Enter the Fantasy World of Rush's Caress of Steel
Jun 20 '02
The Bottom Line It's not the destination that's important - it's the journey...
Before they were labeled as a science fiction influenced band, Rush crafted an album in 1975, their third studio album at the time, that explored some of the darker, fantasy driven themes that would resurface in many of their later works.
The album, Caress of Steel was a very unique creation that really began separating Rush from many other artists. Rush has never been afraid to explore their musical tastes, and Caress of Steel exemplifies this.
The final two tracks (out of 5 total) on Caress are both typical early Rush epics. The first, The Necromancer deals with the woodland evil spirit as seen through the eyes of three travelers (presumably the members of Rush). It's a haunting song that excels on many levels, most notably the lyrics.
The second, and closing, epic is called The Fountain of Lamneth. This track deals with the journey many of us take in our lives - seeking something meaningful to us. But as we discover it, we realize that the journey, not so much the destination, is the key to life. Interesting fantasy-driven images complete the attraction of this song.
Interestingly enough, Caress of Steel (See my album review at: http://www.epinions.com/content_21448330884) was initially scorned by most critics and fans a like. The recording studio saw this treatment of Rock music as a signal that Rush was finished. Undaunted by the critics, Rush held fast to their morals and their direction and created 2112 next - their breakthrough concept album. The rest, as they say, is history.
Today, however, Caress of Steel is viewed upon as one of Rush's finest albums from any era. When you listen to it, experience it, absorb it, you'll understand why.
So, for this entry in the fantasy section of Fiction, I submit to you the lyrics of both The Necromancer and The Fountain of Lamneth
Enjoy and thanks, as always, for reading...
-John
"The Necromancer"
I. Into Darkness
As grey traces of dawn tinge the eastern sky, the three travelers, men of Willow Dale, emerge from the forest shadow. Fording the River Dawn, they turn south, journeying into the dark and forbidding lands of the Necromancer. Even now the intensity of his dread power can be felt, weakening the body and saddening the heart. Ultimately they will become empty, mindless spectres, stripped of will and soul. Only their thirst for freedom gives them hunger for vengeance...
♫ "Silence shrouds the forest
As the birds announce the dawn
Three trav'llers ford the river
And southward journey on
The road is lined with peril
The air is charged with fear
The shadow of his nearness
Weighs like iron tears..."
II. Under the Shadow
Shreds of black cloud loom in overcast skies. The Necromancer keeps watch with his magic prism eyes. He views all his lands and is already aware of the three helpless invaders trapped in his lair...
♫ "Brooding in the tower
Watching o'er his land
Holding ev'ry creature
Helplessly they stand
Gaze into his prisms
Knowing they are near
Lead them to the dungeons
Spectres numb with fear
They bow defeated..."
III. Return of the Prince
Enter the Champion. Prince By-Tor appears to battle for freedom from chains of long years. The spell has been broken...the Dark Lands are bright, the Wraith of the Necromancer soars away...in the night.
♫ "Stealthily attacking
By-Tor slays his foe
The men are free to run now
From labyrinths below
The Wraith of Necromancer
Shadows through the sky
Another land to darken
With evil prism eye..."
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"The Fountain of Lamneth"
I. In the Valley
♫ "I am born
I am me
I am new
I am free
Look at me
I am young
Sight unseen
Life unsung
My eyes have just been opened
And they're open very wide
Images around me
Don't identify inside
Just one blur I recognize
The one that soothes and feeds
My way of life is easy
And as simple are my needs
Yet my eyes are drawn toward
The mountain in the east
Fascinates and captivates
Gives my heart no peace
The mountain holds the sunrise
In the prison of the night
Till bursting forth from rocky chains
The valley floods with light
Living one long sunrise
For to me all things are new
I've never watched the sky grow pale
Or strolled through fields of dew
I do not know of dust to dust
I live from breath to breath
I live to climb that mountain to
The Fountain of Lamneth..."
II. Didacts and Narpets
- Unofficial lyrics, not included in lyric sheet -
♫ Stay!
"Go!
Work!
No!
Think!
Live!
Earn!
Give!
Wait or Fight...Right!
Laugh? Right or Wait
Listen...!"
III. No One At the Bridge
♫ "Crying back to consciousness
The coldness grips my skin
The sky is pitching violently
Drawn by shrieking winds
Seaspray blurs my vision
Waves roll by so fast
Save my ship of freedom
I'm lashed helpless to the mast
Call out for direction
And there's no one there to steer
Shout out for salvation
But there's no one there to hear
Cry out supplication
For the maelstrom is near
Scream out desperation
But no one cares to hear
Remembering when first I held
The wheel in my own hands
I took the helm so eagerly
And sailed for distant lands
But now the sea's too heavy
And I just don't understand
Why must my crew desert me
When I need a guiding hand..."
IV. Panacea
♫ "The whiteness of confusion
Is unfolding from my mind
I stare around in wonder
Have I left my life behind?
I catch the scent of ambergris
And turn my head... surprised
My gaze is caught and held
And I am helpless, mesmerized
Panacea - liquid grace
Oh let me touch your fragile face
Enchantment falls around me
And I know I cannot leave
Here's a meaning for my life
A shelter from the storm
Pacify my troubles with
Her body, soft and warm
Naked in our unity
A smile for every tear
Gentle hands that promise me
Comfort through the years
Yet I know I must be gone
Before the light of dawn
Panacea - passion pure
I can't resist your gentle lure
My heart will lie beside you
And my wandering body grieves..."
V. Bacchus Plateau
♫ "Another endless day
Silhouettes of grey
Another glass of wine
Drink with eyes that shine
To days without that chill at morning
Long nights time out of mind
Draw another goblet
From the cask of '43
Crimson misty memory
Hazy glimpse of me
Give me back my wonder
- I've something more to give
I guess it doesn't matter
- There's not much more to live
Another foggy dawn
The mountain almost gone
Another doubtful fear
The road is not so clear
My soul grows ever weary
And the end is ever near..."
VI. The Fountain
♫ "Look... the mist is rising
And the sun is peaking through
See, the steps grow lighter
As I reach their final few
Hear, the dancing waters
I must be drawing near
Feel, my heart is pounding
With embattled hope and fear
Now, at last I fall before
The Fountain of Lamneth
I thought I would be singing
But I'm tired... out of breath
Many journeys end here
But, the secret's told the same
Life is just a candle
And a dream must give it flame
The key, the end, the answer
Stripped of their disguise
Still it's all confusion
And tears spring to my eyes
Though I've reached a signpost
It's really not the end
Like Old Sol behind the mountain
I'll be coming up again...
I'm in motion
I am still
I am crying
I am still
I'm together
I'm apart
I'm forever
At the start
Still... I am."
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jag2112
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Member: John
Location: Clinton, NJ
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The writer stares with glassy eyes...
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