BAND NAME: Albert Bell's Sacro Sanctus
GENRE: Blackened Heavy / Doom Metal
STATUS: Active
LOCATION: Malta (Marsaskala / Wied il-Għajn)
Primarily, this band deals with medieval history (the Templar, battles, etc), not Christianity in the traditional "unblack" sense of worship lyrics, killing demons, etc. More specifically, Albert has told me the following about the band: "As I have often explained in my interviews, the first three Sacro Sanctus albums focus on the trails and tribulations of the Knights Templar [. . .] Of course, as you know the Templars where the vanguard of the Christian crusaders so some songs are very Christian themed such as "To Die for the Cross" on the new album... Since I am Christian, I guess you could argue that it is a Christian project and documented from the eyes of a Christian...however, it is intended as principally a historical project."
Formed in 2011.
Officially referred to as "Albert Bell's Sacro Sanctus", but sometimes shortened to just "Sacro Sanctus".
Lineup:
Albert Bell - Vocals, Guitars, Bass
Owen Grech - Guitars (lead)
Steve Lombardo - Drums
Links:
Compendium of Metal Vol. 7 (compilation, 25 April, 2014, Metal on Metal Records)
Format: CD
7) Albert Bell's Sacro Sanctus - The Tears of Ishtar 8:04, see below for lyrics
Deus Volt (album, 14 November, 2014, Metal on Metal Records)
Formats: CD and Bandcamp
Buy the CD (OFFICIAL)
Stream / Download (OFFICIAL)
Guest appearances:
Alexia Baldacchino - Vocals (female, track 2)
David Vella - Keyboards, Effects (additional)
Robert Spiteri - Drums
1) The Tears of Ishtar
8:04, lyrics:
Arise keepers of
the witching night
Sons of the
stillborn moon
Awake from your
unearthly tomb
Demon winds
will guide us
Osiris beside us
We come to avenge
the tears of Ishtar
We seek passage through
the gates of Amenti
Giving praise to
the nameless
We are the guardians of
the secrets of athanor
We have voyaged
through the valleys
of the Euphrates
to the seas of Hades
The tablets of the storm
Gods to us are bethrode
We bathe in the blood
of the naysayer
We are the children
of Chaldea
The talisman in our
hands forever to hold
Chaos mother,
oh tempestuous one!
We bow to no other,
before you
there are none
Queen of the
primordial deep
we beseech,
heed our call
Heed our call!
Our enemies to fall!
Samas before us
Sin behind us
Wherever
we may thread
Our blade
you will dread!
(Verses 1-3)
In the name of
our fathers
accept these gifts
of salt and azoth
Oh Tiamat!
Crush our foes coming
from the north
(Chorus)
Let our paths be blessed
Where ever they may be
Thy power
we shall proclaim
and do thy service
We are thy slave
Your slave...
...enslaved
2) Arcana Imperii
6:36, lyrics:
We evoke the creatrix,
seed of mankind
Six candles alight,
giving sight to the blind
We drink from
the spring of
the sanctified fire
Blessed by Astarte,
our purifier
Wanton demon succubi
wail in trance
Fornicating to the scent
of burning incense
To the monarch of olde,
we pledge our souls
He glides through
the fire mists
with wings of gold
Traversing the
sunless seas of war
The hearth of darkness
from aeons afore
Sacred mystical
papyri in our hands
Before your eyes,
like demigods we stand
Arcana imperii
Invisible power
Giving us stealth
De culto mysterii
Unbound wealth
Nimis on our right hand
Nergal on our left
Father of the
glorious crown
Ruler of god and man
Liege of the seasons
and the stars
Our harvests,
your emanations
Supreme and unknowable
You are the heaven
at night
You are the spring sun
The air of life
Primeval force
of creation
Perdition and damnation
Absolute, beyond time
Rise for
your coronation
Rise! Rise! Rise! Rise!
(Chorus)
3) Beatification of the Dead
5:34, lyrics:
Merciful Nannar,
lord god sin
Son of Ea,
master of origin
Your steeds wake
to the crack of
your thunderstone
Breathing fire,
life to the mire,
turning dust to bone
...to bone!
Unknown, unborn,
alive, undead
For thee our blood
we will shed
Steadfast and constant
as the foremost star
Usurping the ghost,
the spectre of
the elder god Anshar
The seven winds of
Merodach howl ablaze
As we ride through
the shadows of
the nocturne's gaze
Primal, obscure,
triumphant, supreme
A terror untold, unseen
He guards the passage
to the haven of rest
Beatifying our
warrior dead
To thee we call,
join our congregation
Bringer of pain
and indignation
The blood of the tyrant
kings will be spilled
By the slayer of
the tempest god
Victory is near,
our magick you fear
Damned in hell
you shall be for
what you sought
Unshackled, uncaged,
wild, untamed
A plague of evil
unchained
He guards the passage
to the haven of rest
Beatifying the dead
in Atet and Sektet
Join our congregation
Enter the circle
of conjuration
Indignation! Pain!
Evil untamed!
Evil unchained!
Divination, black magic,
necromancy
We unlock the key
to the seven tablets
of destiny
Incantations of
arcane lore
The book of fate
our weapon of war
Exhuming
the destroyer,
the storm wind queen
Spawn of the
nine worms of Amenti
Unknown, unborn,
alive, undead
For thee our blood
we will shed
He guards the passage
to the haven of rest
Beatifying our
warrior dead
To thee we call,
join our congregation
Enter the circle
of conjuration
4) Ordo Templaris
7:43, lyrics:
The cross on their aegis
Crusading
through the ages
The march of the valiant
lords and sages
Falchion and flail
Holders of the grail
Fates wrought by steel
The crescent heathen
hordes will kneel
Pious and pure
The Holy Land
their allure
Standing without equal
Ordo Templaris
Fists clenched high
To the glory of God
Their battle cry
Defenders of the shroud
Audax et Fortis
The colours of defiance
hoisted across the sands
The blood of
sworn enemies
on desert beaten hands
Crucifix and sword
Valour forever sworn
Legions of the Saviour
Ordo Templaris
Treachery scorned
Death never mourned
In the eye of the storm
Virtutis et Sanctis
Non nobis Domine,
Non nobis, sed nomini tuo
Da gloriam, non nobis
Domine, non nobis,
Domine dirige nos
Ad tuo da gloriam!
Domine dirige nos!
A cruce salus!
Alea iact a est!
Pounding and crushing,
killing and maiming
Flagellum dei
Sacro sanctus,
morior invictus
The armies of the
gryphon their prey
They will cut you down
Sever your heads
and frown
The jewel of
the church's crown
Emissaries of Rome,
shielding the throne
Hear their death tone
They're gonna
cut you down!
They will not yield,
no defeat, no surrender,
no retreat
The final stand,
axe and mace in hand
The honour of
Christendom to defend
(Chorus)
5) At the Horns of Hattin
6:45, lyrics:
The crescent rises
Druze forces unite
Seizing the springs
of Turan
The Sephorians' plight
Noosing the
humble Eschiva
The queen of Galilee
The Christian
armies defeated
Feud and flee
At the sound of
clapping thunder
Beguiled by
the art of war
Crusaders torn asunder
How they fall
One by one they fall!
How they fall!
The scimitars gleam
in the shadow
of the horns
Hell at Tiberias
an empire forlorn
(Rogate quae ad pacem
sunt Jerusalem)
Their screams resounded
across the
Christian lands
A third crusade mounted
to redeem Hattin's sands
(Gloria Patri et Filio
et Spiritui Sancto,
sicut erat in principio
et nunc et semper)
Encircled by smoke fires
Pelted by a deluge
of misery
The Edessan battle
lines trampled
by fearless cavalry
Assailing the true cross
Rebuking the one belief
The prince of Rome
capitulates
Stricken with grief
A truce betrayed
by the king of Ibelin
The wrath of
the grand vizier
set loose on all his kin
The seers had seen
the burning
of Acre of Sidon
Faith and honour
subsiding
at the dawn of eschaton
Eschaton!
At the dawn of
eschaton!
The scimitars gleam
in the shadow
of the horns
Hell at Tiberias
an empire forlorn
(Da pacem, Domine,
in diebus nostris
quia non est alius)
Their screams resounded
across the
Christian lands
A third crusade mounted
to redeem Hattin's sands
(Da pacem, Domine,
in diebus nostris
qui pugnet pro nobis
nisi tu deus noster)
At the Horns of Hattin!
6) Defender of the Holy Cross
5:19, lyrics:
Subduing the demon
Crushing the evil
Never beaten
Armoured by steel
Protected by faith
A valor inbred
and innate
Riding the chariots
of antimony
Beyond the twilight
of mortality
Wayfarer, outrider,
realm builder,
kingmaker
Breaking the scourge
of the invader
His reward is near
His warcry you hear
Your soul he will shear
Sworn to an oath
To the sword
By his cloak
Riving Satan's yoke
Unyielding, unbending
For the cross he will die
Falling to
no omen nor hex
The sons of Belial
will feel the blow
...the blow of his axe
Defender! Defender!
Defender! Defender
of the Holy Cross
Hail holy queen
Our life, our sweetness,
our hope
To thee we cry
Poor banished
children of Eve
To thee we send
up our sighs
Mourning and weeping
in this valley of tears
(Chorus)
He is the bane
Dooming the profane
Keeper of the flame
A bastion of truth
A pillar of strength
Untouched and uncouth
(Verse 3)
(Chorus)
7) Deus Volt (The Siege of Ascalon)
7:13, lyrics:
We soar
through the seas
To vanquish our defeat
at the Horns of Hattin
17,000 martyred,
for their faith,
land and king
Pilgrims of the true
cross, united as one
Some never to see
the morrow's
blood-soaked sun
Onwards, sail onward,
to Ascalon
Our naves beaconed
by the mourning
overlord of Sidon
500 mounted turcopoles
with deadly bows
Archers and lancers,
harbingers of your woes
They had seen
the fall of Acre
Carried the crest
of Outremer
Now one in our ranks
of Hospitaliers
and unforgiving
Templars
The besieging towers
Flag bearers
of our might
Saints and warmongers
We bring ruin to your
flummoxed sight
The heathens run
Cowering,
they take flight
Our holy war
guided by divine light
Swallowed by
the flames of the
cleaning fire winds
The walls before us yield
to our ironbound will
The gates are breached,
our blades gleam
The hour of dread on
our foes long unseen
Die, naysayer, die
An eye for an eye
Blasphemer, you shall die
Die, die, die!
On the wings
of avenging angels
We ride to deliver
the final counterblow
The blood of our nemesis
shall pour and flow
(Chorus)
In the name of the light
A victory won
by divine might!
Deus volt!
(Verse 1)
United as one!
As one!
Compendium of Metal Vol. 8 (compilation, 14 April, 2015, Metal on Metal Records)
Format: CD
14) Albert Bell's Sacro Sanctus - At the Horns of Hattin 6:45, see below for lyrics
Compendium of Metal Vol. 9 (compilation, April, 2016, Metal on Metal Records)
Format: CD
1) Sacro Sanctus - The Key of Splendour 6:35
Ad Aeternum (promo, 2016, Metal on Metal Records)
Format: CD-R
If I'm reading the picture correctly, it says the total length on this promo version is 54:24. If correct, that'd mean the track lengths would be slightly different than the album version (a little over 56 minutes). Does anyone own this promo, and can tell if there are any differences in the songs?
1) Ad Aeternum
2) Terra Santa
3) The Messenger
4) The Key of Splendour
5) Hex and Heresy
6) Seal of Damnation
7) Invocations of Unlight
8) Illuminati (Will to Power)
Ad Aeternum (album, 29 April, 2016, Metal on Metal Records)
Formats: CD and Bandcamp
Buy the CD (OFFICIAL)
Stream / Download (OFFICIAL)
Guest appearances:
Alexia Baldacchino - Vocals (female)
David Vella - Keyboards
Robert Spiteri - Drums
Four cover art variants were released. The top-right artwork is the one used on Bandcamp.
1) Ad Aeternum
6:07, lyrics:
We waged battle,
spilled our blood,
we crushed the enemy
We laid our lives for the cross,
We killed mercilessly
We hunted down the infidel,
We amassed the spoils of war
We brought his word to lands forsaken,
Damned and afore... Damned and afore!
Vestal, devout, chaste and pure
The doom of those who crossed our paths
was certain and sure
We crippled and struggled
the crescent moon's reign
We bore despair,
desolation and pain... pain!!!
They knelt in front of our axes,
they begged for clemency
Our blades fell upon their neck,
death with impunity
We feared neither hell nor misery
in the throes of insanity
Into the throes of insanity!
Benedictus dominus,
Benedictus ad aeternum
Patrem, patrem nostrum,
in saecula saeculorum
Benedictus dominus,
Benedictus ad aeternum
Patrem, patrem nostrum,
in saecula saeculorum
His sanctuary, his shield,
his will, his dominion
His gladius, his spear, his children,
we know no fear
His apostles, his temple,
the impious will tremble... in viam pacis!
Flags of the black cross
We held up high
We were the father's legions,
messengers of his law
Our armies, his vanguards,
his armory of war
(Pre-Chorus)
(Chorus)
Ad aeternum!
2) Terra Santa
5:26, lyrics:
Mordant hues color
the pages of history
Quills of contempt demonize
the neophytes of alchemy
False hoods carved by the
hand of the old man's child
A hatred spewed by sloth,
greed and pride
In their dreams they once
thristed for the sun
Justice raped,
a vision of faith undone
A brotherhood forged
across the seas of time
They shouldered their
kindred through the grime
Oaths of secrecy scorched
by deception and lies
Hellish fury wrought
by the lord of flies
Lord of flies, church of lies!
(Pre-Chorus)
Trapped, tortured,
quartered, maimed,
murdered
A holy order that sought
blood and glory
Condemned to wallow in
bile, such is their story
Terra Santa!
Sacro et Sancta!
Terra Santa!
Sacro et Sancta!
Institutional infallibility
The lying pretext for
a new absurd humanity
like a dying womb
Forsaking its children
lusting for power, unveiling
...unveiling the hidden eden
(Chorus)
Their cries still echo
Their scars still
burn and rage
Persecuting the way
of the timeless sage
Subjected to trail,
barbaric inquisition
(Pre-Chorus)
Trapped, tortured,
quartered, maimed,
murdered
A holy order that sought
blood and glory
Condemned to wallow in
bile, such is their story
(Chorus)
3) The Messenger 7:41
4) The Key of Splendour 6:35
5) Hex and Heresy 8:54
6) Seal of Damnation 6:45
7) Invocations of Unlight 9:53
8) Illuminati (Will to Power) 5:13
Compendium of Metal Vol. 10 (compilation, April, 2017, Metal on Metal Records)
Format: CD
10) Sacro Sanctus - Terra Santa 5:26, see above for lyrics
Compendium of Metal Vol. 11 (compilation, 27 April, 2018, Metal on Metal Records)
Format: CD
5) Albert Bell's Sacro Sanctus - Bannockburn 7:22
Liber III: Codex Templarum (album, 5 September, 2018, Metal on Metal Records)
Formats: CD and Bandcamp
Buy the CD (OFFICIAL)
Stream / Download (OFFICIAL)
Guest appearances:
David Vella - Effects, Keyboards, Arrangements
The label notes on Bandcamp, only three tracks are available for streaming. The full album is available is included in the download files, though.
The song "Crown of the Accursed" contains two parts:
Part I: The Visitation
Part II: The Exorcism of Raymond de Goth
1) The Widow's Sons 7:47
2) Into the Pyre 5:22
3) Order of 13 5:30
4) To Die for the Cross 6:02
5) Warmonger 7:31
6) Crown of the Accursed 7:06
7) Bannockburn 7:22
8) Mater Europa 7:31
9) Rosenkreuz 7:23
Terror Tales - A Tribute to Death SS (compilation, 31 October, 2018, Black Widow Records)
Top, left: 3CD
Top, right: 4x vinyl
Bottom, left: 4x vinyl, deluxe edition, limited 66 copies
Bottom, right: 4x vinyl, test pressing
Note:
For the
CD version, Sacro Sanctus' song is on
CD 2, track 3.
For all three
vinyl versions, Sacro Sanctus' song is on
Side D, track 2.
3/2) Albert Bell's Sacro Sanctus - The Shrine in the Gloom (Death SS cover) 8:47
Compendium of Metal Vol. 13 (album, 31 October, 2020, Metal on Metal Records)
Formats: CD and Bandcamp
Buy the CD (OFFICIAL)
Stream / Download (OFFICIAL)
More info will be added as it becomes available!
6) Albert Bell's Sacro Sanctus - Hail the Hammer
4:59, lyrics unknown
The Sword of Fierbois (album, 30 September, 2022, Metal on Metal Records)
Formats: CD and Bandcamp
Buy the CD (OFFICIAL)
Stream / Download (OFFICIAL)
Thematically, this will be a historical fiction concept album dealing with medieval Europe. Total album length will be over an hour long.
There are guests on the album but names haven't been revealed yet.
More info will be added as it becomes available!
1) Sword of Fierbois
5:33, lyrics unknown
2) War, Metal, Leather
5:30, lyrics unknown
3) Rise of the Scimitar
6:21, lyrics unknown
4) Hail the Hammer
5:00, lyrics unknown
5) Clarions of War
8:09, lyrics unknown
6) Imperator
6:39, lyrics unknown
7) For God, King and Country
4:07, lyrics unknown
8) The Maiden from Lorraine
6:05, lyrics unknown
9) Blood at Orléans
7:44, lyrics unknown
10) Flight of the Witch
6:21, lyrics:
Unholy matriarch of doom
Bairn of the crone of Endor
Your cursed fate looms
Bereft of your feigned splendour
Sorceress, heretic, demon-winged child
Temptress, lunatic, a nation fooled and beguiled
Enchantress, spell weaver, a she-wolf borne of the wild
Hag, deceiver, on Belial's wings you glide
Slave of Satan, taking flight through the darkest of skies
Mistress of evil, bewitching, vile, sullen eyes
Taking flight through the darkest of skies
Burn, witch, burn
Burn, wench, burn
Witch
We will hunt you down
You will pay your dues
You will burn at the stake
You will feel the grip of the noose
Haunting your imposter regent
Satanic voices compelling you
Apostate pagan, recreant
Your remains burnt twice anew
Sorceress, heretic, demon-winged child
Temptress, lunatic, a nation fooled and beguiled
Enchantress, spell weaver, a she-wolf borne of the wild
Hag, deceiver, on Belial's wings you glide
Bride of Satan, veiled by the cruel blackness of night
Bringer of evil, from the bloodshed of battle you take flight
Veiled by the blackness of night
Burn, witch, burn
Burn, wench, burn
We will hunt you down
You will pay your dues
You will burn at the stake
You will feel the grip of the noose
Your flesh will sear
You will taunt and torment us no more
The witch hunters sneer
To the heavens your embers will soar
Oh blesseth the day
We will have the final say
To a fiery hell we bestow you on the 30th of May
Yield and obey on the 30th of May
1431, when hope dies in May
Under skies, ashen gray
Oh most glorious day
1431, on your knees confess and pray
Witch
11) Ember Eyes
4:33, lyrics unknown
Compendium of Metal Vol. 15 (compilation, 30 September, 2022, Metal on Metal Records)
Formats: CD and Bandcamp
Buy the CD (OFFICIAL)
Stream / Download (OFFICIAL)
Although released on the same day as "Sword of Fierbois", this was actually released a few minutes later in the day.
Written on the cover art: "Metal on Metal Records proudly presents"
9) Albert Bell's Sacro Sanctus - Blood at Orléans
7:44, lyrics unknown
__________________________
IncompletePage
1) We still need the rest of the lyrics. 2) Track lengths for the promo version of "Ad Aeternum".
Miscellaneous stuff:
The
original artwork from the album "Ad Aeternum"
Originally, the album "Sword of Fierbois" was announced with a slightly different tracklist:
1) War, Metal and Leather (Morior Invictus)
2) Rise of the Scimitar
3) Hail the Hammer
4) Sound the Clarions of War
5) The Sword of Fierbois
6) Imperator
7) For God, King and Country
8) The Maiden from Lorraine
9) Blood at Orleans
10) Flight of the Witch
11) Trial and Tribulation (Ember Eyes)
_______________
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