The project, originated in the mind of Daniele Mazza, started to materialize in 2006 after Daniele met with bass player Martino Garattoni. The first stable line up was completed in 2007, with Sara Squadrani as singer, Alessandro Carichini as drummer, and Claudio Pietronik and Fabio Balducci as guitarists.
In September 2010, Alessandro left the band, to be replaced by a new drummer Federico Gatti. The latest line-up change occurred in the end of 2013 after recording the third album A New Dawn Ending, when Balducci left the band for personal reasons. Permanent replacement for Fabio has not been announced yet, but for live shows in 2014 the band has been joined by Simone Bertozzi as a guest second guitarist.
Albums
The style and concept of their 2010 debut album, The Alliance of the Kings, has been seen as inspired by fellow Italian band Rhapsody of Fire. The album is the first part of The Black Crystal Sword Saga with each song making up a single "episode"
The Italian and German editions of Metal Hammer commented on the "sophisticated songwriting" in this release. The latter magazine also found similarities to Anette Olzon in singer Sara Squadrani's voice.
The band's second album, Soulless Child, was released in 2011. It continues The Black Crystal Sword Saga introduced in the previous album. The reviewers of Metal Hammer Germany and Rock Hard agreed that the album had a tendency towards kitsch. While Metal Hammer found several positive remarks about individual tracks, Rock Hard criticised a lack of original hooks.
In April 2014, a third album, A New Dawn Ending, was released. This concluded the first part of The Black Crystal Sword Saga, making that section a complete trilogy.
Ancient Bards announced their fourth album in June 2018 entitled Origine - The Black Crystal Sword Saga Part 2. It is the beginning the second part of The Black Crystal Sword Saga and was released on 25 January 2019. They also announced on their Facebook page that touring guitarist Simone Bartozzi had been made a permanent band member after touring with them since 2014.
Faithful to Destiny
Ancient Bards Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh Daltor, our fellow, you passed away
you left to reach the fields
where sorrow and suffering cease to exist
and your rage can rest at last.
I feel it, your spirit, it is with us
and it won't leave our side
your body may be gone but your soul is here
[Dorus]
For my lands, for my gods
i will find the holy sword
we can't fail, we're all mighty warriors
We will march, we will fight
only fate can divide
our legend from victory!
[Alron]
We promise your sacrifice won't be vain
we'll never stop the quest
and Dorus is given now the silver sword
that you let fall from above
I feel it, your spirit, it is with us
it gives us strength and hope
your body may be gone but your soul is here
it's guiding us to the Dark Cave
[Dorus]
For my lands, for my gods
i will find the holy sword
we can't fail, we're all mighty warriors
We will march, we will fight
only fate can divide
our legend from victory!
[Sendor]
il grande e forte impero
rifiorirà nell'impeto
l'angelo oscuro nascerà
notte e terrore porterà
[Group]
furore ed ira giacion nel nostro cuore
crudele Sendor, figlio del tuo stesso male
il nostro cammino non si fermerà
fin quando la giustizia non trionferà
in pugno la spada, nel cuore la vita
negli occhi la speranza di pace infinita
il nostro cammino non si fermerà
fin quando la giustizia non trionferà
The lyrics of Ancient Bards's song Faithful to Destiny are a tribute to a fallen hero, Daltor. Alron speaks to him in the beginning, acknowledging his sacrifice and expressing his belief that Daltor's spirit is still with them, despite his physical death. He promises that Daltor's sacrifice won't be in vain and that the quest will continue. Dorus then proclaims his determination to find the holy sword for his gods and lands, stating that they can't fail because they are mighty warriors. The group collectively vows to continue forward until justice prevails.
The song portrays themes of loss, determination, and faith. The characters are determined to continue on their quest despite the loss of their comrade. They have faith in his spirit and the strength it provides, as well as their own strength and ability to succeed. The lyrics also touch on the idea that fate plays a role in their journey, but they won't let it divide them.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Daltor, our fellow, you passed away
We mourn your death, Daltor.
you left to reach the fields
You left us to go to the afterlife.
where sorrow and suffering cease to exist
Where pain and suffering no longer exist.
and your rage can rest at last.
Your anger can finally be at peace.
I feel it, your spirit, it is with us
We sense your presence with us, as your spirit remains.
and it won't leave our side
You will remain by our side, even in death.
your body may be gone but your soul is here
Although your physical body is gone, your soul remains with us.
attending us in the Dark Cave
You accompany and watch over us in our journey through the Dark Cave.
For my lands, for my gods
I fight for the sake of my country and my deities.
i will find the holy sword
I pledge to retrieve the sacred sword for my cause.
we can't fail, we're all mighty warriors
We are invincible and will not fail in our battle.
We will march, we will fight
We will continue our journey with courage and determination.
only fate can divide
Our destiny is determined by fate.
our legend from victory!
Our triumphant victory will be recorded in legends.
We promise your sacrifice won't be vain
We pledge that your sacrifice will not be wasted.
we'll never stop the quest
We will persist in our quest until it is completed.
and Dorus is given now the silver sword
The silver sword is now entrusted to Dorus.
that you let fall from above
The sword that you dropped from the heavens.
it gives us strength and hope
Your spirit provides us with hope and strength.
it's guiding us to the Dark Cave
You guide us through the treacherous Dark Cave.
il grande e forte impero
The great and powerful empire
rifiorirà nell'impeto
Will rise again with renewed vigor.
l'angelo oscuro nascerà
The dark angel will be born.
notte e terrore porterà
Bringing with it darkness and terror.
furore ed ira giacion nel nostro cuore
We hold fury and anger in our hearts.
crudele Sendor, figlio del tuo stesso male
Cruel Sendor, son of your own evil.
il nostro cammino non si fermerà
Our journey will not cease.
fin quando la giustizia non trionferà
Until justice prevails.
in pugno la spada, nel cuore la vita
Holding the sword in hand and life in our hearts.
negli occhi la speranza di pace infinita
With hope for never-ending peace in our eyes.
fin quando la giustizia non trionferà
Until justice prevails.
Contributed by Olivia T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.