In spite of their sworn allegiance to metal orthodoxy, Countess have never shied from innovation. In 1994 they created the first black metal song with Dutch lyrics (Bloed In De Sneeuw), in 1995 the first black metal love ballad (Blood On My Lips) and in 1997 were the first band to take a rocking approach to the genre (Hell's Rock & Roll).
Over the course of 29 years and 15 full-length albums, Countess' sound has evolved from the raw black metal of the early releases towards a more traditional heavy metal-influenced style. The band's most recent offering, Fires Of Destiny in 2016, being a powerful example of a seamless integration of heavy and black metal elements.
In 2014 the band returned to the stage after a long period of not having played live. Since then, Countess have performed impressive shows at numerous prestigious metal festivals in their own country, Belgium, Germany, Denmark and Finland.
Countess currently consists of Mortüüm (drums), Orlok (vocals, bass), Valgard (guitars) and Häxa (keyboards). The band's latest full-length album Banners of Blood was released on February 11, 2021.
http://www.countessmetal.com/
Son Of The Dragon
Countess Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Both medieval warlord, and renaissance prince
Master of cruel tactics, and ruler of justice
Heir of great warriors, sworn the Dragon Oath
[Chorus:]
Hail, impaler! Son of the Dragon
Hail, impaler! Prince of Walachia
Hail, impaler! Son of the Dragon
Ascending his throne, avenging his father's murder
Dealings with the devil, impaling his enemies
After Constantinople's fall, sole protector of Europe
20.000 Turks on stakes, 'the forest of the impaled'
[Chorus]
After a life of blood and glory
The reaper finally came for Vlad
Defeated not on the battlefield
A traitor's knife in his back
Death did not defeat him, vampire lord supreme
His blood lived on, in Erzsébet's veins
His soul still lives on, his memory we hail
Eternal hero of the west, example to us all
[Chorus]
The song "Son of the Dragon" by Countess is an ode to the life and legacy of Vlad the Impaler, also known as Vlad III Dracula, the famous ruler of Wallachia who lived in the 15th century. The lyrics describe Vlad in different ways, portraying him as a hybrid of different historical eras and personalities: a medieval warlord and renaissance prince, a master of cruel tactics and ruler of justice, and heir to great warriors sworn to the Dragon Oath. The first chorus is a repeated hymn of praises, invoking Vlad as the impaler and lord of stakes, the son of the dragon and prince of Wallachia.
The second verse talks about Vlad's military and political achievements, specifically his ascension to the throne, avenging his father's murder, and dealing with the devil (referring to his alliance with the Ottoman empire). The lyrics also mention his most infamous act of impaling 20,000 Turks in the forest, which served both as a brutal intimidation tactic and a warning to his enemies. The second chorus reiterates the same praises as the first, reaffirming Vlad's status as a legendary figure of cruelty and power.
The final verse takes a more supernatural turn, referring to Vlad as a "vampire lord supreme" whose blood lived on in Erzsébet's veins (presumably Erzsébet Bathory, another historical figure associated with vampirism and cruelty). The lyrics also state that even death could not defeat Vlad, as his soul and memory still live on and inspire the west. The entire song celebrates Vlad as a mixture of history and legend, a figure both feared and admired for his ruthless tactics and unwavering courage.
Line by Line Meaning
Prince of many faces, born beyond the forests
A multifaceted person born in a distant forested area
Both medieval warlord, and renaissance prince
Someone who combines the qualities of a violent leader and a cultured noble
Master of cruel tactics, and ruler of justice
An individual who is skilled in both merciless strategies and fair governance
Heir of great warriors, sworn the Dragon Oath
A descendant of legendary fighters, and bound by a sacred pledge
Hail, impaler! Son of the Dragon
A greeting to the notorious executioner, who claims descent from a mythical beast
Hail, impaler! Prince of Walachia
A respectful address to the ruler of a region in Eastern Europe
Hail, impaler! Lord of the stake
A salute to the man who inflicts death by impalement
Ascending his throne, avenging his father's murder
Taking the crown and getting retribution for his dad's killing
Dealings with the devil, impaling his enemies
Having diabolical associations and executing his foes by piercing
After Constantinople's fall, sole protector of Europe
Following the defeat of the Byzantine capital, the only safeguard of the continent
20.000 Turks on stakes, 'the forest of the impaled'
A description of a gruesome act of hanging innumerable Turkish soldiers on wooden poles
After a life of blood and glory
When someone's existence is marked by violence and fame
The reaper finally came for Vlad
Death ultimately caught up with the prince
Defeated not on the battlefield
Not losing a war as a result of combat
A traitor's knife in his back
Killed by a backstabber
Death did not defeat him, vampire lord supreme
Even in death, he remains a powerful figure, with a hint of supernatural horror
His blood lived on, in Erzsébet's veins
His legacy persevered, through a woman named Erzsebet, who inherited his lineage
His soul still lives on, his memory we hail
His spirit endures, and we pay tribute to his memory
Eternal hero of the west, example to us all
A never-fading champion of Western culture, and a role model for everyone
Hail, impaler! Son of the Dragon
A repetition of the earlier praise, emphasizing the singer's admiration
Contributed by Zoe S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.