Dark Moor began the recording sessions for their second album, The Hall of the Olden Dreams, in August 2000 at New Sin Studios with producer Luigi Stefanini. During these recording sessions, the band recorded their cover of "Halloween", which was included on the CD The Keepers of Jericho part I - A Tribute to Helloween (Arise Records).
Their E.P. The Fall of Melnibone was released in June 2001. This E.P was a limited edition; 1500 copies were released and only for the Spanish market.
Dark Moor began the recording of their third album, The Gates of Oblivion, in Autumn 2001 at New Sin Studios. Dark Moor signed with the major label JVC for the Asian release. The band played 18 gigs at festivals such as Rock Machina, Viña Rock and Nit De Reis. After the first part of the tour, keyboardist Roberto Peña left the band and they were forced to finish the tour with a guest musician.
In August 2003 Dark Moor recorded four new exclusive acoustic tracks along with a string quartet, to be included in Between Light and Darkness, which was released in April 2003. Due to differing points of view regarding the musical direction for the next Dark Moor album, vocalist Elisa Martin, guitarist Albert Maroto and drummer Jorge Sáez decided to leave Dark Moor to start a new band.
The two remaining members of the band decided to start a search for new members. After the auditions, they accepted vocalist Alfred Romero, guitarist Jose Garrido, and drummer Andy C.
In August 2003, the band started recording their fourth album, Dark Moor, at New Sin Studios in Italy. Following a month of recording sessions, the album was mastered by Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios.
On 23 November 2006, the band announced the departure of their drummer on their official website, due to "incompatibility with his other musical projects." He would go on to play drums for Saratoga. His replacement, Roberto Cappa, was previously in the Spanish metal band Anima Sola.
In January 2009, their seventh album Autumnal was released.
The band made an announcement on their website, dated 4 June 2010, that their eighth album was in the works. It featured Berenice Musa as a guest vocalist. The album is titled Ancestral Romance and it was released in November 2010.
On 18 June 2013 the band released their ninth album Ars Musica, with the Japanese limited version including a bonus CD with five bonus tracks. They toured Mexico and Asia the same year, as well as few dates in Europe in 2014 to support the new album.
Dark Moor started recording their 10th studio album, Project X, on 27 July 2015 and released it in Europe on 6 November 2015 on Scarlet Records.
On 21 July 2018, Enrik Garcia, guitarist and founder of the band, announced via Facebook that their next album would be called Origins and that, after the parenthesis they did with ufology themes on Project X, they would return to their habitual themes; Origins will be about the celtic world, also adding celtic instruments on their new songs. This album has been released on 12 December 2018.
Mio Cid
Dark Moor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hero and honoured great warrior
Who serves without treason;
He guards both Islam and Christ
In what he thinks in reason.
Knight who, elected by God,
Is determined to glory,
He could succeed in war.
His dust. Mio Cid!
His must. Mio Cid!
His sweat. Mio Cid!
His threats. Mio Cid!
His steel. Mio Cid!
His zeal. Mio Cid!
Mio Cid! Mio Cid!
Tied to his horse,
Cid Campeador,
Remains stable
Pouring his gore,
Only this vision
Spreads fear and fright,
Foes indecision
Gives him the fight.
After expiring
Great feat he did,
His foes are choiring
O, Mio Cid!
Both armies loudly call
O, Mio Cid!
Mio Cid!
Cid! Cid! Mio Cid! Mio Cid!
As his force was always inner,
No matter his dying,
Mio Cid's again the winner
And his troops outcrying.
Loud and keen, the clamour
Runs among the field,
This sounds like a hammer
Battering a shield.
His dust. Mio Cid!
His must. Mio Cid!
His sweat. Mio Cid!
His threats. Mio Cid!
His steel. Mio Cid!
His zeal. Mio Cid!
Mio Cid! Mio Cid!
Tied to his horse,
Cid Campeador,
Remains stable
Pouring his gore,
Only this vision
Spreads fear and fright,
Foes indecision
Gives him the fight.
After expiring
Great feat he did,
His foes are choiring
O, Mio Cid!
Both armies loudly call
O, Mio Cid!
Mio Cid!
His dust. Mio Cid!
His must. Mio Cid!
His sweat. Mio Cid!
His threats. Mio Cid!
His steel. Mio Cid!
His zeal. Mio Cid!
Mio Cid! Mio Cid!
Tied to his horse,
Cid Campeador,
Remains stable
Pouring his gore,
Only this vision
Spreads fear and fright,
Foes indecision
Gives him the fight.
After expiring
Great feat he did,
His foes are choiring
O, Mio Cid!
Both armies loudly call
O, Mio Cid!
Mio Cid!
Cid! Cid! Mio Cid! Mio Cid!
En el fragor,
El Cid Campeador
Es como un rayo
Batallador.
Su alma es una
Fuente de luz,
Bajo la Luna,
O bajo la Cruz.
Cabalga yerto,
Y gana la lid,
Después de muerto,
¡Oh, Mío Cid!
Después de muerto,
¡Oh, Mío Cid!
The song "Mio Cid" by Dark Moor is a tribute to Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, a warrior and nobleman from medieval Spain who came to be known as "El Cid Campeador." The lyrics celebrate the heroism and honor of El Cid, who served both Muslim and Christian rulers in his quest for glory, and remained true to his principles even in the face of betrayals and setbacks. The chorus, which repeats the name "Cid! Cid! Mio Cid!" is a rallying cry that expresses admiration and respect for his accomplishments.
The verses describe El Cid's exploits in battle, his unyielding determination to succeed, and his ultimate victory over his enemies. The lines "Tied to his horse, Cid Campeador, Remains stable, Pouring his gore" evoke the image of El Cid's dead body still mounted on his horse, inspiring his troops and striking terror into the hearts of his foes. The repeated refrain "His dust. Mio Cid! His must. Mio Cid! His sweat. Mio Cid! His threats. Mio Cid! His steel. Mio Cid! His zeal. Mio Cid! Mio Cid! Mio Cid!" highlights El Cid's physical and spiritual qualities, emphasizing his strength, bravery, and commitment to his cause.
The song's lyrics are in Spanish, which adds to the sense of cultural and historical authenticity. The use of medieval imagery and vocabulary also creates a sense of timelessness, as though El Cid's legend lives on even centuries after his death.
Line by Line Meaning
Cid! Cid! Mio Cid! Mio Cid!
A chant to honor and celebrate the hero and warrior, Mio Cid
Hero and honoured great warrior
Mio Cid is a noble and respected warrior
Who serves without treason;
Mio Cid is loyal and trustworthy
He guards both Islam and Christ
Mio Cid defends both religions
In what he thinks in reason.
Mio Cid acts rationally and logically
Knight who, elected by God,
Mio Cid is chosen by God
Is determined to glory,
Mio Cid is committed to achieving greatness
After the moment of death,
Even after death,
He could succeed in war.
Mio Cid's legacy may still succeed in battle
His dust. Mio Cid!
Mio Cid's remains still hold power
His must. Mio Cid!
Mio Cid's essence is still strong
His sweat. Mio Cid!
Mio Cid's hard work and effort still echoes
His threats. Mio Cid!
Mio Cid's challenges still stand
His steel. Mio Cid!
Mio Cid's weapon and strength still remain
His zeal. Mio Cid!
Mio Cid's passion and enthusiasm endures
Mio Cid! Mio Cid!
A call to summon the power of Mio Cid
Tied to his horse,
Even in death,
Cid Campeador,
Mio Cid, the warrior and hero
Remains stable
Mio Cid stands steadfast and strong
Pouring his gore,
Even in death, Mio Cid exudes power and bloodshed
Only this vision
This image alone
Spreads fear and fright,
Mio Cid's presence instills terror and apprehension in his enemies
Foes indecision
The indecisiveness of his opponents
Gives him the fight.
Mio Cid has the advantage in battle
Both armies loudly call
Both sides recognize the power of Mio Cid
O, Mio Cid!
An exclamation of awe and reverence for Mio Cid
As his force was always inner,
Mio Cid's true power came from within
No matter his dying,
Even in death,
Mio Cid's again the winner
Mio Cid still prevails
And his troops outcrying.
His followers cheer and shout in celebration
Loud and keen, the clamour
The noise is loud and confident
Runs among the field,
The sound echoes across the battlefield
This sounds like a hammer
The noise is as forceful as a hammer
Battering a shield.
The noise is like the strikes of a weapon
En el fragor,
In the heat of battle
El Cid Campeador
Mio Cid, the warrior and hero
Es como un rayo
He is like a bolt of lightning
Batallador.
Ready for battle
Su alma es una
His soul is
Fuente de luz,
A source of light
Bajo la Luna,
Under the moon
O bajo la Cruz.
Or under the Cross
Cabalga yerto,
He rides frozen and still
Y gana la lid,
And he wins the battle
Después de muerto,
Even after death,
¡Oh, Mío Cid!
Oh, Mio Cid!
Writer(s): Enrik Garcia, Dark Moor
Contributed by Jordyn L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.