Loyd Hansens’ Viperborn Reptilian Lorescribes - 1.Keeper of Forgotten Tales

[Intro – Soft medieval acoustic guitars, distant wind, whispered male vocals] Beyond the mountains, cold and grey Where ancient rivers lost their way A thousand voices call my name From kingdoms swallowed by the flame And in the silence of the night I see their shadows in the light The words of those who passed away Still haunt the dawn of yesterday [Build Up – Low male choir, acoustic melody grows darker, electric guitars slowly rise] [Whispered] Can you hear them? Can you see? The ghosts of all eternity… [Low Choir] Remember… remember… The ones who fell before… [Instrumental – Heavy harmonized guitars build into explosive double-bass speed metal] [Verse 1 – Fast galloping riffs, aggressive raspy vocals] I’ve wandered through the fields of sorrow I’ve watched a thousand kingdoms die The broken promises of tomorrow Are written in the crimson sky I held the crown of fallen glory I saw the final banners burn And every page of ancient stories Still speaks of those who won’t return Their names are carved in stone Their souls are lost and gone But deep within the halls of time Their voices linger on! [Pre-Chorus – Rising harmonies, dramatic vocals] And when the final star is falling And all the ancient fires fade I hear the distant voices calling From beyond the silent grave! [Chorus – Soaring vocals, massive layered male choir] I AM THE KEEPER OF FORGOTTEN TALES! The voice of kingdoms turned to dust! Beyond the stars, beyond the veil Their names shall live in us! I AM THE GUARDIAN OF THE ENDLESS FLAME! The last to walk the ancient trails! And when the world forgets their names I’ll sing the forgotten tales! [Instrumental – Fast twin-guitar harmonies, galloping riffs] [Verse 2 – Faster, aggressive] I found the gates of shattered towers Where silver kings once ruled the land Their mighty thrones were lost to hours Their swords lay buried in the sand A dying queen beneath the willow Had placed a book within my hand “Protect the words of those who followed The final light across this land” But time devours all The mighty kingdoms fall And who will hear their final cry When darkness takes us all? [Pre-Chorus – Intensifying drums and layered vocals] And through the ruins I hear thunder The sound of armies long since slain The heavens slowly tear asunder And the dead shall rise again! [Chorus – Full choir, soaring harmonies] I AM THE KEEPER OF FORGOTTEN TALES! The voice of kingdoms turned to dust! Beyond the stars, beyond the veil Their names shall live in us! I AM THE GUARDIAN OF THE ENDLESS FLAME! The last to walk the ancient trails! And when the world forgets their names I’ll sing the forgotten tales! [Guitar Solo – Furious thrash riffing, twin-guitar leads, sudden stop] [Acoustic Interlude – Medieval fingerpicked guitars, sorrowful vocals] How many winters have I wandered? How many faces disappeared? How many dreams were torn asunder? How many voices have I heard? And if the stars should cease their shining And if the seas should turn to stone Who will remember all their stories When I am left to die alone? [Soft Choir] We are the voices… We are the flame… As long as one heart remembers We shall remain… [Bridge – Slow heavy drums, building guitars] Then from the ashes came a whisper A voice I thought was lost in time “Not every soul is doomed to vanish Not every star forgets to shine” And in the darkness I remembered The oath I swore so long ago To carry on through storm and winter To keep the ancient fire aglow! [Explosive Build Up – Accelerating tempo, shouted vocals, massive choir] I SHALL NOT FALL! I SHALL NOT FADE! THE FINAL OATH WILL NOT BE BROKEN! [Choir] Not forgotten! Not forsaken! [Lead Vocal] THE WORDS OF AGES SHALL BE SPOKEN! [Climax – Furious double bass, ascending guitar harmonies] Through the fires of yesterday! Through the shadows far away! Hear the voices of the fallen! Hear the ancient kingdoms calling! [Choir] Remember their names! Remember their names! [High sustained scream] FOREVER! [Final Chorus – Maximum intensity, enormous choir] I AM THE KEEPER OF FORGOTTEN TALES! The voice of kingdoms turned to dust! Beyond the stars, beyond the veil Their names shall live in us! I AM THE GUARDIAN OF THE ENDLESS FLAME! The last to walk the ancient trails! And though a thousand ages fade I’ll sing the forgotten tales! [Outro – Electric guitars fade into medieval acoustic melody, distant choir] Remember… Remember… The ones who walked before… [Soft Solo Vocal] And when the final page is turning And when the last of candles fails Somewhere beyond the edge of morning Still lives the keeper of the tales… [Final acoustic chord fades into silence]