Rhapsody

Dawn Of Victory

Heavy Metal warriors for the 21st century!!

Review Score:

(10/10)
Ok so this review is a few months late, but it's essential nonetheless!

After being blow away by the first two Rhapsody albums and seeing them re-create the whole epic experience live at Wacken 2000, hopes where high preceeding the third album release...does it deliver? For all fans of modern epic Heavy Metal (or or epic symphonic classical holywood Power Metal as the sticker would have it) the answer is a big yes! This is the 3rd chapter of the Algalord Chronicles (i.e. the 3rd Rhapsody album) and continues on from where "Symphony of the Enchanted Lands" left off. What happens after our hero emerges from all the chaos with the Emerald Sword? All shall be revealed in the pages of "Dawn of Victory". For fans of fantasy books/AD&D, etc. this is exciting stuff.

Musically this album is similar to the last two albums, however is has a slightly more *Metal* feel to it. The guitars are further up in the mix than before so music is inherrently riff driven. For those unfamiliar with the style, it is a unique sounding mix of Heavy Metal with classical music. Influences include Helloween, Malmsteem, Cacophony, Manowar, Iron Maiden.

The only niggles I have [and they are very small] lie with the production. I don't think the drum sound this time around has the clarity or presence that was present on the last two albums - don't get me wrong it still sounds great, however the drums of Daniele Carbonera on the last two albums were something special, the new drummer Alex Holzwarth still slays but it could have sounded a little better. Concerning the guitars, Luca Turilli sounds great on this album, plenty of killer riffs and leads, the sweep picking sounds great...also lots of shredding on this album, all of which compliments the stories of battle between good and evil and tales of conquest and tragedy on the battlefield! Vocals by Fabio Leone are as powerful and moving as ever and Alex Staropoli's keyboards add another demension to the already colourful soundscape. The classical interludes work well with the Hevay Metal sound(although the orchestra doesn't sound as full as last time for some reason). For people who like a touch of classical music in their Metal as well as some folk influences then check this out! If you like the glorious battle hymns of Manowar then you'll find plenty here to sing along to, and if you are simply into the sheer musical quality and atmospheres of old Iron Maiden, you shall find similar conviction in the works of Rhapsody...

Highlights include: Dawn of Victory - uplifting heavy Metal Dargor, Shadowlord of the Black Mountain - the long version is incredible, best song on the album The Mighty Ride Of The Firelord - the finale, great stuff with many different passages Village of Dwarves - folky song.

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