Rhapsody
Symphony Of Enchanted Lands II - The Dark Secret

THE REVIEW

"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"