Rhapsody (of Fire) - Legendary Tales
Back in 1997 Rhapsody married the symphonic nature of classical music with heavy metal in a way that felt fresh and new. It resulted in a magnificent debut album that blew yours truly away. Legendary Tales is filled with powerful, energized music that is both complex and memorable but most of all still enjoyable after 11 years. I loathe the musically challenged who try to sum up Rhapsody with the term "Happy Metal". Eeek!
 
There is a deep strenght in this music and though it was to truly evolve with their next album, the sign of something special is all over Legendary Tales. Guitarist Luca Turilli and Alex Staropoli on keyboard are the main songwriters and they certainly know how to captivate the listener. Rhapsody's music has always been boldly composed and played with great skill. Impressive guitar and keyboard solos are scattered through the album but Fabio Leone's voice is the all important piece in the puzzle. He holds the music together by singing in a sweeping, operatic way while maintaining his normal voice and completes the "big" impression the music has.

After a short symphonic introduction, which builds up tension with a full choir and bombastic passages Warrior of Ice opens the album on a triumphant note. Fabio Leone's vocals are backed by a choir to add more tension in the opening moments and if you don't feel a small kick of adrenaline as the song speeds off with a fast guitar riff, a high pitched scream of "Ride!", trumpets blowing a wild fanfare and violins running amok then you are not listening loud enough. A full orchestra is missed but the ideas are strong enough to succeed on keyboard.
Warrior of Ice is one of many highlights and it is a good example of how the music changes constantly from high speed to slower choir moments through symphonic middle plays with classical instruments taking the spotlight. The album continues to mix these styles of music to great effect.
 
Flames of Revenge was a personal favorite right from the first time I heard it. The rhythm and melody in the beginning of the song is so powerful I'm awed every time I listen to it, even if the opening melody is a variation of a passage from Rage of the winter (I tend to think it's the other way around since it fits so perfectly here). The song builds up superbly with hectic verse sections, bold singing, a manic bridge section which leads back to the effective main melody.
As the song mellows out in its middle section a special atmosphere is created and violin, guitar and keyboard each get a quick spotlight before the song is back in full force. I absolutely love the way Fabio adds a special intensity to his vocals by changing emphasis on the chorus line at 4:46. Flames of Revenge is a compact epic classic.
 
Rage of the Winter and Land of Immortals where Fabio stretches his vocal muscle to great effect are both powerful songs, each with their own  mellow parts to make the impact  of the speedy assaults greater. Sandwiched in between the fast tracks, Echoes of Tragedy is a succesful ballad with Fabio and choir. Lord of the thunder has a fast uplifting drive even if the choir based chorus falls a bit flat. That is one of very few missteps on the album. Another is the grating chorus of Forest of Unicorns which steps too far on the wrong side of the silly border.
 
I've never cared much for the fantasy tale the band creates in their lyrics. My infatuation with Rhapsody has always been about their music. That is where the magic is created and the lyrics sometimes underline this and othertimes come off as an unfortunate and rather inept necessity. The impressive music makes it possible for me to forgive any lyrical mishaps.
 
With this album and the follow-up Rhapsody got the term "Hollywood Metal" tagged to them and this describes the music pretty good. Keeping the movie connection, Rhapsody can be described as an epic feature, mixing everything from The Lord of The Rings through Conan The Barbarian to The Barbarian Brothers (Yes, the one featuring Peter and David Paul) . It's good clean fun, often awe-inspiring and over the top, sometimes silly but always from the heart.

Legendary Tales marks the beginning of the golden age of Rhapsody and with the follow-up "Symphony of the Echanted Lands" the bands splendour was to fully bloom.

Written by Steen
Friday, January 2, 2009
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Ratings

Steen: 8/10

Members: 8/10 - Average of 1 ratings.



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RevelationZ StaffAlanna (Staff)

Rating: 8/10
This was an album that just *blew me away* completely... the symphonic sound alongside the... · Read more ·

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Review by Alanna (Staff) - Monday, January 5, 2009
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Comments: 245
This was an album that just *blew me away* completely... the symphonic sound alongside the pipes of Fabio Lione and the guitar stylings of Luca Turilli was some kind of neo-classical/power metal marriage in harmony heaven. The faery-like flitterings of "Forest of Unicorns", the thunderous gallop of "Warriors of Ice" and the force of "Rage of Winter" are of special note.

Rating: 8/10

Posted by Alanna (Staff)
Monday, January 5, 2009

Comment by gizmo (Member) - Friday, January 9, 2009
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At the time it was an incredible album and to this days it is the Rhapsody album I put on if i want to hear them. It´s a pitty they have not evolved much through the years, i mean to me it seems like they have released the same album over and over again.

Som bands can, some can´t and to be honest i don´t even look forward to a new Rhapsody album anymore cause you have already heard it before it´s out.

Posted by gizmo
Friday, January 9, 2009

Comment by Steen (Staff) - Monday, January 12, 2009
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In my ears Rhapsody have evolved alot since their debut. They have stayed true to their roots but constantly polished their edges. Only their latest release (Triumph or Agony) has disappointed me and I have a feeling that the switch to Magic Circle Music wasn't the best decision they ever made. I can name a number of baffling occurences since that switch. Since the band is now in a suspended state I for one hope that they will soon have their legal issues solved and return to reclaim their rightful throne as the Kings of Symphonic Power Metal.

Posted by Steen (Staff)
Monday, January 12, 2009

Comment by gizmo (Member) - Wednesday, January 14, 2009
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I am more looking forward to Luca´s Dreamquest II album. It should have been out last summer I wonder what happened :0(

Hope it does not have anything to do with the Magic circle thing.

I really fear this album will never see the light of day.

Posted by gizmo
Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Comment by Alanna (Staff) - Sunday, January 18, 2009
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Oh dear, I didn't realize that Dreamquest II was supposed to be out LAST year... what happened??
The first one was just fabulous..
I'll have to do some research on this.

Posted by Alanna (Staff)
Sunday, January 18, 2009










Review by Steen

Released by
LMP - 1997

Tracklisting
1. Ira Tenax
2. Warrior Of Ice
3. Rage Of The Winter
4. Forest Of Unicorns
5. Flames Of Revenge
6. Virgin Skies
7. Land Of Immortals
8. Echoes Of Tragedy
9. Lord Of The Thunder
10. Legendary Tales



Style
Symphonic Power Metal

Related links
Visit the band page

Other articles
Power Of The Dragonflame - (Tommy)

Dawn of victory - (Tajs)

The Dark Secret (Preview) - (Steen)

Symphony Of Enchanted Lands II - The Dark Secret - (Steen)

Triumph or Agony - (Alanna)

A conversation with Luca Turilli - (Steen)

The Frozen Tears of Angels - (Steen)

From Chaos To Eternity - (Steen)



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Ratings
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4 - Below average
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666 - Unrated

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