VITAL DEGREE - [The Chronicle of War] 1st Full Album
Release Date: July 22, 2026
A new narrative resonates through the Korean power metal scene — magnificent orchestration and an epic story woven into Vital Degree's debut studio album, [The Chronicle of War].
Breaking away from a pop-melody-centered style, this record is built on the foundation of authentic Power Metal, blending Progressive Metal's structural complexity with grand orchestration. Intense riffs, lyrical melodies, and diverse song progressions combine to create an immersive experience akin to witnessing an epic poem unfold — a grand metal opera told across a full-length concept album.
Album Concept
Composer Schevy Kim conceived [The Chronicle of War] in response to the wars and conflicts continuing around the world in recent years. The album captures the brutality of war, human sacrifice, and the courage and love that bloom even amidst devastation.
Set in medieval Northern Europe, the story follows the life of a warrior across seven chapters through the eyes of the protagonist, Alex — an epic journey of a man who grows into a hero amid war, fights to defend his homeland, and ultimately completes his life through love and sacrifice.
Story
I. The Expedition
Late Roman Empire, Rhine border region. Germanic and Scandinavian warriors serving as Foederati absorb Roman military tactics and civilization.
II. Fiat Lux
Among them is Björn, a Viking descendant orphaned in childhood and raised within the Roman army. His exceptional combat skill and leadership earn him command of a North Germanic mercenary unit at twenty. In recognition of his deeds, a Roman centurion grants him the name Alexander — Alex — a symbol of Roman citizenship, and praises him as "the shield protecting humanity." He goes on to forge a legendary reputation across countless battlefields.
III. Return Order
At thirty, Alex retires and returns home bearing his Roman Gladius and a red cloak — only to find his village in ruins, ravaged by a fierce new enemy tribe known as the Berserkers. Fighting alone, he cannot stop the massacre, yet he refuses to drop his sword, rescuing survivors and leaving a spark of hope in the devastated village.
IV. The Mobilization
During the battle, Alex rescues Ingrid from the brink of death. Together with the surviving villagers, they rebuild, tend to the wounded, and train new warriors. Hope slowly returns to a place that once knew only despair.
V. Marvelous Night
As time passes, the village regains its vitality and laughter returns to its people. Having endured trials side by side, Alex and Ingrid fall in love and marry amid the blessings of the community.
VI. The Engagement (In the Battleground)
The peace is short-lived. The Berserker army strikes again, and Alex leads the village warriors into a final confrontation. The villagers drape a wolf skin over him, bestowing upon him the symbol of the hero Beowulf. Pushed to the edge of death, Alex witnesses a vision of an angel and surges forward with superhuman strength, breaking through enemy lines to save the village.
VII. The Hall of Valhalla
After the battle, Ingrid goes searching for Alex and finds him collapsed on the ground, covered in blood. Cradled in her arms, he quietly closes his eyes — his final wish being peace for the village and happiness for Ingrid. At that moment, a beam of light descends from the sky, and the soul of the great warrior slowly ascends to the hall of Valhalla in Norse mythology.
[The Chronicle of War] is more than a war story. It is a metal opera weaving war, sacrifice, love, and honor into a single narrative — a debut full-length concept album that channels the raw energy of authentic power metal alongside the intricate composition and grand orchestration of progressive metal. Through seven chapters unfolding like an epic poem, it conveys the meaning of human courage, sacrifice, and the love ultimately preserved through music.
Track List
CD 1
- 01. The Expedition
- 02. Fiat Lux
- 03. Return Order
- 04. The Mobilization
- 05. Marvelous Night
- 06. The Engagement (In the Battle Field)
- 07. The Hall of Valhalla
- 08. Orion Nebula
- 09. Cardiac Arrest (Boris Version)
- 10. 시선 / Gaze (Re-recorded)
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Description
Release Date: July 22, 2026
A new narrative resonates through the Korean power metal scene — magnificent orchestration and an epic story woven into Vital Degree's debut studio album, [The Chronicle of War].
Breaking away from a pop-melody-centered style, this record is built on the foundation of authentic Power Metal, blending Progressive Metal's structural complexity with grand orchestration. Intense riffs, lyrical melodies, and diverse song progressions combine to create an immersive experience akin to witnessing an epic poem unfold — a grand metal opera told across a full-length concept album.
Album Concept
Composer Schevy Kim conceived [The Chronicle of War] in response to the wars and conflicts continuing around the world in recent years. The album captures the brutality of war, human sacrifice, and the courage and love that bloom even amidst devastation.
Set in medieval Northern Europe, the story follows the life of a warrior across seven chapters through the eyes of the protagonist, Alex — an epic journey of a man who grows into a hero amid war, fights to defend his homeland, and ultimately completes his life through love and sacrifice.
Story
I. The Expedition
Late Roman Empire, Rhine border region. Germanic and Scandinavian warriors serving as Foederati absorb Roman military tactics and civilization.
II. Fiat Lux
Among them is Björn, a Viking descendant orphaned in childhood and raised within the Roman army. His exceptional combat skill and leadership earn him command of a North Germanic mercenary unit at twenty. In recognition of his deeds, a Roman centurion grants him the name Alexander — Alex — a symbol of Roman citizenship, and praises him as "the shield protecting humanity." He goes on to forge a legendary reputation across countless battlefields.
III. Return Order
At thirty, Alex retires and returns home bearing his Roman Gladius and a red cloak — only to find his village in ruins, ravaged by a fierce new enemy tribe known as the Berserkers. Fighting alone, he cannot stop the massacre, yet he refuses to drop his sword, rescuing survivors and leaving a spark of hope in the devastated village.
IV. The Mobilization
During the battle, Alex rescues Ingrid from the brink of death. Together with the surviving villagers, they rebuild, tend to the wounded, and train new warriors. Hope slowly returns to a place that once knew only despair.
V. Marvelous Night
As time passes, the village regains its vitality and laughter returns to its people. Having endured trials side by side, Alex and Ingrid fall in love and marry amid the blessings of the community.
VI. The Engagement (In the Battleground)
The peace is short-lived. The Berserker army strikes again, and Alex leads the village warriors into a final confrontation. The villagers drape a wolf skin over him, bestowing upon him the symbol of the hero Beowulf. Pushed to the edge of death, Alex witnesses a vision of an angel and surges forward with superhuman strength, breaking through enemy lines to save the village.
VII. The Hall of Valhalla
After the battle, Ingrid goes searching for Alex and finds him collapsed on the ground, covered in blood. Cradled in her arms, he quietly closes his eyes — his final wish being peace for the village and happiness for Ingrid. At that moment, a beam of light descends from the sky, and the soul of the great warrior slowly ascends to the hall of Valhalla in Norse mythology.
[The Chronicle of War] is more than a war story. It is a metal opera weaving war, sacrifice, love, and honor into a single narrative — a debut full-length concept album that channels the raw energy of authentic power metal alongside the intricate composition and grand orchestration of progressive metal. Through seven chapters unfolding like an epic poem, it conveys the meaning of human courage, sacrifice, and the love ultimately preserved through music.
Track List
CD 1
- 01. The Expedition
- 02. Fiat Lux
- 03. Return Order
- 04. The Mobilization
- 05. Marvelous Night
- 06. The Engagement (In the Battle Field)
- 07. The Hall of Valhalla
- 08. Orion Nebula
- 09. Cardiac Arrest (Boris Version)
- 10. 시선 / Gaze (Re-recorded)
