It was founded in 1999 in Lappeenranta, Finland by Jyri Vahvanen and Miika Kokkola. Their first promo CD Warrior's Tale was released the same year. Though the release was taken pretty well, it is their second demo Dark Fantasy that caught the attention of Napalm Records's executives, thereby providing them with the future studio records and live gigs. Battlelore released six albums and went on an indefinite hiatus in 2011.
Their style takes elements from many different heavy metal subgenres, including melodic death metal, folk metal, power metal, gothic metal and symphonic metal. All of Battlelore's lyrics specifically revolve around characters and events from the world of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-Earth.
Official Site: www.battlelore.net
Last known line-up:
Tomi Mykkänen - male vocals
Kaisa Jouhki - female vocals
Jussi Rautio - lead guitars
Jyri Vahvanen - rhythms guitars
Timo Honkanen - bass
Henri Vahvanen - drums
Maria Honkanen - keyboards and flute
Past members:
Tommi Havo - vocals and lead guitars
Patrik Mennander - vocals
Miika Kokkola - bass
Gorthaur - drums
Homecoming
Battlelore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's been too long
Since we crossed the Brandywine
Memories alive again
And the life we had
Feels like ages
When our journey began
We came back as one
So much has changed
Lost and burnt away
But this is where we belong
This is where we stay
The years may pass and go
This remains our home
We are back stronger
Than ever before
We claim back the land
And the sword
They tried to scare us
Break our will and force us down
Metal and foul machines
Old Man's order
It was time to raise the Shire
Back to its former glory
To battle against the traitors
To cut the evil tongues
A torn Old Man
Fell with his Tower
Colourless robe
Words without power
Lord of the fools
Can't see his loss
The hate and the pride
Master of lies
The lyrics to Battlelore's song "Homecoming" speak of a group of individuals who have been away from their homeland for a long time, specifically referencing the Brandywine river. They reminisce about the memories they had and how their lives have changed since their journey began. Despite the passage of time and the changes that have occurred, they feel a deep sense of belonging and recognize that this place is still their home.
The song also alludes to a conflict or oppression that they had to face, symbolized by the attempts to scare them and break their will. This oppression is represented by metal and foul machines, reflecting a technological and destructive force. However, they gather their strength and resolve to reclaim their land and wield the sword.
There is a reference to an "Old Man" who represents a figure of power and authority, yet his authority seems to have waned. He is described as a torn figure, falling with his tower, and his robe is colorless, implying a loss of influence. The lyrics suggest that this Old Man's order had to be challenged in order to restore the Shire to its former glory. The song concludes with the realization that this Old Man is a master of lies, consumed by hate and pride.
Overall, the lyrics of "Homecoming" convey a narrative of reclaiming one's home, standing against oppression, and the triumph of truth over deceitful powers.
Line by Line Meaning
It's been too long
A significant amount of time has passed
Since we crossed the Brandywine
Since we last journeyed across the Brandywine river
Memories alive again
Our memories have been revived
And the life we had
The experiences we had
Feels like ages
Seems like a very long time
When our journey began
At the start of our adventure
Through the days of wonder
During the incredible times we've had
We came back as one
We returned together
So much has changed
A lot has transformed
Lost and burnt away
Destroyed and vanished
But this is where we belong
Here is where we truly fit in
This is where we stay
Here is where we will remain
The years may pass and go
Time may move on
This remains our home
Yet this continues to be our place of belonging
We are back stronger
We have returned with greater strength
Than ever before
More powerful than in any previous occasion
We claim back the land
We assert our ownership of the land
And the sword
As well as the weapon we wield
They tried to scare us
They attempted to intimidate us
Break our will and force us down
Crush our determination and oppress us
Metal and foul machines
Machinery made of metal and deemed evil
Old Man's order
The command of an elderly man
It was time to raise the Shire
It was the moment to restore the Shire
Back to its former glory
To its previous state of greatness
To battle against the traitors
To fight those who have betrayed us
To cut the evil tongues
To silence the wicked voices
A torn Old Man
An elderly man in a state of distress
Fell with his Tower
Collapsed along with his tower
Colourless robe
A robe lacking vibrancy
Words without power
Speech that lacks influence
Lord of the fools
Ruler of the foolish
Can't see his loss
Unaware of his defeat
The hate and the pride
The feelings of animosity and arrogance
Master of lies
A skilled deceiver
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Tomi Mykkänen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind