Fortress of Shadows
Song info: the song is about Scáthach, a figure in the legend of Irish folk hero Cú Chulainn. It was said she lived in the Isle of Skye in Dun Sgathaich, also known as the Fortress of Shadows. Also known as Dunscaith Castle, its ruins still exist in Scotland. Originally, the song was titled "Avalon" and was a love song about the mythical realm of the same name. However, the lyrics were rewritten to carry a different sound; the main riff is also taken from "Avalon". Its chorus riff is from a song I wrote around April 2017 called "The Ever Distant Utopia" (the original title of the aforementioned "Avalon"). The two riffs serve as the song's foundation.
This song almost didn't make it to the album due to having a very different sound to everything else. After changing the verse and chorus riffs, it was decided that it would go on Wallchian Horror.
This song almost didn't make it to the album due to having a very different sound to everything else. After changing the verse and chorus riffs, it was decided that it would go on Wallchian Horror.
Lyrics
Hidden in the mists of Skye The Fortress of Shadows stands high Looming over the highlands Piercing the clouds Scathach’s tower of guidance Where warriors become lions Training place of Cu Cullane Ireland’s man of light Where the earth is fed with blood Where the black roses bud A land of spears and swords The home of Celtic lords She awaits the fledglings Arriving at her dwelling Champions doomed to early deaths But promised glory The weak return home in defeat The strong triumph in martial feats The dead are sent down the river Where the Otherworld awaits Where eternal war is fought And glory in victory is sought Shrouded from the eyes of man The home of Scathach’s mighty clan As the eras carry on And the passage of time perseveres One by one the heroes No longer come Yet in the mists of the highlands The Fortress of Shadows still stands Waiting for the birth Of one worthy to approach Where lonely fog roams the field And the power of the runes is sealed The Fortress of Shadows waits For those who wish to challenge fate |