Rhapsody (of fire) – Discography Ranking

There have been at least three different Rhapsody bands that shared band members, so let’s start with defining who Rhapsody of Fire are. In 1993 a music group named Thundercross was formed by the Italians Luca Turilli (guitars) and Alex Staropoli (keyboards). 2 years later they were renamed as Rhapsody, with the phrase “of fire” being added in 2006 due to legal issues, but we are still talking about the same band.  Accompanying the two founders, we have Fabio Lione on vocals, one of the best Power Metal singers with his lyrical singing that was ideal for the sound of Rhapsody. 

 

Together, this core lineup managed to create a sound that inspired numerous other bands. They play Symphonic/Epic Power Metal focusing strictly on fantasy themes. What made them stand out was the marriage of metal with classical influences, epic choirs and intense use of orchestrations creating strong soundtrack vibes. It may sound cheesy and overused today, but Rhapsody were among the first to focus so strongly in this combination, even if they did not invent that wheel (Queen, Rainbow and Manowar already had elements that served as inspirations). Still, when I first heard of bands like Gloryhammer and Twilight Force I thought how cool they were because they reminded me of Rhapsody. 

 

The band has experienced two major line up changes. The first was the departure of Luca Turilli after the completion of their 10th album. Remaining for two more full length releases, Fabio Lione also left the band with the great Giacomo Voli replacing him and the newest iteration of Rhapsody has given us two additional albums for a total of 14. After Turilli divorced with the band, he created two different Rhapsody bands, the first being named Luca Turilli’s Rhapsody that released two albums. Later Fabio joined him for the creation of Turilli/Lione Rhapsody that gave birth to a single album, with both bands being on ice currently. 

 

For the record, I want to stand on how Turilli’s exit affected Rhapsody’s sound. It seems that his contribution in songwriting had the most impact, as his later solo work maintained the spirit of Rhapsody despite deviating from the fantasy themes. On the other side Staropoli’s team continued to walk the fantasy road, but it is more rare to find key similarities to their past self apart from the obvious one of belonging in the same genre. This is not a bad thing of course, they are still great today and it all falls down to personal preference. This does not alter the fact that Luca Turilli is one of the best music composers of our time with a vast musical talent and inspiration.

 

Concluding, currently only Rhapsody (of fire) are active with Staropoli on the helm and as the only original member. We will only focus on their releases as branching to Turilli’s solo career will create even more confusion. 

 

14) Dark Wings of Steel (2013)

First album after Luca Turilli’s departure so it had a very hard job to do by proving that Rhapsody were still standing and fighting after the split up. After all, Fabio was still the voice behind the microphone and Roby De Micheli in the guitars lacked nothing in the execution department. But composition-wise the blow was heavy as much of the band’s essence was lost. There were many great ideas, the title track is very good while Sad Mystic Moon, A Tale of Magic and Tears of Pain stand out with their great choruses. The problem is that guitars and orchestration are not as bombastic, songs focus very much on individual melodies and the result is uneven even within the good tracks. Is it a bad album overall? No, if Dark Wings of Steel was released by any other band we would sing praises. But for sure it is low compared to what Rhapsody had produced till that point. Is it justified? Totally, since they were finding their footing and fortunately it did not take long to recover.   

 

13) Cold Embrace of Fear (2010)

This is an EP that in reality serves as the narrative bridge between Frozen Tears of Angel and From Chaos to Eternity, as the first 10 Rhapsody albums are parts of the same story/saga. The fifteen minute epic Ancient Fires of Har-Kun is excellent on its own but nothing fans have not heard before from the band. The same goes for the ballad Neve Rosso Sangue. With three songs and four interludes this release is for people that have experienced everything that carries the Rhapsody stamp but want more.

 

12) Into the Legend (2016)

The follow up from Dark Wings of Steel and if that album gave birth to some doubts, they were all gone the moment Distan Sky started. Roby de Micheli’s guitars have more room to shine, Fabio is great as always and there are parts that do justice to the band’s history like Valley of Shadows or the “can’t get any grander” refrain of Realms of Light. Rage of Darkness, the title track and the aforementioned Distant Sky resurfaced the power that was missing from this album’s predecessor. But when the band seemed to recover from its recent loss, another shock came in after the announcement that this was the last time Fabio would be the frontman of Rhapsody. And that leads us to our following entry:

 

11) The Eighth Mountain (2019)

Fortunately history did not repeat itself and with this line up change the band stood up to the occasion. Time to talk about Giacomo Voli, a very promising singer with little presence in metal, who just needed an established band to let him shine. His performance is superb and in contrast to Fabio’s lyrical singing, Giacomo falls more into the Hard Rock/Metal style. Eighth Mountain is a more traditional Power Metal album that created some outstanding moments like the unparalleled Master of Peace and Rain of Fury. My only complaint is that the less speedy moments cannot capture the magic of the past and it is like the album gave birth to a different band. But this new band is still very good, so great news for Power Metal fans provided you approach with an open mind.

 

10) From Chaos to Eternity (2011)

Turilli’s swan song with the original Rhapsody, an album which ended a saga that spanned across 14 years and 10 releases. Personally I like this one very much but I cannot turn a blind eye to some parts. Starting with the positives, this is the most dark and heavy Rhapsody album without compromising the trademark lyricism and I welcome this change. Regardless of the song you will pick, you are guaranteed a good listen full of power and epic parts. The intro Ad Infinitum that seamlessly leads to the title track is enough to make someone a fan of the band while the closing Heroes of the Waterfall’s Kingdom is a glorious farewell to this chapter in the group’s history. On the other part of the scale, I want to point out two things. The first is that some solos overstay their welcome and are too technical. In Tempesta Di Fuoco we have a very beautiful melody on lead guitar but then it gets too crowded with notes. At first this may not feel bad but after many repeated listens I felt that way. And lastly while I like the album’s turn to more aggressive paths and the sparse use of some brutal vocals, at points it feels forced and robs us of some greatness. Aeons of Raging Darkness would have been one of my favorite choruses if sung cleanly, but instead the brutal singing spoils it. At the end of the song, the chorus is reprised with the inclusion of clean vocals and shows a glimpse of what could have been. Again, I love From Chaos to Eternity, I totally suggest it, but it had the potential of being even greater.  

 

9) Rain of a Thousand Flames (2001)

Another EP that also serves as a narrative link between two LPs, but with its main attractions being three songs that are really worth it this time. The first track shares the EP’s name, and is a four minute fast song similar to the other band’s releases during that era. But the real treats are the two epics that clock more than ten minutes, Queen of the Dark Horizons and The Wizard’s Last Rhymes. The themes here are more dark and mature and that is reflected in both music and Fabio’s performances, who really shines. Rhapsody also wove some pieces of classical music that blend greatly with everything else.     

 

8) Glory to Salvation (2021)

Second album with Giacomo on vocals and latest Rhapsody of Fire album as of writing. Glory to Salvation is very similar to Eight Mountain in style and quality and if you like one, you will most likely like the other. I rank this higher mostly based on personal preference since I find it more tight as a whole. Great Power Metal that peaks with the title track, Abyss of Pain and Chains of Destiny. There are some songs where Alex (Staropoli) uses more classic sounding/less epic keyboards such as in I’ll be your Hero and I would lie if I told you that I didn’t enjoy this new approach for a change. 

 

7) Frozen Tears of Angels (2010)

After the metal-y lackluster Triumph or Agony, Rhapsody were temporarily put on hold due to some conflict with their record company Magic Circle Music. After everything was resolved, they signed with Nuclear Blast, took an 180 degree turn in songwriting by focusing on guitars more than ever and were truly reborn. Still Symphonic but less than their previous works, they heralded this new era with Sea of Fate, which I believe is too typical Power Metal for the band’s sound. After that point, everything is back on track. Crystal Moonlight is full of emotion, Reign of Terror is epicness overloaded, Raging Starfire is pure Power Metal and On the Way to Ainor is home to one of my favorite Rhapsody refrains ever. The issue I mentioned during From Chaos to Eternity with some solos being more technical and longer than needed, is also present here to some extent.    

 

6) Triumph or Agony (2006)

Triumph or Agony is a very bad Metal album but a true gem of epic music overall. Rhythm guitars are basic and have a strictly supportive role to the point that if they were removed from the album, it would still be enjoyable. Some leads are great though like in Heart of the Darklands, while if you expect any speedy moments you will not find them here. But clearly the band wanted to focus on the soundtrack part and they nailed every part of it. The intro Dar-Kunor could easily pass as a Lord of the Rings composition. The rest eight songs have a strong folk style and would make a prime choice for every bard that respected themselves during medieval times. Take Old Age of Wonders for example, it lacks all main metal instruments including drums, but has a melancholic choir that gives its place to a beautiful chorus to create a magical atmosphere. Closing we have an amazing sixteen minute composition and an excellent bonus track called Defenders of Gaia, whose refrain is a reprise from the Knightrider of Doom solo (from Power of the Dragonflame album). In order for an experiment like this to be successful, you need a very capable vocalist but Rhapsody need worry not, as Fabio Lione is phenomenal and gives perhaps his most emotional and passionate performance.    

 

5) Dawn of Victory (2000)

Now we enter the realm of the classics, everything from this point onwards is among the unreachable peaks of Symphonic Epic Power Metal. If you know the band it is almost guaranteed that you know the song Dawn of Victory. While justified, it would be a shame to overlook other epics like Dargor Shadowlord, Mighty Ride of the Firelord, Holy Thunderforce or the folky Village of Dwarves. The album does not have the heaviest of sound, but includes ample fast moments, while Turilli’s leads and Staropoli’s orchestrations is the perfect marriage that shows how this type of music should be played. 

 

4) Symphony of Enchanted Lands P. 1 (1998)

Emerald Sword is the most famous Rhapsody song and I would be very surprised if I learnt that it was left out from any of their setlist. This and Wisdom of the Kings are the only straightforward Power Metal songs of SoEL with other compositions focusing on more adventurous structures. But don’t let that deceive you, everything that the composing duo of Turilli/Staropoli wrote then is the definition of perfection. We can also repeat how good the vocals are without it getting old. If I rode into battle, Eternal Glory would definitely be my backing song and why not leave a reference for the title track and its thirteen minute duration? Well, it is simply majestic.   

 

3) Legendary Tales (1997)

If we were to rank the albums based on their contribution to the rest of the genre and their overall importance, then this debut album would be in the first position. It is also the album that represents the band in any related metal list and rightfully so. While Rhapsody released only good stuff for the most part, it was all made possible due to the foundations set by Legendary Tales. Metal purists that cannot digest the over the top symphonic approach of later records, will still like this one and how could they not when Warrior of Ice starts with a high pitched scream from Fabio that shreds everything in its path? What Legendary Tales does best is sounding metal (Flames of Revenge will persuade even the most distrusting ones) while using baroque elements and classical music in a masterful way to create something bombastic and unique considering its release date in 1997. 

 

2) Symphony of Enchanted Lands P. 2 (2004)

Another beast of Symphonic greatness. While the previous Power of the Dragonflame emphasized more on the band’s Metal side, the second part of Symphony of Enchanted Lands brings out the orchestral one. One great melody succeeds the other, epic choirs are everywhere and the album radiates very positive vibes across its duration. I cannot stress enough how good SoEL2 makes me feel every time I revisit it.  The flow is very good with faster moments alternating with more peaceful ones for 70 minutes of music that fly seamlessly. We have 5-minute songs, two 10-minute songs, 3 ballads that could easily end up as your favorite, great solos, passionate vocals and many other beautiful things. This record also marks the beginning of Rhapsody’s collaboration with the legendary Christopher Lee as narrator. He even sings a duet in the ballad Magic of the Wizard’s Dream with him being present only in the chorus during the album version, but anyone interested can search the single version where he also performs the pre-chorus. SoEL2 is perfect at everything it tries to do.  

 

1) Power of the Dragonflame (2002)

You press play, an epic choir comes out of your speakers and the first chill surfaces. Enter Knightrider of Doom, where orchestrations are on fire. After a small guitar solo, you hear Fabio Lione in a result that makes you think he was put on this earth to sing in this album. And when you say it can’t get any better with the pre-chorus, the chorus will come and finish the job. This feeling is present during the entirety of Power of the Dragonflame, there is no peak here and you will swap favorite moments with every revisit. Do you think it cannot get more intense than Agony is my Name? Pride of the Tyrant tends to disagree. No, the title track is not the most bombastic moment, not with When Demons Awake arriving soon. Mentioning that song, if anything else, the band never feared to take risks and here it takes a very aggressive form that works like a charm. And after everything, at the top of it all, we have the 20 minute Gargoyles Angels of Darkness that starts with a masterful classic guitar intro before everything erupts for a truly majestic continuation. PotD is the perfect recipe between Metal, Epic and Symphonic, a bar that any band who tries to play that way, will be delighted to reach even by half. To conclude, I will never forget all the strong feelings that In Tenebris caused the first time I heard it. 

 

Pavlos Pavlakis

On behalf of Metal Domain