Iron Savior (1997) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Piet Sielck - Lead Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Bass Kai Hansen - Lead Vocals on "Break It Up" and "Watcher In The Sky", Guitars Thomen Stauch - Drums, Percussion Hansi Kursch - Lead Vocals on "For The World". Dirk Schlachter - Bass. Henne - Additional Backing Vocals on "Riding on Fire". Produced by Piet Sielck. Co-Produced by Kai Hansen and Thomen Stauch. Recorded by Piet Sielck and Kai Hansen from October 1996 to February 1997 at Powerhouse and Hansen Studios. Mixed by Piet Sielck at Hansen Studios, February 1997. Assistant Engineer: Rudiger Beissert. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Track Listing: 1) The Arrival (Sielck) 1:08 2) Atlantis Falling (Sielck) 4:34 3) Brave New World (Sielck) 4:32 4) Iron Savior (Sielck) 4:26 5) Riding On Fire (Sielck) 4:55 6) Break It Up (Sielck) 5:02 7) Assailant (Sielck) 4:18 8) Children Of The Wasteland (Sielck) 4:49 9) Protect The Law (Sielck) 4:16 10) Watcher In The Sky (Sielck, Hansen) 5:22 11) For The World (Sielck) 5:24 12) This Flight Tonight (Johnny Mitchel) 3:57 13) The Rage (Glen Tipton, Rob Halford, K. K. Downing) 4:53 - Demo version, Japanese bonus track --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prologue The Iron Savior is a gigantic vessel in the orbit of the planet Earth. It is controlled by an immortal human brain - the bio-unit - which is hooked to a mighty computer system that carries out its orders and controls the vessel's daily routine. The Iron Savior was built and designed by the ancient civilization of Atlantis to defend themselves against the deadly threat of the so-called Alliance. Except the lost continent of Atlantis all land was controlled and dominated by this global force. In these parts of the world the moral evolution took a different path. Gaining ultimate power was their only focus. Ruled by pure egoism, where killing and betraying were legal methods to achieve welfare, this civilization never developed a social spirit. To care and provide for themselves as well as possible was their only existing law. For milleniums the balance of power between Atlantis and the Alliance made war useless since the Atlantean weapon technology was more developed. But suddenly this balance was about to change and an Alliance attack on Atlantis seemed to become possible. In this situation Atlantis developed a global defense project based on a huge vessel in earth orbit, the Iron Savior. Equipped with the latest technology and enormous fire power this project was supposed to regain the old balance of power again. But then the dream of a peaceful coexistence was broken. A traitor sold the secret codes to the Alliance. With these codes the Alliance managed to paralyze the Savior's bio-unit and to take control over the computer. In a devastating assault the defender turned into a dreadful assailant and the moon colony of Atlantis was turned to dust. But the war was not lost yet. A brave landing team managed to board the Iron Savior and to regain control. In a race against time they sent the vessel out into space to make a second misuse by the Alliance impossible. They programmed a course that should bring the Savior back to the solar system 350,000 years later in the hope that the conflict will be resolved and earth would be united. For those men it was a final journey of no return. Before they died out in the cold a prime directive for all actions was programmed into the computer systems in case the Alliance would still exist. Protect Atlantis and conquer the Alliance. This directive could only be deactivated by the proper Atlantean security code sequences. But it was already too late to stop the war. In rage the Alliance pushed their buttons and in a final atomic strike Atlantis was destroyed completely and was lost in the seas forever. But the rest of the world also was effected by this catastrophe. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, atomic fall-out and dramatic changes in climate turned Earth into a living hell. Those who survived, slowly, from generation to generation degenerated more and more. Finally evolution was thrown back into the Stone Age where the dawning of another mankind began... Now in the year 2108 the Iron Savior returns to Earth and is confronted with a scenario where the civilization of Atlantis no longer exists. All attempts to contact possible survivors failed. The bio-unit is still paralyzed and unable to make decisions. So the computer still in charge draws the fatal conclusion that Atlantis was destroyed by the Alliance who still exists and rules the planet. With the logic of a lifeless machine the Iron Savior carries out its prime directive: Protect Atlantis and Conquer the Alliance. The following songs are based on these events and describe specific situations in the past, present and future of the Iron Savior story... --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) The Arrival (Sielck) 1:08 An unknown vessel of magnificent dimensions enters the solar system and heads straight to Earth, where it remains in the planet's orbit. Instrumental --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) Atlantis Falling (Sielck) 4:34 Empires and entire civilizations may die, but life itself cannot be eliminated. It will find a way to rise again and again. A flash of destruction like a blaze cut through the night The heavens on fire they were glowing in unholy light Your sudden assault broke all the dreams of unification The hunger for power it's the lash of civilization Despaired and in pain All seems so in vain Fires in the sky defenseless we stand tonight we will die Shadows of the end the Kingdom will fall life it will finally descend perceive what you've done and repent Careless we thought all you do is to bark at the moon But in the grip of fury you have conjured the dawning of doom is this our fate - wiped out by your hate Fires in the sky defenseless we stand tonight we will die Shadows of the end the Empire will fall life it will finally descend Goddess of the seas let us rest in peace In her cold embrace we will find our graves Solo: Piet / Kai Silence will set in - will existence begin - again Fires in the sky helpless we stand defenseless we'll die Shadows of the end the Kingdom will fall life will descend Fires in the sky helpless we stand defenseless we'll die Shadows of the end Atlantis will fall life it will finally descend Descend ... for evermore --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) Brave New World (Sielck) 4:32 A futuristic vision of a world controlled by computers and machines who dictate mankind's way of living and control the genetic codes in the name of peace. Just like a machine programmed and build to obey Serving the system in devotion faithfully day after day Feels you do not know an unpolluted mind In a world free of distress disturbing emotions of any kind The perfect system to maintain mankind The department of thoughts it watches your mind Chorus: Brave, brave new world - of biogenetic design Where the perfect people live perfect lives and individuals get pulverized Brave, brave new world - where mankind is down on its knees To the masterplan of insanity, slaves of science in agony Brave, brave new world Genetic engineering created your DNA codes and patterns lay down your life define you to obey Escape the nightmare you can't even dream Your nature is human - you ain't no machine Chorus Solo: Piet Break the chains and free your spirit, start to be alive Be an individual and rise And rise! Chorus Brave new world - of biogenetic design In this brave new world - no emotions of any kind Brave new world - you're down to your knees In this brave new world the masterplan of insanity Brave, brave new world --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) Iron Savior (Sielck) 4:26 The ancient machine runs an analysis and draws a fatal conclusion. Out of the cold you've been given birth made out of steel to protect and serve built for eternity you're indestructible free of emotions a robot miracle Now you're up there above the clouds reading your sensors trace programmed to correct the errors of the human race Chorus: Iron Iron Savior - Godness in the sky We can't hide from your cold, staring eye Iron Iron Savior - Godness in the sky Deadly and dangerous you'll never die You gave us hope the Savior machine you were supposed to be a millions dream Circuits, chips and bits and bytes detecting the failure result of analyses the human behavior (I must get control) Chorus Solo: Kai The Savior knows what's wrong or right he made up his artificial mind Now mankind's fate is in his hand will he ever understand Chorus Iron Iron Savior - look what you have done can't you see your assessment might be wrong Iron Iron Savior - robot of the law end this ill-fated devastating war --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) Riding On Fire (Sielck) 4:55 Before Atlantis died a small group of fugitives escaped the upcoming catastrophe in the hope to find a better life out in space. Dream the dream of a distant place Sheltered and hidden from the human race Long ago leaving everything behind Out in the coldness to find peace of mind Leaving ground destination is unknown Into the darkness and far away from home Will your dream come true and what will you find When fate is your guide Chorus: Riding on fire - touching the sky Riding on fire - take you up so high Riding on fire - with tears in your eyes Riding on fire - and your heart it dies Holy wars and tyrannies Death and destruction but no one can see Sanctuary in a ship made out of steel This deadly wounded world will not heal Up to the stars to escape this living hell Pain and oppression you're wishing all farewell Will the tyrant survive 'til the day that you'll return Let him burn Chorus Solo: Piet Dreams where did they go Reflections of thousand lightyears ago Sadness and fear Seems the end is near Up to the stars to escape this living hell Pain and oppression you're wishing all farewell The tyrant will die on the day that I'll return He will burn Chorus Solo: Piet Riding on fire - riding on fire --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) Break It Up (Sielck) 5:02 For a friend. Kai: Out of money and out on the streets this wasn't your dream thought you'd make it high to the top but stumbled in between Wanted to catch a piece of the action you couldn't resist bought a ticket to another dimension where troubles don't exist Unleashing the creature that rules your mind it hits you like thunder dragging you under can't you see you're losing control Chorus (Piet): Dangerous joys - shot right through the brain gonna crack you up drive you insane Dangerous joys - running through your veins gonna wrack you up please break it up Break it up Kai: Flying high on borrowed illusions you're playing with fire Being dominated by obsessing desire Piet: The fever is rising it's like a disease Can't you see you're down on your knees Chorus (Kai & Piet) Solo: Piet Chorus (Kai & Piet) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) Assailant (Sielck) 4:18 Spirit over matter. Oppression will not outlive resistance. Right out of nowhere you came ghostlike appeared in the sky But all our welcomes were shot down in flames Superior power, invincible arms a faulty assessment, a fatal misjudgment but why you won't perceive you won't perceive Obedience you claim devotion you ask oppression is all that you give preserving the law the law of the lost defining the way that we live Chorus: Assailant - lash of the world ruling a throne - of ashes and dirt We will arise like a Phoenix again and again - forever we'll be Enslave us and chain us but then you will see in the end the spirit is free We never did you no harm in peace we have lived united and free you have turned our world into debris a hip of debris It seems we're defenseless in anguish we suffer the raider that came from the stars But we won't surrender with fury we'll strike 'cause this is the war of the wars Solo: Piet Chorus --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) Children Of The Wasteland (Sielck) 4:49 Another vision of Earth's future. The battle against the machine has been lost. In orbit thrones the Iron Savior, unreachable for the survivors of mankind who barely exist in the afterworld of an atomic war. The war is over our life is not the same Atomic fallout and clouds of acid rains Above the world in a fortress made of splendid steel you are the artificial knight you don't care about what we think or feel Be the guardian to guide us Be the savior to save... Chorus: We're the Children of the Wasteland Sadness in our eyes Children of the Wasteland Frustrated hearts cold as ice We cannot live we cannot die in the land of the damned holy keeper of law and order let us live or let us end Be the leader to lead us Be the savior to save... Chorus Solo: Piet / Kai Be the leader to lead us Be the savior to save... Chorus --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) Protect The Law (Sielck) 4:16 To uphold the law and without mercy prosecute any violation is another directive of the Iron Savior. From an ancient past I will bring you the law To protect and to serve I was made for My creators have vanished lost in space and in time I'm the savior device now their battle is mine Chorus 1: When I'm looking down on you I see a wasted land and the reason is humanity I must gain control Chorus 2: I protect the law - now and evermore justice I'll defend - Guardian of the land Crime has to end My directives are simple peace and justice for all your resistance is futile if you fight me you'll fall My systems are in focus, locked on you you cannot hide, I trace everything you do surrender and repent Chorus 2 Solo: Kai Chorus 1 & 2 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) Watcher In The Sky (Sielck, Hansen) 5:22 The bio-unit is drifting on the edge of madness unable to take action nor to get in control of the Savior device. Kai: I'm watching the mountains I'm watching the sea observing the creatures I am lost - set me free! Across the heavens I made my way I've seen empires rise and blown away I have arrived my destiny but after all there's just emptiness in me Out in the darkness I am going mad Where are the others There's silence in my head Chorus: 'Cause I'm a watcher in the sky I've seen universes die Out in the cold my systems overload I'm here and lost in time Watcher in the sky, sky I am trapped in this nightmare Endless tortures and pain Milleniums have gone by Uhhh, it drives me insane! Who am I now? I'm not a man, I'm not machine I gave my life for it - for the Iron Savior dream Chorus Solo: Kai Piet: Hooked, hooked to the circuits of a lifeless, cold machine Lost in a world of artificial means Ripped, ripped out of my body I'll stand the test of time Am I perpetual, am I divine? Solo: Piet / Kai Kai: I'm the watcher in the sky My soul has drowned in the tears I cannot cry I'm the watcher the chosen one but I am lost in time I'm the watcher in the sky, I've seen the years gone by, I am the chosen one Out in the cold my systems overload I'm here and lost in time Watcher in the sky - sky watching the mountains watching the sea watching the creatures You'll never be free Watcher in the sky --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) For The World (Sielck) 5:24 The forces of resistance hide in the underground and attempt to awake the bio-unit. It is their desperate hope that it will stop the Iron Savior and give mankind pace and freedom again. Hansi: We're the defenders, we are the ones Bleeding For all the creatures, the land and the seas give us peace And with the courage born in despair Hopeless we will resist your banners of pain break the chain Piet: Holy machine, creator of sorrows Awake wake from your dream and redeem Rise from the ocean of darkness where you've been so long Chorus: Cosmic insanity - regain your clarity For the freedom - and for the world Hope is our guiding light it will shine united we stand to fight - for the freedom and for the world For all - and for the world Hansi: Sacred messiah, prophet in arms Liar blasphemous saint lost in the dark Brave at heart Piet: We will oppose, stand up against you Return and let your soul - take control Come back to life, drive the demons of madness away Chorus Solo: Kai / Piet / Kai / Piet We will oppose, stand up against you Return and let your soul - take control Come back to life, drive the demons of madness away Chorus Forever we'll be United and free For the freedom and for the world... --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) This Flight Tonight (Johnny Mitchel) 3:57 (from Nazareth "Loud'n'Proud" (1977)) An old favorite of ours by Nazareth. Look out the left. the captain said The lights down there that's where you'll land Saw a falling star burnin' high above the Las Vegas sand It wasn't the one that you gave to me That night down south between the trailer Not the early one that you wish upon Not the northern one that guides in the sailors You've got that touch so gentle and sweet but you've got that look so critical Can't talk to you babe, you know I get so weak Sometimes I think that ... love is just mythical Up there's a heaven - down there's a town Blackness everywhere and little lights shine Blackness, blackness dragging me down come on light a candle in this heart of mine Chorus: Starbright, starbright You've got the loving that I like Turn this crazy bird around should not have got on this flight tonight Solo: Piet I'm drinking sweet champagne got the headphones up high can't numb you- can't drum you out of my mind They're singing "Goodbye baby, baby bye bye Uhhh, love is blind!" Up go the flaps - down go the wheels hope you got your heat turned on baby hope they finally fixed your automobile hope it's better when we meet again babe Chorus --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) The Rage (Glen Tipton, Rob Halford, K. K. Downing) 4:53 - Demo version (from Judas Priest "British Steel" (1980)) A Judas Priest cover tune that is on the Japanese release of the CD. From a fireball we came, crossed sea and mountain We were drinking beauty with our eyes We were given all to make our own Let us be ... left alone Laid the tasks and paid the price Everything survives Crushed and bolted all the grain After every wind what a stake we're in It's paying better ... than the grain When we talk without amend We see better men Deep inside our blood begins to boil Like a tiger in the cage Will begin to ... shake with rage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------