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RHAPSODY OF FIRE “Challenge The Wind”
RHAPSODY OF FIRE “Challenge The Wind”
By Iron Sheik
Admittedly I lost interest in RHAPSODY OF FIRE around the time of their name change from just RHAPSODY. I have heard some of the material from both sides of the now split band, but none of the material was anything new sounding or different to my ears. Although the original band is credited with starting the cinematic symphonic metal genre I had grown tired of their music. It had started sounding all the same from album to album, and being out of touch I am not familiar with the story that this album is part three of, The Nephilim's Empire Saga, the first written without Luca Turilli or vocalist Fabio Leone This saga began in 2019 with the album “The Eighth Mountain” as part one and continuing in 2021 with the album “Glory For Salvation” as part two.
Although their sound is updated for the 20s it is definitely a bit fresher to my ears on “Challenge The Wind”. As much as I hear the RHAPSODY of old throughout there is a less dramatic flare with more focus on speed and guitars, a touch of growly vocals, and of course the keyboards are still very prominent. RHAPSODY OF FIRE is Alex Staropoli on keyboards and orchestral arrangements, Roberto De Micheli on guitars, Alessandro Sala on bass, Giacomo Voli on lead and choir vocals, and Paolo Narchesich on drums. They pull off sounding like a full choir throughout the album. So, with that being stated let's see where I stand with their newest release in this saga part three, “Challenge The Wind”.
Right off, "Challenge The Wind", the first track is perhaps one of the fastest in their catalog and still very cinematic. Giacomo at times reminds me of Johnny Gioeli vocally from AXEL RUDI PELL. Plus there is excellent guitarwork by Roberto. This intensity continues with the next two tracks “Whispers Of Doom” and “The Bloody Pariah” which is easily my favorite of all tracks. It is a tad slower amidst the speed. "Same old blood, same old place, to the cradle to the grave." Maybe a mantra describing their style of storytelling and music?
Track four brings “Vanquished By Shadows”. At just over sixteen minutes this is the longest track on the album, and what would a RHAPSODY OF FIRE album be without a long track? Excellent guitar intro, but I could do without the growly vocals that ensue. I suppose it might be a nice change, for them. "Forged in blood and pain", it has a haunting atmosphere behind the guitar. Segue at 7:02 to the next part of the journey in more typical RHAPSODY fashion with a second segue at 15:00 minutes to introduce us to the outro.
“Kreel's Magic Staff” is a continuation of the story as Kreel was mentioned in previous tracks. Maybe he is the hero of the saga. It is a slower track and Giacomo implores one to "unleash the power within your spirit". “Diamond Claws” is back with speed. "You've been feared and respected" leading to a more seemingly emotional guitar solo. It is my second favorite track.
“Black Wizard” is another faster track, but ends up closer to being mid-paced in latter verses. "He chose the black side of magic"/"The demons you hide". Operatic choir vocals implore why, and in “A Brave New Hope “it is sung "No more shadows". “Holy Downfall” declares "The age of the war has begun." This song borders on being a throwaway track. I do not know if it adds to the saga or not, but it is boring adding nothing to the music preceding it. Even when it picks up pace giving the listener hope it is going to be good it reverts to the boring style. If you can make it through the previous track the next offering is the closing track of the album, “Mastered By The Dark”. It is not a ballad, as said by the band that they left off ballads. Although it starts out sounding that way. By now we have learned "the legend goes on." This track at times sounds as disposable as the previous track and even with a guitar solo that fits beautifully it couldn't save the plodding track from being boring.
Sounding fresh and somewhat new for the 20s, RHAPSODY OF FIRE's “Challenge The Wind” will definitely take one on a journey, maybe of self discovery, maybe just on a mythical journey. Although it sounded cinematically similar to old RHAPSODY OF FIRE, the album was good until the last two tracks. Things have changed a bit for Alex Staroploli losing Luca Turilli as a writing partner, but he has gained an excellent writing partner in guitarist Roberto De Micheli. That could be why I hear more guitar and heavier music throughout. It is an excellent addition to their catalog considering I have missed out for the last 20 years. "The legend goes on."
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