Ogre Battle (song)
Encyclopedia
"Ogre Battle" is a song by British rock
band Queen. Composed by lead vocalist Freddie Mercury
, it is the sixth track on their second studio album Queen II
, recorded on August 1973 at Trident Studios, London.
Mercury first composed the song in 1972 but Queen put off recording the song for their debut album
because they wanted more studio freedom to perfect the song which because of their debut album's hectic recording schedule they didn't have that.
The song is considered to be one of Queen's heaviest works with its loud heavy metal guitar riff composed by Mercury on guitar but played by guitarist Brian May
on the recording, the song also contains thrash metal
-like drumming performed by drummer Roger Taylor
. The song opens with the songs ending gong but played in reverse which creates a building wave sound, this opening eventually evolves into the songs signature guitar riff. Mercury performs "Ogre like" screams and May performs sound effects with his guitar in an attempt to recreate the sounds of a large battle. Taylor performs the high harmonies at the end of the chorus hook.
The song was a longtime live favourite, although in this case, it was played slower than in the studio. Queen played it on almost every concert until around 1977-78.
A different version of "Ogre Battle" exists, recorded in December 1973 for the BBC Radio 1 "Sound of the 70s" programme. This version starts right away with its riff (without any long intro), does not have any effects that the version on "Queen II" has and sounds much less polished. The BBC version of "Ogre Battle" did originally have a long intro featuring a grand guitar build up; it was not used for this release, allegedly because the original tape was damaged.
Many consider it to be one of the first or at least a precursor to speed metal
.
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band Queen. Composed by lead vocalist Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury was a British musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Queen. As a performer, he was known for his flamboyant stage persona and powerful vocals over a four-octave range...
, it is the sixth track on their second studio album Queen II
Queen II
Queen II is the second album by British rock group Queen, released in March 1974. It was recorded at Trident Studios, London in August 1973 with co-producers Roy Thomas Baker and Robin Cable, and engineered by Mike Stone....
, recorded on August 1973 at Trident Studios, London.
Mercury first composed the song in 1972 but Queen put off recording the song for their debut album
Queen (album)
Queen is the eponymous debut album by British rock group Queen, released in July 1973. It was recorded at Trident Studios and De Lane Lea Music Centre, London, with production by Roy Thomas Baker , John Anthony and Queen....
because they wanted more studio freedom to perfect the song which because of their debut album's hectic recording schedule they didn't have that.
The song is considered to be one of Queen's heaviest works with its loud heavy metal guitar riff composed by Mercury on guitar but played by guitarist Brian May
Brian May
Brian Harold May, CBE is an English musician and astrophysicist most widely known as the guitarist and a songwriter of the rock band Queen...
on the recording, the song also contains thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
-like drumming performed by drummer Roger Taylor
Roger Meddows-Taylor
Roger Meddows Taylor , known as Roger Taylor, is a British musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is best known as the drummer, backing vocalist and occasional lead vocalist of British rock band Queen. As a drummer he is known for his "big" unique sound and is considered one of...
. The song opens with the songs ending gong but played in reverse which creates a building wave sound, this opening eventually evolves into the songs signature guitar riff. Mercury performs "Ogre like" screams and May performs sound effects with his guitar in an attempt to recreate the sounds of a large battle. Taylor performs the high harmonies at the end of the chorus hook.
The song was a longtime live favourite, although in this case, it was played slower than in the studio. Queen played it on almost every concert until around 1977-78.
A different version of "Ogre Battle" exists, recorded in December 1973 for the BBC Radio 1 "Sound of the 70s" programme. This version starts right away with its riff (without any long intro), does not have any effects that the version on "Queen II" has and sounds much less polished. The BBC version of "Ogre Battle" did originally have a long intro featuring a grand guitar build up; it was not used for this release, allegedly because the original tape was damaged.
Many consider it to be one of the first or at least a precursor to speed metal
Speed metal
Speed metal is a sub-genre of heavy metal music that originated in the late 1970s from NWOBHM and hardcore punk roots. It is described by Allmusic as "extremely fast, abrasive, and technically demanding" music....
.
Personnel
- Freddie MercuryFreddie MercuryFreddie Mercury was a British musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Queen. As a performer, he was known for his flamboyant stage persona and powerful vocals over a four-octave range...
- lead and backing vocals, screams - Brian MayBrian MayBrian Harold May, CBE is an English musician and astrophysicist most widely known as the guitarist and a songwriter of the rock band Queen...
- guitars, backing vocals - John DeaconJohn DeaconJohn Richard Deacon is a retired English multi-instrumentalist and song writer, best known as the bassist for the rock band Queen. Of the four members of the band, he was the last to join and also the youngest, being only 19 years old when he was recruited by the other members of the band...
- bass guitar - Roger Meddows-TaylorRoger Meddows-TaylorRoger Meddows Taylor , known as Roger Taylor, is a British musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is best known as the drummer, backing vocalist and occasional lead vocalist of British rock band Queen. As a drummer he is known for his "big" unique sound and is considered one of...
- drums, gong, backing vocals, screams