In March 2010, actor Sir Christopher Lee - he of Lord of the Rings and Star Wars fame - is releasing a symphonic metal concept album about the first holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne.

Why?

Why the hell not. He's Dracula, he can do anything!

Actually, the reason is:

The Carandinis, Lee's maternal ancestors, were given the right to bear the coat of arms of the Holy Roman Empire by the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa. Through his Carandini ancestors, Christopher Lee has a direct link to Charlemagne, and has decided for the first time in his life to pay homage to his distinguished ancestor, who is credited as "The Father of Europe".

Seriously, that's why he's doing it.

Here is a sample of of the opening song from Charlemagne: By the Sword and the Cross

You can also listen to more of it on Lee's Myspace page.

Rock out!
I__I