Originally released back in 2014 as part of the Echoes of War collection, Guy Haley’s audio drama The Glorious Tomb shows a little of what life is like for a Space Marine who has resided within a dreadnought for 500 years. Seeing through the eyes (well, sensorium) of Invictus Potens we’re shown the cold, stark realities of life as it is for the man who was once Brother Adelard; intense, confusing bursts of sensations and information discernible only from the long stretches of nothingness by the presence of constant pain. Adelard recognises his constraints as the pilot of a dreadnought, understands the limitations of his life as it now is, and accepts this by channelling his ever-present rage and his faith in The Emperor.
It’s a bleak existence, brought to life for the listener by Guy Haley’s strong, evocative writing and yet more excellent sound work with the machine sounds, electronic alerts and amusingly-grim motivational quotes that fill Adelard’s waking moments. He’s portrayed as being one with the dreadnought yet seeing himself as a separate presence within the confines of Invictus Potens, referring to the machine’s body and functions rather than his own. As powerful as he is while a part of the dreadnought, he’s very much aware of his physical frailty compared to the might of the steel and adamantium shell that encases him.
This tale ties in with the range of stories set within the Third War for Armageddon, as Invictus Potens joins another dreadnought in leading the Black Templars’ assault on an ork Rok. We get a glimpse of the Templars’ preferred way of waging war, taking the fight to the enemy where possible and committing fully to any engagement. In contrast to Parting of the Ways (the previous instalment in Echoes of War) there’s much more of an emphasis on action here, albeit shown at a remove for Adelard, held away from the immediacy of combat as he is within the dreadnought. It’s cleverly handled and works great in the audio format, the sounds of battle fading to background noise as Adelard dwells on times past, killing almost absent-mindedly until brought back to the present by warnings from his machine shell.
Wonderfully grim and dark, surprisingly emotional at times, this is another enthralling audio release that sheds light on a less common aspect of Space Marine warfare while retaining everything that makes Warhammer 40k and the Space Marines so interesting and exciting. An excellent continuation of the Echoes of War collection, and another sign, if needed, of Guy Haley’s exciting talent.
Voiced by Gareth Armstrong, Ian Brooker, Jonathan Keeble and Toby Longworth.
Great review! What awesome subject
..templars and dreadnoughts! My favorite!!
Thanks greggles, glad you liked it. If you like Templars and dreadnoughts you should certainly check it out! From the first two, it looks like we’re in for a week of great audio dramas from BL!