Originally released 2003
on the album "End Transmission"
lyrics
The Citadel
(Lyrics by Warrick Fraser)
Excerpt from "The Citadel" by Warrick Fraser
LOCATION: Southwest outer rim of the "Valley of Kings", Eygpt.
TIME: Early 1980's.
A stroke of luck, getting paid for my excersion to this timeless land. I had originally planned for a 2 day stop-off before catching another boat to the port of Tel-Aviv, in northwest Israel.
In a white-walled coffee house, a short, bald greek man exploded into conversation when he heard of my interest and studies of ancient artifacts in London, 3 months prior. In that place, he introduced me to his associates and financiers of a small excavation on the outer skirts of the "Valley of Kings". A somewhat irratated man, he explained his current dilemma.
Tommorow, he would have to leave the site for an important meeting with a
generous publisher, offering to print his book. The subject matter was his discovery of a new, ancient text discussing an unheard of Pharoh King, being literally "risen unto the sky" in a "floating city". Complete with a curse, the disjointed documents told of fatal magic upon whomsoever defiles the sarcophagus where they were placed, unless they are in direct royal linage to the missing king.
I was offerered a modest wage to help uncover the remaining documents, and become artifact consultant for the remaining 2 days of the excavation.
A rare opportunity for experience, I could hardly pass up.
The next day, I arrived at the site on a stubborn camel with my guide. The perculiar greek archeologist I met yesterday, had apparently died in his sleep, sadly before his ambitions of a publication were realized. Netherless, one of his associates assumed command of the project, and we resumed the dig.
After a long day, only 2 artifacts were found. A piece of broken tablet with a carving of an eye inside a pyramid. And another piece of ancient parchment.
After a restless night's sleep, I awoke certain that the day would yeild the final pieces of the puzzle. When I arrived, we all eagerly set to work, and within half an hour another piece of parchment revealed itself. But this time, the symbolic text was different. Very different. Unlike anything I had seen in my student texts.
A sandstorm brewed in the distance. An oasis of angry, insect-like mass surged into view of the excavation team. I knew it was fast approaching the site, as my middle eastern collegues squinted their gaze toward the storm and ushered for the hasty batten down of our equipment.
I climbed out of the trench, and made my way to the artifact tent, 50 metres or so from my position.
I had crossed but half the distance, when as I looked over to the open desert, the fury of sand and wind engulfed my vision. I stumbled, then fell to my knees covering my eyes. Pulling a rag from my belt, I tied it around my head to protect my face.
My uncovered skin and eyes stung like thousands of locusts dragging their thorny shells into me. Through instinctive vision, I gripped tighter the latest find in my hands, and staggered blindly toward the direction of the tent.
With a gasp of stolen air, my legs lifted and began to run. Closer and closer to my safe target. Something stoney caught my foot, and I fell hard onto my chest, the parchment flying from my grasp. I covered my eyes and prepared to rise again.
Then it was over.
The sky was open, the heat again pure and unhindered.
I stood and surveyed my position.
Where was the site? My collegues?
Where the hell did I run to?
"Hello?" I cried aloud.
The area was nothing but empty desert plains and forming dunes.
Where am I? Which way to camp?
Something protruding out of a distant dunetop caught my eye.
The parchment?
I walked to the object, hoping for it's safekeeping.
Closer, I recognized it as my face rag, and stooped to retrieve it.
I stood up, and rubbed the sand of my face.
Then I saw it.
Looming up over the nearest dunes, a sight I will never forget.
The monolith I would soon call....The Citadel.
credits
released January 1, 2009
Anthony McManus - Song Writer, Guitar, Bass, Drum Programming, SFX, Keyboards, Mixing, Vocals, Graphic Art
Peter Thams - Producer, Keyboards, Bass, Drum Programming, SFX, Mixing, Audio Engineer, 3D Animation, Web Programming
Warrick Fraser - Song Writer, Vocals, Bass, Guitar, Drum Programming, Keyboards, SFX, Mixing, Graphic & Web Art, 3D Animation, Thematic Direction
Craig Clifton - Technical Assistance & Equipment Provider, Financier, Early Drum Tracks
DNA.LIEN began not so much as a band, but more as an ambitious multimedia juggernaut.
Everything from
music production and engineering through to graphic art was completed by the band.
Many solicited and unsolicited demo's were sent to various places locally & abroad.
Ultimately, the first incarnation of DNA.LIEN proved too ambitious.
The members took a break to reflect on the project....more
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