Blood of the Dragon [CD]

Nox Arcana (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 27, 2006)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: CD
• Label: Monolith Graphics
• ASIN: B000L22PE6
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #38,493 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Review

The morning sun was blacked by the scorching fire of the ancient flying demons. I tell you this one thing my friends, Joseph Vargo and William Piotrowski have returned with another offering under the Nox Arcana moniker. The one thing that amazes me about Vargo and company is that they write like classic authors. These epic stories seem to be in their blood and flow like sweet wine from their fingers to their instruments. ''Blood of the Dragon'' takes us through a land of knights, barbarians, magic, epic battle and of course dragons. There are parts of this where the celt in me awakens with inspired battle lust, but alas we live in a society where warriors are not given proper respect.
     Vargo and Piotrowski take many elements from classical and world music and then add their own special brand of darkness and flash to the mix. So the story is written, a quest has been set to find the legendary ancient prize known as the ''Treasure of the Four Crowns.'' Through the album you are taken from the castle (where the quest is given) to the sorcerer, the highlands, and the underworld. Truly there is nothing left from the quest, but maybe a movie that it seems should have gone with it.
     I've stated many times in the past that Nox Arcana holds the great treasure of atmospheric perfection. Don't think I wouldn't bring this up either. I believe this is one of the best Dungeons & Dragons style soundtracks I've ever heard. This even trumps the Midnight Syndicate official soundtrack. I know Vargo produced Midnight Syndicate for a while, but after having a fall out with them I'm not sure how much he had to do with that particular album. Either way if you are looking to enhance the overall mood of your sword and sorcery evening then this is the album for you.
     Nox Arcana is one of my favorite modern atmospheric composition groups. The stories they weave are deep and well detailed. The emotion and unrelenting plot is unmatched in our society today. If you like music that takes you on a trip and shows you all the sights along the way then go and check out Nox Arcana and especially ''Blood of the Dragon.'' --Black Angel

Product Description

In the time of the ancient gods, dragons ruled the skies and kingdoms rose and fell at the end of a sword. Legendary quests beckoned with the promise of danger and glory, and only a brave few dared to answer the call. For honor and vengeance they ventured forth with steel and sorcery to combat the merciless legions of darkness. For it was said that those who answered the call were possessed of the warrior spirit, and the blood of the dragon flowed through their veins.
     This spellbinding soundscape sets the perfect adventure-mood, as you traverse dark kingdoms ruled by wizards and warriors to battle alongside barbarian hordes, elven mages and knights of legend, with powerful, chanting choirs, medieval melodies, war horns, heavy drums, bagpipe, harp, acoustic guitar and fiddle, with battle sound effects. These haunting and majestic themes evoke forgotten realms, from the stormy Celtic highlands to ancient Egyptian temples, from mystical towering citadels to the Stygian depths of the Underworld.
     The album also contains a legendary quest for an ancient prize known as the ''Treasure of the Four Crowns.'' According to arcane lore, the treasure was gathered by the kings of the four ancient realms and hidden deep in the earth long ago. The treasure yet lies buried, awaiting anyone clever enough or bold enough to discover it. ''Blood of the Dragon'' conveys a musical story along the lines of classic movie soundtracks like ''Conan,'' ''The 13th Warrior,'' and ''The Lord of the Rings.'' The cd booklet is also filled with stunning fantasy artwork by Vargo and contains several paintings of dragons, warriors, and exotic enchantresses. (21 tracks. 68 mins.)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There's only one word that fits for this one. That word is: Epic!!!, December 6, 2006

By 

John Rossi (Somers Point, NJ United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Blood of the Dragon (Audio CD)

All those who would seek a majestic musical opus will do well to pay heed. A new tale has been woven by night's most masterful minstrels. 'Tis a grand tale indeed, of mystery, intrigue, danger, honor, glory, vegeance, and treasure beyond the reckoning of many a mortal mind. Behold, "Blood Of The Dragon" stirs from it's ages-long slumber, and what an adventure it is upon which any listener shall be invited to embark.

1. Ancient Legacy - The very first moments of this tell me we are in for a much different tale, and a grand thing it is. The music does not drift in gradually and 'creep' up on us. No, instead a powerful bass drum hit and rousing choral passages immediately throw us right into the middle of this epic. It calls to mind a clear sky with clouds drifting in over a bloodred sunset as we are given a panoramic view of a lush and rugged landscape, then taken into a village where a white-robed bard or sage dark of hair and piercing of eye sits among those gathered about a fire to begin his tale:

"In the time of the ancient gods, dragons ruled the skies and kingdoms rose and fell at the end of a sword. Legendary quests beckoned with the promise of danger and glory, and only a brave few dared to heed the call. For honor and vengeance the ventured forth with steel and sorcery to combat the merciless legions of darkness. For it was said that those who answered the call were possessed of the warrior spirit, and the blood of the dragon flowed through their veins."

This stirring preamble is underscored by a compelling mixture of strings and soft drums. At its conclusion, the piece is closed out brilliantly with more strings, soft percussion, rousing choral work, and the drawing of a sword.

2. The Quest Begins- If I had to use three words to describe this piece, they would be 'pageantry' 'hope' and 'beauty'. It's a wonderful blending of stirring string work, beautiful chorus, majestic horns and blood-pumping drumbs. It is easy for me to depict an army of valliant knights and warriors preparing to venture forth to accomplish the bidding of their king amdist grand spectacle amidst tender farewells to loved ones and the hope of a glorious return.

3. Citadel Of Secrets- This piece really impresses me with effective simplicity. With no more than a choir and a tolling bell, Nox Arcana is able to convey mystery, melancholy, wonder, reverence and power.Within my mind I see a candlelit temple where the guardians of vital ancient knowledge remain ever vigilant and secluded, yet willing and able to aid any who dare to seek them, that they might grant the boon of much needed knowledge and lore.

4. Sorceror- Chorus, drums, and swirling strings do a fantastic 'waltz' here. The chorus is especially majestic and powerful but everything blends wonderfully as the piece to me depicts a wise wizard working his craft expertly, that he might aid those embarked upon a vital quest filled with great peril.

5. Treasure Of The Four Crowns- I'll get right to the point for this one. This is a beautiful ballad. A heart-tugging blend of guitar, exotic percussion and gentle flute is combined with the bardic voice of guest vocalist Jeff Endemann. The blending of that voice with a solemn narration by Joseph Vargo in the middle of this piece works pure magic. It is a beautiful ode to a perilous quest for an ancient artefact prized of many for its power to grant immortality upon the worthy finder.

6. Highland Storm- A majestic musical movement, easily worthy to depict a tale straight out of Celtic myth. Rousing and blood-stirring Highland pipes start us off. The thunder of the bodhran soon appears, first mating with the pipes in a mighty slow thunder, and then picking up in pace to a gallop as it is overlaid with wonderful fidle work. I love the choral and cello work in this one too, and the mix of the Irish Uilleann pipes into it all. Taken together, this calls to mind misty emerald fields, meadows, and mountains through which warriors both mounted and afoot charge into and engage in desperate clash, beneath overcast and weeping grey skies as thunder and lightning mightily sing together, crashing and flashing repeatedly through the heavens.

7. Mist Loch- This is a perfect blend of beauty, mystery, menace and wonder. A beautiful harp passage is mated with a haunting siren's call. I love the feel imparted by the deep bass instrument, and the feeling of ominous dread invoked by it as it couples with a tolling bell Together, thest things show me a murky mist-clad waterway through which a regal songstress guides us with her voice and harp. The question is, to where, and what awaits ahead?

8. Underworld- I was initially surprised how much I love this piece, but love it I do. Despite it's darkly suggestive title, this piece is anything but PURELY dark to the point of becoming drab. It is dark indeed but it has sense of awe and wonder in it and is very much a rousing piece too. Pounding drums and a deep bass instrument that sounds to me a bit luke a tuba in it's depth of tone start us off... blending with strings that give us both a sense of adventure and urgency together. It is as if now the mighty hero has crossed the lake of mist and is entering deep dark caverns, exploring their secrets with his brothers in arms on the way to whatever lies ahead on his quest. The choral work in this peice lends a majestic power and magnifies the intensity tenfold.

9. The Mystic's Keep- Here, we get exotic. The feel to me is heavily Egyptian, Middle Eastern and Arabic. What sounds like a sort of gong is blended with invigorating Middle Eastern style percussion and tambourines. The piece is embellished further by boisterous male and pretty and soft female choral work, as well beautiful guitar and harp in the back of the piece and a rythmic powerful chant performed by co-composer Joseph Vargo in the front. To me, in my mind I see a a dimly lit but welcoming hidden sanctuary, nestled deep within perilous caverns. It is a haven where brave adventures may partake of brief rest and gain new information from a reclusive but wise denizen. The deeper bass drumming is especially strong here.

10. Stygian Depths- This piece is a mood setter as much as anything. It is comprised of the sound of wind, blending with a deeply booming drum and what appears to me to be the sounding of a great and ancient dark battle horn. The wind has an eerie howling moan effect to it that works wonders for the piece. It invokes pure dread as we await the imminent peril that is certain to come our way, and is a perfect segue for us into...

11. Legions Of Darkness - Tense and pounding strings and drums blend with a deep horn and male choir here to take us on this part of the journey. I love how the clash of swords and what sounds like chainmail-guarded footsteps blend with the percussion. A tolling bell makes a nice appearance too. To me this arrangement is dead-on as a fit for the title, depicting a meeting with relentless armies emerging from the depths both to confront and hinder adventurers that would dare to come. The final tolling bell is a very nice touch.

12. Steeds Of Thunder- Here we are aurally gifted and presented with deep rousing horns and thunderous pounding drums. They dance for us with powerful male and female choir and urgent strings. Mighty equine beasts are easily visualized, kicking up great clouds of dust and trodden earth as they gallop across great majestic fields. The powerful chorus compounds the already tremendous strength of this piece.

13. Rogue's Hollow- I am amazed by this. Why, you ask? Two words: Simple beauty. With no more than a pair of guitars, Nox Arcana depicts a homey sanctuary nestled within a lovely glade It is a place of rest come upon after the headlong dash through vast and perilous fileds and lands. It is a welcome and gorgeous quiet moment amidst the bombastic musical storms of the quest.

14. Warrior's Dawn- I see this is the antithesis of "Legions Of Darkness". Thundering drums mate with vigorous strings and choral work possessed of colossal strength. While still solemn in character, I see this piece as noble in its cast as well, while the other was sinister in its own way. The choir in this is very very strong, and I love the blending of the deeper bass drums with the galloping militaristic thunder of the snare drum and the booming resonant voice of what sounds to me like the Irish bodhran or the Japanese taiko. The occasional clash of swords within this piece is a beautiful percussive touch.

15 The Siege - A deep bass drone begins this one. It is soon blending with heavy slow drumming, invigorating but chilling choral chant, and brooding horns. After what sounds like a rousing battle cheer, the drumming kicks into VERY high gear, becoming a thunderous charge. That charge is lent extra power by the blended song of male and female choir, and the tensely swirling strings that drift through the chorus as the pounding percussion intensifies more and more, building to a breath-stealing climax.

16. Dragon Riders- I love this piece. It has resonant millitaristic drumming and urgent strings. They combine with majestic soaring horns and heart-pounding chorus to depict in my mind an army of airborned mighty warriors and the regal beasts they ride into desperate battle, contesting mightily with each other within darkened flame-streaked skies

17. Flame Tongue- This is a great heart-pounder of an ambient 'mood' track. The movement of great wings is combined with distant growls. Eventually they intensify in volume. The heart-stopping climax that also induced a smile of awe for me, comes when a pair of positively mighty roars are given, and combined with crackling flame. It was everything I had envisioned for a moment like this.

18... Read more ›

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars D&D extraordinaire, January 11, 2007

By 

E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Blood of the Dragon (Audio CD)

Techniclly, you don't need a soundtrack to play Dungeons and Dragons, or maybe a "Lord of the Rings" Monopoly game. But asuming you WANT one, then Nox Arcana's latest, "Blood of the Dragon," is an excellent option -- majestical, fantastical, gothic, and geeky.

It opens with fantasy-rock flourishes, steam hissing, and a chorus of powerful choirlike voices. Very "Lord of the Rings." Then a deep voice says very solemnly: "In a time of the ancient gods, dragons ruled the skies. Kingdoms rose and fell at the end of a sword. Legendary quests beckoned with the promise of danger and glory, and only a brave few dared to answer the call..."

That more or less sets the tone for the rest of the album: Nox Arcana keeps up that high fantasy feel throughout, flavoured with some Celtic sounds. Bagpipe stomp, eerie haunting medieval ballads, shimmering ethereal pop urgent, urgent strings and ominous "Dark Lord" music, darkly intriguing gothic music, frightening fantasy war-march, and new-age balladry.

Nox Arcana has already tackled ghosts, vampires, angels and even sinister Christmas. It's about time that they got to the whole D&D-music style, and they pull it off quite nicely -- atmospheric and heavy, but the guys know when to lighten the mood with some more ethereal songs, and that not every song should be a hard-rocker about a battle -- there are magical moments as well.

In fact, this is sort of a story album, although the story is more or less yours to fill in. Nox Arcana uses heavy percussion, gongs, some well-played bagpipes, harp and hard strings to add intense atmosphere to all of these, and listeners can easily imagine what they represent -- a nighttime chase, underground searches, a misty lake, a beautiful palace, evil armies attacking a castle, or even.... yes, a dragon.

"The Siege" is the pinnacle of this, since it actually sounds like a battle -- war horns, ominous chants, stamping feet. Then the album really takes off, right up to the rousing, inspiring finale "Eternal Heroes" -- it's up to the listener what has happened, but the rousing feeling of it is clear.

Steeped in atmosphere, and rich with solid instrumentation, "Blood of the Dragon" is a must-have for D&D and/or fantasy geeks.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another powerful addition to the Nox catalog., July 29, 2010

By 

Brian Nallick "METALMANMN" (Mpls, MN) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Blood of the Dragon (Audio CD)

I've now had Blood of the Dragon for over a week and here are my impressions.
I was a little on the fence as to whether or not I would actually like this album when I read that the theme was "Dungeon's and Dragon's" material.
I've never been into that sort of thing except for the occasional "Legend of Zelda" video game.
Then I listened to the samples and I was hooked.
One of the things that I love most about Nox is the Shadow Choir and they are really let loose on this disc.
Big, bold, stunning choir work.
Since the "evil choir" dominates this disc it's quickly taking it's place as one of my favorite releases from Nox right up there with "Blackthorn Asylum".

Let's jump to it.
The good.
Excellent production as always.
Crisp, clear.
Pounding drums, gothic chants, and my already highly praised shadow choir in all their glory.

Stand out tracks are.....
Track three, "Citadels of Secrets"
Track four, "Sorcerer".
Track seven, "Mist Loch"
Track nine, "The Mystic's Keep"
Track ten, "Stygian Depths"

Ok I give up, I'm not going to keep listing stand out tracks, there are too many of them.
My favorite track has to be track "Chamber of the Immortals".

Love this cd. I was hoping Nox would really unleash the Shadow Choir on one album and this is the one.
Haunting.
Gorgeous.
Powerful.
Epic.
Buy it.
Highly recommended.