Album review: RHAPSODY OF FIRE – Live From Chaos To Eternity

AFM www.afmrecords.de

Filmscore Metal (or Melodic Operatic Power / Symphonic Metal) at its best and from the opening track a fantastic live set.

Following the departure of founded guitarist Luca Turilli, who has since formed his own version of Rhapsody, the new line-up toured to support From Chaos To Eternity and this live set (recorded across Europe) is to rival the classic Live In Canada 2005. Now a headline act in their own right we get two discs of grandiose metal that is as powerful and enthralling as it is operatic.

Led by keyboardist Alex Staropoli and vocalist Fabione Lione, the sound is full on, the twin guitars shredding and riffing away but also grinding out a rhythm when the keyboards and orchestral sounds take a lead.

The album opens with tracks from the recent From Chaos To Eternity which the crowd love, the solos and power sound wonderful. A standout is Unholy Warcry (from Symphony of the Enchanted Lands II), a little heavier than the original, and a backing tape with Christopher Lee’s introduction adds to the power. Lost In Cold Dreams is a more acoustic track but equally moving.

Lione’s vocals retain their power over the full range, and his willingness to talk to the crowd (sometimes in French too) make for a good live band. The March Of The Sword Master is a solid meaty track, while Dawn Of Victory is more melodic speed metal. Decent drum and bass solos (the latter concentrating more on a classical influence than shred) bolster the show, as does the band’s willingness to explore their entire catalogue.

Emerald Sword is sheer epic, and The Splendour Of The Angels’ Glory (actually part of Heroes of the Waterfalls’ Kingdom) closes the set as well as it did the epic story and concept that culminated in From Chaos To Eternity.

Gripping, and equally entertaining, solid and a good mix of tracks – just what a live album should be.

*****

Joe Geesin


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FM Out Of The Blue (Frontiers)
SHOTGUN MISTRESS Shot Down (indie)
ATTIC THEORY Violent Delight (indie)
FLOYA Yume (FiXT)
SAHAJI Tell Me All Your Feelings (indie)

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