Nox Arcana's debut album, Darklore Manor, was featured as the musical score for the WB's televised special of the 1922 silent film classic, Nosferatu, and has spawned a book of original horror stories, The Legend of Darklore Manor and Other Tales of Terror. Their haunting Gothic soundtracks have also been used in theatrical productions of Bram Stokers' Dracula, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, and Lewis Carrol's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. During the Halloween season the music of Nox Arcana can be heard throughout haunted attractions and theme parks around the world, including Universal Studios, Busch Gardens, Six Flags, and Knott’s Berry Farm.
In keeping with Vargo's literary interests, several concept albums pay tribute to many of his favorite authors. The darkly seductive album, Transylvania, ventures into the land of vampires, musically expounding upon Bram Stoker's Dracula. The sinister Necronomicon is brought to life in Nox Arcana's homage to H.P. Lovecraft. And the unsettling Blackthorn Asylum explores the horrors of a forsaken 19th century sanitarium with an original storyline that expands upon Lovecraft's "From Beyond." Carnival of Lost Souls takes listeners inside an old-fashioned traveling circus that harbors living nightmares and sinister secrets, in the tradition of Bradbury’s “Something Wicked This Way Comes." The morbid and melancholy Shadow of the Raven pays tribute to the great Edgar Allan Poe, and the darkly enchanting Grimm Tales album brings the childhood nightmares of the Brothers Grimm to life. Theater of Illusion conjures a realm of mystery and dark magic, set in an old Vaudeville theater, hidden from the outside world, where master magicians gather to display their talents every Halloween night. The Dark Tower is a sinister symphony based on Joseph Vargo's original book series, Tales From The Dark Tower, and its sequel, Beyond The Dark Tower, which follows an epic saga of the vampire Lord Brom and his quest to solve the ancient mysteries of the accursed keep.
Nox Arcana also delves into the realms of fantasy with the medieval sword and sorcery epic, Blood of the Dragon, which stormed in at #4 on Amazon's New Age chart, and Phantoms of the High Seas, a ghostly adventure steeped in pirate lore that explores mysteries of the deep. The gothic-Christmas release Winter's Knight peaked at #8 on the Billboard Music Chart for Best Holiday Album in 2006. Winter's Eve continued the celebration of the magic and wonder of the winter season. Nox Arcana returned to the wintery realm of Ebonshire forest with Winter's Majesty, marking the third and final installment of winter-holiday albums.
Since the early stages of Blackthorn Asylum, Nox Arcana has been the solo project of Joseph Vargo, who has been the sole composer and musician on all subsequent albums, including Winter's Eve, Theater of Illusion, The Dark Tower, Winter's Majesty, Legion Of Shadows and Ebonshire. Vargo has also composed the music for two Buzz-Works CDs (Zombie Influx and House of Nightmares), as well as the musical scores for the cable series Eerie America and the upcoming computer game The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana.
As with all of Nox Arcana’s albums, the concepts and themes are of personal interest to Joseph Vargo, who also creates the lavish artwork, captivating storylines and hidden puzzles that accompany each CD. The section called The Arcanum offers entertaining information about Nox Arcana's favorite authors and arcane subjects.
Over the past decade, Nox Arcana has released a total of 18 full-length albums, comprising more than 380 compositions, and have never re-released any of their material on other albums. The latest release, Legion of Shadows, marks the band's 10 year anniversary, with 21 all new instrumental tracks dedicated to Nox Arcana's fans and all creatures of the night.
Ancient Legacy
Nox Arcana Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lyrics of "Ancient Legacy" by Nox Arcana paint a vivid picture of a fantastical world where dragons ruled the skies and kingdoms were built and destroyed through war. This world was one of adventure and danger, where only the bravest souls would choose to venture out and take up legendary quests with the promise of glory and valor. These valorous souls would wield steel and sorcery to battle legions of darkness in the name of honor and vengeance.
The lyrics suggest that those who answered the call of these quests were special, possessing a "warrior spirit" and perhaps even the blood of a dragon, which is a symbol of power, wisdom, and strength. The idea that the blood of a dragon flows through the veins of the chosen ones further emphasizes the fantastical nature of this world, and the importance of being chosen.
Overall, the lyrics of "Ancient Legacy" portray a wondrous world full of magic and danger, where only the bravest and most skilled warriors dare to venture forth in the name of honor, glory, and vengeance.
Line by Line Meaning
In the time of the ancient gods, dragons ruled the skies and kingdoms rose and fell at the end of a sword.
During a period when deities existed, dragons dominated the sky and nations were created and destroyed due to battles ending with a sword.
Legendary quests beckoned with the promise of danger and glory, and only a brave few dared to heed the call.
Mythical journeys enticed with the prospect of peril and renown, but only the courageous responded to the summons.
For honor and vengeance they ventured forth with steel and sorcery to combat the merciless legions of darkness.
The few who accepted the challenge embarked on a quest to fight against the heartless armies of evil using magic and weapons for the sake of personal integrity and reprisal.
For it was said that those who answered the call were possessed of the warrior spirit, and the blood of the dragon flowed through their veins.
It was believed that those who agreed to undertake the mission were endowed with a fighting spirit, and the ancestry of the dragon coursed through their bloodstream.
Contributed by Caleb I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Wolf paradox
In the time of the ancient gods, dragons ruled the skies and kingdoms rose and fell at the end of a sword. Legendary quests beckoned with the promise of danger and glory, and only a brave few dared to heed the call. For honor and vengeance they ventured forth with steel and sorcery to combat the merciless legions of darkness. For it was said that those who answered the call were possessed of the warrior spirit, and the blood of the dragon flowed through their veins
Pizza Lisp
This song is getting me so hyped up like I'm going on an adventure!
Storm Omen
my god.... this almost brought me to tears. the music itself is just simpily amazing beyond words....
Klora L
This is bloody briliant!!
randy conin-e
And it came to pass that men still makes their own legends and destiny
mwall444
good opening for a story. great, actually.
Equites Legati
DUDE LOL I HAD THE INSTRUMENTAL AND I DIDN'T KNOW IT! DUDE I LOVE THIS. Gah!
Joseph Easley
Could make a good intro to Dragonlance. :)
Alex Gillen
or any D&D campaign, really. In fact, I once had a DM that would play this album in the background of our sessions. And it worked marvelously. So much so, that to this day I swear by this very album. In fact, I even came up with a campaign revolving around this amazing album
Eric Naylor
In their tongue he is Dovakin - DRAGONBORN!