival of the dawn! We are masonry and marrow, we are leather and we’re bone, Carving out a destiny that is ours and ours alone! [Bridge: The Valley of Echoes] (Tempo drops to a heavy stomp. Sound Effect: Deep, cavernous reverb. Sounds of a marching army.) In the silence of the valley where the fallen brothers lay, We swear the solemn oath that we will never turn away. For the orphan in the village, for the widow at the well, We will ring the chime of freedom like a shattering of hell! (Tempo accelerates back to 200 BPM. Guitar solo shred begins.) [Verse 3: The Unbreakable Will] (Sound Effect: Eagle shriek. Rapid-fire lyrical delivery.) Through the canyons of the crimson and the rivers of the rust, We will raise the fallen standard from the ashes and the dust! It’s a symphony of courage, it’s a litany of grace, To look the coming winter in its cold and stony face! The nobility of nature is the compass that we hold, More precious than the diamonds and more heavy than the gold! Feel the rhythm of the gallop, feel the rushing of the wind, This is where the legend finishes and where we all begin! [Chorus: The Radiant Anthem] (Maximum Reverb. High-speed drumming continues.) CARRY THE EMBERS OF HOPE THROUGH THE NIGHT! WE ARE THE BLADE IN THE DARKNESS OF LIGHT! NOBILITY FLOWS LIKE A RIVER OF GOLD! STILL TELLING THE STORIES THE ANCESTORS TOLD! RISE! (Rise!) FEEL THE THUNDER UNDERNEATH THE HEEL! BORN OF THE SPIRIT AND FORGED IN THE STEEL! [Extended Solo Section / Narrated Verse] (Spoken with a deep, theatrical reverb while guitars shred in the background.) The path is long, the climb is steep, But we have promises to keep. Not by the spark of man-made fire, But by the flame of pure desire! We are the root! We are the tree! We are the masters of the free! [Final Verse: The Summit] (Sound Effect: Heavy bells tolling at the speed of the drums.) Now the summit is before us and the sky begins to break, Every sacrifice we offered, every step we had to take! The horizon is a canvas painted bright in orange fire, Lifting up the weary spirit from the muck and from the mire! We stand as one together, a battalion of the sun, Knowing that the battle isn't over 'til it's won! With the nobility of lions and the hope of the elite, The world is laying open at the triumph of our feet! [Outro: The Eternal Echo] (Sound Effect: All instruments stop suddenly. One massive, cavernous vocal chord hangs in the air with 20 seconds of reverb. A single hawk cry.) WE... ARE... ETERNAL! (Fades into the sound of a rushing mountain stream.)
