RHAPSODY „Symphony of Enchanted Lands II – The Dark Secret”

Music: Film Score Metal/Power Metal/Symphonic Metal
Duration: 72:54 min. (12 Songs)
Release date: September 27, 2004 Europe, Septmeber 28, 2004 USA
www.mightyrhapsody.com
www.frontiers.it
Cool songs: Unholy Warcry, Shadows of Death, Nightfall on the grey Mountains

Impressing!!! Wow – I had never thought that I would like Rhapsody!!! But I am able to say that after I heard this CD twice. I had a lot of prejudices, because I think Rhapsody were awful to the times of „Dawn of Victory“. This bombast of epic and the orchestrations and that singer – horrible! That was yesterday. And although I haven´t changed my opinion (yet?), I have to confess that I thought, the guys around Luca Turilli had not really made differences between “Dawn of Victory”. Now I change my opinion and tell you the following about “Symphony of Enchanted Lands II – The dark Secret”:

Christopher Lee´s (Saruman in The Lord of the Rings) voice is not that wonderful as everybody says. But it has enriched this CD in any case! He shows that with the first song „The dark secret“.
With “Unholy Warcry” the Italians let us listen to a very epic, symphonic Rhapsody song, which is more classic than metal.

Well, really, I had never thought that I would like something like „Never Forgotten Heroes“: a female opera singer and music of the gothic genre. And this song could have been one of Tobias Sammet´s Avantasia!

A folkloristic, medival instrumental with violin and flute makes the intro for the ballad of the album: „The Magic of the Wizard´s Dream“, a wonderful ballad!

This horror voice, this choir, this neck breaking riff! This song, I can´t listen to that when I am alone in the dark, wow! But: Again a typical Rhapsody-Song, more metal than classic – the opposite to No. 2. Name? „Erian´s Mystical Rhymes“ – one of the 10 minutes songs!
After that there is a bit less complicated song („The Last Angel´s Call“), but anyway a good song.

„Dragonland´s River“ reminds me a bit of gipsy music, and „Sacred Power of raging Winds“ has got a wonderful instrumental in the middle of that song. „Guardiani“ is a bit calmer and I just can say that to „Shadows of Death“: Listen to it!!!

I love organs and this choir singing is from heaven sent! „Nightfall of the grey Mountains“: Yes, right: Listen to it!!!

Wow, I am still so enthusiastic! I nearly forgot that you can find a DVD when you buy the limited edition. It includes 3 video clips, making of´s and an interview with (opera singer !) Christopher Lee and so on. With an approximate playing time of 50 minutes you have a lot of stuff. Buy it!!!

note: 9/10

Tracklist

1. The dark Secret – 4:13
2. Unholy Warcry – 5:54
3. Never forgotten Heroes – 5:33
4. Elgard´s green Valleys – 2:20
5. The Magic of the Wizard´s Dream – 4:30
6. Erian´s mystical Rhymes – 10:32
7. The last Angel´s Call – 4:37
8. Dragnonland´s River – 3:45
9. Sacred Power of raging Winds – 10:07
10. Guardiani – 5:51
11. Shadows of Death – 8:13
12. Nightfall on the grey Mountains – 7:20

Line-up

Fabio Lione – vocals
Luca Turilli – guitars
Alex Staropoli – keyboards
Patrice Guers – bass
Alex Holzwarth – drums