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Steadfast

by Forefather

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ivarboneless
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ivarboneless A great piece of heathen anglo saxon metal!! Epic masterpiece!!
Favourite song: Theodish Belief!!
pfk505
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pfk505 I say without a hint of exaggeration that this is one of the finest and most glorious metal albums ever created. Riff after riff, chorus after chorus, it is absolutely packed with quality, one anthem after the next to set your scalp on edge. A masterpiece in every sense of the word. Favorite track: Cween of the Mark.
Kraahl
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Kraahl Very powerful, soaring, well-written and well-produced. I find "Steadfast" to be loaded with many triumphant moments, from the beginning to the end. No fillers here. There's plenty of great riffs, bombastic percussion, and grim, harsh vocals, occasionally accompanied by healthy choruses of clean vocals, majestically riding over these victorious hymns. With all being said, I wish to conclude by saying how much I love the atmosphere and feeling of this release. It sure makes me want to drink some mead or ale outdoors, away from the cities, and imagine the ancient times! Cheers to Forefather! Favorite track: Theodish Belief.
dainton
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dainton this makes me proud to be Englisc! Angelcynn modignes Favorite track: Steadfast.
Gabriel Tamas
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Gabriel Tamas I was amazed to see this rather old album re-released on tape and at this small price, nonetheless. I actually never listened to that much Forefather, so this will prove a great way to get into this rather awesome British band. Also, the reinterpretation of the medieval English song Miri it is is on this album, which only makes it even better for me. Favorite track: Miri it is.
Liam Washington
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Liam Washington I searched long and hard for anything that could be called Anglo-Saxon metal, and I found it here. Powerful sound evoking images of long lost Mead halls and ancient battles, I feel this album is the exemplum for any new forays into the fledgling genre that Forefather has founded. Favorite track: Miri it is.
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1.
Brunanburh 04:53
Our lord of warriors eternal glory won By the sword's edge at Brunanburh Smashed the shield-wall and drove them from the land The enemy doomed they fell and the field was dark with blood Shot with spears, the crushed assailants fled In revenge we rode them down and the vanquished took to sea Edward's sons victorious in war Made mountains of the slain and the wolves and crows did feast Great slaughter made and the fields of Britain tamed Lord of the fyrd, he fared north and he held his sway Mastery claimed and the hearts of the beaten shamed Engla Cyning - Rex Totius Britaniae! Legend made at Brunanburh Mighty victory has no name In the shadow of Senlac's fame Words that glorify on a withered page Lost in the myth of a dark age Ne wearð wæl mare on þis eiglande æfre gieta folces gefylled beforan þissum sweordes ecgum, þæs þe us secgað bec, ealde uðwitan, siþþan eastan hider Engle and Seaxe up becoman, ofer brad brimu Brytene sohtan, wlance wigsmiþas, Wealas ofercoman, eorlas arhwate, eard begeatan. (Old English recital from Battle of Brunanburh poem)
2.
Warrior maiden, blood of the kings Our brave and glorious cween Lead us into victorious times When we will reign supreme For far too long they've soiled our land But now the tides have changed We will have our just revenge When by our steel they're slain As we prepare for the battle The lady's our beacon of light Their bodies will break on our blades With the Cween of the Mark at our side Golden hair frames her solemn face High up on her steed Beneath the banner of the mark Fluttering in the breeze For far too long they've soiled our land But now the tides have changed We will have our just revenge When by our steel they're slain
3.
For thousands of years from father to son Ancient ways were carried on Ingrained in the flesh an ancestral soul Breathing life since days of old The tales of the scop by fire were sung Deeds of worth and battles won A spiritual bond and oneness of mind Born through struggle and shared strife I saw fire in their eyes And they knew they belonged like the wind blows We knew it before and can feel it again Rekindle our lost theodish belief Through ages of time from mother to maid Holy knowledge was maintained Born in the blood a common dream Shaped by fate and what has been Striving to shield the esteem of one's kind Those who'd deny left lamenting behind Devotion that never subsides Values that they'd give their lives to defend Stubborn and true, fighting strong till the end Loyalty that never dies
4.
Gathered together, the meoduseld shining brightly Cempan and ealdormen, in a drunken dream Among all the riches and relics of many hearth-kin, Foretell unyielding their coming feats and deeds Harp strings, stout-played, sing the praises of many ring-lord Lay of blood-reddened fields, myriad foes cleaved Spear's flight nor sword edge did smash his almighty war-disc Honour did save him for future king to be Oh, they feast in their hallowed halls Ghostly warriors ashen and pale Shadows dance in the light of the flame Gold and majesty, glory and fame Pour from the well, share a toast with our nation's heroes Beauty unheard of will carry us the mead Fortune this night brings a war-leader far across the sea By his hand we may from demon scourge be freed Oh, they feast in their hallowed halls Ghostly warriors ashen and pale Shadows dance in the light of the flame Gold and majesty, glory and fame Oh, they feast in their hallowed halls Ghostly warriors ashen and pale Bold they rode on the crest of a wave Shielded tight in a womb of oak staves
5.
Steadfast 05:06
Steadfast as a weathered mighty stone Weary of this furious raging storm Defy, and resist the endless war Withstand, and uphold the sacred law Though I may faulter on my journey And I will suffer pain with time I know I'll keep my head up high Bring forth your gods Your sacred strife With truth I crush your wretched life Roots so deep this oak will now be swayed Core unwavering, edges burn and frayed Enduring as all else wilts and wanes Earth-red blood is coursing through my veins Steadfast! Noble, Glorious Ever victorious Entwined everlong Steadfast forever Loyal is this friend who rides with me Ever true companion reigns supreme Smashing all deluded false belief Laughing at their feeble self-deceit No one can take this strength away I will resist the fearsome tide And I will keep my head held high
6.
Across the sea they heard the call Blood to spill and gold in hand Charged to flash their deadly steel And defend this fruitful land Straightaway they waged their war And swiftly came the victory And all of those that were left behind Beheld the messengers' sign And the ships filled the shoreline Bound for fame With three great ships they came Riding the waves To the fray They soared across the spray Leading the way Souls aflame They made their masters slaves Destined to reign Foes forlorn A sacred myth was born Wrought a new age With gathering strength and growing will They turned to bite the hand that feeds The worthless host harried and slain From the east to western seas Altars razed by iron and fire The pious slaughtered ruthlessly The survivors fled to cower in the woods For a life of ignominy Or sadly crossed the sea
7.
Eostre 03:33
8.
Let the shaman cast the runes Is it today that we should strike? We don't want to take them on Without the gods on our side See the ravens in the sky What do the paths of their flight portend? If we go forth and face them now Will there be death waiting at the end? It was an omen A message of fire from the sky A candle of doom in the night It was decided if we were to conquer or die Hear the witches chant their spells What do their strange melodies foretell? Whichever way it's destined to go They can be sure that we'll fight them well It was an omen A message of fire from the sky A candle of doom in the night It was decided if we were to conquer or die At dawn we faced them We gathered beneath a red sky The hills hearkened our battle cry It was decided if we were to conquer or die
9.
Purge this circle to clear the way A cleansing fire where no ashes remain Hear the heralder portend the rite Purify - let his horn resound Flawless as the still of night No trembles in the web Silence, as your soul takes flight And all the forces ebb The wheel of chaos turns a sea of calm Strip away, sweep the dust, tear down! Chill wind brings the toll of death And nought brings sweet serenity Thunder breaks the choking heat And floods will cleanse this shrine Fire sings your care's lament Now watch your spirit soar One mighty call to break all bonds Every act destroyed Blast away all that has been A pure and empty void The ceaseless wheel turns from day to night Scorch the earth, halt the endless fight Raise my hands towards a moonlit sky I am fulfilled now an empty mind Farewell this world, my mind bequeathed At one with gods, I am now at peace Only echoes of memories Only shadows of deeds
10.
Hope has died My dreams, they fade Let my blackened dirge be played Swinging limp, swinging free Darkened heart on the gallows tree Fortune has betrayed me now As I ascend to worlds beyond A lonely road a man must tread Upon the tree until his death A bleak release I'll find no peace Forsake this world that abandoned me Cursed be he who adorns the wolfhead's tree Limp under the stars treading the path of infamy All hope is the forlorn, standard is torn, end of an age Thunder in the night heralds the sign of the wolfhead's age
11.
Miri it is 05:42
Miri it is while summer ilast With fugheles song Oc nu neheth windes Blast And weder strong Ei, Ei! What this night is long! And ich with wel michel wrong Soregh and murn and fast Miri it is 'tween dark and dark This fleeting stage 'Till we return back to the night From whence we came And henceforth our spears take aim Hope to win eternal fame Hear our names e'er more

credits

released February 11, 2008

Recorded in the Hallowed Hall 2006-2007 by Forefather
All music and lyrics composed 2004-2007 by Forefather
Mixed by Athelstan

Wulfstan: Lead vocals, guitar, bass
Athelstan: Backing vocals, guitar, bass
Drums by The Wolfhead

Cover art by Martin Hanford, based on concept by Forefather

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