1. Overture
MP3 Clip
Credits:
Written by Andy Ascolese, Walter Bianco, Richie Castellano, Russ Jones & Ann Marie Nacchio
Produced, Recorded & Mixed by Richie Castellano
Co-Produced by Andy Ascolese, Ann Marie Nacchio & Phil Castellano
Richie Castellano - Guitar, String Arrangement
Walter Bianco - Guitar
Russ Jones - Bass
Andy Ascolese - Drums
Background Info:
This was the missing piece of the album. We had almost all of the other songs completed, but we knew something was missing. We were running short on time so we actually wrote and recorded this in one session. In order to save time we used electronic drums and guitar amp simulators so we could get it done quickly.
Who Played What:
The openning melody is Walter. Second melody is Richie. First solo is Walter. The ending leads are Richie.
2. I Need To Know For Sure
MP3 Clip
Credits:
Written by Richie Castellano
Produced & Mixed by Richie Castellano
Recorded by Richie Castellano & Ann Marie Nacchio
Co-Produced by Andy Ascolese & Ann Marie Nacchio
Ann Marie Nacchio - Vocals, Harmony Arrangement
Andy Ascolese - Keyboards
Background Info:
Originally this song was longer and had more instrumentation, but at the last minute we all decided to strip it way down.
Lyrics:
Will you hear me out?
Will you judge, will you doubt?
I need to know for sure
I need to know for sure
I need to know for sure
Will you hold me close?
Never let me fall?
I need to know for sure
I need to know for sure
I need to know for sure
I want to make you see
A different side of me
Surrounded by a darkness born of everything I fear
Now you see what I've become
Can you really be the one?
To save me from a loveless life, so many wasted years
Would you live a lie?
Keeping secrets to save my life?
I need to know for sure
I need to know for sure
I need to know
3. No One Needs To Know
MP3 Clip
Credits:
Written by Richie Castellano
Produced & Mixed by Richie Castellano
Recorded by Richie Castellano & Andy Ascolese
Co-Produced by Andy Ascolese, Ann Marie Nacchio & Phil Castellano
Ann Marie Nacchio - Vocals
Richie Castellano - Guitar, Vocals, Keyboards
Walter Bianco - Guitar
Russ Jones - Bass
Andy Ascolese - Drums, Vocals
Background Info:
This was the first song we ever did. It was sort of the blueprint for what the band was going to be. This song and the rest of them have Andy's real drums on it. He recorded them in his studio and then sent the tracks to Richie.
Who Played What:
Walter is playing the first solo, Richie is playingh the second solo and the outro solo.
Lyrics:
Can you keep a secret,
Just between you and I?
What if you couldn't keep it,
Would you live your life a lie?
Could you keep a secret,
From everybody that you know?
I wanna tell you so bad that it's driving me mad
But you can never tell another soul
No one needs to know
It's just between you and I
No one needs to know
It's the only thing that you desire
No one needs to know
It's everything you'll ever need
It's just between you and me
Can you keep a secret,
Not the kind that you can tell?
You never could repeat it
You'd have to take it straight to hell
I know that this secret
Is something you would want to know
I wanna tell you so bad that it's driving me mad
But you can never tell another soul
No one needs to know
It's just between you and I
No one needs to know
It's the only thing that you desire
No one needs to know
It's everything you'll ever need
It's just between you and me
4. Tokyo Nights
MP3 Clip
Credits:
Written by Richie Castellano
Produced & Mixed by Richie Castellano
Recorded by Richie Castellano, Andy Ascolese & Ann Marie Nacchio
Co-Produced by Andy Ascolese, Ann Marie Nacchio & Phil Castellano
Ann Marie Nacchio - Vocals
Richie Castellano - Guitar, Vocals, Synth Programming
Walter Bianco - Guitar
Russ Jones - Bass, Violin
Andy Ascolese - Drums, Vocals, Synth Programming
Background Info:
This song is based on an experiment with a Japanese 5 note scale. This also has a lot of interesting textures in it. The jangling sound is a Rickenbacker 12 string. There are also a lot of electronic elements in here. The violin in verse 2 is real! That's Russ playing.
Who Played What:
Richie is playing the first solo and Walter is playing the second solo. They alternate after that.
Lyrics:
Behind a closed door in the alley
An image you're not meant to see
The businessmen with all their power and money
They beg for a small piece of me
You wait for me out on the corner
And every night I never show
You put yourself through all this torture and pain
This fantasy's all that you know
The picture you're painting is something that I'll never be
Your geisha in training, your lady in waiting
A prisoner of your fantasy
The skyline screams with neon lights
My spirit is calling out for these Tokyo nights
The city streets, they hold me tight
That's where I'll be waiting, out on these Tokyo nights.
You think you can stare through a window
And understand all that you see
A beautiful stranger surrounded by danger
Is this what you want me to be?
The picture you're painting is something that I'll never be
This place where you found me where shadows surround me
Is everything I'll ever be
The skyline screams with neon lights
My spirit is calling out for these Tokyo nights
The city streets, they hold me tight
That's where I'll be waiting, out on these Tokyo nights.
The picture you're painting is something that I'll never be
Your geisha in training, your lady in waiting
A prisoner of your fantasy
The skyline screams with neon lights
My spirit is calling out for these Tokyo nights
The city streets, they hold me tight
That's where I'll be waiting, out on these Tokyo nights.
5. Believe In The Sword
MP3 Clip
Credits:
Written by Richie Castellano
Produced & Mixed by Richie Castellano
Recorded by Richie Castellano, Andy Ascolese & Ann Marie Nacchio
Co-Produced by Andy Ascolese, Ann Marie Nacchio & Phil Castellano
Ann Marie Nacchio - Vocals
Richie Castellano - Guitar, Vocals, Synth Programming
Walter Bianco - Guitar, Vocals
Russ Jones - Bass, Vocals
Andy Ascolese - Drums, Vocals, Synth Programming
Choir - Ann Marie Nacchio, Richie Castellano, Andy Ascolese, Sara Frank, Katelyn Merril
Who Played What:
Richie is playing the solo in the middle of the song and Walter is playing the outro solo.
Lyrics:
Give me an army and I will take command
Give me the order and I will take a stand
Show me your rival and I will make him bleed
When it’s survival there’s no room for defeat
Call on your soldiers, we’ll do your dirty deeds
Call us to battle, we’ll bring you victory
Bury your problems with slashing silver blades
Live as a hero and enjoy your masquerade
But don’t tell me it’s right.
I’m bound to obey you,
Fight who you want me to fight
Believe in the sword
And all your enemies will fall before you
Believe in the sword
And all your wicked demons crawl before you
Show me a fortress and I will bring it down
Show me a village, I’ll burn it to the ground
I’m just the weapon, a sword for you to hold
And when you command me, the blood stains on us both
But don’t tell me it’s right.
I’m bound to obey you
Fight who you want me to fight
Believe in the sword
And all your enemies will fall before you
Believe in the sword
And all your wicked demons crawl before you
6. Runaways
MP3 Clip
Credits:
Written by Richie Castellano
Produced & Mixed by Richie Castellano
Recorded by Richie Castellano, Andy Ascolese & Ann Marie Nacchio
Co-Produced by Andy Ascolese, Ann Marie Nacchio & Phil Castellano
Ann Marie Nacchio - Vocals
Richie Castellano - Guitar, Vocals
Walter Bianco - Guitar, Vocals
Russ Jones - Bass, Vocals
Andy Ascolese - Drums, Vocals
Who Played What:
This solo has a lot of harmonizing and trading off. Richie starts it off and then Walter alternates with him.
Lyrics:
I used to fade into the background
I was dismissed and I was pushed around
Thought if I disappeared that no one would care
They’d be completely unaware
So I packed my bags and made my way out the door
And I saw a thing I never witnessed before
There was a waiting line as far as I could see
An army of people like me
Whoa
Just another runaway with who nobody knows
Whoa
Just another runaway with nowhere to go
Nowhere to go
And for a moment I was finally free
With no regrets and no more misery
The road ahead was paved with ignorant bliss
So I walked into the abyss
Whoa
Just another runaway with who nobody knows
Whoa
Just another runaway with nowhere to go
Just another runaway so far from my home
I started running with a dangerous crowd
I tried to leave but I was not allowed
And when I got away they followed me home
Whoa
Just another runaway with who nobody knows
Whoa
Just another runaway with nowhere to go
Just another runaway so far from my home
Just another runaway with nowhere to go
Nowhere to go
7. Children Of The Sun
MP3 Clip
Credits:
Written by Richie Castellano
Produced & Mixed by Richie Castellano
Recorded by Richie Castellano, Andy Ascolese & Ann Marie Nacchio
Co-Produced by Andy Ascolese, Ann Marie Nacchio & Phil Castellano
Ann Marie Nacchio - Vocals
Richie Castellano - Guitar, Vocals, Orchestral Arrangement
Walter Bianco - Guitar
Russ Jones - Bass
Andy Ascolese - Drums
Choir - Ann Marie Nacchio, Richie Castellano, Andy Ascolese, Sara Frank, Katelyn Merril
Background Info:
We had a lot of fun doing this song. The battle shouts are actually multiple tracks of us with real weapons screaming and clashing swords. Nothing beats the real thing!
Who Played What:
There is a trade off solo in this song. Walter goes first, then Richie follows.
Lyrics:
It was the darkest night that I ever remember
I saw my brothers on the field whither and die
I had to run away in shame to escape capture
Swore my allegiance to the God of light
I will forever stand and fight for you
Formed my legions under banners of the sun God
We’ll never fight against the darkness all alone
He will protect us when he rises in the east sky
There’ll be no shadow left to hide
Vengeance for the ones who died by you
No one can stand against the children of the sun
Follow me and I will light the way
No rest for warriors until the war is won
He we are the children of the sun
Children of the sun
And in the east they’ll see the sun God in his glory
But we’ll look west and see the shadow demons fall
They’ll think us wizards casting curses on they’re senses
It all depends on where we stand
There’s no magic in this plan at all
No one can stand against the children of the sun
Follow me and I will light the way
No rest for warriors until the war is won
He we are the children of the sun
Children of the sun
We can overcome them if the light is in their eyes
Wait until the night turns into day
Our blades will turn lighting when the sun is at our back
The armies of the dark will fade away
We felt the ground shake as their men all charged together
We drew our swords and saw his signal in the sky
He pushed the clouds aside like they were feathers
A ray of light shot from the sun
Blinded all the evil ones we fight
No one can stand against the children of the sun
Follow me and I will light the way
No rest for warriors until the war is won
He we are the children of the sun
Children of the sun
8. Der Hölle Rache Kocht In Meinem Herzen
MP3 Clip
Credits:
Written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Produced, Recorded & Mixed by Richie Castellano
Ann Marie Nacchio - Vocals
Richie Castellano - Guitar, Bass & Drum Programming
Background Info:
This is a piece from Mozart's "The Magic Flute." We wanted to really showcase Ann Marie's opera training and this piece does so beautifully. Ann Marie actually recorded this song directly after a vocal lesson with her college vocal instructor!
For the music, Richie played each part as written in Mozart's score. He did a Brian May treatment by using his Brian May guitar and trying to get his guitar to sound like violins and woodwinds. There is also an added metal rhythm section just to punch up the drama.
Lyrics:
[Original German Text]
Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen,
Tod und Verzweiflung flammet um mich her!
fühlt nicht durch dich Sarastro Todesschmerzen,
so bist du meine Tochter nimmermehr.
Verstoßen sei auf ewig,
verlassen sei auf ewig,
zertrümmert sei'n auf ewig
alle Bande der Natur
wenn nicht durch dich Sarastro wird erblassen!
Hört, Rachegötter, hört der Mutter Schwur!
[English Translation]
The vengeance of Hell boils in my heart,
Death and despair flame about me!
If Sarastro does not through you feel
The pain of death,
Then you will be my daughter nevermore.
Disowned may you be forever,
Abandoned may you be forever,
Destroyed be forever
All the bonds of nature,
If not through you
Sarastro becomes pale! (as death)
Hear, Gods of Revenge,
Hear a mother's oath!
9 Hero Lies
MP3 Clip
Credits:
Written by Richie Castellano
Produced & Mixed by Richie Castellano
Recorded by Richie Castellano, Andy Ascolese & Ann Marie Nacchio
Co-Produced by Andy Ascolese, Ann Marie Nacchio & Phil Castellano
Ann Marie Nacchio - Vocals
Richie Castellano - Guitar, Vocals, Synth Programming
Walter Bianco - Guitar
Russ Jones - Bass
Andy Ascolese - Drums, Vocals, Synth Programming
Background Info:
Out of all the songs, we're most pleased with the production on this one. It really came together in the mix and it turned out sounding better than we'd hoped. This song has a bunch of different elements that make up our sound. It has the heavy riff, the high lead vocals, the progressive rock section and the electronic stuff. Andy really worked hard on adding all of the synths. We were very inspired by the movie, Tron. Also as a last minute mix decision, Richie added a lot of the industrial noise textures.
Who Played What:
The first solo is Richie. The second solo and the outro is Walter.
Lyrics:
I see all of their faces
When I close my eyes
These souls they come to haunt me
From a restless afterlife
For the greater good and the glory,
For you children and your wives
He promised the people a life of peace
For a moment’s sacrifice
He’s the key to success
He’s the heavenly blessed
He is warrior, hero and liar
He’s a leader of men who he cannot defend
From a fate they so deeply desire
He is the one!
A Hero Lies on the backs of those he sent to die
A Hero Lies to the faces who never ask him why
A Hero Lies to himself and everyone with every breath
A Hero Lies in bed with death
So much pain I have witnessed
As idly, I stood by
When I gave in I joined in his sin
And I’ll burn there by his side
So forgive me for my betrayal
As my conscience takes control
As my solemn vow I will stop him now
To destroy his evil soul
He’s the key to success
He’s the heavenly blessed
He is warrior, hero and liar
He’s a leader of men who he cannot defend
From a fate they so deeply desire
He is the one!
A Hero Lies on the backs of those he sent to die
A Hero Lies to the faces, who never ask him why
A Hero Lies to himself and everyone with every breath
A Hero Lies in bed with death
10. Mother Of Dragons
MP3 Clip
Credits:
Written by Ann Marie Nacchio
Produced & Mixed by Richie Castellano
Recorded by Richie Castellano & Walter Bianco
Co-Produced by Andy Ascolese, Ann Marie Nacchio & Phil Castellano
Ann Marie Nacchio - Vocals
Richie Castellano - Guitar, Vocals
Walter Bianco - Guitar
Russ Jones - Bass
Andy Ascolese - Drums
Background Info:
We did this in the same session as the overture so the instrumentation is the same. Richie came up with this lick during the Overture and Ann Marie took it and made a completely new song out of it. She wrote it on the spot in about 20 minutes. It's a lot of fun to play.
Who Played What:
Richie is playing the first solo, Walter is playing the second solo.
Lyrics:
You watch the skies, the fire's all around you
There's nowhere left to hide
The fear inside is starting to surround you
You're running for your life
The mother of dragons has got you dead in her sights
Your flesh is now forfeit, your body is hers dead to rights
Mother of Dragons
Riding on her wings into the night
Mother of Dragons
No can escape her deadly flight
You realize there's nowhere to outrun her
Once she's got your scent
You feel her breath warm upon your shoulder
Your life's already spent
Mother of Dragons
Riding on her wings into the night
Mother of Dragons
No can escape her deadly flight
The mother of dragons is saving her fire for you
Clenched in her talons, your darkest nightmare's come true
Mother of Dragons
Riding on her wings into the night
Mother of Dragons
No can escape her deadly flight
11. Oblivion
MP3 Clip
Credits:
Written by Richie Castellano, Andy Ascolese and Ann Marie Nacchio
Produced & Mixed by Richie Castellano
Recorded by Richie Castellano & Andy Ascolese
Co-Produced by Andy Ascolese, Ann Marie Nacchio & Phil Castellano
Ann Marie Nacchio - Vocals
Richie Castellano - Guitar, Bass, Vocals, Keyboards
Walter Bianco - Guitar
Andy Ascolese - Drums, Orchestral Arrangments
Choir - Ann Marie Nacchio, Richie Castellano, Andy Ascolese, Sara Frank, Katelyn Merril
Background Info:
We were going to leave this one off because for the longest time, it was unfinished. We knew something needed to go in the middle, but we didn't know what it should be. Finally we had the wacky idea: "What if the blue chick from 'The Fifth Element' did a vocal solo in the style of Queen's 'The Prophet's Song' and it was arranged in the style of a Bach fugue?" The result is Ann Marie's spectacular vocal solo. It's only one single track of vocal run through a few delays. It really shows off her abilities nicely.
The end of the sound is a tour de force from Andy. He's eerie string quartet arrangement creeping in behind the bombastic drum soloing really ties this whole epic together.
We also get to hear Richie sing a little bit of lead on this song
Who Played What:
Walter plays the solo after the first verse. The rest of the leads were done by Richie.
Lyrics:
Crawling through the darkness
Burning from the light
The screams of dreams take over me
To weak to even fight
When all has been forgotten
Just like someone else's past
The memories come back to me
To seek revenge at last
Call me the heretic, the skeptic and the fool
Or just a lunatic, a victim of the rules
Why can't I find my peace of mind?
Oblivion is where I wanna be
Oblivion, my home
Oblivion, a world to set you free
Oblivion, my home
Oblivion!
The dream is finally over
The memories flood in
Drowning in a pool of sin
My real test begins
Could you confront your demons
After everything you've learned
Could you lose yourself in a private hell
Where you may never return
Call me the heretic, the skeptic and the fool
Or just a lunatic, a victim of the rules
Why can't I find my peace of mind?
Oblivion is where I wanna be
Oblivion, my home
Oblivion, a world to set you free
Oblivion, my home
Oblivion!
Oblivion is where I wanna be
I wanna be free
In another world
My home
Take me to my home
My home
Call me the heretic, the skeptic and the fool
Or just a lunatic, a victim of the rules
Why can't I find my peace of mind?
Oblivion is where I wanna be
Oblivion, my home
Oblivion, a world to set you free
Oblivion, my home
Oblivion! |