‘A Journey Upon Ancient Lands’ became a culmination of twelve months work and eventually conceived in the summer of 2021. It is an eloquent mix of acoustic dark folk with neoclassical.
The Concept For The Album
‘A Journey Upon Ancient Lands’ is loosely set as a fictional concept album. With the arrival of Christianity throughout Central and Northern Europe in the early middle ages. Paganism and Christianity coexisted for a time with often intermingling beliefs, and a tolerance for one another. Of which such an influence can be seen throughout the architecture, art, customs and traditions from the distant past. Managing to survive to this day.
As decades merged into centuries. Many within society perceived a belief in the old gods as too primitive to be acceptable. The knights Templar for example, equally brave warriors in battle as the pagan tribes. Sometimes employed to help rid society of heathenism. With evidence to suggest The Knights Templar also dabbled in the occult.
Heeding the call of the wolf. One isolated Pagan tribe head east. To brave the long and perilous journey towards the wild and untamed reaches of the towering Carpathians. In the hope to one day gather a large army, to fight for the right to retain the preservation of heritage and traditions of old. The story paints a picture of this journey with songs such as ‘Olden Forests Of Germania’. ‘The Raven And The Majestic Rocky Peaks’. ‘Calling Of The Wolf’ and concluding with ‘The Journey Ends ( Rise Of The Old Gods)’.
Musical Aim From The Beginning
The musical aim since the beginning of the writing process was to create an acoustic guitar album. And to combine the overly emotional style of the music reminiscent of Renaissance and Baroque era Germany. With the woody and muted styling of the dark folk genre. Thus, to invoke an atmosphere that conjures up imagery of a vast wilderness. Dotted with majestic waterfalls, deep woodland, huge fortified castles and medieval towns nestled between perilous mountain tops. Orchestral style keyboards with violins and flutes with the occasional sound effect were added at a later date. To further amplify the melodrama running throughout the songs.
The Romantic Artwork
The cover art for ‘A Journey Upon Ancient Lands’ was created by Jacob van Ruisdale . A 17th Century landscape artist whose work seemed to echo much of the visual interpretation imagined for the album. His style described as both romantic and heroic which was typical of his era. Waterfalls, hills and mountains were his specialty, with the occasional castle also painted
Full Tracklist:
1. A Journey Upon Ancient Lands. 2. Olden Forests Of Germania. 3. Sacred Orchid. 4. The Raven And The Majestic Rocky Peaks. 5. Carpet Of Bronze And Brass. 6. Solitude And The Everflowing Stream ( Part 1 ) 7. Solitude And The Everflowing Stream ( Part 2 ) 8. Calling Of The Wolf. 9. Through Dusk To The Opening Veil Of Dawn. 10. The Looming Mountains Of Carpathia. 11. The Journey Ends ( Rise Of The Old Gods).
Credits:
All music written, played and recorded by Meresburg in 2021. Cover artwork by Jacob van Ruisdael. Logo created by Meresburg.
Meresburg 