“Let Legend Mark Me King” is a song by the legendary actor Christopher Lee, best known for his roles in classic horror films and as Saruman in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. However, he also had a lesser-known but impressive career as a heavy metal vocalist in his later years.
This particular track comes from Lee’s metal album Charlemagne: By the Sword and the Cross, which was released in 2010. The album is a symphonic metal concept album that tells the story of Charlemagne, the 8th-century king who became the first Holy Roman Emperor. Christopher Lee, who claimed descent from Charlemagne, performed the album in the role of Charlemagne himself, narrating key points in the emperor’s life and reign through song.
Key Aspects of “Let Legend Mark Me King”:
- Genre: Symphonic metal
- The song combines elements of classical music and heavy metal, with strong orchestral arrangements, operatic vocals, and metal instrumentation.
- Vocals and Role:
- Lee’s deep, dramatic baritone voice is central to the song, giving it a sense of gravitas and authority. He embodies the persona of Charlemagne, speaking and singing as the emperor. His performance adds an epic, theatrical quality to the song.
- Lyrics and Themes:
- The song’s lyrics reflect the grandiosity of kingship, leadership, and the weight of legend. It speaks to the ambition of a ruler who seeks to be remembered throughout history, marked as a legend for future generations.
- Themes include power, destiny, and immortality through legacy—fitting for a historical figure like Charlemagne, whose impact was felt across Europe.
- Musical Composition:
- Orchestral elements like strings and choirs enhance the sense of grandeur, while electric guitars and heavy drums give it the energetic, powerful sound typical of metal.
- The symphonic arrangement adds a cinematic quality to the track, and the dramatic shifts in tone mirror Charlemagne’s rise to power.
Christopher Lee collaborated with the Italian metal band Rhapsody of Fire and composer Marco Sabiu on the album, blending his love of opera, classical music, and metal. His Charlemagne albums, especially tracks like “Let Legend Mark Me King,” are a unique example of Lee’s diverse artistic range.
Fun Fact:
At the time of this album’s release, Christopher Lee was in his late 80s, making him one of the oldest performers in the heavy metal genre. His career move into metal earned him significant attention and admiration from both film and music fans alike.
sources
https://www.letras.com/christopher-lee/let-legend-mark-me-as-the-king/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlemagne:_The_Omens_of_Death
History of Sorts 
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