When Prospero Burned — Warhammer 40K Song

A dark rock hymn about the Burning of Prospero — the devastating conflict between the Thousand Sons and the Space Wolves during the Horus Heresy. Magnus the Red tried to warn the Emperor of Horus’ corruption, but his actions came at a terrible cost. When the Space Wolves descend upon Prospero, Tizca burns, ancient knowledge is lost, and Magnus finally faces Leman Russ. This song tells the tragedy of Prospero — a battle that left both Legions changed forever. 🎵 Music & Lyrics: Written and composed by Ironhymn. I write the lyrics and develop the musical direction, arrangement and overall composition for each song. AI tools are used as part of the production process to help create and shape the musical foundation, which I then refine into the final track. 🎤 Vocals: AI-assisted vocals, selected and directed to fit the character and atmosphere of the song. The vocal performance is shaped around the intended melody, tone and delivery of the composition. 🎬 Production: The video was edited and assembled by Ironhymn. The visual presentation combines the artwork with an audio visualizer, synchronized lyrics and custom typography to create a cinematic presentation for the song. 🎨 Artwork: Full credit goes to the original artist and creator of the artwork. The artwork is used solely as visual background material for this fan-made project and is not claimed as original work by Ironhymn. If you recognize any artwork that should be credited, please leave a comment below and I will update the description with the appropriate credit. Warhammer 40,000 is the property of Games Workshop and its respective owners. This is an unofficial fan-made project and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Games Workshop. If you enjoyed the song, consider subscribing to Ironhymn for more original Warhammer-inspired music. 🎵 Lyrics: [Verse 1] In Tizca’s halls the scholars read The secrets that the warp had said. And Magnus saw the truth unfold, A brother’s fall, a secret told. He sent his warning through the veil, Not knowing that the wards would fail. [Pre-Chorus 1] The summons crossed the endless night: Bring Magnus home, but spare his sons, And let him stand before the throne, While Horus watched, and worked alone. [Chorus 1] WHEN PROSPERO BURNED! The skies were filled with fire and flame! WHEN PROSPERO BURNED! And nothing would return the same! The Wolves dropped down through smoke and rain, And Tizca’s sons rose up again. [Verse 2] Above the world the warships hung, And Fenris hunting-songs were sung. The Sisters came, and the warp grew still, The Custodes marched with iron will. Below, the Thousand Sons sought peace, Unaware what Horus had released. [Pre-Chorus 2] For Horus bent the words to serve his aim, And turned a summons into blame. The order that the Wolves received Was not the one the Throne conceived. [Chorus 2] WHEN PROSPERO BURNED! The pyramids shook beneath the guns! WHEN PROSPERO BURNED! The Wolves came down upon the Sons! The sorcerers fought, the Wolves pressed on, And hope was fading, almost gone. [Verse 3] The Wolves poured in through street and square, And psychic fire lit the air. The sorcerers fought from street to street, But step by step they faced defeat. The libraries fell, the towers were razed, And centuries of knowledge blazed. [Pre-Chorus 3] And through the fire, one figure came: The Wolf King, calling Magnus’ name. And Magnus rose with wrath alight, To meet the Wolf and stand and fight. [Chorus 3] WHEN PROSPERO BURNED! The towers fell beneath the flame! WHEN PROSPERO BURNED! Magnus stood against the shame! The city shook, the dust rose high, And Magnus raised his single eye. [Verse 4] Two Primarchs met amid the blaze, Once brothers in the Emperor’s gaze. One bore the weight of orders given, One bore the cost of choices made. Then axe met staff, and thunder broke, And Prospero’s last shadow spoke. [Bridge] One bore the weight, One bore the blame. Wolf against warp, Axe against flame. And neither Primarch Would be the same. [Verse 5] When it was done, the city lay In ash beneath the dying day. Through the warp, Magnus withdrew, With those who lived, the surviving few. The Thousand Sons were scattered wide, Their Legion broken, stripped of pride. [Pre-Chorus 4] The Wolves had done what they were sent, Yet nothing won, and all was spent. No Legion left that world unchanged, Old bonds forever strained. [Final Chorus] WHEN PROSPERO BURNED! The fires consumed the ancient land! WHEN PROSPERO BURNED! Two brothers finally made their stand! The Wolves withdrew beneath the stars, The Thousand Sons were scattered far. Tizca burned, its archives lost, And no one there would count the cost. WHEN PROSPERO BURNED! The Imperium would bear the scar! WHEN PROSPERO BURNED! And war would spread from star to star! [Outro] The city fell. The books were gone. The Wolves withdrew. The war moved on. Prospero burned.