Track By Tracks: Artefacts - The Titan Chronicles pt. II: Lucius (2024)

The album is part of a trilogy, encompassing the events in a newly created fantasy universe, from its creation and the great battles that shaped the land to its inhabitants and rulers. This record tells the tale of Lucius, once a member of a sacred order dedicated to preserving the balance between good and evil in the world, but now cursed for all eternity.

1. Prologue Gods and Mortals

A carriage thundering along a dirt road through a raging storm. Demon spawns in the realm of the living. Darkness has returned and no one knows why. Lucius and his sister Yara are part of an ancient order sworn to protect the balance, but a tragic accident sees Yara killing her brother and thus sending him to the underworld where he meets its ruler: Nephereth.

2. Nephereth

A dialogue between the ruler of the underworld, Nephereth, and Lucius. They come to an agreement and Lucius is sent back to the surface with a purpose: to find his sister and reclaim something that was stolen from Nephereth by a hereto unknown malevolent force: Cervidius.

3. The Tower of Irth-Anshar

Evil is on the rise and men show their true colours. The elder of a brotherhood of warriors, protectors, reveals himself to be a traitor, a servant of Cervidius, and sets the tower ablaze, with his men trapped inside. As punishment, he himself is burned at the stake.

4. Dragonfall

The siege of Uth-Dragor, the city of dragons. Lucius and his followers try to break through but are met with force by the steward, Dovu, and a commander from the underworld, Dorghul. In the catacombs deep underground, they find a fallen angel, Asmael, and together with her, they battle and conquer the forces of evil.

5. Interlude Her brine embrace

The song is sung by the men and women crossing a great lake.

6. The Path of No Return

In order to survive, Lucius has to commit despicable acts and he asks himself if the sacrifice is worth the reward. He converses with friends, fellow warriors, and an envoy from Nephereth himself. He asks for forgiveness, but there is none to dispense.

7. Augur the Age of Darkness

Lucius finally reaches the temple of Cylus, the great titan. A dialogue between him and Cervidius ensues about the merits of virtue and blatant hypocrisy. Cervidius tries to convince Lucius to join forces, but to no avail: a great battle commences.

8. Corruption (Glory for the fall)

After defeating the titan, Lucius is confronted with his sins and since his quest has come to an end, all he has left are his thoughts and memories of his heinous acts. He is cursed to drift over the earth and spread suffering wherever he roams. Perhaps we will meet him again in another story…

9. Epilogue: For the dead and the undying

An instrumental and choral ending to the album, coincidently one of the oldest songs on the record.