Anthem

An anthem is a musical composition of celebration, usually used as a symbol for a distinct group, particularly the national anthems of countries. Originally, and in music theory and religious contexts, it also refers more particularly to short sacred choral work and still more particularly to a specific form of Anglican church music.

Etymology

Anthem is derived from the Greek ἀντίφωνα (antíphōna) via Old English antefn. Both words originally referred to antiphons, a call-and-response style of singing. The adjectival form is "anthemic".

History

Anthems were originally a form of liturgical music. In the Church of England, the rubric appoints them to follow the third collect at morning and evening prayer. Several anthems are included in the British coronation service. The words are selected from Holy Scripture or in some cases from the Liturgy and the music is generally more elaborate and varied than that of psalm or hymn tunes. Being written for a trained choir rather than the congregation, the Anglican anthem is analogous to the motet of the Roman Catholic and Lutheran Churches but represents an essentially English musical form. Anthems may be described as "verse", "full", or "full with verse", depending on whether they are intended for soloists, the full choir, or both.

Anthem (Chess song)

"Anthem" is a song from the concept album and subsequent musical Chess by Tim Rice, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. The song describes the feelings of Soviet Russian challenger, Anatoly Sergievsky, when he defects. The song was originally sung by Tommy Körberg on the original concept album]] and as Anatoly in the original West End cast. It was later covered by various artists including Josh Groban on his album Stages and Kerry Ellis.

Plot

Distracted by the loss of Florence's love, Freddie flounders in the chess tournament, leaving himself just one more loss away from losing his title. Florence leaves Freddie, who sends The Arbiter a letter of resignation, resulting in Anatoly's becoming the new world champion. Anatoly immediately defects from the Soviet Union and seeks asylum at the British embassy. Florence, accompanies Anatoly, reflecting on their newfound romance. Walter tips off the press about this scandal. When the mob of reporters ambush Anatoly to ask why he is deserting his country, he tells them in this song that he will never truly leave his country because his land's only borders lie around his heart.

Anthem (Iced Earth song)

"Anthem" is a song by American heavy metal band Iced Earth from their album Dystopia. Since its release it has become one of the most popular tracks of the album. The song "Anthem" was described by vocalist Stu Block as a celebration of "people, the human spirit and life". A shorter version the song was also featured on the extended play 5 Songs which was released on September 19, 2011.

Music video

Produced and directed by Kosch Fabian Film, the music video for "Anthem", was released on January 24, 2012. The video was filmed at the Essigfabrik in Cologne, Germany on December 7, 2011, during the band's Dystopia World Tour. It switches between live scenes and the band on the road which are in filmed in black and white.

Jon Schaffer commented on the video on Century Media Records:

Critical reception

Caj Källmalmm, from Swedish website Hallowed named "Anthem" as one the album's best songs and Chad Bowar from About described it as "appropriately enough, anthemic." Keith Chachkes of Metal Army America also called "Anthem" "a rousing call to arms against hypocrisy and sycophants who seem to be overrunning the world these days."

Higher

Higher may refer to:

Education

Music

Songs

ReinXeed

ReinXeed is a symphonic/power metal band from Boden, Sweden. They were formed in 2004 by vocalist Tommy Johansson. They are influenced by soundtrack movies such as Lord of the Rings and bands like Helloween with Michael Kiske, and Rhapsody of Fire.

In 2008, ReinXeed released their first studio album The Light on Rivel Records. This helped ReinXeed land an appearance in Japan where they gained fans. Their second album, Higher, has more mature keyboards effects. The band has 6 full studio albums out. The band is taking a break at the moment.

Background

ReinXeed is led by Tommy Johansson in Boden, Sweden. In 2004, Johansson had a band under the same name, but its line-up and style were different than the band from The Light on where he mixed film soundtrack music with melodic power metal. Drummer, and band leader of the Swedish melodic power metal band Majestic Vanguard, Daniel Eskilsson heard early versions of the songs Johansson posted to his MySpace page and put him in touch with Christian Liljegren of Rivel Records / CM Sweden. Jani Stefanovic from Divinefire and Essence of Sorrow co-produced and mixed the album and handled all the drums on the album. It was released 12 March in Japan, 20 June in Europe, via Rivel Records.

Higher (Star Pilots song)

Higher is a song written by Johan Fjellström, Joakim Udd and Johan Becker, and performed by Star Pilots at Melodifestivalen 2009. The song was performed in the 4th semifinal inside the Malmö Arena on 28 February 2009, and went further to Andra chansen where it ended up knocked out.

The single peaked at 6th position at the Swedish singles chart.

Several newspaper readers in Sweden blamed the song for being similar to the 1988 Boy Meets Girl song Waiting For a Star to Fall and the 2008 Jenny "Velvet" Petterssons song Take My Body Close as well as the Survivors's song 1982 songEye of the Tiger .

Chart trajectory

References