Ogre Battle

Album: Queen II (1974)
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Songfacts®:

  • Queen go heavy metal on "Ogre Battle," with thundering drums, unrelenting power chords, and a fantasy lyric with pipers and black crows leading up to a clash with the evil ogre-men. The song was written by lead singer Freddie Mercury, who composed some of their heaviest material, including their 1991 track "The Hitman."
  • Mercury wrote this song on guitar at a time when he was exploring a number of musical styles. Later on, he wrote most of his songs on piano.
  • This was one of Queen's most popular concert songs in the mid-'70s. They often used smoke effects and light flashes during the battle sequence.
  • Paul Di'Anno, who was Iron Maiden's lead singer from 1978–1981, called this, "the first thrash metal song I ever heard."

Comments: 3

  • GuyThundering drums? They’re EQ’d pretty soft. The guitars and vocals are dominating.
  • Hans Jorgensen from Truth And Consequences, NmThis song totally ripped off Ogre Confrontation. Such a shameless ripoff. Complete disappointment. SMH. It's a four out of five for me.
  • George Pope from Richmond, BcCaling it thrash is an insult! This is richer & deeper than Thrash Metal. I'd call it Speed Metal-esque with a dash of Deatyh Metal for spice.
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