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With regard to the nine songs pertaining to the first album, Babbage created a story/concept album around the fictional character Timothy Magellan.
Timothy Magellan is an entrepreneur and inventor who created a powerful hand-held/portable Quantum Computer called the "Knowledge Racer" that is world changing. Timothy also created a huge company called "Infinite Storm Computer" tahat is based in Chicago.
Timothy Magellan has a life-altering dream where he is transported to the ship of Ferdinand Magellan. The ship is called The Victoria (in the dream, the year is 1521, the year Ferdinand Magellan and King Manual I both died.) Timothy is a descendant of Ferdinand Magellan. Ferdinand Magellan was born in Sabrosa and discovered the Straits of Magellan.
There is an Impostor Magellan based in Sabrosa, Portugal, that wants to deceive the world into thinking that he is the "real" Timothy Magellan and true descendent of Ferdinand Magellan. The impostor would like to steal the technology connected with the Knowledge Racer and create a rival firm based in Sabrosa (also referred to as New Sabrosa). He would like to create a world empire centered around the Knowledge Racer and become the most powerful person on the planet.
The impostor creates an Android that everyone believes is human. The Android, named Temujin Galileo (who refers to himself as Emperor of the Machines), was created for the specific task of stealing the files associated with the Knowledge Racer. Thus, the Android would then give that technology over to the impostor (the creator of the Android).
However, the Android has its own plans.
It wants to overthrow the impostor (the impostor does not know this) and take control of the technology, allowing a machine to become the most powerful individual in the world. The world does not know that it is an Android (the world thinks it is human). Eventually, the Android will reveal himself as a machine.
Does the Android win in the end?
Summary: This song is about the Knowledge Racer, a mobile quantum computer invented by Timothy Magellan. The song’s focus is on the power of the Knowledge Racer along with its potential to empower human creativity.
This song makes the listener feel exhilaration, confidence, optimism, freedom; a feeling that almost any physical/natural problem can be solved using the Knowledge Racer.
The Knowledge Racer is a very powerful machine, so I wanted to develop a song that was a “reflection” of that power.
The song has a fast tempo along with aggressive lead guitar riffing.
The song is also a bit “chaotic.” The chaotic element represents the “weirdness” of Quantum Mechanics.
The song has an “upbeat” character, both in terms of music and lyrics, because of the creative potential that can be harnessed through the Knowledge Racer.
Summary: Song about the Straits of Magellan (Spanish: Estrecho de Magallanes), a route discovered by Ferdinand Magellan in 1520. Ferdinand Magellan was an explorer and very ambitious.
The song is a study in contrast, yin and yang, so to speak. The first part consists of “dueling” riffs: aggressive, intense… (the yang), while the ending has a slower tempo and is melancholy (the yin).
I wanted the acoustic element to have an Iberian (Portuguese/Spanish) flavor.
I wanted to have two different guitar riffs in the song. The first one was “heavy, raw and distorted,” with a strong blues flavor. The second riff was designed to provide a strong contrast with the first riff. The second riff is more streamlined, less distorted, less raw, combined with a tempo that is a bit faster (the guitarist is playing the notes up and down the music scale).
The song finishes with a strong acoustic element. In this case I wanted to have the band/music engineer layer two different acoustic passages on top of each other, with a slight “time delay.” The first acoustic passage is slow in tempo and melodic, the second passage has a faster (medium) tempo and is also melodic, but also contains a “sweep picking” technique that gives the guitar work a “cool accent.” The time delay gives it additional character. Then at the end, the song sort of “fades into the distance,” so to speak. The song is multi-textured both in terms of tempo and structure.
(Instrumental. No Lyrics)
Summary: A song about Ferdinand Magellan’s birthplace, Sabrosa, Portugal. The song represents change and the passage of time along with the ephemeral character of the physical world. Change is constant. It is filled with sadness and hope/optimism (even though they are somewhat contradictory). The slow/melodic acoustic flavor of the music matches the melancholy vibe of the lyrics/vocals.
The tempo and melody indirectly refer to change. The melancholy aspect relates to the passage of time. I believe, there is also a key change in the song, pertaining to the acoustic guitar. This creates a subtle change in tone (slightly upbeat/optimistic) for the listener.
The long acoustic oriented bridge in the middle of the song suggests that one is both “looking back and looking forward.” There is sadness and yet hope for the future. There is also a hint of “irony.”
Summary: This song is about Temujin Galileo and his desire to be greater than any machine.
The lyrics are about Temujin Galileo’s quest for the technology connected with the Knowledge Racer. Temujin Galileo wants to be recognized as superior to other machines and even people. Temujin Galileo is power hungry. Temujin Galileo wants to be revered by everyone.
"Freedom for me does not exist. Need to break away from an old regime.” This symbolizes Temujin Galileo’s attempt to overcome the prevailing philosophy that suggests humans should be in control of machines and not vice versa.
The song is hectic, with a roller coaster flavor.
The tempo, generally speaking, is fast. This reflects the fact that, Temujin Galileo is in a hurry with regard to his mission to dominate the world.
The song contains numerous time and tempo changes. This creates a roller coaster vibe for the listener. It makes the song somewhat “unpredictable” from a structural standpoint.
Every song has a “time signature,” meaning, the song has a certain standard regarding the number and type of notes per bar. A “time change” refers to a change in the number and type of notes per measure (or bar). For example, a 4/4-time signature (typical) is defined as 4 quarter notes per measure. A ¾ time signature is defined as 3 quarter notes per measure—the numerator represents the total number of notes and the denominator represents the type of note one is playing. A ¾ time signature (not used in the above song) is usually associated with a waltz. Tempo, of course, refers to the number of beats per minute.
Temujin Galileo is overconfident and in a hurry. There is quite a bit of hubris in Temujin Galileo’s mental outlook. The Greek fable referred to as “The Flight of Icarus” would be a good analogy. Ironically, Iron Maiden turned the myth into a song, however, that song was not an inspiration for Emperor of the Machines, but there is a strong connection with the story of Icarus.
Summary: This song is about King Manuel I (King of Portugal, during the time of Ferdinand Magellan). The song is about how King Manuel I banished Ferdinand Magellan from Portugal and removed the family coat of arms. Ferdinand Magellan decided to set sail under the Spanish flag, which caused the rupture with King Manuel I.
There is a feeling of loss, cynicism and separation (separation from one’s country). There is also the sense of ambition and freedom; the opportunity to explore new lands.
The song starts and finishes with soft/slow acoustic chords. This was done to provide contrast relative to the “heavier” power chords in the middle of the track.
There is a section of the song (somewhere in the middle) that contains a galloping rhythm section/galloping power chords. This reflects the ambition of Ferdinand Magellan. The rhythm section is made up of bass/drums/rhythm guitar.
The repeated four-part chorus (last stanza of lyrics; the last four lines) at the end was designed to be quite “haunting” both in the vocal tone and in terms of the melody generated by the lead guitar.
The lyrics are somewhat dark and cynical.
There is betrayal, anger, and revenge associated with the psychology of King Manual I. Ferdinand Magellan has to deal with the “Faustian Bargain” he made with the Spanish. The Spanish gave him the financial resources to explore, but at the same time, Ferdinand Magellan was forced to sever his ties with the country of his birth.
Summary: This song is about Timothy Magellan’s dream in which his distant (and deceased) relative, Ferdinand Magellan, appears to him. Ferdinand Magellan appears to Timothy Magellan (in dreams) in order to warn him of possible/future dangers (in a cryptic sort of way). Ferdinand Magellan also acts as a “mentor” to Timothy Magellan (kind of like Obi Wan Kenobi in Star Wars).
In Timothy Magellan’s dream, Ferdinand Magellan appears during the year 1521, on his ship The Victoria. He does not know that Ferdinand Magellan is his relative, nor does he know what year it is or where he is.
Ferdinand Magellan attempts to warn Timothy Magellan (in a dream) about someone who is attempting to steal the IP connected with the Knowledge Racer and owned by Infinite Storm Computer. Temujin Galileo is the person attempting to steal the IP—however, the warning is ambiguous and Temujin Galileo is not mentioned by name.
The intro, a part of the middle section, and ending all have “siren” like guitar riffs, designed to get the attention of the listener. The song overall has a certain “flow” to it, as if a person is travelling a great distance in time and space. There is a “cool” lead guitar riff in the middle of the song, running from 4:51 to 5:46.
The music fits the mood and tone of the lyrics. There is ambiguity in the lyrics along with the element of time travel (back in time). There is a serious message for Timothy Magellan contained in the lyrics. Timothy Magellan has trouble decoding Ferdinand Magellan’s warning about a “manufactured life form.”
Summary: This song is about Impostor: the fake Timothy Magellan. It describes how Impostor creates Temujin Galileo to steal the intellectual property connected to the Knowledge Racer. The impostor is an important character in the story and thus, worthy of a song.
The impostor has an operation that allows him to look exactly like the real Timothy Magellan, except one thing: he has a cut over one eye that does not heal (“But there will be a sign… to those who pay close attention”). The impostor wants to steal the IP connected with the Knowledge Racer and eventually take over ISC. Also, the lyric: “Unable to find…the trepidation in my mind” suggests that the impostor is fearful that he will be unable to deceive the public in the long-run. “He will mourn the loss of his firm” is an indirect reference to Timothy Magellan.
The intro vocals generate a dark/ironic tone for the listener. There are significant tempo changes throughout the song. There is a strong riff running from 2:15 to 2:40 of the song. The music has a “heavy southern rock” flavor. From 2:41 to 3:34, there is a nice set of twin guitar harmonies. The finish (4:48 to end) has an ironic/melancholic vibe, with a hint of resignation; a nice example of a time/tempo change.
The music fits the dark/ironic tone of the lyrics. The element of “deception,” that is described in the lyrics is “absorbed” into the music through the tone of the vocals and the varied lead guitar passages.
Summary: This song describes Timothy Magellan’s company, Infinite Storm Computer. The song offers high energy music/tempo that combines nicely with the optimistic lyrics.
ISC is a very large and profitable company. It is a firm that empowers humanity through the sale of the Knowledge Racer. Demand for the Knowledge Racer far exceeds supply.
Babbage tries to comprehend what life would be like as the CEO of a large company.
The intro has a martial/Scottish vibe (the lead guitar work sounds like “bagpipes”). Tempo and tone of vocals is “upbeat.” There is also a “Phrygian” flavor (lead guitar work) in parts of the song. The chorus “Infinite Storm Computer” is repeated six times at the end of the song; we wanted the listener to remember the name.
Summary: The song is about how the impostor sets up his HQ in the birthplace of Ferdinand Magellan.
It also references the Knowledge Racer indirectly: “Light particles of numerical illumination.” It refers to the importance of technology: “Emancipation from ignorance and limitation. “Letters and symbols, the carriers of technology.”
There is an indirect reference to Sabrosa: “We are back in the world of an accomplished pioneer.” The song is titled “New Sabrosa” because it is the intent of the impostor to turn Sabrosa into the technology capital of the world in the 21st century. The lyric, “A palace for a modern king,” is a hint that, the impostor intends to build a palace for himself in Sabrosa as testament to his wealth and fame. The lyric, “People from near and far will visit the shrine of calculation,” suggests that Sabrosa will become a tourist attraction, partly because Infinite Storm Computer will be located there (assuming the impostor succeeds in his plan) but also because of the existence of the palace that will be located there (a contemporary “Versailles,” so to speak). Impostor wants to deceive the world that he is the “true” descendent of Ferdinand Magellan.
This song is heavy in symbolism. The lyrics: “The coronation is almost here. A new monarch for an old planet. Or is it an old monarch for a new commonwealth?” infer that, the impostor will come very close to achieving his goals, but will ultimately fail. The impostor sees himself as the “king” of the world, if he is able to control the production of the Knowledge Racer.
The lyric, “Uniformity, self-assurance, psychology” refers to the autocratic, overconfident mindset of the impostor.
Lastly, the lyric: “They are the coat of arms, unique royal line, masters of the digital realm,” pertains to the fact that, whoever controls technology, has power and influence in the 21st century equivalent to that of “royalty” in ages past, “They are the coat of arms…” “…masters of the digital realm,” indirectly refers to ISC.
The song has a “brisk” tempo. It is quite energetic with a fair amount of “wild” lead guitar riffing. The song is sonically “dense”, meaning a lot is going on within a relatively short time frame.
The vocals have an ironic and sarcastic tone. This reflects the mindset of the impostor. The music and lyrics fit together well; high energy combined with the ironic/sarcastic vocal tone.
The fictional villains connected with the various James Bond films are a sort of archetype for the Impostor Magellan character.