Ogre Battle (song)

"Ogre Battle"
Song by Queen from the album Queen II
Released	8 March 1974
Recorded	August 1973 at Trident Studios, London
Genre	Rock
Length	4:10
Label	Parlophone (Europe) Elektra (US)
Writer	Freddie Mercury
Producer	Roy Thomas Baker, Queen

"Ogre Battle" is a song by British rock band Queen. Composed by lead vocalist Freddie Mercury, it is the sixth track on their second studio album Queen II, recorded on August 1973 at Trident Studios, London.

Mercury first composed the song in 1972 but Queen put off recording the song for their debut album because they wanted more studio freedom to perfect the song which because of their debut album's hectic recording schedule they didn't have that.

The song is considered to be one of Queen's heaviest works with its loud heavy metal guitar riff composed by Mercury on guitar but played by guitarist Brian May on the recording, the song also contains thrash metal-like drumming performed by drummer Roger Taylor. The song opens with the songs ending gong but played in reverse which creates a building wave sound, this opening eventually evolves into the songs signature guitar riff. Mercury performs "Ogre like" screams and May performs sound effects with his guitar in an attempt to recreate the sounds of a large battle. Taylor performs the high harmonies at the end of the chorus hook.

The song was a longtime live favourite, although in this case, it was played slower than in the studio. Queen played it on almost every concert until around 1977-78.

A different version of "Ogre Battle" exists, recorded in December 1973 for the BBC Radio 1 "Sound of the 70s" programme. This version starts right away with its riff (without any long intro), does not have any effects that the version on "Queen II" has and sounds much less polished. The BBC version of "Ogre Battle" did originally have a long intro featuring a grand guitar build up; it was not used for this release, allegedly because the original tape was damaged.

Many consider it to be one of the first or at least a precursor to speed metal.

Cover versions

• Asterisk

Personnel

• Freddie Mercury - lead and backing vocals, screams
• Brian May - guitars, backing vocals
• John Deacon - bass guitar
• Roger Meddows-Taylor - drums, gong, backing vocals, screams