Before starting this big review (as they say on DeBaser hehe), I want to clarify immediately that I am a huge fan of Rhapsody since "Legendary Tales," so it's likely that those ****** who mock this band will rate the review a 1.

Well, we can begin.

The album is very good, considering it was recorded in just a few months, and by a band that was fresh from a stressful overseas live. "Dar-Kunor", the intro, is really a true colossus of an Intro, beginning with whispers that evoke the elfish forests of "The Lord of the Rings," only to flow into the inevitable Latin choir.
Then comes the moment of the Title Track, a song that will become a milestone in the live setlist of the Trieste band! The driving chorus takes us back to the glorious times of "Power Of The Dragonflame," albeit with a more orchestral tint (which will be felt throughout the album).

Then come "Heart of Darklands" and "Old Age of Wonders", the former is similar (a bit too similar) to "Triumph For My Magic Steel" making the legendary Turilli’s fingers work; the latter, on the other hand, is an absolute novelty. Yes, I know it's the typical medieval ballad, but the introduction of a female voice (and what a voice) in the chorus is extraordinary. Here's the track, however, that lowers the album's average, "The Myth of The Holy Sword", boring and verbose, like the following "Il Canto del Vento" (amazingly original though, being the first creation of vocalist Fabio Lione).

And here is, instead, the absolute masterpiece of the album, "Silent Dream", perfect, sublime, and epic, with a chorus to sing out loud in the shower. "Bloody Red Dungeon", dark, gloomy, with Lione almost growling. "Son of Pain" is the second masterpiece, dramatic, extraordinarily majestic, with a chorus reminiscent of Gladiator (a film by Ridley Scott).
And here is the usual long song by the band, "The Mystic Prophecy of the Demon-Knight", reminiscent of "Gargoyles, Angels of Darkness" (although not at its level). And finally, the last one in Latin, "Dark Reign of Fire", which could have been omitted from this album, to use as an intro in the next.

In conclusion, the album is always on the same level as those by the legendary Rhapsody (from today of Fire due to an American rap group...grrrrr). An album that is not displeasing, but certainly not comparable to giants like Power of the Dragonflame or Legendary Tales.

Tracklist Lyrics and Videos

01   Dar-Kunor (03:13)

02   Triumph or Agony (05:02)

Vision of darkness, mad gothic splendour
rhyme of primordial neverending war
carved in the wild rock under the ghost town
sun of the darklands, black pride of Kron

Two hundred nor of unholy stone
speak through the tears of desperate souls
legend and myth will never reveal
the infinite pain behind Nekron’s will

Wars of the underworld
fought by our brothers who’ll never return (x2)

Broken emotions wet from the shy rain
lords of the lost time dream of great revenge
no chance for mind’s rest, fear in the dawn’s breath
what they will soon find can be just their death

Two hundred nor of unholy stone
speak through the tears of desperate souls
legend and myth will never reveal
the infinite pain behind Nekron’s will

Wars of the underworld
fought by our brothers who’ll never return (x2)

IT’S OUR DESTINY
TRIUMPH OR AGONY
ANCIENTS’ GLORY ENDLESS PAIN
DEEP INTO THE DUNGEONS OF HELL

Lux aeterna
de sententia dolorosa
libera nos
lux aeterna
ex dolore sangui

Angelus sempiternus
angelus ex inferno (x2)

IT’S OUR DESTINY
TRIUMPH OR AGONY
ANCIENTS’ GLORY ENDLESS PAIN
DEEP INTO THE DUNGEONS OF HELL(x2)

Lux aeterna........

_____________________________________

Black GaRey

03   Heart of the Darklands (04:10)

04   Old Age of Wonders (04:35)

05   The Myth of the Holy Sword (05:03)

06   Il canto del vento (03:54)

07   Silent Dream (03:50)

08   Bloody Red Dungeons (05:11)

09   Son of Pain (04:43)

10   The Mystic Prophecy of the Demonknight (16:26)

11   Dark Reign of Fire (06:26)

12   Defenders of Gaia (04:34)

13   A New Saga Begins (radio edit) (04:17)

14   Son of Pain (french version) (04:42)

Loading comments  slowly

Other reviews

By dreamwarrior

 The album is enjoyable to listen to, characterized by many mid-tempos in which orchestral sounds almost drown out the classic metal ones.

 The dish is the same, but certainly not to be discarded.