Since the album is delayed, here's another track from "Encyclopedia Draconica". This follows on from 'Evil Dragon'.

Writing for this song started in mid-2023, with the initial concept being "I want a regal sound" so the pipe organ features extensively throughout. For the fight sequence I dug up some experiments where I'd been using strange time signatures, e.g. adding one beat to every bar (this proved very awkward when trying to record the bass part).

The main backing tracks were committed to tape in July, but for a long, long time I was stuck for writing the lyrics. While I had a vague idea of what I wanted to do, getting it down into lyrics was very, very difficult. I even asked Sofox for help, but eventually settled upon doing the narration thing again instead of verse. It was getting on for December and the album was due to be mixed soon.

This song was tracked on 2" tape, with the vocals, bass and transistor organ recorded on 8-track and dubbed across for the final mixdown. As with Evil Dragon, the narration was done with the 1/2" machine running fast so as to slow it down, giving a respectable Bal-Sagoth impression. Mixing was done onto 1/4" tape on the 21st of December, in the same session as "Evil Dragon". Lots of edits were needed, especially for the backwards tape section, which required some fancy footwork since the narration had to be forwards - meaning it needed to be dubbed across backwards on the actual multitrack. Fun.

I wasn't happy with the narration and eventually decided to remix the song, which is one reason the album is delayed. I'm posting the original album mix here for posterity - the finished album will be using the February remix.

Instruments used include: Teischord C transistor organ, Roland JV1010, Roland Alpha Juno 1, Roland M-VS1, Hammond XM-1, Cheetah MS6, Oberheim OB-X8, Behringer Solina, Manikin Memotron, Moog Voyager, Yamaha Reface CP, Ahlborn Archive pipe organ, Alesis DM10 drum brain, Steinberger Spirit GT and XTd, with various cheap pedals, compressors and Lexicon effects.

Help with the storyline: - dragon king artwork by

"The motley band had trekked for many days, past the borders of North Arcaia, seeking the capital of the mountainous realm of Taria. Dragons scouted ahead, but could not carry with them any heavy loads,
such as the tribute they had brought to renew the old alliance."

They seek the Dragon King of Taria

"Driving off brigands who sought to lighten their load, the heroes at last reached the plateau that they had sought. Tired and exhausted, they approached the city gates, and begged for an audience with the realm's mighty lord."

We seek the Dragon King of Taria

He who has wisdom from beyond the furthest star - as was foretold in the Codex Draconica

"Bowing low in the great hall, the heroes told of the evil fate that had befallen Arcaia. Listening to their tale, the king fanned his mighty wings, and the roof of the hall opened up for him to take flight."

All praise the Dragon King of Taria

"Through his arcane arts, the Dragon King vanished into the distance, flying faster then the scouts of Arcaia could hope to match. As the grey dragon torched yet another town, the king bared his claws
and with a great roar, the two mighty dragons poised to do battle."

All praise the Dragon King of Taria

He who has wisdom from beyond the furthest star - as was foretold in the Codex Draconica

(Weird time signature part)

"At last, the grey dragon lay with a foot upon his throat as the Dragon King stared grimly into the eyes of his dread foe. One bite or blow from a dragonblade was all it would take to sever the neck and end his evil forever."

All praise the Dragon King of Taria

"Yet the Dragon King saw that his foe merely sought justice for the wrongs of the dragon-hunters who had slain his family. If that past could be rewritten, he would have no cause to turn rogue. The dragon king uttered a mighty spell."

Thus spake the Dragon King of Taria

"Yet none would know of the Dragon King's victory, nor of the grey dragon's sin, save in dreams of a past that had never happened."