•
Rating: "Epic fury!
Epic... epic... fury... fury"
It begins with majestic choirs, grand orchestrations, and a crescendo of strings, the second legendary (master)piece by Rhapsody, the Italian power-epic group born back in 1997, and in this second album sees worldwide consecration.
The brief intro perfectly introduces the second track, the mythical "Emerald Sword", a very fast song, a true trademark of the group, which unfolds between Turilli's loose and lightning-fast riffs, Lotta and Carbonera's very fast tempos, respectively the bassist and drummer of the group, and a lavish and grand chorus.
Next is "Wisdom Of The Kings"... the slow beginning of a flute reminds us of distant times, then the track suddenly changes into an instrumental and vocal crescendo. An easy-listening track, like the previous one, which unfolds between Turilli's simple and lively solos, Lione's very clean and brilliant vocals, and really lavish keyboard atmospheres by the great Staropoli.
"Heroes Of The Lost Valleys" is a little instrumental track reminiscent of medieval times... a spoken part introduces us, accompanied by "the pride of the ancient and valiant heroes who fought before us" into the eternally glorious "Eternal Glory" (excuse the wordplay...), a small gem of the album. Epic, imposing, makes us dream, think, admire. The wonderful tempo changes (first slow, then fast, then more measured) make one only able to congratulate all the musicians in the group, including (and especially) the singer Mr. Lione. Truly to be framed is the dialogue of guitar and keyboard solos by Luca and Alex, something unimaginable, wonderful... fantastic.
"Beyond The Gates Of Infinity" begins with Staropoli's keyboard, to which the other band members add themselves to create a dark, mysterious, and obscure atmosphere, yet very attractive.
This leads to "Winds Of Infinity," a poignant ballad, moving, passionate for its simplicity, for those piano lines and Lione's voice so particularly emotional and poignant. Truly touching in its stillness and in the slow, cradle-like finale, which remains suspended as in an infinite wind (personally, I consider it one of the best on the album).
"The Dark Tower Of Abyss" is a difficult, unpredictable track, full of metallic and classical sounds (the emphatic, baroque instrumental part is truly worth mentioning) while "Riding The Winds Of Eternity" is an easier, catchy track, endowed with a slow but effective interlude.
After just two minutes of speech, a truly imposing organ introduces Lione's evocative vocals... thus begins the magnificent suite "Symphony Of Enchanted Lands," truly epic and grand. Indescribable crescendos and decrescendos orchestrally or of the individual instruments, majestic choirs, female voice, Lione's insane range...
And thus ends the second (master)piece by Rhapsody, with the suggestive image of a valiant warrior riding the wings of wisdom through the central valleys to defeat the lord of chaos in the name of cosmic justice, accompanied by a battle-ready flute melody.
Surely "Symphony Of Enchanted Lands" is a great album, there's no denying it, perhaps not the best in terms of writing (between one song and another at least half the words are the same), but certainly on a musical level an exceptional and exciting work. An album sincere, played with heart, rare, precious. It is not a pompous album like the ones that follow, but I would rather define it as rich, sumptuous, full of nuances and characteristics, it is not an album for its own sake, but an album played with heart, it is a complex, difficult, particular album, nonetheless fascinating, now a unique and legendary album.
Of course, only for lovers of this genre... (but I recommend a listen to everyone).
"Epic fury!
Epic... epic... fury... fury"
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Epicus Furor (01:16)
Quae mala venientia metuuntur eadem afficiunt aegritudine instantia
02 Emerald Sword (04:23)
I crossed the valleys the dust of midlands
To search for the third key to open the gates
Now I'm near the altar the secret inside
As legend told I need a sword like a dragon's eyes
On the way to the glory I'll offer my sword
To serve right ideals and justice for all
Finally happened the sun hit their eyes
The spell was creating strange games of light
Thanks to hidden mirrors I found my lost way [it's not "hidden mirrors"]
Over the stones I reached the place it was a secret cave
In a long bloody battle that prophecies told
The light will prevail as wisdom is gold
For the king for the land for the mountains
For the green valleys where dragons fly
For the glory the power to win the black lord
I will search for the emerald sword
Only a warrior with a clear heart
Could have the honour to be kissed by the sun
Yes I am that warrior I followed my way
Led by the force of cosmic souls I can reach the sword
On the way to the glory I'll offer my sword
To serve right ideals and justice for all
For the king for the land for the mountains
For the green valleys where dragons fly
For the glory the power to win the black lord
I will search for the emerald sword
03 Wisdom of the Kings (04:30)
Removed the stones which hide the cave
blind and dark along my way
I must go on wise and brave before a last hail
At the end of floor stairs of ancient stone
lead me to a vision, an unreal hall
And they appear in front of me
lightened by a mystic flame
A new dimension I have to face beyond the gates
I can not believe oh what now I see
when the two demons awake from the sleep
Holy dragons keepers of time
Ride brave the blue skies and spell my eyes
Fly beyond these hills ride on the wind
The wisdom of the kings
Lost in a dream I'm under the spell
of this sunny magic land
But Aresius said: Become aware! All can hide the hell...
Now it's time to go to the mighty sword
it's time to follow the kings' holy call
Holy dragons keepers of time
Ride brave the blue skies and spell my eyes
Fly beyond these hills ride on the wind
The wisdom of the kings...
05 Eternal Glory (07:31)
Echoes of terror in this old land
I see the result of their quest
Skulls of old heroes lie everywhere
in this mystical place
Dust in their eyes, dust on my pride
in this infinite journey to the ancient sword
I can hear their lament between these rocks
the whisper of an angry ghost
he speaks for them all trapped in this lost world
I am their very last hope
to ride from hell free once again
to break the chains from a bloody past for my victory
Eternal glory ride fast to me
pound in my heart for the Algalord kings
Eternal glory spread your wide wings
fly and forever lead my holy steel
I'll fight, I'll cry for your silence your name
You'll live through me I will end all your pain
for the swan in the lake the bird on the tree
the peace for my beloved lands
The black king is near and Algalord calls
so heroes of the lost valley raise all your voice
Eternal glory ride fast to me
pound in my heart for the Algalord kings
Eternal glory spread your wide wings
fly and forever lead my holy steel
07 Wings of Destiny (04:30)
Day has gone
But I'm still here with you
My sweet rose
My green hills, beloved sea, lakes and sky
Beloved mother earth
Silent land
Erase my thoughts
I wanna lose myself in you,
All in you
Caress me and my soul
while I close my eyes
Oh wings of destiny
Through virgin skies
To far horizons I will fly
Dear peaceful land
Dear mother earth
Caress my soul while I close my eyes
Oh wings of destiny
Through virgin skies
To far horizons I will fly
Oh wings of destiny
Through virgin skies
To far horizons I will fly
Loading comments slowly
Other reviews
By Starblazer
"Emerald Sword" is THE POWER METAL SONG, 4 beautiful minutes of swirling and whirling emotions that truly capture the soul.
This divine, stunning, immortal album by this band has stirred and dictated the rules in the epic metal movement.
