Rhapsody
Tales From The Emeral Sword Saga

I am a big fan of this Italian band because not only are they talented, but they were also among the first power groups I listened to, an extraordinary group of musicians, including the talented guitarist Luca Turilli, vocalist Fabio Lione (formerly of Labyrinth), Alex Staropoli on keyboards, and Alex Holzwarth on drums (also featured in Tobias Sammet's "Avantasia The Metal Opera").

This album, with its lengthy title "Tales From The Emerald Sword Saga," is a collection of the greatest hits from this Trieste-based band, with songs taken from the first four studio albums, totaling sixteen songs plus the video of "Holy Thunderforce." While indeed this album offers nothing new, which might dissuade those who already own the first four works of Rhapsody (though some songs are offered in alternative versions, edited or remixed, such as "Holy Thunderforce," "Riding The Wind Of Eternity," "Rage Of The Winter," and "Land Of Immortals"), it could be a good way for those unfamiliar with them to get closer to this Hollywood metal band.

The album opens with "Warrior Of Ice"," "Rage Of The Winter"," "Forest Of Unicorns," and "Land Of Immortals," all taken from the first album "Legendary Tales," while "Emerald Sword"," "Wisdom Of The Kings"," "Wings Of Destiny," and "Riding The Winds Of Eternity" are from "Symphony Of Enchanted Lands," the band's second work. Meanwhile, "Dawn Of Victory"," "Holy Thunderforce," and "The Village Of Dwarves" are extracted from "Dawn Of Victory," and the Italian ballad "Lamento Eroico" is contained in "Power Of The Dragonflame," as well as "Knightrider Of Doom," "Power Of The Dragonflame," and "The March Of The Swordmaster," and also "Rain Of A Thousand Flames" taken from the mini LP of the same name. All the albums revolve around the Emerald Sword Saga and the story of Algalord, the creation of songwriters Turilli and Staropoli.

All the songs are of extremely high caliber both in terms of lyrics and music, with a strong classical influence visible in Staropoli's fast solos and Turilli's virtuosities. Choruses are widely used, and the orchestral parts of the songs are increased, giving Rhapsody's songs a baroque soul, exquisite taste, almost obsessive perfection.

An album to have if you are a fan of symphonic metal but also of more traditional power metal. A collection of masterpieces!!!