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Rhapsody (of Fire) - Legendary Tales CD (album) cover

LEGENDARY TALES

Rhapsody (of Fire)

 

Progressive Metal

3.74 | 139 ratings

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Gatot
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
5 stars As I have commented in my previous reviews about this band, this is the first one of TRILOGY albums that this band has produced. As debut album and also one of the trilogy, this is a great album. Yes, some of you may disagree why this band is categorized under prog as this group is in the vein of power metal band wagon. Hold your thoughts for a second. This band has pushed forward the boundary of power metal music pioneered by Germany's HELLOWEEN with their seminal work "Keeper of the Seven Keys 1 & 2". The tagline rhythm is definitely a power metal vein as you may find the double-bass drumming style with speed tempo. But, this band is different with other power metal bands. It has a mixture of classical music with great orchestration, rock as well as metal. The other thing that differentiates with others are their structural composition where they always put string arrangements in some segments of their music especially during transitions from one melody to another. In my view, the ability to create such smooth transitions between melodies is a critical for a musician to be categorized in prog basket. Rhapsody does it really well. So, they are prog to the corner!

As usual, this album is opened by a choir in a church style of singing "Ira Tenax" that sets the overall tone of the album. Observe the opening organ sound that of similar with Rick Wakeman's style! The opening track flows seamlessly to first energetic track "Warrior Of Ice" sung altogether with choirs at beginning of the track. When we enter the body of music, it's clear that there is a balance combination of string arrangements with accompanying power metal rhythm at back ground. There are some breaks with great string composition using violin and cellos in classical music touch. I personally love these breaks with violin / cellos songs as the melody is really nice and sweet.

The third track "Rage Of The Winter" is opened with an ambient keyboard sound accompanied by a choir at background. It then flows to power metal music with frequent "classical" breaks. Very nice. The inclusion of acoustic guitar in metal vein makes this track wonderful. The organ / keyboard sound at some transitions are also great, followed by electric guitar solo. The two instruments then blend together in perfect melody and has produced a fantastic harmony! You may observe frequent shifting tempos where the rhythm flows dynamically to set the guitar in for solo and it continues then to string arrangement before it finally the music comes back to its original tagline.

Fourth track "Forest Of Unicorns" is a short track that is one of my favorites because it perfectly combines classical music, traditional (ethnic) music and rock. It opens with a nice classical touch followed by single vocal line by Fabio Lione. At the end of his singing there is a nice part of vocal line sung together with a background of traditional music (Scotland?). No drumming in this track. It's really great composition. It does not require you to be a prog lover to enjoy this track. Anyone would enjoy this track.

The next track "Flames Of Revenge" is almost purely a power metal tune with typical metal double-bass drumming. Compared to previous tracks, this one is rather straight music even though there is a nice classical music in the middle of this track. This part has enriched the track very much. Once the classical touch ends, it continues to short lead guitar solo and then keyboard solo. It then comes back to straight power metal rhythm. It's excellent.

"Echoes Of Tragedy" is a mellow track with a very strong classical music influence. The orchestration is excellent. You should not miss this track! It then goes excellently to an upbeat track "Lord Of The Thunder". What a great flow here!

Friends, I think you should experience yourself with this album as I'm sure that you would not regret purchasing this album. I believe. The rest of tracks are excellent as well; all of them with the same standard. Don't spend your time reading this review, buy the CD now! Once you listen to it, don't forget to write your experience in this page. Overall, this album has a strong songwriting, very tight composition with high standard of structural integrity. Each track is well positioned to tell the whole story of the album. Again, I admire the collaborative work of this album's masterminds: Alex Staropoli, Luca Turili, Sascha Paeth and Miro. All of you are great! Thank you for creating such a wonderful album! Rating 5/5. - Gatot Widayanto, Indonesia.

Gatot | 5/5 |

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