Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Rhapsody Of Fire
Label: AFM Records
Release: 2017
Duration: 73:36
Rating: 4/5
»Legendary Years« is a collection of fourteen re-recorded songs from the treasure chest of Trieste’s symphonic power metal veterans Rhapsody of Fire. All fourteen newly performed tracks come from their early albums, which made up an ambitious concept saga called ‘The Emerald Sword Saga’. This fantasy saga spanned the first five albums, released between 1997 and 2002, back when the ambitious Italian outfit was still called Rhapsody, until they had to rename themselves Rhapsody of Fire for legal reasons. ‘The Emerald Sword Saga’ was the brainchild of original guitarist and co-founder Luca Turilli, who left Rhapsody of Fire on friendly terms in 2011 and started his own band, Luca Turilli’s Rhapsody. From then until 2016, the band was commanded by founding keyboardist Alex Staropoli and singer Fabio Lione. Lione, who is also a member of Angra and Vision Divine, decided to leave in 2016, to the disappointment of fans, which means this compilation marks the start of a new era for Rhapsody of Fire.
Of the founding members, only keyboardist and chief songwriter Staropoli is still in the band. Lione was replaced by Giacomo Voli, while the new drummer, taking over from Alex Holzwarth, is Manu Lotter. Staropoli was without a doubt taking quite a gamble when he decided that a collection of re-recorded classics would be the vehicle for introducing a relatively unknown new singer and drummer. Staropoli put an especially heavy load on Voli’s shoulders: he got the tough job of replacing the charismatic Lione, who sang on all the previous albums. Voli does have a similar, operatic timbre to his famous predecessor, but he still has quite a bit of work ahead of him before he earns the same charisma and respect among metal fans, who usually aren’t exactly tolerant of this kind of vocalist swap.
Still, it has to be admitted that he came through the baptism by fire pretty well, and the same can be said of new drummer Lotter. The re-recorded evergreens like »Dawn of Victory«, »Land of Immortals«, »Emerald Sword«, »Legendary Tales«, »Holy Thunderforce«, »Rain of a Thousand Flames« and other unforgettable symphonic power metal standards stay true to the original versions, with no special additions or changes. That means the new band does a solid job of recreating the original baroque arrangements, neoclassical guitar passages and royal vocal harmonies, which Rhapsody of Fire use to retell the tragic saga of the emerald sword and the Ice Warrior. The music of Rhapsody of Fire has always been closest to the ears of fans of fantasy novels and films, which is why some media outlets didn’t just randomly pin the label ‘symphonic Hollywood metal’ on them, while back when they first appeared on the scene, they really were a revolution when it came to combining elements of melodic metal and baroque-flavored classical music.
The »Legendary Years« collection marks the start of a new era for Rhapsody of Fire, a band some had all but written off after Lione’s departure. The two new members have passed their ‘baptism by fire’ with flying colors, although it will take some time before Voli is accepted by longtime fans as the best possible successor to his exceptional predecessor. The band, which the legendary Christopher Lee adored and worked with, has no intention of giving up and, emboldened, is heading toward new epic victories. The new lineup will face fans live for the first time on July 29 in Trieste, as part of the Trieste summer rock festival, so Slovenian fans of their music also have a great chance to catch them relatively close to our border.
Lineup
Giacomo Voli – vocals
Roby De Micheli – guitar
Alessandro Sala – bass
Alex Staropoli – keyboards
Manu Lotter – drums
Production
Alex Staropoli
Track list
1. Dawn of Victory
2. Knightrider of Doom
3. Flames of Revenge
4. Beyond the Gates of Infinity
5. Land of Immortals
6. Emerald Sword
7. Legendary Tales
8. Dargor, Shadowlord of the Black Mountain
9. When Demons Awake
10. Wings of Destiny
11. Riding the Winds of Eternity
12. The Dark Tower of Abyss
13. Holy Thunderforce
14. Rain of a Thousand Flames
