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.
Eternal Champions
Nox Arcana Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You have come far and overcome many perils to reach my domain
Step forth
If you dare to accept my challenge
All you need do is answer my riddle and I shall allow you to pass
But be warned, if you fail, your life shall be forfeit and I shall claim your soul
Tell me then
What is it that a poor man has
A content heart wants
And an empty heart bleeds
A miser spends, a fool saves
And all mortals take with them to their graves
The lyrics of Nox Arcana's song "Eternal Champions" present a scene in which fearless mortals have made their way through countless dangers to arrive at the domain of a powerful being. This being challenges them to a test; they must answer a riddle to prove their worth. The stakes are high, as failure would result in losing their lives and having their souls claimed.
The riddle posed to the mortals is as follows: "What is it that a poor man has, a rich man needs, a content heart wants, and an empty heart bleeds?" This riddle highlights the universal and timeless themes of desire, satisfaction, and the cyclical nature of life and death. The answer is then revealed in subsequent lines: a poor man has nothing (which a rich man needs), a content heart wants for nothing, and an empty heart bleeds for lack of fulfillment. Furthermore, it mentions how a miser spends, a fool saves, and ultimately, all mortals take nothing with them to their graves.
The song paints a dark and foreboding atmosphere, capturing the tension between mortal strength and the overpowering force that awaits them. It reflects on the transient nature of material possessions and the importance of finding contentment within oneself. Ultimately, it raises existential questions about the purpose and value of human existence.
Line by Line Meaning
Fearless mortals
Brave individuals, who have shown courage and resilience
You have come far and overcome many perils to reach my domain
You have faced numerous dangers and challenges in order to reach this place
Step forth
Proceed ahead
If you dare to accept my challenge
Only if you are willing to embrace the test I offer
All you need do is answer my riddle and I shall allow you to pass
Your task is simple, solve the riddle, and I will grant you permission to continue
But be warned, if you fail, your life shall be forfeit and I shall claim your soul
However, failing the challenge will result in losing your life and surrendering your soul
Tell me then
Now, answer me
What is it that a poor man has
What possession does a person lacking wealth possess
A rich man needs
A possession that is desired by an affluent individual
A content heart wants
A desire of a satisfied and fulfilled soul
And an empty heart bleeds
And a heart void of emotion suffers greatly
A miser spends, a fool saves
An individual characterized by stinginess spends, while a foolish person hoards
And all mortals take with them to their graves
And regardless of wealth or material possessions, all human beings carry this item with them until death
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Joseph Vargo
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind