Azakaela's rock opera Artifact: The Dream of Luna is the largest, most ambitious work I've ever reviewed--and it's not even close! The scope alone is other-wordly impressive: 36 tracks, a 108-page comprehensive libretto that includes a Tolkein-esque map of the fictional realm, a 10-person cast, crew, and support team, and a heartfelt dedication to Batman (RIP) & Apollo, two of Azakaela's dearly beloved Corgis.
Released on February 12, 2025 initially on azakaela.bandcamp.com, a wider release is currently in the works. And while the rock opera is now offered exclusively as an audio-only experience, the expansion of Artifact into an onstage production and the release of accompanying animated or lyric videos is a possibility down the road.
The Story
The tale being told involves our protagonist Queen Ara who, like leaders dating back to the beginning of time, can be see as both a hero and a villain depending upon one's perspective. It's that perspective that remains key as the listener is introduced to new characters and the adventures they embark upon.
Artifact's plot centers around Queen Ara initially discovering this, well, artifact: the fabled Scepter of Luna. With the scepter comes great power, which inevitably leads Ara to desire the accumulation of other magical, powerful relics strewn about the land. As her collection expands, so does her power. But as with any leader, who's to say whether such vast power is being used to achieve peace and harmony or solidify one's unquestionable authority over the land?
The Cast
Credit is due to the cast: Jamie Spencer (Narrator), Julia Parker (Queen Ara), Adam Wade (Yorich), Phil Zeo (Dorne, mastering, vocal coach), Jasmin Curtz (Lysa), Jai Isla (Roland, songwriter, promotion/marketing), Paul Guyet (Roland's father), Black Dog (Ara's Guard), Anay Kharade (map illustrator), and Brooke Benson (support, editing, design).
Masterminding the concept, music, lyrics/script, vocals, and production is Azakaela Erin Redfire. Until now, Azakaela has made a name for herself as a prolific Electronic music artist. But after experiencing a period of personal loss and struggle, she began to put her feelings into words. And more words. And then music. And more music. Characters developed through allegorical storytelling, along with a progressive plotline.
The Music
But Azakaela is a musician more than a novelist. Her words took on not only a poetic form in addition to interspersed narratives, but also began to inspire musical attributes: tempos, dynamics, melodies...and instrumentation! And sound effects?! If Artifact were merely a musical album, it would stand solidly on the merits of its sonic qualities alone. Its vocal performances are impressive--singers' voices soaring in true rock opera fashion. Booming drums and wall-of-sound synths abound.
In the tradition of Tommy, The Wall, and hell, even The Wiz, what began as an emotional outpouring began to take the form of an intricate narrative. Emotions translated into characters. Highs and lows developed into varying perspectives on the same events. In Azakaela's words, "Balancing grand, operatic moments with intimate, emotional deliveries was one of the most rewarding parts of recording. Some songs came easily, while others took weeks of refinement to hit the right emotional weight."
The final step in producing the work, and this cannot be understated, is the inclusion of foley--sound effects. During narrative moments you hear sounds of the night: crickets chirping, wind blowing. And during moments of conflict you hear sounds of aggression: the pings of great sword-fighting battles. On each new listen-through of Artifact I pick up on more attention to detail of each moment throughout the work. No stone is left unturned. No moment lacking in its energy and valuable contribution to the work as a whole.
The Game
Role-playing games are at a height even greater than when they exploded onto the scene in the late 1970s and 80s in the forms of Dungeons & Dragons and the Western counterpart, Boot Hill. So it makes perfect sense for a plot akin to Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings, to have a companion piece through which fans can participate via rolls of the dice and developing their own detailed, customized characters. Artifact: The Dream of Luna, when you purchase the album through azakaela.bandcamp.com/album/artifact-the-dream-of-luna, comes with its accompanying booklet that contains the RPG version of the story.
Levels, Fates, Destinies, Rules. It's all there. You assemble your character's attributes, traits, and quirks. Choose Relics, Affinities, and Essences. The rules are relatively simple for those with experience in the RPG realm. You have a Game Master who controls the Story and the Challenges the players encounter. Choices are made and obstacles overcome through the fate of dice rolls. The Realm is tangible, via an included map. And there are nearly two dozen detailed descriptions of locations spanning the entirety of the map.
The Epilogue
What can be said of a work fueled by seemingly unlimited ambition and creativity? Artifact: The Dream of Luna is a musical behemoth that delicately explores the human psyche from a dozen different perspectives. The metaphors to actual modern-day drama run continuously throughout, but it's the attention to detail of this fictional realm, its characters and artifacts that make Artifact such an impressive work.
Azakaela's vision is something you don't get from your friend's local rock band who claims to have written a concept album. This project wasn't borne from deep pockets of Hasbro or Nintendo. Here you have the vision of an artist--living in rural Montana, no less--taking on a concept that could fill an IMAX screen for a 3-hour epic saga. Who does that?! Azakaela Erin Redfire. That's who.
Visit azakaela.bandcamp.com/album/artifact-the-dream-of-luna to listen to or buy Artifact: The Dream of Luna. Venture into the journey of its heroes and villains. It's certainly possible that those roles may change in your mind on each new listen. And what of Queen Ara? Is she a conniving, power-hungry matriarch, or is she a Glenda the Good Witch or a Galdalf the Grey of her own realm? Her fate is for you to decide . . .
Also check out our interviews with Artifact's Jai Isla (aka Roland) and Phil Zeo (Dorne)