"What I sing is Symphonic Metal" | Christopher Lee on Heavy Metal, Opera and Manowar...

Sir Christopher Lee, at University College Dublin, discusses his heavy metal album 'Charlemagne' and his collaboration with Manowar
www.ucd.ie/news....
Legendary British horror actor, Sir Christopher Lee who portrayed the blood-sucking vampire Dracula in the 1958 Hammer Horror Film was awarded Honorary Life Membership by the UCD Law Society.
"We are honoured to present Sir Christopher Lee with Honorary Life Membership of the UCD Law Society. His corpus of work is truly legendary," says Francis McNamara, Auditor of the UCD Law Society.
"His dedication to his craft for more than half a century should serve as an inspiration to each and every one of us."
"His portrayal of the blood-sucking vampire Dracula in the 1958 Hammer Horror production terrified audiences throughout the world, and as a result Christopher Lee, who stands at 6 foot 5 inches tall, became one of the most recognisable faces and figures of cinema."
Previous recipients of Honorary Life Membership of the UCD Law Society include: Jessie Jackson, Bill Clinton, Jeremy Irons, and Seamus Heaney.
But it was not until the early 2000s that his career reached even higher heights from his appearances in two blockbuster film franchises: as Saruman the White in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003), and as Count Dooku in Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones (2002).
Born in 1922 in London, England, Christopher Lee is of noble Italian ancestry on his mother's side (Carandini). His mother, Contessa Estelle Marie Carandini di Sarzano, was a noted Edwardian beauty and was painted by John Lavery, Oswald Birley and Olive Snell and sculpted by Clare Sheridan, a cousin of Winston Churchill.
The Carandini family is one of the oldest in Europe and traces itself back to the first century AD. It is believed to have been connected with the Emperor Charlemagne, and as such was granted the right to bear the coat of arms of the Holy Roman Empire by Emperor Frederick Barbarossa.
In 2009, Lee (89) was knighted by Prince Charles in recognition of his lifetime contribution to the film and television industries. And this year (2011), he received a BAFTA Fellowship.

[@h311purg3]

The fact that they laugh when he mentions "symphonic metal"...tells you that they didn't have the slightest clue or idea that it's an actual genre...

[@antoniusmetal]

Exactly!!! These people have no idea of the existence of bands like Therion and Nightwish, just to name a couple, which is just sad. Probably they just have a couple of recycled clichés about heavy metal in their minds.

[@Scarecrow545]

Fucking twerps start applauding like he just made a joke.

[@4n4Me]

Damn he should give them some lessons!

[@rabensblut]

Yep, the guys laughing are posers and they are going to be crushed by hammer of Thor and Fangs of Dracula \m/,

[@Enmerkar_of_Uruk]

antoniusmetal T'is always a shame when the ignorant dismiss out of hand that which they don't understand, eh?

[@Rahab111222]

Symphonic metal is a real genre, I dunno why those people laughed.

[@vladimirurss]

Cause they know nothing

[@TheMax6808]

john snow

[@tommykl]

They laughed because it's common for metalheads to correct people about subgenres of metal, which is pretty much what Lee is doing there. He's showing that he's for real, essentially.

[@hadeskiller1]

They laughed because it's funny seeing a 90-year-old Englishman correcting twenty-somethings on metal genres. People laugh, it just happens. No need to take it the wrong way.

[@coreyholloway6898]

Plebs that's why

[@crushed_edge_]

As a metal head who enjoyed the work of Christopher Lee that he did with Rhapsody and so on long before his death, it saddens me that people in general are so unaware of the metal scene that they laugh at the sound of 'symphonic metal', even though it's a sub genre that's been around for a very long time with a lot of roots in opera. Sir Christopher was a big enough man to not discriminate something based on outward appearances and first impressions and was a part of some truly inspiring stuff. As a geek and a metalhead, I bid you good night Sir. Rest forever in peace.

[@flukay72]

Charlamagne was incredible.

[@vengance81108]

As a fellow metal head his music is absolutely brilliant.

[@digitalworms]

He had an awesome voice for opera, and if didn't act could of got big from music I think!

[@radionoakmont7756]

i love symphonic metal i have the cd of Charlemagne i treasure it, it is a grand genre of metal and should be carefully explored more and grow honorably and greatly people of today needs it.

[@TarasTankFriends]

Beautifully said.

[@lulwut6061]

Christopher was probably thinking, "These normies don't even know what Symphonic Metal is."

[@karimmoop9560]

*Gentiles

[@NWolfsson]

His reaction looked like he thought: "Did she... say Heavy metal? I ought to educate."

[@BoundInHumanBones]

Yeah And I love how he doesn't say it but you can almost see him thinking it XD

[@janberkemeier7406]

Sir Christopher Lee: Actor, scholar, swordsman, father, descandant of Charlemagne, opera singer, metalhead, knight, soldier, wizard, vampire, Sith-lord, scary dentist and gentleman. The last giant. May he feast forever in the blessed halls of Eru Ilúvatar.

[@MasterAdamonia]

And a secret agent who inspired the character of James Bond

[@onerandombruh]

Sir Christopher now is a Spirit of the Force. A powerful one. Wise yet strict, but still father-like.

[@GoodOldDaysGaming]

When Christopher Lee says it's damn good metal, it's damn good metal.

[@daimonf4659]

The oldest metalhead ever. Honour him brothers and sisters. May He rest in joy and happiness. Mr Lee, you will always be alive in our hearts and memory, and your voice will last eternallly. Rest In Peace, Big Bro.

[@EndChineseGenocide]

You know, he might have been

[@Muppio]

Christopher Lee recieving 'The Golden God Award', has there ever been a more fitting award for this man?

[@ObviouslyKieran]

Dennis Reynolds: Am I a joke to you?

[@skinzilla2706]

@@ObviouslyKieran 😂

[@iBrawler]

Maybe in the afterlife there's a "Golden Christopher Lee Award" for gods.😮

[@johnnyangel7668]

Absolutely!

[@kylewhitehead1684]

He worked with Manowar and Tony Iomi? Wow, what a life he lived! From the SAS, to hammer horror, to reading Poe, to high fantasy, to metal. Most people could live to be five hundred years old and still not have the life experience he had. In fact, he could have died at fifty and been satisfied. I never mourned his death because he got everything out of life one possibly could and now he can rest.

[@paulfroelich1024]

Manowar was awesome. A bunch of metalheads screaming for Nessun Dorma. Tight as hell.

[@TheCaptainsAntics]

I laughed as well in delight at how Chistopher Lee knows his metal. He's like any metal head correcting people about the music he likes and that's what made me laugh. I think some people in the comment section are just used to thinking the worst of people.

[@kristinaF54]

Very good reply. Was thinking the very same thing.

[@vengance81108]

Exactly. Learning that Christopher Lee is a metal head was so surprising.

[@jakubsedlak2173]

Well? Have you met people? People... what a bunch of bastards.

[@CherryTOMATOify]

I bet Mr.Tolkien is waiting for him now in 'middle earth' while smoking some pipe weed..you passed away, but like other legends, we will always remember you and your epic contribution in the movie industry.. Thank you! 😭😢

[@user-kk2pc7ik7t]

Its sad, but we all to leave this planet earth some day. You could say that he had lived a long life, and did what he loved.

[@vengance81108]

He lived a very interesting life. RIP you legend.

[@Zoza15]

If these people have any clue how popular Symphonic Metal is in Europe, then they will think twice not to consider it a joke.. It may sound funny, but its actually huge in Europe.

[@evil_regal]

it's a lot easier to embarrass yourself by laughing at a serious statement then by refraining from laughing at a joke.

[@Zoza15]

Chantell Scherer Indeed...

[@jakubsedlak2173]

I am pretty sure Ireland is in Europe...

[@FrttMs]

Dude, this was recorded IN Europe.

[@Stoirelius]

It doesn’t sound funny at all.

[@landfair123]

In another interview he said he did the heavy metal albums because it was fun and he wanted to say he did everything.

[@jaywunder13242]

Christopher Lee was such a cultured guy. So many accomplishments.

[@InfinateLazers]

This man is too epic for words !! Long live lee!!

[@harryjoseph5971]

The fact that Christopher lee knows black sabbath makes me soooooo happy😅

[@jackbrigoli7452]

This absolute king of a man, is the face of metal. He's the inspiration for metal. He's practically the embodiment of metal. Everything about him, his voice, his mannerisms, his life, everything is metal as hell.

[@ThePandoraGuy]

Goddamnit his voice. Just great.

[@DanteTing]

The symphonic metal album, Charlemagne: By the Sword and the Cross, was released back in 2010; his latest album, Charlemagne: The Omens of Death, released just a week ago, is heavy metal.

[@blueonblack83]

RIP Mr. Lee :/

[@Enrico_Palazzo_opera_singer]

SIR Lee!!!!...he was knighted you know

[@WolfHeathen]

He's a true lover of music no matter what kind of music it is.

[@jefftheduck321]

He narrated part of an album by Rhapsody of Fire some time ago. It was amazing.

[@dibble2005]

For those below who think we do not appreciate the great Christopher Lee let me assure you we do. He is our great neighbour and the laughing you hear is just our way ( Irish ) of making him feel wanted and loved. I guess you can call it excited enthusiasm. Sorry to burst your bubble of assumptions that we are idiots but there you go. He is a legend and we do not need outsiders telling us how we should respond to him thank you.

[@evil_regal]

So, it would make you happy to be asked to speak about your life's work, and be laughed at by an audience while you are seriously explaining the work and research you have completed?

[@battyforcats4668]

Chantell Scherer You sound like a blast at parties.

[@MartynJamieson9]

What a gentleman this man is. he truly is a very talanted man, he has great and vast knowledge, i really want to read he all his his memoirs as it would be an amazing read and he has met many and worked with all the truly great actors, directors, he sing's, he acts, he can narrate, he has so much talent and its effortless, his voice is so deep and epic and iconic,you would know it anywhere, he is just a living legend, he is a fantastic actor also he is sincere, polite, modest and humble, a true gentleman, todays actors have nothing on this man, there will never be another actor like Christopher Lee :) Its fascinating to hear him speak as he has so much insight to everything, he is like a real living wizard in a way :)

[@Azreal231916]

"The old that is strong does not wither." ~ J.R.R. Tolkien

[@TheAdam159]

i have yet to hear that Charlemagne symphonic metal album by Christopher Lee. He actually did two albums! What a cool 90 year old! Not to mention he's a WW2 veteran, and the cousin of Ian Fleming. And has been in Lord of the Rings/Sherlock Holmes/Dracula/Star Wars/and James Bond! What a great life! I have serious respect for this guy

[@alexelitist8370]

Symphonic metal is a great genre, f/e epica is one of my favorites

[@lunamala13]

Long Live Lee.

[@ANDREWFURLONG]

1:19 the way he says “symphonic metal” I just love hearing this man talk about what he sings. As a metalhead and a fan of Christopher Lee, I’m all about it

[@Fawnko]

This God of a man has done many operas before we were born, has acted in more movies than any other actor, and now at age 91 has just dropped a new symphonic metal album with Charlemagne. I agree with you, more people need to know who this amazing person is.

[@Ansible1000]

Sir Christopher Lee (we can call him that now!), you are truely an amazing specamin of what we call a 'full life'. War veteran, insurgent, classically trained singer, Shakespearean actor, vampire, assassin (real and fictional), Sith Lord, super villain, catholic inquisitor, head of the white council, king of the Red Bull, swordfighter, metal artist, you've done it all over a long and beautiful life. Here's hoping you get to show people your Metal Musical about Charlemagne!

[@blodstainer]

I wish all the love and respect we all fans hold for Lee could be shown and explained to him in a way that would honour him

[@STRATOVARIUSPB]

i love how people laugh at the symphonic metal part and he is like really people it is a real thing.

[@moongirl786]

Guys, guys, most of the times they laugh in the video, it's because Lee was deliberately joking and having fun with it. They laughed at all the appropriate places I thought. I'm a symphonic metal fan too, but I live in North America, so I just had to get used to the fact that the most popular kind of metal here is heavy metal, and that pop culture perceives metalheads in a certain way, and I learned to laugh about it. Don't let yourselves get so butthurt

[@Yungblut]

1:28 "Oh, they don't understand anything"-face.

[@dancingdan1994]

A man you can listen to for hours and still not feel like you spent enough time with him.

[@darkangelzephyron]

I love how he in almost every interview says something, and then goes "this is true. indeed. take my word for it." as if he is afraid that we wont belive him. We love you mr. Lee and we will not be surprised if you told us that you are in fact one of the Istari in person!

[@lukasmisanthrop8557]

the applause after he said "symphonic metal" makes me cringe.

[@paysonterhune290]

why?

[@orbita1]

He cringed himself, you can see it on his face.

[@adamniccum8680]

Tale of the Misanthrop oh ya

[@AlexPlaysGaming]

I would have christopher lee sing a song as i am dieing. That would be too badass.

[@sangd4lang]

Nothing more than flawless to see Saruman holding a guitar and do vocals in heavy metal band.

[@philking8070]

I’ve seen videos from his Charlemagne work and he’s not sending himself up at all - it’s serious work, and he’s good at it too. It’s not a genre for everyone of course, but for those who like this stuff it proves that an open mind and a bit of ability can make even an elder statesman like Sir C relevant. I also read in Rolling Stone that he knew Tony Iommi from the early days of Sabbath, and appreciated the band. What a dude!

[@rustysilverdale3394]

God, Christopher Lee is awesome

[@pierrejulliard4578]

To think it's by seeing him in "The Man With The Golden Gun", I was so impressed, I searched on Internet about him, "Christopher Lee", okay ! "Famous Hammer Studios actor", ookay ! "Worked with Peter Cushing", Oooookay ! "Sang with Rhapsody on their album "Symphony of Enchanted Lands II" => Ooooookay, sounds interesting !!! => go to listen this band I didn't know bak then ==> OOOOOKAAAYYY !!!! This band is totally awesome, and this man is a legend !!! So I learned about a great man and a great band in one shot ! Thanks you forever, Sir Christopher Lee ! May you rest in peace !!!

[@mattrogers6835]

Manowar, Rhapsody and his own music. Christopher Lee was a Metal champion!

[@meganesanvid]

we´ll miss u Christopher!

[@Zamolxes77]

He is LEGEND.

[@piotrkarp9562]

I love that he is geniuly happy talking to people. It's really good to see.

[@zughiaq]

Christopher Lee got the Golden God award because Christopher Lee. That is all that is needed.

[@samkremer1766]

he talks like an ent and it's awesome

[@thesuncollective1475]

What an absolute God. You think you lived life then you see Lee and realise you've done jack.

[@SIngli6]

I hate heavy metal, but it is wonderful to see a man of Lee's class and sophistication having the confidence to say that yes, I do heavy metal music. You gotta problem?

[@rickytoddbotelho9555]

Fanfuckingtastic. Wish I could have met and known good ol' Chris.

[@greygremlin1248]

It's official. Christopher Lee is my second favorite favorite Lee

[@hollowichigo778]

92 years old and doing metal, Christopher Lee is one of the biggest bad asses alive!

[@fatboy10001]

that is one great man Lee Rocks, and God Save the Queen, love from a Punk Rock Metal man from the Norway

[@StaticYonder]

1:54 Sir Christopher is referring to his work on Manowar's rerecord of DARK AVENGER, Where his performs the part originally by the great Orson Welles

[@TheToboko]

Now that is a revelation of a current decade for me... Sir Christopher Lee, you are truely incredible. Greetings from Poland

[@contact1araya]

I just found about him singing metal...I have found a deep respect for him

[@Turboy65]

Christopher Lee had such a range of talents and skills. Very few men could lay claim to as many.

[@ZombolicBand]

This guy is so old, one of the oldest actors i know of, im excited about the new Tolkien films, it will be something for younger viewers like me, to remember him by, i think he might retire soon... so therse movies would be a gigantic amazing retiring gift :) I hope he plays a major part in these films :) Rock on!

[@Naddoniz]

Such great talent. R.I.P

[@deafforever3534]

Not crazy about some of the guys he did stuff with, but Iommi would have made him sound awesome. He really does a great job playing with different vocalists.

[@deafforever3534]

+RErwin Howard I'd imagine that it would've been super slow & evil & about Dracula or some shit.

[@ciannolan9713]

It's telling that Christopher Lee is a true Metal Head when he gets semantic about the different sub-genres

[@MrTraveler25]

I listen to symphonic metal..and yeah I laughed because I was surprised that he actually said it..amazed because for a classic man knows the term about it..and I salute Christoper Lee for that

[@oberstul1941]

You will be missed, Sir!

[@immortalfrom90]

God bless Sir Christopher Lee

[@TonoFonseca]

Probably my favourite actor, Sir Christopher Lee.

[@benstevinson764]

Sir Christopher Lee was a legend! A great Actor and a true Gentleman!

[@sharpy39]

I'm currently 19, and this guy will still outlive me.

[@the81kid]

Heavy Metal is definitely not my thing, but respect to the Christopher Lee. Much respect.

[@AFcunningham]

last thing i was expecting was to find out Lee did a symphonic metal album. that's so awesome.

[@nocturnGER]

I started foaming from the mouth just by reading the title of the video! Christopher Lee is one damn awesome man! :O

[@chrisbrown7175]

I never got all that into symphonic metal finding songs ive heard over the years that I actually like are few and far inbetween but ive heard some of Christopher Lee's music and I like it and recommend anyone hear listen to it atleast once

[@jibrankhan8622]

There is one word to describe Christopher Lee and that word is - LEGEND.

[@charlemagneprods]

I found out that the composer of "Charlemagne: By the Sword and the Cross" Marco Sabiu is a really interesting guy. Do a search here on youtube with "marco sabiu" and you'll find great music. Basically the guy also plays (piano) and writes crossover music which he orchestrates so well: he has charted no.1 in his native Italy and has recently collaborated with Yes' singer Jon Anderson. This Marco Sabiu is truly worthwhile.

[@Southparkandguns]

What a legend.

[@archerclems]

This man will forever be my greatest hero. RIP.

[@promalec86]

this post should be sencored, ideas never die! that is what this man is!

[@WolfHeathen]

Yeah, I knew about him working with Rhapsody but not that he worked with Manowar.He was quite good in the Rhapsody song.

[@MrSkynyrdrules]

I'm not a metalfan, more of a blues man but I really do enjoy both folk- and symphonic metal once in a while. Fills me up.

[@tinytanks]

wow, he even looks like charlemagne.... a man of history out of time! it's basically a given then that charlemagne had the same baritone voice when he commanded his subjects.

[@GrungeBouke]

Long live Metal & Sir Christopher Lee.

[@WolfHeathen]

He worked with Manowar? Respect! It doesn't get any more metal than Manowar.

[@HISPEEDLEVEL]

Once you worked with ManowaR you are Steel Warrior. So Sir Christopher Lee is in Valhalla now. Hail to Christopher Lee!

[@bagelman10]

This guy's speaking (and singing) voice is phenomenal!

[@Chivas6]

An episode of QI affirms that everyone is most likely related to Charlemagne. Check it out. So yes, you and I are also related to Charlemagne.

[@Bondo6464]

"I received the Golden God award from Tony Iommi... Who founded Black Sabbath." You know everyone in the room was like "Whats a Black Sabbath?"

[@Wayzor_]

Most people are the ancestor of Charlemagne. He got around.

[@streetfighterchallen]

Plus, I know most wouldn't agree with me, but I loved him as The Criminologist (Narrator) in The Rocky Interactive Horror Show (Official video game to the 1975 film The Rocky Horror Picture Show).

[@carlosgmsousa]

Indeed. Only a LEGEND to attain such achievement!

[@streetfighterchallen]

But, within seconds, they applauded. Plus, I know most wouldn't agree, but I loved him as The Criminologist in The Rocky Interactive Horror Show (Official video game to The Rocky Horror Picture Show).

[@nixonlas]

Christopher Lee, and ManoWar, That has to be Epic!

[@SamTheFisherMan100]

I’ve watched a lot of videos from this meeting and I swear the audience just claps every 2 mins

[@darkavengermanowar]

Manowar song he worked on was the remake of Dark Avenger for their Battle Hymns 2011 album.

[@Kotlettbengt]

I have so much respect for this man, I can't even...

[@omarmohanad9342]

LEGEND!

[@Fawnko]

It wasn't a joke. This amazing man is quite adamant about metal now. You should check out the new Charlemagne album he dropped at age 91.

[@morlokvestai-kurak9680]

Christopher Lee IS Metal. 🤘🇬🇧🎶

[@dibbo9264]

Was A. Legendary Actor and Musician/Singer

[@xMiyazakiAkira]

by the sound of just his speaking voice i would believe him if he says he could sing opera well o.O