I was aware of this latest effort from Rhapsody Of Fire well before it came up for review and pre-ordered the geeky dragon statue version of the release plus a coloured vinyl to placate my vinyl addiction some time ago. As a band I’ve followed from the 90s I’ve seen the band release successfully spectacular albums over almost 20 years and when the amicable dissolution occurred with Luca Turilli and Alex Staropoli about five years ago it came as a sucker punch to me personally but in the end the split has given rise to two versions of the cinematic metal concept fronted by the respected parties of Luca and Alex.
This is the second release in the post Luca years for Rhapsody Of Fire as 2013’s “Dark Wings Of Steel” was a tremendous album on all fronts. As with all Rhapsody albums this latest opus starts with a bombastic intro piece titled “In Principio”. Lengthy and involved the tune adopts a classical guise with choral vocals and that cinematic ethos this band has always managed to do without any real competitors as such. As the intro dissolves, “Distant Sky” thrusts forward with a familiar styled riff and high velocity double kick. Saturated in classical orchestration the tune breezes fluidly into a whirling lead break before Fabio’s vocals filter through. This is a classic Rhapsody Of Fire tune, blazingly energetic and steeped in grandiose bravado. There is a folk like element to the title track and a symphonic arrangement focussed by the crystalline vocal performances from all parties involved, though Fabio is in top form; his tone and delivery are opulent and eloquent as always.
The first epic tune arrives via “Winters Rain” which offers a very different riff to what fans will be accustomed to with a much slower pace adopted the tune is very heavy metal with only the symphonic arrangements hinting at something else. Majestic and powerful the tune is a fist pumping anthem with dramatic vocals and a slight creepiness too embedded into the fabric of the song. Personally the song has a Therion ring to it due to the exaggerated slower pace and highly focused orchestral arrangements and also Manowar for its rousing and uplifting aura despite that creepiness. Serenity and outright romanticism are inherent on all Rhapsody releases as “A Voice In The Cold Wind” drifts in with softer melodies and a very Eluveitie like song structure with folk like ethos and poignant atmospherics with an excellent lead break. Beautiful and heart wrenching “Shining Star” is a glowing and iconic track possessing tearful balladry that Fabio presents vocally so exquisitely.
The way the album rises up to epic apices and sinks into narcotic nadiral qualities is breathtaking as “Realms Of Light” returns the album back to vigorous power metal. Possibly the weakest tune on the release overall it still boasts a plethora of arrangements as penultimate track “Rage Of Darkness” shoots the album into the stratosphere. Being faster overall initially the song is stirring vocally and perfectly paves the way for the mammoth closer “The Kiss Of Light”. All Rhapsody releases have an epic tune and this one nearly clocks the 17 minute mark. The test of retaining staying power for these kind of songs is the fluidity and dynamics and here the composition listens like a film score which is likely the intention. Beginning with wind instrumentation the song has a sadness and poignancy that builds sequentially and delicately preferring to layer the various aspects of the track seamlessly but with awe inspiring charisma. As the choral vocals come in a shiver is sent down the spine as the symphonics intervene and set the track on a slow but pulsating vibe. Interestingly no narration is utilised which has been a staple of Rhapsody releases over the years as the tune reaches skywards vocally before exhaling back to a more strait laced guise. The track breaks for an acoustic section with straight male vocals serenading female operatic ones sublimely. Again I can reference Therion as the drama is like their “Siren Of The Woods” tune before returning to more familiar metal territory.
This album will appease Rhapsody fans worldwide and gives the sub genre of cinematic power metal a massive injection setting the bar for other bands of this ilk to try and surpass which I doubt they will.
(9/10 Martin Harris)
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