Rhapsody of Fire hold a special position in the exciting and multi-faceted world of heavy metal: Like few other acts, the band from Italy stands for anthemnic symphonic metal presented with lots of speed, great pathos and technical refinement. Another characteristic that the band's fans love: At the beginning of their career in particular, their songs presented a mythical, album-transcending saga. Who doesn't like to recall classics such as Legendary Tales (1992), Symphony Of Enchanted Lands (1998) or Dawn Of Victory (2000)? Rhapsody of Fire have now returned to the very strengths of those albums. Their latest studio recording The Eighth Mountain combines spirited songs and epic chorus parts with lavish orchestra arrangements. At the same time, the album marks the beginning of a new, exciting saga that's typical of this band. First of all, there's been an important personnel change: Vocalist Giacomo Voli has been at the group's musical helm for the last three years, whom has not only accepted the powerful heritage, he has also brought fresh momentum to the Rhapsody of Fire fold. To dress the new material in appropriately lavish sounds to suit it's extravagant songwriting, Rhapsody of Fire have worked with a major orchestra again. This time the musicians of the acclaimed Bulgarian National Symphony Orchestra in Sofia, were instrumental in recording The Eighth Mountain's sublime, atmospherically dense overall sound. Two choirs featuring more than 20 vocalists, as well as a number ofsoloists playing medieval instruments, also deserve to be mentioned. The album was mixed and mastered by Sebastian "Seeb" Levermann (Orden Ogan).
M**S
Eighth Mountain
Good quick service, very good cd
A**R
Synthonic metal at its best
Always loved this band and have to say this album has blown me away every song is class and the vocals superb Alex starpolis song writing is second to none 5 stars all the way
O**S
vinilo
Excelente disco
E**Y
Like the Lyrics & Songs but...
Like the Lyrics & Songs but...I can't listen to the album from beginning to end because the drum mix is just awful. It sounds like they've taken the same drum beat and overlaid it on to almost every track, they mixed it too high in the sound so that it swamps the other instruments. As I said I like the lyrics and songs writing would have got 5 stars but production is poor.
B**L
Best Rhapsody In A Long While
This is actually a great album, don't listen to the posers. Alex has taken a bit of a back seat and instead of all this film-score drivel, he's put out a power metal album full of double bass, sweeping guitars, and catchy hooks. Voli does a good job replacing Fabio (who we're all sick of at this point), and just goes for it with a higher range, making this sound more like a generic power metal album, but the songs are sick and the choruses will stick with you. It reaches back to 'Dawn Of Victory' a fair bit, but sounds like a new band. Honestly, give it a try. Color me impressed. Rhapsody are back, at long last.
M**.
Weak album
This is a very basic and lame album. You won't find anything here of the old Rhapsody albums. The songs sound the same on the album,the melodies are not very memorable. Vocal productions are not good, too back in the mix. I guess the only member is Alex from the old band and he is unable to keep the quality of the music.
