Legend: Overview

This isn't the first time I've tried to capture a story in music. All of film score composing is built around that concept for the most part, so I've definitely gotten some experience that way. A little over a year ago, I released a six part series on SoundCloud that was supposed to capture the struggle between two brothers, and I suppose that's where the seeds of Legend were planted. 

Legend takes place in a world somewhere halfway between science fiction and medieval fantasy. It is centered around the struggle between three characters; the Farmer, the King of the Sand, and the Conqueror of Worlds. All three of the characters believe that they are destined to rule the desert kingdom of Eremus. The Farmer is the story's protagonist. He is told by God that despite his humble beginnings, he will sit on the throne. Unfortunately for him, the events that transpire after this revelation seem to say much the opposite. The King of the Sand is the antagonist of the story. He is an aide to the king, obsessed with power and willing to do anything to get it. Lastly, the Conqueror of Worlds is a foreign war monger who further complicates the situation. He has set his eyes on Eremus. His armies have been unmatched thus far. All the world will be his before long.

Hence the name of the project. I wanted to capture something that was very far from real, and give life to it in a way that only music can. Thus the project began. It stretched me in amazing ways, and I've learned a lot through the whole experience. Here is the legend that the album seeks to capture. The song breakdowns will show how each song relates to a specific portion of it.

LEGEND

Eremus, kingdom of the wilderness. Once crowned in glory, now weak in the eyes of men

The Farmer lives the life of a poor man, but he is content. He has no ambition and does not expect to be elevated. He is an experienced man; not quite old, but not quite young, and a hard worker. Every day the Farmer enters the Temple to pray. His consistency will be rewarded

THE LORD OF HOSTS speaks to mortal man. HIS WORDS shake the fabric of space and time, as they always do. The Farmer has been chosen. He will ascend to the throne of Eremus, placed there by GOD HIMSELF, for THE MIND OF GOD is too wonderful to comprehend. HE takes the weakest of men and elevates him above all others

The King of the Sand is not king yet. He is only an aide to the king, who is weak and cowardly, clearly undeserving of the throne. The aide is mocked and humiliated for his dreams of power, but he will show them all! He will rule with an iron fist. He needs but one chance to seize it

In the courts of the king's palace, it is heard in whispers. The Conqueror of Worlds approaches. Surely he will lay waste to Eremus, enslave its people, deface the temples, and make a mockery of the throne

The called are equipped; THE LORD trains the Farmer's hands for war. He is given no army, nor does he have a weapon beyond his staff. But are not the forces of heaven at his disposal? Surely what GOD has said will come to pass

The King of Sand has taken the throne; the authority and power of Eremus are his. But still his heart remains unsatisfied. Claimed by the darkness, he descends into madness

In far away lands, the Conqueror rejoices. The time to take Eremus has come. He marches forth with many hordes. Eremus will once again have a new king

War is brewing, but the Farmer is calm. His eyes are set upon the call. He continues to wait upon THE LORD as the fullness of his destiny is revealed 

From the east, the King of the Sand hears of the approach of a conqueror. From the west, he's heard tales of a man of GOD. His descent into madness is complete; no one will take his throne

In a stunning move, the King of Sand strikes. He sets his heart against THE LORD. The Farmer is captured. His story is at an end

Deep in the dungeon, the Farmer weeps with sorrow. Has THE LORD lied? But THE GOD OF GODS sees his despair. HE visits the Farmer in the deepest of depths and sets him free. The power of heaven flows through him now; he wars from a place of rest. How can THE HAND OF GOD be stopped? THE LORD wins again  

The Conqueror arrives. All of Eremus must bow before him! His battle rage is endless; the streets will flow with blood

The King of the Sand is not battle-tested, but his hunger for power gives him the strength of a thousand men! The Conqueror of Worlds enters his throne room, but he will never touch the throne. He is a shadow fighting an abyss. The King hurls his body from the battlements for the beasts to consume; the Conqueror of Worlds dies the death of an unworthy foe

It is the end of all things. Dark versus Light. But the darkness was doomed from the beginning. The King of the Sand fights with all his might, but he cannot harm the one chosen by GOD. The darkness has consumed him; he is banished to hell. The Farmer farms no more; he is now King of Eremus

Eremus lies in ruin. The Conqueror has not conquered, but he has destroyed. The New King laments for the fallen. The price for Eremus was great. The new Eremus will be greater still