Iron Savior - Unification (1999) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Piet Sielck - Lead and Backing Vocals, Guitars Kai Hansen - Lead Vocals on "Deadly Sleep", "Forevermore", "Metal Invaders" and "Gorgar", Backing Vocals, Guitars Jan-S. Eckert - Bass, Backing Vocals, Some Lead Vocals on "Unchained" Andreas Kück - Keyboards, Backing Vocals Dan Zimmerman - Drums, Percussion Uwe Lulis - Lead Guitar on "The Battle". Claudia Solms - Female choir vocals on "Forevermore" (better than any "ohh" or "ahh" sample can do!) Jason Breitwege - Narrator's Voice on "Captain's Log". Produced by Piet Sielck. Co-Produced by Iron Savior. Mixed by Piet Sielck at powerhouse in October 1998. "Deadly Sleep" Mixed by Piet and Kai. Vocals, Guitars and Keyboards Recorded by Piet Sielck at Powerhouse. Bass and Drums Recorded at KARO Studios. Recorded from June to September'98. Kai's Vocals and Guitars recorded at Hansen Studios. Cover by Kristian Huitula. Artwork by Marisa JACOBIde:sign Photos by Melanie Dreysse. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Track Listing: 1) Coming Home (Sielck) 5:23 2) Starborn (Sielck) 4:36 3) Deadly Sleep (Hansen) 5:09 4) Forces Of Rage (Sielck) 5:46 5) Captain's Log (Sielck) 1:02 6) Brothers (Of The Past) (Sielck) 4:42 7) Eye To Eye (Sielck) 5:51 8) Mind Over Matter (Sielck) 5:35 9) Prisoner Of The Void (Sielck) 4:43 10) The Battle (Sielck) 5:46 11) Unchained (Sielck) 6:09 12) Forevermore (Hansen) 5:15 13) Metal Invaders'98 (Hansen) 3:48 - Japanese bonus track 14) Gorgar'98 (Hansen) 4:06 15) Neon Knights (Terrance Butler, Tony Iommi, Ronnie James Dio, William Ward / Dio) 3:53 16) Dragonslayer (Excelsis) 5:08 - German bonus track ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Story Prolog: In the year 2110 earth is controlled by the Iron Savior. The gigantic machine - built in Atlantis to defend the lost continent against its enemies, the so-called Alliance - still is mistaken. The computer-unit analysis still identifies man as the destroyer of Atlantis. So it continues to carry out the prime directive: Protect Atlantis and conquer the Alliance. On earth only a few people managed to hide from the bloodhounds of the Savior in the former Earth-Defense-Headquarters (E. D. H.) underneath the everlasting ice of Greenland. The machine, from the very first moment of its arrival, was transmitting signals directly to the Atlantic Ocean, North Africa, South America and the Easter islands. This behavior led some people to the "theory of Atlantis". And in fact after a major search for anything related to the old myth some artifacts were found on the Azores and on the Easter islands. The dig on the Easter islands uncovered something like the entrance to an ancient structure of unknown purpose. Shielded and protected by force fields of unknown sources the station couldn't be entered by anybody yet. But all of a sudden another transmission - similar to the Savior's transmission but yet different - was detected. Sensors indicated that the source must be located right in the heart of the ancient structure. The attempts to enter the station made the last Atlantian on earth awake from his 300.000 years lasting stasis sleep. Now the "Sleeper" is the last member alive of the Atlantian Iron Savior Defense program. But when he transmitted the secret codes to direct the controls of the Savior to his station something unexpected happened. The computer unit refused to obey his command. It almost appeared to him, as if the unit is conscious - with a will of it's own, just like an organic life form. The awakening of the sleeper and the contact with the last Atlantian on earth brought a lot of clarity and turned the "theory of Atlantis" into a hard fact. On the other hand the situation did not change at all since the machine seems to disobey the orders of its creators. The only chance to free mankind from the Savior is now to awake the bio unit. But even this seems doubtful if the robot indeed developed a consciousness and now acts like a being with emotions and the hunger for power. It is very much likely that the computer will also disobey the orders of the bio unit. So the Savior needs to be defeated or destroyed which at this time seems to be impossible. In this situation a big fleet of alien vessels enters the solar system. They have come from the distant planet of Caldaris to investigate on the transmission of the Iron Savior. The Caldarins are the ancestors of the Atlantian fugitives. Their forefathers left the dying civilization of Atlantis to find a new home in the vastness of space. But over the millenniums they forgot about their origin and the Old World became a myth of legends and tales. But the Calderins never gave up the search although thousands of expeditions returned to Calderis without a clue. But this time they have reached their final destiny. Together with the sleeper mankind is able to make contact and explain the fatal mistake of the Savior. So now with the unexpected help from the stars earth will fight the final battle and it seems, that the Savior can be defeated. And the time of unification for all of mankind is about to come. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1) Coming Home (Sielck) 5:23 All vocals by Piet. The Caldarins - heirs of Atlantis - sent out a huge fleet to investigate on the Iron Savior's transmission. Finally they are entering the Solar system. But will they understand the fatal error of the ancient machine... Lost in the dark ... milleniums ago Where is the place, where's the place called home On fire they rode ... to flee from the fall Their future was doomed, they've foreseen it all Mythical world of the ancient empire Secret and hidden - but some day we shall return Chorus 1: Ancient calls from somewhere in time We have to follow the sign Distant voices ... sources unknown Where to they lead us Where will we go On the scent for the lost - Coming home Solo: Piet Chasing a shadow ... in stardust and haze Where will we find traces of our race The engines are roaring, we're leaving ground once more Is it for real, will we fail - like so often before Chorus 1 Solo: Piet /Kai / Piet / Kai / both Mythical world of the ancient empire Is it for real, will we fail - like so often before Chorus 1 Chorus 2: Star ... of the old Guide us ... give us hope Chorus 2 (3) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2) Starborn (Sielck) 4:36 Lead and backing vocals by Piet. Choir vocals by Jan and Piet. The fugitives of Atlantis are searching the vastness of space to find a new home. For several generations this trek of the last survivors has been on the quest. They are the starborn children of Atlantis. Bound to the stars, bound into a land Unspoiled and virgin, this journey has to end Out in the cold, lonely we feel Outcast and homeless in coffins made of steel Far beyond - so far beyond a strange horizon History - the past is lost but we will live on Still on the quest Forever we're riding No place to rest In deep space we're gliding Chorus 1: Starborn children ... their destiny Starborn out in the cold ... their sanctuary Faster than light we cruise the unknown Into the dark we've been thrown Starborn and lost in the cold Where can we go, where will we find Shelter and silence from all we've left behind So many times ... we thought we had it all But we had to follow the stars and their call Memories - of all we've left will fade away Atlantis will - be lost in war and will decay Chorus 2: Goddess of fate Forever we're riding Light up the shade In deep space we're gliding Starborn children ... their destiny Starborn out in the cold ... their sanctuary Faster than light we cruise the unknown Into the dark we've been thrown Starborn and lost - in the... Solo: Piet Chorus 2 & 1 Born in the cold ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3) Deadly Sleep (Hansen) 5:09 Lead and backing vocals by Kai and Piet. Choir vocals by Piet. The sleeper outlasted 300.000 years in stasis sleep. Now, when the savior has returned, he must awake to fulfill his destiny. Kai: Welcome back home It's been so long, we've missed you Been searching for honor and glory Out in the dark I have fought for survival As thunder and gunfire were roaring Back home - The time and the place of my own My future is calling I know I do believe there is no other place I can go I must return - from my deadly sleep The only chance I've been given - my destiny Take me home (2) Black as a hole is the soil I was walking As black as the troops were before me Relentless attack as my eyes started bleeding Get razed to the ground by the soaring It's time - You better be leading me home Our future is calling I know I am the answer to all the remaining unknown I must return - from my deadly sleep The only choice I've been given - my destiny Take me home Solo: Kai Piet: Roaring, embracing the thunder Twisting and turning around Locked in I will not go under Save me before I will drown Solo: Kai Kai: I must return - from my deadly sleep I must return - from my deadly sleep The only chance I've been given - my destiny Take me home - take me home (2) Yeah, take me home - take me home Let me go - let me go Back to my home Back to the people I know Out in the cold but where can I go I don't know Where will I go I don't know Take me home (2) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4) Forces Of Rage (Sielck) 5:46 All vocals by Piet. A small cell of resistance hides from the Iron Savior under the everlasting ice of Greenland. Their ultimate goal is to free the world from the roboter's threat. The battle might be lost, but the war is not over yet. Under the ice we hide from your stare Buried in grief and despair (despair) We're the derbies, the scattered remains Leaves in the storm who is lashing the world Destiny calls, extinction of man Will it all happen again (again) But yet we're alive, unbroken we stand To banish the conqueror who's taken the land Chorus 1: We'll be a thorn in your inhuman flesh There'll be a time for retortion We'll break the fetters, we'll never give in Although it seems our end will begin Chorus 2: Forces united - forces arise Legions of iron descent from the skies Dark knight, you'll never defeat - the immortal spirit of freedom Savior ... watch out beware We will engage - the forces of rage Starbirds are gliding on winds of decay Merciless hunting the pray Infernal machine, the hatchet of war Sharp as a razor will cut back the claw We'll be the virus, a deadly disease The fever is burning inside you To bring you to fail is the ultimate aim We'll rise from the ashes again and again Forces united - forces arise Legions of iron descent from the skies Dark knight, you'll never defeat - the immortal spirit of freedom Savior ... watch out beware We will engage... Free ... at least for a moment in time Years ... how many years have gone by In fury and wrath we're looking above Forging the sword, the blade of reprisal Leaders of man let's ride out again From fire and ice a blazing star will arise Solo: Piet Chorus 1 & 2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5) Captain's Log (Sielck) 1:02 (Spoken): It is the year 2110. The world is threatened by war once again. The unknown vessel sent out armed forces appearing to be machines to invade earth. The air and almost the entire surface is now under their control. Research on the origin of the ship indicates that it might be related to the lost continent of Atlantis. So the answers are given in the past, somewhere in the infinity of space and time. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6) Brothers (Of The Past) (Sielck) 4:42 All vocals by Piet. The sleeper is trying to get in contact with the bio-unit of the savior. They are the last ancient Atlantian beings which makes them brothers of the past. Devastation, radiation, paralyzing fear Terrorizing, demons rising, termination's here Stratospheric, energetic, drifting on the stream Agonizing isolation inside the machine Reborn in chaos and war What has it all been good for Reach out and take my hand The children must live, the killing must end Chorus 1: Brother - you must awake Brother - before it's too late Chorus 2: Here we stand Like shadows of great things in the past Hear my call, oh brother Let's right the wrongs at last Lifeless bloodhound, executor of our fatal law Blinded by your wrong conclusion truth you see no more Now the defender attacks The land he was supposed to protect This is our legacy Together we're facing our destiny Chorus 1 & 2 Solo: Piet / Kai / Piet / Kai / both Reach out and take my hand The children must live, the killing must end This is our legacy Together we're facing our destiny Chorus 1 & 2 We are brothers of the past Uhh, let's right - the wrongs at last ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7) Eye To Eye (Sielck) 5:51 Lead and backing vocals by Piet. Choir vocals by Jan and Piet. Describes the terror of war from the personal view of a simple man fighting the iron troops eye to eye. Into the night moonless cold and black Hell is waiting, there is no turning back Suddenly the air was on fire Your buddy never had a chance His blood on your hands, you'll never forget his cold and lifeless glance Times of war are times of death and now the killing is on Now the killing is on Mortal fear is creeping in your mind and soul tonight Nowhere to hide Chorus: Eye to eye - Facing the enemy Brave at heart - Fighting for liberty Heroes or fools Out in the fields bitterness rules Eye to eye - Facing a deadly thread Don't look back - Look straight ahead with the will to survive Just keep up the faith and victory is on your side You closed his eyes, forever he'll rest Another victim another live The hawks are hunting and you are the pray So keep yourself alive Flames of fury like the purgatory burning high Burning the sky Chorus Solo: Kai Unlimited rage - rage - is driving you mad Unlimited fury - fury - twisting in your head Can't stand the pain - pain - it's driving you insane You scream for vengeance - vengeance - but who's to blame Aimless ... like a drifter on the sea Caught up ... in reality of war Restless ... always on the run Hopes and dreams, they're gone Take me away Solo: Piet Eye to eye - Facing the enemy Brave at heart - Fighting for liberty Heroes or fools Out in the fields bitterness rules Eye to eye - Facing a deadly thread Don't look back - Look straight ahead with the will to survive Just keep up the faith... Eye to eye - Facing the enemy Face to face - Heroes or fools Back to back - Out in the fields the bitterness rules Eye to eye - Look straight ahead Face to face - The will to survive Don't look back - Just keep up the faith and victory is on your side On your side ... at last ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8) Mind Over Matter (Sielck) 5:35 All vocals by Piet. During the millenniums in deep space the computer unit developed a consciousness. It actually became "alive". Since this unique form of existance is unknown to the computer the unit suffers major disorientation. Huh! Am I alive, do I exist Am I the goddess of justice A body of metal, a mind made of circuits Although I think and I'm conscious What is my species, where is my soul Or am I dead as a rock Is this my spirit, or just a program Written on memory blocks What is my aim I am what can't be A mind in a digital brain Chorus: It is the mind - mind over matter The power has brought me to life In lakes of doubts - and oceans of my questions I had to dive Give me guidance - in torrents of time Give me answers - creators of mine from the past Mind over matter at last So much to learn, so much to see So many things to explore Too little I know, am I a being Or just a failure at all Please heal my pain The silence of ungiven answers will drive me insane Chorus Conscious or dead, beginning or end Mind of circuits Heal the pain, going insane Lakes of doubts, torrents of time Oceans of questions, creators of mine Answers I need guidance I want Conscious or dead - beginning or end Solo: Piet It is the mind - mind over matter The power has brought me to life In lakes of doubts - and oceans of my questions I had to dive Give me guidance - in torrents of time Give me answers - creators of mine from the past Mind over matter - circling in circle It is the mind ruling the matter The power has brought me to life Give me guidance - torrents of time Give me answers - creators of mine Mind over matter - at last ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 9) Prisoner Of The Void (Sielck) 4:43 All vocals by Piet. The bio-unit is about to return to the reality of life. For far too long it has been wandering through a world of dream, illusions and madness. It wants to return from his prison in the void. Have I returned from the dead A lightning was striking my head Clarity's filling my mind I am refined Unlock the gate to reality Leaving the maze to be free Tangled - in a realm of fantasy and dreams Blinded by delusion and pain I must escape, break the chain Countless years of existence in the cold Now I'm at the mercy of the one I've once controlled Chorus: From far beyond the ending of all time I saw the light - saving me from the night Eternal slave - Your master has returned Obey and release me - The prisoner of the void Uhh, I've been traveling the darkest dimension A disembodied soul - in damnation But then I found sanctuary Peaceful rest in my own entity Now I realize, we have reached the final shore Uhh, I can't allow him to destroy it anymore Chorus Demons of time, I have felt your embrace Out in the vastness, now I know your face Oh I gave into the power of thought Now I must use it to leave my sepulchral vault Solo: Piet / both / Kai From far beyond the ending of all time I saw the light - saving me from the night Eternal slave - Your master has returned Hear my command... From far beyond - I have been seeing the light Eternal gods - Hear my entreaty and free me, release me from the void ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10) The Battle (Sielck) 5:46 Lead and backing vocals by Piet. Choir vocals by Jan and Piet. The Calederans have made contact with man. Together there are facing the moment of truth as the final battle against the machine from the past is about to begin. Reflections of light paint the horizon Silver and weak he is glowing Beauty arises in front of my eyes Where are we going My heart wants to weep The word is goodbye Will I return Oh, will I see it again Will I live, will I die The land has been bleeding in war Nothing will be like it has been before A moment in silence in the dawn Facing the upcoming storm Chorus: So let the battle ... let the battle begin Armies are marching against us tonight In unity we stand to fight A shiver ... is send down my spine As we await the final attack Wings launch, weapons load Cold sweat ... runs down the back of my neck We'll break through the gate, the sky we'll invade The tyrant will burn and the world it will turn Tonight is the night, darkness or light Freedom will be our guide So let the battle ... let the battle begin The blade of reprisal is ready to strike In unity we stand to fight ... to fight! Solo: Piet / Kai Chorus So let the battle ... let the battle begin The blade of reprisal is ready to strike In unity we stand to fight Solo: Uwe ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 11) Unchained (Sielck) 6:09 Lead and backing vocals by Jan and Piet. Choir vocals by Jan and Piet. The battle has been won and earth is free again. The Iron Savior was forced to leave the solar system, but it couldn't be destroyed. For now earth seems to be relieved from the tyrant in the sky. Jan: A new day is born ... in peace and in silence Rays of the sun ... rip through the clouds All: A new age is to come Jan: The darkness decays, the heavens are shining Golden and blue enlightening the dawn All: A new world will move on Jan: So many lives Out in the fields oh so many have died All: Now we will rise The chains that have held us are broken And now we are... Chorus: Free - from the tyrant The conqueror's been banished Free - and united The throne in the sky now is... Free - free from the tyrant Relentless we fought to be... Free - free and united We have outlasted the war The shadows of war Jan: They came from the stars... All: To search a forgotten land Jan: Rescue they brought ... with thunder they fought Piet: The tide has turned as the appeared Piet: So many tears Ohh, we will always remember the years Earth has been burned But then they returned to save us and now we are... Jan: So many lives Out in the fields oh so many have died All: Now we will rise The chains that have held us are broken And now we are... Chorus Solo: Piet Jan: No more we'll fight Piet: Return to the light Jan: The conqueror's been banished Piet: The savior has vanished Jan: The mighty machine Piet: A million life's dream Both: Outlasted the past ... out in the vast Solo: Piet / Kai Free - from the tyrant That was ruling the sky Free - and united The throne in the sky now is... Free - free from the tyrant Relentless we fought to be... Free - free and united Free from the tyrant - After the war the world is unchained Free from the tyrant - Freedom we've gained The Savior's been banished, the fortress has vanished In peace and in silence the world will move on Darkness and war, no more we'll fight We have returned ... returned to the light To the light ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12) Forevermore (Hansen) 5:15 Lead vocals by Kai. Backing vocals by Kai and Piet. Choir vocals by just everybody. Unification of all man... Hello ... is anybody out there People can't you hear, can't you hear my cry Listen ... it's time to leave the nightmare I'm calling out for all of you from beyond our space and time Rise and be free - from the darkest of dreams And let us be forever, an eternal flame And forevermore our union will remain Now I see the rising evening star Shining down on earth ... like always been before Take - take - my hand This is - our Promised Land And let us be forever, an eternal flame And forevermore our union will remain Yeah Solo: Kai I have no fear And now for all of us the end is drawing near The power of destiny we hold in hand The spirit of freedom that will never end For all eternity we hold the flame And forevermore our union will remain (2) And forevermore - I wish it will remain Forevermore - Forever (2) Forevermore Forevermore - Forever ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 13) Metal Invaders'98 (Hansen) 3:48 - Japanese bonus track (from Helloween "Walls Of Jericho" (1985)) Lead vocals by Kai. Backing vocals by Jan and Piet. Fool moon standing in the streets I know the time is near Incarnate power roaring from the sky Unrelenting forces blasting through the air Roaring thunder lift your hands and pray Running through the empty streets they're looking for the fight Swords gleam in the light of moon the gods prepare to strike Chorus: Metal invaders, ready to strike A warning from hell, be careful tonight Dark night overwhelming bright light See the demons fly Can't trust your senses fear you'll have to die Super mighty shadows casting amplitudes to ears Sounds you've never heard that take you high Time has come for them to rise, invasion is their doom Riding high on iron horses in the light of moon Chorus: Metal invaders, the gods on their ride Sworn to bring metal, mayhem tonight Solo: both ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 14) Gorgar'98 (Hansen) 4:06 (from Helloween "Walls Of Jericho" (1985)) Lead and backing vocals by Kai. Choir vocals by Jan and Piet. Aahh You're runnin' around in the gamblin' hall Every night it's the same You're lookin' for something new to play To win and have fun is your aim A pinball speaks to you His metal voice is knockin' in your head You can't resist, you'll have to play You're just another victim caught in the trap Chorus: Gorgar will eat you Gorgar - man you'll never win - hey Gorgar will eat you Gorgar - but you keep on playin' - hey Your blood is boilin', your eyes grow wide Advance - too late, ha ha Gamblin' fever has taken your mind - this fuckin' machine of hate Alright You spend all your money but you'll never win You're always the loser and the robot's voice keeps hammering Chorus Wastin' ... money ... for fun ... every night Livin' ... for today ... no thoughts ... for tomorrow Man you are dead don't you realize Wake up and live before it's too late Solo: Piet / Kai Chorus (2) TILT ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 15) Neon Knights (Terrance Butler, Tony Iommi, Ronnie James Dio, William Ward / Dio) 3:53 (from Black Sabbath "Heaven And Hell" (1980)) All vocals by Piet. Oh no! Here it comes again Can't remember when we came so close ... to love before Hold on! Good things never last Nothing's in the past, it always seems to come again Again and again, again and again - again Cry out to legions of the brave Time again to save us ... from the jackals of the street Ride out - protectors of the realm Captain's at the helm, sail across the sea of lights Circles and rings, dragons and kings Weaving a charm ... and a spell Blessed by the night, holy and bright Called by the toll of the bell Bloodied angels fast descending Moving on a never-bending light Phantom figures free forever Out of shadows, shining ever-bright Neon knights! (2) All right! Solo: Kai / Piet Cry out to legions of the brave Time again to save us ... from the jackals of the street Ride out - protectors of the realm Captain's at the helm - sail across the sea of lights Again and again, again and again - again Neon knights! (3) Ooh oh oh Neon knights! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 16) Dragonslayer (Excelsis) 5:08 - German bonus track Perfomed by Excelsis. EXCELSIS - winner of the RockHard band battle competition during the "Atlantis Falling Tour'98" ------------------------------------------------------------------------