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Rating: "It was a good time for all creatures of the earth, but fate decreed that the dark prophecy of a demon knight could bring a tragic end to this peace scarring their lives forever."
Year 2004: the beginning of a new saga, or rather, a new era, for Rhapsody, who team up with Magic Circle Records of Mr. Manowar Joey Da Maio. The first fruit of this new alliance is "Symphony Of Enchanted Lands II", which besides representing the beginning of the Dark Secret Saga, even more beautiful and captivating than the previous Emerald Sword Saga, also marks a clear shift in the sound of the Trieste band: for this album the 5 Mighty Warriors collaborate for the first time with a real symphonic orchestra; the result is a work as titanic and risky as it is sumptuous, refined, and of sublime quality, a true masterpiece of Symphonic Progressive Epic Metal, with choirs, flutes, brass, and strings supporting Turilli's guitar, Staropoli's keyboards, and the splendid voice of the storyteller Fabio Lione.
The masterpiece opens with "The Dark Secret", an intro a good 4 minutes long featuring Christopher Lee, who with his baritone and majestic voice narrates the beginning of the saga against the backdrop of a symphonic crescendo that explodes in the finale and transports us to "Unholy Warcry", a song far removed from the previous four openers; no longer power metal, but sumptuous orchestrations and solemn choirs, contrasting with the catchy and memorable chorus: a disorienting opener (for the early fans of Rhapsody) but one that best represents the general mood of the work. Following closely is "Never Forgotten Heroes", strong with a symphonic and fairytale-like intro and a beautiful melody, closer to classic power styles; the text, reminiscing some characters of the Emerald Sword Saga (Airin, Arwald, and the Warrior of Ice), is very beautiful. As in "Symphony Of Enchanted Lands", here too the fourth track "Elgard's Green Valleys" is a folksy acoustic piece, whose melody will be revisited in "Guardiani del destino".
The ballad "The Magic Of The Wizards Dream" is truly enchanting, where it is absolutely impossible not to be mesmerized by the voice, so warm, enveloping, melodious, and expressive of Fabio Lione, making this piece something unique, bewitching; even The Voice Of Rock Glenn Hughes could not have done better. The deeply epic and symphonic spirit of "SOEL II" manifests in all its grandeur in the 10 minutes and 32 seconds of "Erian's Mystical Rhymes", an incredible narrative suite featuring a real duet between Fabio Lione and the tenor choirs, on a powerful, majestic, and catchy symphonic base. Stunning are also the instrumental passage and the concluding narrated part (against the backdrop of a piano) that close the suite. "The Last Angels' Call", on the other hand, is the most classic power song of the album, the most "Emerald Sword Style" with a marvelous and engaging chorus that brings back the sounds of "Dawn Of Victory" and especially of "Power Of The Dragonflame". It is followed by the short and relaxing folk ballad "Dragonland's River" which offers a return to the sounds of "Forest Of The Unicorns" and another splendid performance by Fabio Lione. "Sacred Power Of Raging Winds" is the second suite of the album, which unlike the previous one offers more instrumental passages, a more power style, and a beautiful interlude simulating a dramatic dream dialogue between Dargor and his father Vankar. (curious to learn more? buy Rhapsody's albums! hehe...). Another gem of incredible beauty is "Guardiani Del Destino", alluring and stunning in its splendid medieval-like melody and its evocative singing in Italian; this song has something hypnotic about it, alluring, one could listen to it for hours without ever getting bored. Following "Shadows Of Death" which, although very important in the narrative economy, turns out to be the least successful track of the album, a half misstep similar to four years ago with "The Mighty Ride Of The Firelord"; nothing serious anyway. Here we arrive at the conclusion, "Nightfall On The Grey Mountains": the howls of wolves and the initial keyboard melody seem to take us back to "Beyond The Gates Of Infinity"; it's an impression, because this is a much more tranquil and elegant composition, with a pleasantly dreamlike aftertaste, thus bringing nightfall on the Dark Secret Saga, marking the end of the fifth absolute masterpiece of Rhapsody.
Peace and Love Forever... SEE YA!
TO BE CONTINUED...
"IT'S OUR DESTINY
TRIUMPH OR AGONY
ANCIENTS' GLORY ENDLESS PAIN
DEEP INTO THE DUNGEONS OF HELL"
Tracklist and Lyrics
08 Unholy Warcry (05:53)
IN THE DARK LIES A SECRET
IN THE MYSTIC SEVENTH BLACK BOOK
NEKRON'S DARK WORDS
HE IS KRON, KRON'S DISCIPLE
HE IS SWORN TO RETURN
TO AVENGE THE LOST DIVINE WARS
Algalord arise, greater than before
time of peace, not of war
Shouts of freedom from the castle walls
Freedom in the land and
hope for all
hope for all
INTO THE SILENT, DARK AND FORGOTTEN
CAVES OF DAR-KUNOR
DEEP IN THE SECRET BOOK IS AWAITING
UNHOLY WARCRY
NEKRON PROMISED BLOODY TERROR
BRINGING DEATH AND HATE TO THE NEW WORLD
From the rocky mountains to the golden sea
to the barbarians' sacred hills
From the icy north and misty lakes
to the walls of Seth and elvish plains
all beware!
INTO THE SILENT, DARK AND FORGOTTEN
CAVES OF DAR-KUNOR
DEEP IN THE SECRET BOOK IS AWAITING
UNHOLY WARCRY
NEKRON PROMISED BLOODY TERROR
BRINGING DEATH AND HATE TO THE NEW WORLD
Torment, pain and bloody rain... Nekron's resurrection
They must kill the demon king or fight another war
"Only one person could have crossed the darklands sorrounding Hargor
and venture forth deep into the caves of Dar-Kunor...
His is a name the world will never forget...
He is Dargor!"
He is the chosen one
he walked out through the darkness
he met the wisdom's light
chosen to find the last dark rhymes
the last rhymes of hell
HE IS KRON, KRON'S DISCIPLE
HE IS SWORN TO RETURN
TO AVENGE THE LOST DIVINE WARS
There was only one who knew the way
he lived in the dark, lonely caves
the demon of the night could save the day
should they take a chance or run away...
Dargor was his name!
INTO THE SILENT, DARK AND FORGOTTEN
CAVES OF DAR-KUNOR
DEEP IN THE SECRET BOOK IS AWAITING
UNHOLY WARCRY
NOW THEY SWORE TO BAND TOGETHER
ON A SACRED JOURNEY
CALLED BY FATE, TIME TO BE GREAT
UNHOLY WARCRY
NEKRON PROMISED BLOODY TERROR
BRINGING DEATH AND HATE TO THE NEW WORLD
13 Erian's Mystical Rhymes / The White Dragon's Order (00:00)
In primordial times of sorrow
Ancient ages of the known world
Kron's reign of terror was rising
So the Skylords sent their angels
Against the storm that treathened heavens
Seven wars were so fought
The dead rose
Led by the Darklords of Hell
The last war
Meant the end
Of hellgod's
Old reign
Dark memories lost in the shades of illusion
Warn the light of electric sky
The angels could change the life on earth
But not the demons' old plans
United force of strong wise men...
A new order soon was born
Ten kings, ten wizards, elves and dragonlords
Ready to fight, to fight for their world
Ready to face the last secret
Hidden for 5000 angel's years
5000 years
A great and new hope in Elgard was born
The one hope that could finally find the...
Sacred words to stop the dark plan of Nekron
All contained in Erian's Mystical White Book
The holy council cast their vote
Hearing the deep voice of soul
Etherus... Iras... two names on all
Elected to face the darklord
They knew so well Erian's tale
What could be found between his rhymes
His rhymes of divine light
Written to save our lands
Ready to face the last secret
Hidden for 5000 angel's years
5000 years
Now is the time for them to share all their plans
The one hope that could finally find the...
Sacred words to stop the dark plan of Nekron
All contained in Erian's Mystical White Book
So the name was chosen:
White Dragon's Order
All sworn to fight
All for one
One for all
A great and new hope in Elgard was born
The one hope that could finally find the...
Sacred words to stop the dark plan of Nekron
All contained in Erian's Mystical White Book
Sacred words to stop the dark plan of Nekron
All contained in Erian's Mystical White Book... White Book...
(The White Dragon's Order)
(Iras:)
"And so the Order of the White Dragon decreed Khaas the hero of the middle lands.
He and princess Lothen from the kingdom of the ancient waterfalls,
together with Tharish, elven king of the caverns and myself, Iras Algor from Hor-Lad,
would travel the path of incredible danger and great adventure.
Dargor the shadowlord would lead us through the ancient underworld of Dar-Kunor.
Finally the time had come to find the legendary seventh black book,
that containing the worst of all the known prophecies"
16 Sacred Power Of Raging Winds (10:06)
Naira, oriel tarna.
Majestic winds of the northlands
protect our heroes
from the deadly Naroth
cover their tracks with snow
rgae on with all your fury
Naira carna oriel nirnaan
Dark is the way to the mountains of grey
Breath turns to ice in the air
The journey is painful and longer than life
Crossing the rocks in the night
GODS LEAD THEM ALL
TO HARGOR'S WALLS
SACRED POWER OF RAGING WINDS
KEEP AWAY FROM THE BLACK ORDER'S STEEL
(THEIR BLACK STEEL THEIR BLACK WILL)
SACRED POWER OF RAGING WINDS
PLEASE HELP THEM REACH THEIR GOAL
TO HIDE IN THE SNOW
SUN AND MOON HAVE LEFT THEIR BRAVE SONS
In the dangerous peaks
they may all find their death
searching for the ancient realm
the worship of darkness is Nekron's desire
his soldiers the black
the black order sect!
GODS LEAD THEM ALL
TO HARGOR'S WALLS
SACRED POWER OF RAGING WINDS
KEEP AWAY FROM THE BLACK ORDER'S STEEL
(THEIR BLACK STEEL THEIR BLACK WILL)
SACRED POWER OF RAGING WINDS
PLEASE HELP THEM REACH THEIR GOAL
TO HIDE IN THE SNOW
DARGOR'S PAST APPEARS BEFORE HIM
[Dargor:] Father
are you really wanting my soul?
your black blood
no longer flows in my veins
[Vankar:] son you are a betrayer
You have betrayed me!!
[Dargor:] No! I don't want to serve
you hellish will
[Vankar:] You are half demon
never forget that! You are one of us!
[Dargor:] I know it well for this I will pay!
But I will deny you and fight you forever!
Sacred power of raging winds
fill their soul
and the shadowlord's heart
in a magical vision Vankar appeared
in Dargor's dream
while the four heroes
where trying to rest
he was born half demon half man
he struggled inside
but would soon understand
all would be pay with the
blood on his hands
GODS LEAD THEM ALL
TO HARGOR'S WALLS
SACRED POWER OF RAGING WINDS
KEEP AWAY FROM THE BLACK ORDER'S STEEL
(THEIR BLACK STEEL THEIR BLACK WILL)
SACRED POWER OF RAGING WINDS
PLEASE HELP THEM REACH THEIR GOAL
TO HIDE IN THE SNOW
DARGOR'S PAST APPEARS BEFORE HIM
VANKAR'S THIRST FOR BLOODY VENGEANCE
VANKAR LIVES FOR VENGEANCE
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By [anti]
An album that is definitely listenable, with many tracks of undeniable quality, but which doesn’t differ much (read: not at all) from the already known and rehashed power-epic metal clichés.
Let’s grant Rhapsody to be a really good band with great potential, and hope that one day they will stand out from the ten thousand epic bands all alike.
