1. Drakkar (also known… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least five bands named Drakkar.
1. Drakkar (also known as Drakka Band or Thra Kha Band in some Romanized sources) was a Cambodian hard rock band active in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Their music has been noted as an important late-stage development in Cambodian rock of the 1960s and 70s, a thriving music scene that was abruptly crushed by the Khmer Rouge communists in 1975. Some members of the band did not survive the ensuing Cambodian genocide. The band has gone through multiple lineups, with singer/guitarist Touch Seang Tana the only consistent member.
Drakkar formed in 1967, amid the flourishing Phnom Penh music scene, to perform rock music inspired by The Beatles and The Rolling Stones as well as early Cambodian guitar bands like Baksey Cham Krong and Apsara. As with many of their contemporaries like Sinn Sisamouth, Ros Serey Sothea, and Pen Ran, Drakkar was influenced by pop records imported from France and Latin America that had become popular among musicians in the capital.
The band initially comprised singer/rhythm guitarist Touch Seang Tana, singer/lead guitarist Touch Chhatha, singer/bassist Mam Molivan, and singer Tan Phanareth, and changing temporary drummers. This first line-up did not record any original music, and the members, all in their teens or early twenties, disbanded and took military or government jobs.
In 1971, Tana assembled a new lineup with lead guitarist Som Sareth, drummer Ouk Sam Art, and bassist Oer Sam Ol. By this time, the Cambodian music scene was further influenced by Western rock and roll and soul music via U.S. armed forces radio that had been broadcast to troops stationed nearby during the Vietnam War. Drakkar toured U.S. military bases in South Vietnam that year, after which original lead guitarist Touch Chhatha rejoined. This version of the band was heavily influenced by the hard rock sounds of bands like Deep Purple and Grand Funk Railroad, and regularly performed covers of songs by those and other bands. Their sound at the time has been compared to Led Zeppelin, Santana and Jimi Hendrix.
The band's hippie attire and long hair were noted as symbolic of changing times and American influences in early-1970s Cambodia. Guitarists Touch Chhatha and Touch Seang Tana attracted attention, not all of it good, for their unusually aggressive guitar playing, while drummer Ouk Sam Art caused minor scandals by playing shirtless. Tana noted in the documentary film Don't Think I've Forgotten that Cambodia was not yet ready for western-style hard rock at the time.
Drakkar became popular in Phnom Penh during the later stages of the Cambodian Civil War, when the city was under threat from both American bombing campaigns and attacks by Khmer Rouge insurgents. Due to wartime curfews, the band had to play in clubs during the day and often heard nearby gunfire and explosions during their performances. The band recorded a self-titled album with primitive technology in 1972-1973, and released it in early 1974. The album, which was rereleased decades later as Drakkar '74, sold over 20,000 copies, making it the highest-selling full-length album in Cambodian history up to that point.
Plans to further promote the album were halted in April 1975, when the Khmer Rouge defeated the Khmer Republic army and gained control of the country. The members of Drakkar are assumed to be among the two million residents of Phnom Penh who were forced to leave the city and become farm workers to fulfill the Khmer Rouge's visions of agrarian socialism and the eradication of all foreign influences (including music) from Cambodian society. Group members Oer Sam Ol and Som Sareth disappeared during the ensuing Cambodian genocide and their exact fates are unknown. Singer/guitarist Touch Seang Tana was imprisoned in a work camp, and claims that he survived the genocide by singing Santana songs to Khmer Rouge soldiers on demand while passing himself off as a common peasant.
After the fall of the Khmer Rouge in 1979, drummer Ouk Sam Art and guitarist Touch Chhatha returned to music work for Cambodia's National Radio station, while Tana became an accomplished manager of fisheries and environmental conservation for the post-Khmer Rouge Cambodian government. Conservation work continued to be a theme in Tana's life. As of 2013 he was the Chairman of the Cambodian Government’s Commission for Dolphin Conservation and Development of the Mekong Dolphin Ecotourism Zone (the "Dolphin Commission").
Information about many Cambodian musicians of the 1960s and 1970s, and many of their recordings, were lost during the Khmer Rouge regime. Interest in that scene's musicians was revived, especially among western rock fans, in the late 1990s with the release of compilation albums like Cambodian Rocks (1996). Filmmaker John Pirozzi was introduced to the music while making City of Ghosts, and subsequently featured Drakkar and several of their contemporaries in the 2015 documentary Don't Think I've Forgotten (2015). The Drakkar song "Crazy Loving You" has appeared on several compilations, including the Don't Think I've Forgotten soundtrack in 2015, and the song "Do You No Wrong Again" (credited to Thra Kha Band) has appeared on compilations like the 2011 CD Cambodia Rock Spectacular! from Lion Productions.
Surviving members of Drakkar first regrouped for a reunion concert in Singapore in 2011. They also performed in 2014 and 2015 to commemorate the release of Don't Think I've Forgotten and announced plans to record a new album. The 2014 performance featured a guest appearance by Chhom Nimol of the Cambodian/American band Dengue Fever. Nimol, whose band was inspired by and frequently covers late-60s and early-70s Khmer pop music, proclaimed "I never dreamed I would play with those musicians. They are like my teachers, my masters." A new version of the band led by Touch Seang Tana began performing regularly under the name Drakka Band in 2015.
Master tapes for Drakkar's 1974 album were unearthed during this period, and in 2014 it was released as Drakkar '74 by Metal Postcard Records. Personnel at the label had been inspired by Cambodian Rocks and Don't Think I've Forgotten to track down the master tapes and remaster them for the digital market. Upon its release, one music historian noted the album's historical importance and hailed it as "The Holy Grail of Cambodian Psych."
2. Drakkar is a Belgian Speed/Power metal band that released 1 album: "X-Rated".
3. Drakkar is a Portuguese heavy/power metal band with three demos released so far.
4. Drakkar is an Italian Power Metal band from Milan, Italy, with 5 full-length albums, 1 EP and 2 Demos
5. Drakkar is a German R.A.C. cult band
Until the End
Drakkar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The demon awaits; he's laughing at Artan now
A red sword in hand, in the eyes a burning fire
(Bridge 1:)
Into the Hall of Darkness
The epic fight begins
The pure of heart has taken the first blood
(Bridge 2:)
Though Artan does his best
It may be just too hard
(Chorus:)
Until the end fights for the hope
He doesn't know he's not aloneÿ
It's not the sword, it is the heart
He must rely on for the fight
Artan's running all around
Tryin' hard to trick the demon
But his blows are far too weak
He can wound, he cannot kill
Kamen' sword is burning fire-he doesn't need to touch youÿ
Coming close it is enough-to feel the deadly heat
(Chorus)
(Kamen:ÿ)
How can you dare to challenge me?
Are you insane or want to die?
(Artan:)
I won't let go, I won't surrender
I'll give it all, also my lifeÿ
(Kamen:)
My power comes right from a god
My fate's to rule, I am the Oneÿ
(Artan:)
Maybe it's true, but we will stand
And we will fight to the last man
But in the end, right when all it seems to be lost
Slayn here he comes, taking himself Kamen's deadly lounge
Then, by the sword, Artan cuts the demon's head off
All is over now, the end of the war
The lyrics of Drakkar's song "Until the End" tell the story of a battle between the singer, Artan, and a powerful demon named Kamen. The demon is depicted as a formidable foe, with a red sword in hand and burning fire in his eyes. Artan enters the Hall of Darkness to face off against Kamen, hoping to defeat him and restore hope.
The bridge emphasizes the epic nature of the fight, with the pure-hearted Artan drawing first blood but the evil Kamen ready to counterattack. Artan does his best, but may not be up to the task at hand. The chorus serves to inspire Artan to continue fighting until the end, with the realization that it's not just the sword, but his heart, that he must rely on to win.
The second verse depicts Artan trying to outmaneuver Kamen, but his efforts are ultimately futile as his blows are too weak to vanquish the demon. Kamen's sword is a burning fire, and even coming close to it is enough to feel its deadly heat. However, Artan remains undaunted, pushing himself to his limits and refusing to surrender or back down.
In the end, Artan is able to defeat Kamen with the help of Slayn, a character who had not been mentioned previously in the lyrics. Slayn takes on Kamen's deadly lunge on Artan's behalf, allowing Artan to cut off Kamen's head with his sword. The war is over, and hope is restored.
Overall, the lyrics of "Until the End" are an inspirational tale of bravery and perseverance in the face of great challenge, highlighting the importance of both skill and heart in any worthwhile pursuit.
Line by Line Meaning
The demon awaits; he's laughing at Artan now
The demon is waiting and mocking Artan, ready to battle him.
A red sword in hand, in the eyes a burning fire
The demon is armed with a red sword and has a fierce, determined look in his eyes.
Into the Hall of Darkness
The fight is taking place in a dark, ominous place full of danger and uncertainty.
The epic fight begins
The battle between Artan and the demon begins, which will be long and significant.
The pure of heart has taken the first blood
Artan, who is pure of heart, has drawn first blood in the fight against the evil demon.
But the evil one is ready for his attack
The demon is prepared to counter-attack after being wounded by Artan's first strike.
Though Artan does his best
Despite his best efforts, Artan may still be facing a difficult challenge.
It may be just too hard
The fight could prove to be too overwhelming for Artan to handle.
Until the end fights for the hope
Artan is fighting until the very end, driven by the hope that he can defeat the demon and achieve victory.
He doesn't know he's not alone
Artan feels alone in his battle, but he has the support and encouragement of others.
It's not the sword, it is the heart
Success in the battle depends not on Artan's sword, but on the bravery and strength of his heart.
He must rely on for the fight
Artan must depend on his heart and determination to carry him through the battle.
Artan's running all around
Artan is fighting with agility and moving quickly around the battlefield.
Tryin' hard to trick the demon
Artan is using his intelligence and cunning to outwit his opponent.
But his blows are far too weak
Despite his best efforts, Artan's attacks on the demon are not strong enough to defeat him.
He can wound, he cannot kill
Artan is able to inflict damage on the demon, but is not yet able to kill him.
Kamen' sword is burning fire-he doesn't need to touch you
The demon's sword is so powerful that it emits flames without even making contact with Artan.
Coming close it is enough-to feel the deadly heat
Artan can feel the intense heat from the demon's sword just by being in close proximity to the demon.
How can you dare to challenge me?
The demon is taunting Artan by questioning his courage and ability to face him.
Are you insane or want to die?
The demon is questioning Artan's sanity and resolve in challenging him.
I won't let go, I won't surrender
Artan is determined to fight until the very end, refusing to give up or surrender.
I'll give it all, also my life
Artan is willing to sacrifice everything, even his own life, to defeat the demon and bring about victory.
My power comes right from a god
The demon boasts that his power comes from a god, giving him immense strength and control.
My fate's to rule, I am the One
The demon believes he is destined to rule and have power over all others, making him the ultimate adversary.
Maybe it's true, but we will stand
Artan admits that the demon may have certain strengths, but he and his allies will stand up to him and fight against him regardless.
And we will fight to the last man
Artan and his comrades are prepared to fight until every last one of them has fallen, never giving up the battle.
But in the end, right when all it seems to be lost
Despite facing many hardships and setbacks, Artan and his allies never give up hope and carry on, even in the darkest of moments.
Slayn here he comes, taking himself Kamen's deadly lounge
One of Artan's comrades, Slayn, appears and is able to catch the demon off guard, striking him with a powerful blow.
Then, by the sword, Artan cuts the demon's head off
Artan is able to deliver the final blow to the demon, using his sword to cut off the demon's head and achieve victory.
All is over now, the end of the war
With the death of the demon, the battle is over and the war has finally come to an end.
Contributed by Micah M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Adolfo Perez
Una muy buena rola de metal. Lastima que muy pocos conocieron esta gran banda. Yo los descubrí haya por el año 1999. Y e he escuchado todos sus discos. Pero Gemini para mi el mejor.
Eduardo Jarib Ulloa Ceron
Sin duda una forma de tocar y cantar fenomenal. Más temas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Luciano Araújo
Muito bom
mykolabferrari
this is so far the best power metal band ever
Choctaw468
These guys are really good.
Luciano Araújo
Música dos carvalhos
Antonio Rubattu
GEMINI, HO CONSUMATO QUESTO CD STUDIANDO ZOOLOGIA DEGLI INVERTEBRATI, - MITICI UN BEL RICORDO