RHAPSODY OF FIRE – Into The Legend (2016)
Italians RHAPSODY OF FIRE have been one of the most consistent sympho metal since the the mid-nineties. Yeah, they’ve had a couple name changes – famous guitarist and founder Luca Turilli left the band some time ago – but the band’s quality remains unadulterated. Something you can hear in “Into The Legend“, Rhapsody Of Fire’s new album to be released next February.
“Into The Legend” is Rhapsody Of Fire second effort without Luca Turilli. Their previous record was a very enjoyable and accomplished album, and a nice step back into the band’s older – less pompous and more melodic metal – style.
I’m happy to report that “Into The Legend” goes even further back, which shows from the very first song “Distant Sky.” It’s nice to hear the neo-classical guitar solos back, and the always impressive Fabio Lione, whose strong vocals are, and always have been, a perfect fit and a trademark for the band.
Speaking of the guitars, what Roby De Micheli is doing since the last album is commendable. He’s not trying to be Turilli but rather be his own man delivering great playing with memorable riffs that fit Rhapsody Of Fire just right. Just listen to his great solo on “Rage of Darkness” for a great example.
One of the things I like best about “Into The Legend” is that it perfectly combines fast riffs and melody in contrast to some of the band’s other records that have leaned too heavily on one side of that scale.
Here the band has been able to balance the wide array of elements and styles they use, in good measure throughout the songs. There is some good variety on “Into The Legend” as several choirs are mixed with some gorgeous classical elements on a song such as “Winter’s Call” while tracks like the title track are speedier and more straight-forward metal.
“A Voice in the Cold Wind” is more baroque-oriented with cool orchestrations while “Realms of Light” displays some amazing keyboards from Alex Staropoli.
This new Rhapsody Of Fire album has a bit of everything, and it’s made the better for it.
The closing track, “The Kiss of Light” is a 16 minute opus divided in various parts that encompasses everything that Rhapsody Of Fire‘s been about through their career.
With everything from acoustic guitars and sublime keyboards to a majestic choir with many tempo changes in between, the song displays greatly the big classic orchestra that accompanies the band during the whole album.
The team of Fabio Leoni, Alex Staropoli, Alex Holzwarth, Oliver Holzwarth and Roby De Micheli deliver once more. “Into The Legend” is a must for fans of the band as well as sympho / melodic metal, and another worthy addition to Rhapsody Of Fire‘s already impressive body of work.
01 – In Principio
02 – Distant Sky
03 – Into the Legend
04 – Winter’s Rain
05 – A Voice in the Cold Wind
06 – Valley of Shadows
07 – Shining Star
08 – Realms of Light
09 – Rage of Darkness
10 – The Kiss of Life
Fabio Lione – lead vocals
Alex Staropoli – keyboards
Alex Holzwarth – drums
Oliver Holzwarth – bass
Roby De Micheli – guitars
Eduardo – words
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www.amazon.com/Into-The-Legend-Rhapsody-Fire/dp/B0185A6DCA
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