Sir Christopher ‘Saruman’ Lee To Release Heavy Metal Concept Album

It seems many actors want to be rock stars and the results range from the rockstar-ranking good (like Johnny Depp jamming with the Black Keys recently) to the bad (Russell Crowe’s Thirty Odd Foot Of Grunt anyone?), to the truly bizarre. The latest silver-screen star to turn their hand to the music game falls squarely in the last category.

Sir Christopher Lee, best-known for his performances as big baddies Saruman in the Lord of the Rings films and Count Dooku in the Star Wars franchise, is set to release his second foray into the world of heavy metal.

No, that’s not a typo…

Noisecreep reports that the 90-year-old stage and screen performer is about to release his sophomore record entitled, Charlemagne: The Omens of Death, the sequel to his 2010 symphonic metal release, Charlemagne: By The Sword and The Cross.

Lee’s new record will tell the continuing story of King Charlemagne, the first Holy Emperor of Rome, following on from his debut concept album which featured the British actor narrating and singing alongside guest vocalists over an ensemble comprised of two metal bands and a 100 piece orchestra. The album even earned Lee an award, presented by Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi, at the 2010  Metal Hammer Golden God Awards.

The sequel, Charlemagne: The Omens Of Death promises to be ‘more full on’ heavy metal – according to the 90-year-old actor, featuring arrangements by Judas Priest guitarist Richie Faulkner as well as a guest appearance from Hedras Ramos, winner of the World Guitar Idol Championship.

The album is due later this year, but you can conjure up your own expectations of what his new ‘full-on’ sound will be after you’ve digested some of Lee’s devils-horns-aloft madness below: