Progressive metal band Ex Libris fronted by Dianne van Giersbergen reveals the concept of the second chapter of their progressive metal trilogy “Ann”. The second act will be dedicated to the youngest daughter of the last Emperor of Russia and her short and tragic life.
In summer 2018, Ex Libris announced that their third full-length album “Ann” will be divided into three releases. “ANN is not only the title of our third album, it is also the name that binds the three women from the different chapters together. Each from a different time, a different place and a different background, but all three of the women have a story that needs to be told,” explains the band.
While the first chapter was dedicated to Anne Boleyn, Queen of England from 1533 to 1536, the second chapter will take the listeners to Russia. It will unveil the life of Anastasia Romanova, the youngest daughter of Tsar Nicholas II, the last Emperor of Russia.
“Let us take you on a journey to Russia and dive into the story of the last Romanov family, that of Tsar Nicholas II,” invites the band to their new progressive metal adventure. “Through the eyes of his youngest daughter Anastasia Romanova you will come to learn how the revolution changed the course of their lives and which haunting family secret ruled their every thought. But most of all you will get to know the young Anastasia that discovered the real world through her captivity and died before she could ever grow up.”
Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna Romanova was born on 18 June 1901 in Peterhof, Russia. Her life was short, she died at the age of 17 on July 17, 1918. Anastasia and her family were placed under house arrest during the Russian Revolution. Together with her family, she was murdered by the Bolshevik secret police in Yekaterinburg. Soon after her death, rumours of her supposed escape and possible survival started to spread. It took more than 70 years from the tragic event to find and identify the remains of the members of the Romanovs family, the last doubts settled in 2007. With at least ten women claiming to be Anastasia, her death became one of the most popular historical mysteries of the 20th century.
The vocalist Dianne van Giersbergen states: “I loved creating Chapter 1: Anne Boleyn and the result was both epic and frightening. Because how would we ever manage to top that!? But boy oh boy, we managed!” She continues on the account of the music, revealing what direction they will be taking: “We had a superb rehearsal weekend that totally convinced me that our upcoming chapter will be different in sound: darker, deeper, more bombastic. But equally impressive, haunting, raw and pure.”
Estimated delivery of Chapter 2 is early 2019. Meanwhile, listen to “Ann – Chapter 1: Anne Boleyn” here. You can watch the lyric video for “The Courtship” below.
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