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The Casca Trilogy

by Furnace

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1.
Legionary 04:09
Born and raised in the center of the world On the farmlands surrounding Imperial Rome Bred for battle, to serve the empire I always knew one day I’d leave my home Training hard, with wooden sword and shield Our equipment and weaponry kept pristine Legionary Discipline is the only god we have No more human we are but war machines There must be no fear to ever break our ranks We live and die for the Empire There must be no fear to ever break our ranks We live and die for the Empire I live for the Empire Preserving our glorious might I’ll fight for the Empire Conquering with divine and heavenly right The epitome of civilization The greatest of all nations Earth bound divinity Manifested in our superiority My blood - is the blood of Rome I’ll live and die defending my home My blood - is the blood of Rome I’ll live and die defending my home Orders came we’re sailing to the east Seven cohorts on this godforsaken ship Sent to a distant land to keep the peace Jerusalem is the goal of this trip I, Casca Rufio Longinus Soldier of the legions of Imperial Rome in the reign of Tiberius Reporting for duty
2.
Legionaries keeping the peace Carefully watching how things proceed A public trial by the magistrate Three random rogues will meet their fate Sentenced here by the community Examples made of delinquency They carry their crosses through the streets Beaten and dishonored on bloodied feet Crucified upon a hill The Place of the Skull A symbol of justice Retribution paid in full It’s just another execution Another madman crucified It’s just another execution Another prophet full of lies One of them seems to have his own crowd Yet he only stares up beyond the clouds We must stand guard to keep things clean Avoiding trouble from the religious extremes Don’t let the Jew live longer than required His followers might turn this into a riot Let him hang there on through the night Then kill him at the first rays of light It’s just another execution Another madman crucified It’s just another execution Another madman crucified It’s just another execution Another prophet full of lies It’s just another execution
3.
Awakening violently My skin crawls with unearthly dread Something’s sure to happen A pulsating inside my head With the Jew upon the cross The other two have already died It’s time to end it now Send him to the other side I plunge the Spear into his heart The skies are torn by clouds so dark Rain and wind howl furiously The pouring blood will spell his eulogy With open eyes Defiantly he spoke “Until We Meet Again” Fear grips my soul As I gaze into his face Something otherworldly Has taken its place “Soldier, You are content with who you are Then that you shall remain Until We Meet Again” “Nevermore shall you feel peace The war around will never cease You will wander without a set way Until we meet on Judgment Day” With open eyes Defiantly he spoke “Until We Meet Again” With open eyes Defiantly he spoke “Until We Meet Again”
4.
I can’t get his final words out of my head I need a drink to clear my brain The nearest tavern and the cheapest wine Will save me from going insane Vision gets blurry Suddenly I see Someone pointing at me And then they disappear Shadows on a Moonless Night Shadows on a Moonless Night Heading back to the barracks alone Dark shadows close in around me Can’t think straight and my reaction is too slow A silver blade flashes rapidly Vision gets blurry No more can I see They stab incessantly I feel the end is near Shadows on a Moonless Night Shadows on a Moonless Night “Man up and face retribution Revenge for the death of our master” I hear them curse my name to Gehenna As the stabbing gets faster Vision has vanished Can’t see but I feel Blood pouring out of me Then the world disappears Shadows on a Moonless Night Shadows on a Moonless Night Shadows on a Moonless Night Shadows on a Moonless Night
5.
Waking up in my bunk but not alone Wide open eyes are staring at me “How can it be, that he’s still alive? No one should survive such brutality” Dead tired and I can hardly move Yet I feel my wounds are healing Deep inside sinews and muscles grow I try to stand but still my head is reeling The pain doesn’t cease I pray for death’s sweet release I will go with ease If only I can find peace Something pulls me back From the Brink of Mortality Filling me with life On the Brink of Mortality Back from the dead, how can that be? I’m alive but my body’s been broken He told me that I should wander endlessly Is there some arcane truth to those words spoken? Dead tired and I can hardly move Yet I feel my wounds are healing Deep inside sinews and muscles grow I try to stand but still my head is reeling Back from the dead, how can that be? I’m alive but my body’s been broken He told me that I should wander endlessly Is there some arcane truth to those words spoken? The pain doesn’t cease I pray for death’s sweet release I will go with ease If only I can find peace Something pulls me back From the Brink of Mortality Filling me with life On the Brink of Mortality Something pulls me back From the Brink of Mortality Filling me with life On the Brink of Mortality
6.
Where he walks, they step aside No-one dares to look into his eyes Voices whispers secretly But fingers point openly He is the one, the cursed one Draped in witchcraft and dread He is the one, the cursed one Arising from the dead I realize that every cut will heal Nothing’s there but the pain I feel Wounds will mend instantly Yet the scars show my history Curse the sky, Curse the Heavens I am the one who will live forever Cursed with Life, the grave’s denied Balancing on the dark crest of never He is the one, the cursed one Draped in witchcraft and dread He is the one, the cursed one Arising from the dead Curse the sky, Curse the Heavens I am the one who will live forever Cursed with Life, the grave’s denied Balancing on the dark crest of never I realize that every cut will heal Nothing’s there but the pain I feel Wounds will mend instantly Yet the scars show my history I realize that every cut will heal Nothing’s there but the pain I feel Wounds will mend instantly Yet the scars show my history
7.
As was expected, they need to transfer me I create too much unrest among the men Marching orders state the savage north I think they hope to never see me again Carried by ship to the mainland of Greece There we joined a northbound caravan Countless miles we marched without rest ‘til we reached the Black Forrest land They tell tales Of the savages up north Barbaric beasts Of the heathen horde They tell tales Of the savages up north Barbaric beasts Only Hades could bring forth No one is to know my name or rank Yet my infamy has long since arrived But here the past does not seem to matter As we stand to face the Germanic tribes Savages - we must stem the tide Defend the borders of civilization Savages - dressed in bones and hides Grasping nothing but violent confrontation The outpost’s buried deep within the woods Beyond the trees lies the unknown and forbidden How can we fight what we cannot see? How can we conquer what still remains hidden? They tell tales Of the savages up north Barbaric beasts Of the heathen horde
8.
The unborn day is broken by a wicked cry The savage wizard blows his horn We scramble to our feet in panic Trying to see beyond the misty morn From out of the woods They rained down upon us Only our blood Will quench their lust Testudo formed Brace the storm The savage horde Deafening roar Unearthly screams Bloodlust supreme Chaos rules this fight Where Life and Death Unite Outnumbered many times we fight for our lives Our formation is slowly torn apart Vicious carnage rules the battlefield As a ragged spear skewers my heart From out of the woods They rained down upon us Only our blood Will quench their lust Blood mixed with rain I fall to the ground With Roman pride I die without a sound Testudo formed Brace the storm The savage horde Deafening roar Unearthly screams Bloodlust supreme Chaos rules this fight Where Life and Death Unite
9.
The Evermore 04:10
A dark veil encloses me Covers my weary eyes At last, it’s time for me to die I’ve lived too many years Seen more than anyone should At last, I lay to rest for good The mistress of death holds me close I will follow where she goes The burden of life can’t be ignored I leave to join The Evermore The passage of time recedes I float between illusions At last, I’ve come to Life’s conclusion Now no more will I linger Between life and sweet death At last, I take my final breath Did I do enough Or was it all too much Now it all drifts away Fading to black The mistress of death holds me close I will follow where she goes The burden of life can’t be ignored I leave to join The Evermore The mistress of death holds me close I will follow where she goes The burden of life can’t be ignored I leave to join The Evermore The Evermore The Evermore The Evermore
10.
I wake up from a dreamless sleep My body filled with numbing pain Where just hours ago a spear pieced my heart Only a pulsating scar remains The gods of death Have not claimed me yet I am but a man Yet immortal I stand Sworn to Wander, from land to land Ever escaping Time’s dreadful sands Sworn to Wander, free from decay Awaiting my fate on Judgment Day I can’t return, no one would understand Must flee to where no one knows my story Heading north to Thule, into the unknown Erase the past, with a clean slate before me What will come to pass Only time will tell Trapped in flesh My body - my hell Sworn to Wander, from land to land Ever escaping Time’s dreadful sands Sworn to Wander, free from decay Awaiting my fate on Judgment Day Sworn to Wander Sworn to Wander Sworn to Wander Sworn to Wander
11.
Here I stand Facing the sea Upon these cloister walls A mercenary A millennium passed I wandered and fought A slave to fate And the path she wrought I guard this holy monastery Serving the lords of Christ Maybe somehow, I can pay my debt for taking His life Scanning the horizon For assailants drawing nigh I will keep my eyes on Where the sea meets the sky The endless waves reach all Rolling with the tide I can hear my destiny call Where the sea meets the sky I can do nothing more Than give of my infinite time Serving the Christian God The penance for my crime I guard this holy monastery Serving the lords of Christ Maybe somehow, I can pay my debt for taking His life Scanning the horizon For assailants drawing nigh I will keep my eyes on Where the sea meets the sky The endless waves reach all Rolling with the tide I can hear my destiny call Where the sea meets the sky
12.
An insignificant speck in the distance Something emerges from the storm Slowly we understand what they are As dreadful dragon ships take form Sound the alarm, close the gates Gather up supplies and cattle Arm all those who can carry a sword Raiders land, prepared for battle I stand to fight The northern might Surrounded and outnumbered I fight until I fall Wrath of the North – berserkers in rage Hammers of war – crushing down Wrath of the North – kill and enslave Axes and swords – slashing down They slaughter men and animals alike How can we escape this bloodthirsty hoard? Our last hope lies within a divine strike From the heavens above, mighty Lord I hack and I slash in a frenzy of steel 1000 years of training define my skill They fall by my relentless blade Yet more raiders move in for the kill I’m covered in a wave of iron and blood As the fearless Berserkers attack Deep in the pandemonium of gore I feel a mighty axe sink into my back Hammers crush skulls Axes sever limbs Bloody carnage reigns And the outcome looks grim
13.
The cloister building is still on fire The farmhouses are burnt to the ground The stench of blood and scorched flesh Pervades the air around Eyes glued shut by dried up blood Yet I know that all’s been lost Standing up I hear surprised cries From the victorious Viking host Taken from our home On the long-ships heading north To distant unknown loam The dragon ships set their course Masters of the Sea Ravage and plunder Death by decree By the god of thunder The Vikings round up the survivors Sorting out those who fit as slaves Mercilessly killing all others Then abandoning them without graves Bound by the oar of a long ship Weak and tired I just comply Without knowing a word of their language I realise it’s “row or die” Masters of the Sea Ravage and plunder Death by decree By the god of thunder
14.
Thrall 02:31
Taken to their village - a day’s trip from the sea We are now enslaved - the Chief’s own property We are nameless strangers - sworn to servitude Fed scraps from their table - to keep our will subdued Thrall – my life is not mine Thrall – I serve until I die Thrall – my death they decide Thrall – there’s no more “I” Thrall – my life is not mine Thrall – I serve until I die Thrall – my death they decide Thrall – there’s no more “I” To appease the gods – Some of us are sacrificed Blood upon stone – ending human lives Treated like animals – beaten, sold or killed Hoping it will end – but we know it never will Thrall – my life is not mine Thrall – I serve until I die Thrall – my death they decide Thrall – there’s no more “I” We will serve as thralls – slaves for life No one ever cares if we live or die
15.
What kind of life is this? Worth no more than dirt There seems to be no end To our suffering and hurt I curse the Christians’ God Why would he let us live like this? The crown of His creation Thrown into the black abyss Is there no justice, is there no peace? Aren’t we all children of Adam and Eve? Beneath the Sky – our torment Living to die, mortals toil Beneath the Sky – no glory Far from His grace - sons of the soil I have fought in His name I have killed for His word Still the fate He grants me Is just inhumane and absurd Why must we suffer, what is His gain When the innocent live in fear and pain Is there no justice, is there no peace? Aren’t we all children of Adam and Eve? Beneath the Sky – our torment Living to die, mortals toil
16.
Days are growing shorter As summer turns to autumn Colder days and longer nights Darkness encroaching The solstice approaching But soon again we will see the light A sacrifice To the spirits surrounding us Grant us fortune Free from tricks and fuss Our humble tribute Upon this longest of all nights Flesh for a feast To satisfy the arcane might Hiding in the gloom Fortune or doom What will the next year bring Working day by day We’re toiling away To grant the gods this offering A sacrifice To the spirits surrounding us Grant us fortune Free from tricks and fuss Our humble tribute Upon this longest of all nights Flesh for a feast To satisfy the arcane might Supplies are running low But winter won’t let go How much longer can we endure For others it’s same But on us they put the blame Discord is brewing, what will ensue?
17.
Discord has been brewing From the village ‘cross the fields They think we killed their game And stole their harvest yield Discord has been brewing ‘til they could take no more They rushed into our village In a desperate act of war Even though I do not care If my captors die this day Honour binds me to their cause As I charge into the fray For Odin For the lords of death We battle ‘Til our final breath We will fight We will die In Hel together Master and slave Defying the grave In Hel together In Hel… In Hel… In Hel together In Hel… In Hel… In Hel together Another day of death Another sea of blood Scavengers will feast On lives lost in the mud To Valhalla's halls Valkyries carry the brave Though many died, in the end Our village was saved For Odin For the lords of death We battle ‘Til our final breath We will fight We will die In Hel together Master and slave Defying the grave In Hel together For Odin For the lords of death We battle ‘Til our final breath We will fight We will die In Hel together Master and slave Defying the grave In Hel together
18.
Blood Eagle 03:37
Our enemies now defeated Most are dead – and some have fled A few remain captured here We must set an example To all our foes – that is the way it goes When you challenge us Blood Eagle – a flesh offering Blood Eagle – fortune it will bring Blood Eagle – punishment divine Blood Eagle – for a heinous crime A sacrifice to Odin For the victory – over our enemy Our tribute will be paid in blood His tortured screams resound As the blade cuts in – through flesh and skin The awful sound of snapping bones Blood Eagle – a flesh offering Blood Eagle – fortune it will bring Blood Eagle – punishment divine Blood Eagle – for a heinous crime Lying down - facing the ground Sever the ribs from his spine Lungs retracted - through the back and The eagle of blood is the sign
19.
As they realised my worth in battle I’m no longer merely just a thrall Being a part of their warring forces I will answer when battle calls Rumours speak of a coming voyage Sailing west for a brand-new start A settlement on the northern isles To the land of the Pict we depart The Isles of Orkneyjar Where we will live and thrive Create a new life for us From the day that we arrive New life Another time for me New life Decreed by destiny New life Another time for me New life Decreed by destiny The Isles of Orkneyjar Where we will live and thrive Create a new life for us From the day that we arrive New life Another time for me New life Decreed by destiny New life Another time for me New life Decreed by destiny The Norns still keep me guessing I’ll never know what will be A place I only heard of in stories Is soon to be my new reality
20.
Only Time 03:43
Life moves on, I am now a free man A family; children and wife I see them age yet I stay the same I can’t forget that I will see them all die Time – only time Is the only thing that keeps us apart Time – only time A perpetual sadness lives in my heart Life-long friends and blood brothers Whom I’ve loved and fought for Seeing them withering away Reminds me of the curse I can’t ignore How many lives Will come and go How many loves Will I have known How many seeds Will there be sown How many sins Can I atone I must move on to avoid suspicion Another village and another life Eternity gives no hope for peace Living is but sorrow and strife Life-long friends and blood brothers Whom I’ve loved and fought for Seeing them withering away Reminds me of the curse I can’t ignore
21.
Two thousand years of bloodshed How much more can mankind take Will there ever be an understanding? Of the hell we create from the wars we make Two thousand years I surround my myself with our history Books that tell us of how we have failed Seems that not much has really changed Since the day, to the cross he was nailed Two thousand years Kings come and kings go Science will rise, but I know As religion fades away The quest for power will stay A warrior at heart yet I wear a scholar’s robe A professor at C. university In some small way I hope to change our views And not repeat the sins of history Two thousand years of bloodshed How much more can mankind take Two thousand years Kings come and kings go Science will rise, but I know As religion fades away The quest for power will stay Kings come and kings go Science will rise, but I know As religion fades away The quest for power will stay
22.
There is a rumbling on the continent Countries arm like never before Once it started it could not be stopped From one small issue to a full out war It’s the war to end all wars A call to arms for freedom It’s the war to end all wars The final fight for freedom Invading the hearts of the young Selling them Visions of Glory Claiming the minds of the strong Giving them a sense of duty The allied powers of the Triple Entente Versus the Triple Alliance In the Zeitgeist of superiority The world will tremble from the clash of these giants It’s the war to end all wars A call to arms for freedom It’s the war to end all wars The final fight for freedom A few weeks’ training for the rank of officer Maybe too short but I know how to lead men Albion – I’ve come to think of you as my home When will I see you again? It’s the war to end all wars A call to arms for freedom It’s the war to end all wars The final fight for freedom
23.
Behold this cruel and vile charade Deep in trenches, we mock the gift of life Our battalion arrived two weeks ago Yet we can't recall what peace was like The constant threat of artillery fire The daily struggle to find food and supplies Young recruits lack the basic training Random chance rules who lives or dies Warfare…. Trench warfare Warfare…. Warfare…. Trench warfare Warfare…. Nerve-tortured, racked to exhaustion We must endure so we can continue to kill If our bodies ever survive this Our broken minds never will Pitifully small pieces of land are gained We are old and dead, emotionally drained Why does God allow this evil curse? If there is a hell, it can't be worse Warfare…. Trench warfare Warfare…. Warfare…. Trench warfare Warfare…. Warfare…. Trench warfare Warfare…. Trench warfare
24.
P.O.W.s 03:35
The news echoes through the trenches Prisoners were caught in the last raid Got to see them, anger rises The price for our misery must be paid Abused and humiliated This one is for our fallen friends A boot to the head - spit in the face They will surely break in the end P.O.W.s P.O.W.s Execution of unarmed soldiers Revenge for our fallen brothers Execution of unarmed soldiers Revenge for our fallen brothers Prisoners of War – trapped and taunted Like animals we have caught Prisoners of War – still they’re human But now it seems that WE are not P.O.W.s P.O.W.s Reverting to a primal state Bringing out the animal in men I thought that we had come further than that But bestiality wins in the end Abused and humiliated This one is for our fallen friends A boot to the head - spit in the face They will surely break in the end
25.
The temperature is dropping day by day The light of the sun is fading away Where are the winter coats and tents? They said they were already sent Holding the line Yet we’re beyond freezing How can you win When you’re fighting a season Holding the line Yet we’re beyond freezing How can you win When you’re fighting a season In the Eyes of a Deary Winter – devoid of light and heat In the Eyes of a Deary Winter – the outcome’s looking bleak The snow will hide the scars of the earth Reminiscent of the world before this started Erasing the lines between good and evil Covering the living and the departed In the Eyes In the Eyes In the Eyes of a Deary Winter In the Eyes In the Eyes In the Eyes of a Deary Winter Winter winds will carry our lament Curse the heavens and the frost God has sent Winter winds will carry our lament Curse the heavens and the frost God has sent In the Eyes of a Deary Winter – devoid of light and heat In the Eyes In the Eyes In the Eyes of a Deary Winter In the Eyes In the Eyes In the Eyes of a Deary Winter Winter winds will carry our lament Curse the heavens and the frost God has sent Winter winds will carry our lament Curse the heavens and the frost God has sent
26.
Armistice 03:55
Dreams of home Pervade my mind Tears and thoughts For those left behind Crawling up From where we hide Reaching out To the other side Solstice - Armistice Solstice - Armistice Solstice The sanctity of this eve Brothers We dare to believe Armistice On the night of all nights Just one day When we don’t need to fight Solstice - Armistice Solstice - Armistice Guns fall silent As we break this bread A hopeful melody Fills the air instead Between the lines Recover the dead Show respect For the blood they’ve shed The day fades away We return to our sides Remember our brothers Whom we now must fight The day fades away We return to our sides Remember our brothers Whom we now must fight
27.
The naked earth is warm with spring But nothing's changed beneath the sky And he is dead who will not fight Yet as we fight, we are sure to die Beyond the ridge lies another world Or is it just more death and gore Sliding deeper into the mud Do you remember, what we're fighting for? Staring into the distance Don’t know what I’m looking for Questioning our existence Is there a life beyond this war? A war of attrition Stalemate disposition A war of attrition Sisyphean condition The anguish of the ravaged land The scars will never heal Behold the tombs that we create Mounds of flesh and steel No cross or wreath will mark their graves No thought or prayer Can heal our pain A war of attrition Stalemate disposition A war of attrition Sisyphean condition A war of attrition Stalemate disposition A war of attrition Sisyphean condition The anguish of the ravaged land The scars we leave will never heal Behold the tombs that we create Made of mounds of flesh and steel Our prayers they fall on heedless ears God closed his watchful eye And he is dead who will not fight Yet as we fight, we are sure to die
28.
Order has come from the top There is a grove we must take Southeast of the trenches A line of defence we can break With compass and map in hand I assemble a unit of 10 Loyal to my every command They’ll follow me right to the end We must take it at any cost No thought what might be lost We must take it at any cost No thought what might be lost Kill or capture – kill or capture Lost in rapture - of fear and bravery Kill or capture – kill or capture What we’re after – we die or we succeed Passing through landmines and grime We must make our way through the fire Stealthily we move behind the lines Navigating through corpses and barbwire We must take it at any cost No thought what might be lost We must take it at any cost No thought what might be lost It seems like a suicide mission But we’re convinced it’s the right decision Take the grove and turn the tide History will praise our fight We must take it at any cost No thought what might be lost We must take it at any cost No thought what might be lost We must take it at any cost No thought what might be lost
29.
Getting near to the grove We’ll be safe among the trees Suddenly the ground explodes A flash of light is all we see A landmine takes the first three men Our mettle is put to the test Ambushed – yet we try to make a stand But enemy fire wipes out the rest Playing dead Like I've done before Yet I will not leave this war Send the word That I'm M.I.A. This is my chance to slip away A landmine takes the first three men Our mettle is put to the test Ambushed – yet we make a stand But enemy fire wipes out the rest Now I’m alone – alone - alone with bullets Alone - alone - alone with bullets Now I’m alone – alone - alone with bullets Alone - alone - alone with bullets I'm killing but they will not die Every day more men appear Lost in this wreckage of nations A new world born through pain and fear Now I’m alone – alone - alone with bullets Alone - alone - alone with bullets Now I’m alone – alone - alone with bullets Alone - alone - alone with bullets
30.
I have come to see The curse of humanity As long as humans are human War will be our destiny The solution is so simple But some always want more Until the day we change We are doomed to war The world keeps turning - Birth and death of life Waiting for the day of judgment to end our strife My curse Is the curse of humanity I see - I know War is my destiny My curse Is the curse of humanity I see - I know War is my destiny Tired – so tired of the world I just want to watch the whole thing burn Dying – I wish I could die I believe that the lesson has been learned Ragnarök or Judgment Day Will end my immortality Break the chains of my weary fate End all life – set me free His words still echo in my head “A soldier you are and you will remain” How many nights have I relived that scene And his words “Until we meet again” “Nevermore shall you feel peace The war around will never cease You will wander without a set way Until we meet on Judgment Day”

about

Triple concept album released on three CDs. 30 songs with a playing time of over 2 hours. Featuring guest appearances by David Ingram amongst others.


The Casca Trilogy:

I: Legionary
Casca Rufio Longinus was born a fair distance from Rome and grew up to be a legionary. His first mission abroad entailed being sent to Jerusalem as a part of the peacekeeping forces (“Legionary”). While in Jerusalem he witnessed the crucifixion of an incitive rouge. In order to avoid possible unrest from the rogue's fanatic followers, he had to kill him before he had hung too long (“Another Execution”). During the final moments of his life, the rouge cursed Casca to wander the Earth as a solitary mercenary until Judgment Day (“Until We Meet Again”).
Casca has a hard time shaking off the final words of the rouge, and he heads to the nearest tavern in order to clear his mind. However, he is not alone as he is followed and then mortally wounded by the followers of the crucified rouge. (“Shadows on A Moonless Night”). He is brought back to the barracks of the legionaries, and is left to die in his bed. But somehow he is revived and Casca's body heals from the wounds (“Brink of Mortality”). This newly granted second chance is not all favourable and the word of Casca's resurgence quickly spreads throughout the city. Since he cheated death, he is considered to be a warlock and becomes a pariah (“Cursed with Life”).
To avoid further controversy and issues, the centurion orders Casca to relocate to the northern part of the empire. He travels with a caravan throughout Greece and heads north to the lands of the Germanic tribes. In these lands lie one of northern Roman outposts that defend the Empire from the savages (“The Savage North”). One morning, the peacefulness of the dawn is broken by the vicious cry of their savage adversaries as the outpost is attacked. Battle ensues and all of the legionaries are killed (“Where Life and Death Unite”).
Lingering in limbo, Casca senses that it is his time to die and that he will at last find peace ("The Evermore"). Soon however, he wakes up on the abandoned battlefield. His wounds are gone and he is all alone. Casca then decides to not return to the Empire but to travel further north where no knows him and will recognise him (“Sworn to Wander”).

II: Thralls and Blot
A thousand years pass and Casca remains a soldier of fortune, fighting for anyone that can afford his services. When the story continues, he is guarding a monastery on the coast of western France (“Where the Sea Meets the Sky”). He suddenly sees something suspicious on the horizon, and as it draws nearer, he recognises the dreaded dragon ships belonging to the Norsemen. The monastery is invitingly attacked (“Wrath of the North”). The Vikings emerge victorious from the battle and they enslave every survivor, forcing them to man the oars of the ship (“Death by Decree”).
Upon returning to the village of the Vikings, Casca is forced to work as a thrall for the Viking chief (“Thrall”). Slaving away, Casca curses the Christian God for the inhumane conditions of the thralls (“Beneath the Sky (Our Torment)”). Winter arrives, and the Norsemen celebrate winter solstice with a traditional blot ceremony (“Midvinterblot”). Winter is far from over however, and a rivalling village has ran out of supplies. Believing that Casca's village is responsible for the scarcity of supplies, the warriors of the rivalling village attack them (“In Hel Together”).
The attackers are defeated thanks to the remarkable fighting skills of Casca, and one of the few surviving attackers is executed in order to set an example for others (“Blood Eagle”). Upon realising Casca's worth in battle, he is promoted from thrall to warrior. Consequently, he is invited to join an expedition searching to find a new settlement to the west (“Land of the Pettr (Pictland)”). Casca settles down with the rest of the Vikings on the northernmost isles of Britain, and Casca is soon able to find a new life there. Such is his bane, time is his only everlasting companion while everything else around him dies, yet Casca remains as vital as ever (“Only Time”).

III: The Guns of August
After several centuries on the British isles, the story continues and Casca is now working as a professor as a famous university. He hopes that by teaching European history, humanity will somehow learn something from the past (“Two Thousand Years”). Yet at the turn of the century, national pride was almost as celebrated as the technological advances. The yearning for power needs an outlet, and something is rumbling on the European continent (“Visions of Glory”).
Casca is quickly granted the rank of officer, and is deployed to fight on the front against the German army and he quickly has firsthand experience of the grim reality of the trenches of the First World War (“Trench Warfare”). One day, there is word that someone has caught German prisoners of war, and they are abused and taunted by the soldiers as a way of dealing with the pent up frustration (“P.O.W.s”).
Winter arrives, and the soldiers soon realise, that besides fighting the enemy, they are also battling the freezing temperatures and lack of food and supplies (“In the Eyes of A Dreary Winter”). At the height of winter, a legendary armistice is held where the soldiers all put down their weapons and celebrate Christmas with their enemies across the battlefield (“Armistice”). After the brief celebration, each side returns to their positions and the gruelling war of attrition drags on (“A War of Attrition”).
One day, Casca gets a special assignment; he and ten of his best men must try and take control of a grove near the enemy trenches. Securing that grove could be a major turning point in the stalemate (“Kill or Capture”). They reach the grove fairly easily, only to realise that they have been ambushed. The soldiers who don't meet their fate by stepping on land mines are mowed down by machine fire. Casca however soon wakes up from his deathless sleep, but instead of returning to the trenches, he goes into hiding while still fighting the war (“Alone with Bullets”).
Finally understanding the senselessness of fighting and killing, Casca departs from the front. Dismayed with the thought that humanity will continue to wage war until the end of time, he forsakes the world and bides his time awaiting Judgment Day and his long sought after death (“War Is My Destiny”).

credits

released February 23, 2023

Produced by Furnace
Music by Johansson, lyrics by Svensson

Recorded at the Rotpit and Night Wind Studios
Mixed and mastered by Svensson at Night Wind Studios
Artwork by Daniel Karlsson
Photos by Lisa Ahlin and Marie Persiani
Spoken word by David Ingram
Viking choirs by Magnus Hultman

Rogga Johansson - guitars and lead vocals
Peter Svensson - bass, backing vocals and additional instrumentation
Lars Demoké - drums and percussion

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