Rhapsody of Fire
Triumph Or Agony


3.5
great

Review

by Cain USER (26 Reviews)
February 13th, 2007 | 21 replies


Release Date: 2006 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Rhapsody of Fire constructs a good follow-up to "Symphony of Enchanted Lands II," but on the whole uses the orchestra as more of a crutch and displays less musical invention here in their power metal than before. 3.5.

Due to a copyright problem, the power metal band formerly known as "Rhapsody" is now called "Rhapsody of Fire." No worries, though, the name change reflects about as much "change" as, well, something unchanging. Really, the name just more fully encompasses the shameless and all-out bombast with which Rhapsody (as I will henceforth refer to them as) has staked their claim on the realm of symphonic power metal. In terms of orchestral resources and grandeur, no band save for latter-day Nightwish and Therion comes close, and even then, few manage to capture the Tolkein-esque majesty often apparent in Rhapsody's albums.

"Triumph or Agony," the second part in guitarist Luca Turilli's "Demon Knight" saga (the first being the acclaimed "Symphony of Enchanted Lands Part II"), is a perfect illustration of just how the unfortunate name change is also, seen from another point of view, as a mere solidification of the band's obstinate stance for powerful, pumping, battlecry music. It is "metal" only in the sense that Holst's "Mars: The Bringer of War" is "metal." We have relatively few stereotypical conventions of the genre aside from the occaisional descent into neo-classical meandering a-lá Yngwie, and in their place we get unique Latin-choir, hundred-piece orchestra dynamism, energy, and power that is rarely duplicated by most metal groups yet is married perfectly to the classic metal aesthetic of high drama and fantasy. While "Symphony of Enchanted Lands II" stands as a magnificently-constructed statement that is the bar by which all other symphonic power metal is measured for my part, "Triumph or Agony," if it never surpasses its older brother in quality, certainly stands as a fairly strong entry in the annals of "Howard Shore metal" of the likes propounded by Rhapsody of Fire.

The story, well, is hazy. There are obvious references, thefts, and fragments of Tolkein's "Silmarillion" littered throughout the convoluted plot, which essentially deals with a "demon knight's" destiny to resurrect his evil father demon, Kron, and the lengths to which our hero goes to prevent this act. In the end, it doesn't really matter what the story is: the lyrics are ridiculous with all their unironic mentions of dwarves, snow-elves, crystal realms and other such things, and reading the liner notes will inspire absurd glee in most listeners. The music is the serious part of this album and the band MOSTLY delivers. Opener "Dar Kunor" sounds lifted right out of "Gladiator" or "LOTR:" you can just see the Orcs toil away constructing war machines while listening to it. As always, especially as we listen to subsequent numbers "Triumph or Agony" and "Heart of the Darklands," what strikes me is the seamless integration between the band and the orchestra and choir. Most of the themes are reminiscient of "SoEL II" without being directly lifted from it, and the high drama is even more evident as the production is much more filled out, particularly with regard to the drums.

Ballad "Old Age of Wonders" makes quite nice use of the old harpsichord/flute combination and boasts some subdued vocals from vocalist Fabio Leone, and the Celtic minstrel/Renaissance angle is wonderfully present, especially during the uptempo sections. "The Myth of the Holy Sword" continues in the previous modes. If there's a criticism that could probably emerge by this point in the proceedings, it lies mostly in the guitar work of Luca Turilli. Far too often, the harmonic structures and especially the guitar leads descend into the worst sorts of shrill Yngwie-style neoclassical excess: Turilli's leads are substantially sloppier than on the previous album and do not fulfill the sort of cycling ensemble playing so apparant on the previous album. The orchestra is nearly always responsible for all harmonic and musical differentation.

"Il Canto del Vento" provides a nice diversion, as Rhapsody's Italian digressions tend to, in the form of another ballad (this time with a wonderful chorus with GREAT vocals), and "Silent Dreams" bears a slight Nightwish/Within Temptation influence in the natures of the orchestration and the rock band arrangement: poppier vocals and less bombast here. "Bloody Red Dungeons" features wonderful gang vocals and a brooding, slow-tempo march. Unfortunately, as with most other songs here, the tightness of each composition (not to mention relatively short length) leads to much less differentiation then SoEL II had (which often felt as though a soundtrack were playing). The concept, as a consequences, is not readily apparent as it typically is, a shame as in a sense Turilli's getting more ambitious with his storytelling. "Son of Pain" is another example: bearing a flute melody that is almost instantly familiar and taking, once again, ballad form, we get the sense that the band is having a tougher time getting their standard for musical coherence and ambition met this time around: the vocal melody here is particularly shrill and painful to hear, despite the fact that the register in which it takes place should make it very emotive.

"Mystic Prophecies of the Dragonknight," in part, turns this all around. We get a return to the extensive development of the Celtic instrumentation, all-out metal playing, and perfect marriage of the orchestral and band components. The english horn melody at the beginning, along with fabulous chorus and horn bellows, make the whole enterprise a wonderful progressive musical journey. The classical guitar flourishes are also quite nice. As a climax point for the album, Rhapsody is on top form here, sounding at various points like perfect mixtures of LOTR and Pirates of the Caribbean soundtracks with metal band backing (not to mention quotations from Dar Kunor, bringing us some long-awaited connection to earlier music), and fabulously metal screaming and pseudo-growling from Leone. The whole thing is just bloody excellent. "Dark Reign of Fire" serves as another very fitting end, returning as MPOTDK did to the epic instrumentation and the drama of voiceovers (Christopher Lee makes a return here!!!!), and beautiful melodies.

Overall, the album is a 3.5, but mostly on the strengths of the fabulously over-the-top Dar Kunor, Mystic Prophecies of the Demonknight, and Dark Reign of Fire. The Italian import contains a bonus track called "Defenders of Gaia," along with a radio edit of "Mystic Prophecies" and an Italian version of "Son of Pain." "Defenders" is actually quite wonderful, but as it has nothing to do with the main concept I'm mostly disregarding it here. In general, the level of musical product is typically high-quality but not particularly moving and even somewhat boring: the band's creative musical element is not very apparent the way it's been on previous albums, and one gets the sense that the familiar-sounding movements of the orchestra is being relied upon as a crutch by the band, particularly Turilli, as though the "epicness" would somehow take care of itself with "just-add-violins" formulas. Gone is the coherence and unique level of mid-song invention in the previous album, and Turilli far too often descends into very dumb neo-classical clichés as on the main riff to "Heart of the Darklands" and most of the guitar solos. But still, a technically excellent offering by most standards, and "Mystic Prophecies" is quite simply essential to any power metal lover. 3.5



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user ratings (176)
3.2
good

Comments:Add a Comment 
Tyler
Emeritus
February 13th 2007


7927 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

This album, to me, seemed to try and be too epic for it's own good. Came off a little boring.



I havent read the review just yet, but I'm sure it's great, so I'll let you know when I do.

Otisbum
February 13th 2007


1913 Comments


Great review, as usual.

Know a site where I can get some free tracks of their's?

Tyler
Emeritus
February 13th 2007


7927 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

If you haven't heard them before, don't start with this, for the love of God.

Cain
February 13th 2007


156 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Agreed. Symphony of Enchanted Lands II or Power of the Dragonflame are my recommendations.

Tyler
Emeritus
February 13th 2007


7927 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Yeah, I'd go with Symphony II, simply because the symphonic elements are actual instruments rather than a keyboard.

Otisbum
February 13th 2007


1913 Comments


I just can't find anything by them online. Not that I've been trying as hard as I can though.

EDIT: Other than 'Power of the Dragonflame'.This Message Edited On 02.13.07

Mikesn
Emeritus
February 13th 2007


3707 Comments


Great review. I really dislike this band though.

Shattered_Future
February 14th 2007


1632 Comments


I still think that their best is Symphony Of Enchanted Lands. The original one.

Rhapsody was critically known for their ability to blend symphonic elements with straightahead power metal, and I think that is why this release falters. They abandoned much of the "metal" parts of their music, and chose to focus more on the orchestra. Personally, I don't think Turilli has the compositional chops to compose just for an orchestra, which leaves something to be desired. He was a musical genius in the way he could take simple guitar patterns and make them seem terrific, even original, with the orchestra backing it. With the removal of the traditional band, something is just lacking.

Although, to be fair, I've only listened to half of this so far. I should go through the rest of it.

Cain
February 14th 2007


156 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

To be fair, Alex Staropoli (the keyboardist) is the one who made the orchestral arrangements for this and the last albums. I think it's more just that Staropoli went a little too far on this one and also had less good ideas.



I also think Turilli has sort of just let himself go in terms of his guitar technique. He did used to be much more central, but I can't tell if that's a conscious decision by him AND Staropoli or if it's just Staropoli pushing him out of the limelight.

Shattered_Future
February 14th 2007


1632 Comments


I always thought the band was Turilli's baby...whatever the case may be, this one faltered a bit. I think they were better when they were going really, really fast. These are too slow.

Nightsoal
March 5th 2007


1 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

If anyone bothered to listen to Luca's Current solo CD's, He Seems to be going slower on those too. (Probally Because He's Playing The Keyboards instead of Guitar) Or he's Just Getting tired of all the Fast Playing. Even the Best Need a break Sometimes

BludgeonySteve
January 24th 2008


558 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

This is my favorite power metal album. I've listened to hundreds of power metal albums. Just saying.

Poet
January 24th 2008


6151 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

I love Rhapsody of Fire...but still haven't heard this, which is a complete shame.

Altmer
March 20th 2008


5711 Comments

Album Rating: 2.0

Ok I have heard their debut and it was lolworthy. I might get this to just lol all the way through.

Poet
March 20th 2008


6151 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Their debut was awesome

Altmer
March 20th 2008


5711 Comments

Album Rating: 2.0

ok on the third song but jesus Fabio needs some english lessons.



"VEESJUNZ OF DARKNEZ"

kuririn
April 10th 2008


65 Comments


This is my favourite Rhapsody album.

BludgeonySteve
August 2nd 2008


558 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

I like how they're getting away from the whole 180bpm constant double bass thing. This Message Edited On 09.09.08

TheHamburgerman
January 29th 2009


1539 Comments

Album Rating: 2.0

Wow, I really don't like this o.o

VoxDei
December 6th 2009


2 Comments


Ok I have heard their debut and it was lolworthy. I might get this to
just lol all the way through.


How was it lolworthy?



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