Metal Storm logo
Rhapsody - Power Of The Dragonflame review



Reviewer:
7.0

527 users:
8.52
Band: Rhapsody
Album: Power Of The Dragonflame
Release date: April 2002


Disc I [CD]
01. In Tenebris
02. Knightrider Of Doom
03. Power Of The Dragonflame
04. The March Of The Swordmaster
05. When Demons Awake
06. Agony Is My Name
07. Lamento Eroico
08. Steelgods Of The Last Apocalypse
09. The Pride Of The Tyrant
10. Gargoyles, Angels Of Darkness
11. Rise From The Sea Of Flames [Limited Edition bonus]

Disc II [DVD]
01. Introduction
02. Rain Of A Thousand Flames
03. Epicus Furor - Emerald Sword
04. Wisdom Of The Kings
05. Power Of The Dragonflame
06. Holy Thunderforce
07. Credits

With this album, Rhapsody ends its first saga. The music has evolved through each chapter, and the last one is no exception. When I first read an interview of Luca, where he said there would be even more guitars than before, I feared the worst: I would have preferred he said the emphasis was placed on the composition...
Anyway, let's listen to it together:

The introduction, as its title "In Tenebris" clearly suggests, brings you to the end, as if fate was calling. This is the result of the "orchestra + choirs" formula.
Next is Knightriders Of Doom, a speedy song as expected, but quite simple, with a repetitive chorus like those which become typical of Rhapsody. But the sound of the guitar isn't so dominant. In fact all the instruments can be heard, though the keyboards and the drums seem more important. Moreover I'm a bit disappointed about the sound, especially the guitar: it doesn't sound really neat. Definitely not the best song of the band in my opinion.
Third track, Power Of The DragonFlame. I don't really like it either, especially because of that guitar sound which doesn't fit the intro riff very well. Otherwise the song is good, again with one of those typical choruses (if you didn't like Dawn Of Victory, you're unlikely to like this album), but sometimes Fabio's voice gets lower than before, or let's say like in the verses of the well-known song Holy Thunderforce on the previous album.
With The March Of The Swordmaster comes the first real instrumental passage sounding like folklore. Then the guitar enters and we guess this is going to be a heavy song. And this guess is confirmed when Fabio begins to sing: this is quite dark... then the song sound like a Manowar song, I mean in the rhythm, the voice and the lyrics, etc.
But then you look at the song of the next two tracks: When Demons Awake, Agony Is My Name: wow, this must be even darker! And it is. Fabio's close to black metal (well not that far, but still it's the idea) on the first one, which also contains some good and varied passages, like some keys solos. I quite like this one, but it took me some time before I enjoyed it. The second is not so dark, and has some nice guitar licks.
The follower, Lamento Eorico, is a special song for the band: it's the only one entirely sung in Italian. It's a sad and slow ballad, with no guitar, but more piano and choirs elements.
Ah, my favorite on this album, Steelgods Of Apocalypse! It begins with some orchestrations, not as good as those on Eternal Glory on the 2nd album, but very nice, with the drums that give some momentum to the keys parts. It sounds a bit majestic, it's heavy and soft at the same time. It ends with some good guitar/keys solos and melodies.
Ninth track is the closest to Legendary Tales (first album). I like the chorus, it seems to take you higher.
On the version I have, there's a bonus track: Rise From The Sea Of Flames. There's nothing really special about that song. It's not really heavy, has no real orchestration or instrumental passages. Still it's a good song, with a catchy chorus.
Now, the last track, the one to end this saga. It's a really special song. First, it's a really long track, 19 minutes, divided in three parts.
The sound of the acoustic guitar is surprising, as it's like a classical-Spanish sound, a very good idea. The electric guitar comes in to settle the rhythm, , and the bass keeps it during the verses. After that the song is not really different from the other songs of the album. It's good but not surprising, not amazing, at least until Turilli breaks into a great solo at the middle of the song. Then Fabio introduces the gargoyles by a narrative passage, followed by another narrative passage (but not by the singer). The band plays again and begin a short and slow instrumental, while the narration continues. The music stops the narrator speaks... and the intro of the album ends the Emerald Sword Saga.

Maybe I've said too much, but from all that is written above you should have understand I don't really appreciate this album. It's not a bad album, and it's still one of the best symphonic power metal album at the moment. But the production is not as good as Symphony Of Enchanted Lands or Dawn Of Victory; as a result, the songs don't really touch your feelings, and many times, I don't see the difference between the songs when I play the whole CD. The fact that this album gets really heavy in some songs may perturb some fans, but I do think it could be a good way in the evolution of their music.
To conclude on the whole saga, I have to say the story in itself is a bit weak, but sufficient to create this genre. Rhapsody developed various aspects of their music throughout the chapters.

Written by wrathchild | 20.01.2004




Comments

Comments: 15   Visited by: 121 users
26.06.2006 - 21:27
Pianoman
Account deleted
An underrated album imo. It desearves at least a 9 is just perfect. And obviously it has to sound heavier and darker than the other because is the end of the saga and we all know that is the climax of the emerald swor saga. There are very catchy song like power of the dragon flame and knightrider doom. Dark songs where Fabio Lione songs closer to death metal than power metal like the awesome agony is my name and when demons awake, steelgods of apocalypse all are awesome. The sad ballad Lamento eroico. And the epic Gargoyles, angels of darkness.
Is at the same level of the other rhapsody albums but in a different way.
Loading...
26.06.2006 - 21:35
danzig111
Account deleted
It was an okay album.....I love that "Agony Is My Name" song, simply brilliant!
Loading...
11.07.2006 - 03:56
Talvi

No, it isn't. Most songs are too generic. In others Rhapsody album, each song was different than the other. Better or worse, at least it wasn't the same. Knightrider of Doom, Power of The Dragonflame and Lamento Eroico are below average.the others, or are a bit different, but not so great, or pretty good power metal. Oh, and half of the epic is narrated...
----
My account on other musical pages:
http://www.last.fm/user/Pozito/
http://rateyourmusic.com/~Talvi
Loading...
16.11.2006 - 03:04
danzig111
Account deleted
wow....how wrong I was before, it is not an 'okay album', it's an excellent album!!! wow, I think I like it even more than "Dawn Of Victory"!

How could I be so stupid that I underestimate such a great album! The production is awesome and how songs flow so perfectly together as well! I really like "The Pride Of The Tyrant:

Loading...
07.12.2007 - 23:29
Rating: 9
Ellrohir
Heaven Knight
think what you want, but i believe it is the best album they made
----
My rest seems now calm and deep
Finally I got my dead man sleep


Loading...
11.02.2008 - 22:52
Rating: 10
+{Jonas}+
I R Serious Cat
This was teh first album I listened by Rhapsody. it's a great album, but after listening to teh other albums, I realise they lowered a bit their level, specially after the majestic Dawn Of Victory.
----
"Nobody wants to be the weird kid, you just end up being the weird kid. You don't know how you ended up getting there" - Rob Zombie

http://jonas-bs.deviantart.com My dA, mainly photography, go check it out!
Loading...
11.02.2008 - 23:57
Rating: 9
Ellrohir
Heaven Knight
i think this album is "majestic" as hell
----
My rest seems now calm and deep
Finally I got my dead man sleep


Loading...
25.04.2008 - 16:16
Uirapuru
Liver Failure
I liked.. dont know why some people dont.. but anyway, im not an expert in power or symphonic metal. All i know is that this album has some very cool songs like ''The March Of The Swordmaster'' and ''The Pride of the tyrant''.
----

----
member of the true crusade against old school heavy metal, early 80s thrash, NWOBHM, traditional doom, first and second wave black metal, old school death metal, US power metal, 70s prog rock and atmospheric doomsludgestoner. o/
Loading...
28.01.2009 - 09:02
Rating: 10
Narloth

You guys don't understand a thing... this is masterpiece in all aspects ^^
Loading...
28.01.2009 - 10:32
Rating: 9
LeChron James
Helvetesfossen
Yeah see i think this is Rhapsody's strongest album. the other ones, especially the later ones are subpar in my opinion. the musicianship is waaay better, not to mention the hella Nintendo keyboard solos
----
Kick Ass, Die Young

Less is More
Stay Pure
Stay Poor

Music was my life, music brought me to life and music is how I will be remembered long after I leave this life. When I die there will be a final waltz in my head that only I can hear.
Loading...
27.03.2009 - 18:18
Rating: 9
Ellrohir
Heaven Knight
I just listened to this album after at least half year without listening to Rhapsody and have to say - this album is great as few ones...not a single "weak" song on it
----
My rest seems now calm and deep
Finally I got my dead man sleep


Loading...
12.02.2010 - 02:20
Rating: 10
shisha

This is masterpiece. Everything what symphonic power needs; perfect musicianship, power as hell, and most of all - beautiful painted epic story from the beginning to the end! It is so precious for me! Ending of this album is greatest epic ever written! Wratchild, you've missed the point. Try it again! For your good!
Loading...
30.05.2010 - 14:12
Rating: 9
Nyoink

I have to say this is one of the most brilliant rhapsody albums! one of my best purchases! speed, power, rythm, this album has it all!!!
this album is also great for people who want to listen to rhapsody for the first time, along with dawn of victory ^^
Loading...
19.03.2011 - 06:55
Rating: 10
FrozenJoy

How to say this... This is the best fucking symphonic power metal album ever!
Definitely my favourite Rhapsody album, and not without reason... The only weak track I've found is Lamento Eroico, and I'm pretty damn sure a lot of people will disagree... xD
All the others... Incredibly above average, Knightrider of Doom being the most generic one... Power of the Dragonflame "prepares" you for what's about to come... The March of the Swordmaster, few times I've heard such an "angry" or "violent" Rhapsody song... When Demons Awake is dark, epic, majestic, violent, everything at once, and with a cool synth soloXD... Agony is my Name, another agressive song... Steelgods of the Last Apocalypse sets the mood for the glorious last songs of the album, with an ULTRA epic intro, which makes you want to forget about everything and jump into cheesy adventures... xD and The Pryde of the Tyrant... I get fucking high with the chorus... xD
Sorry I took so long, but this one's too magnificent... 10/10
Loading...
27.05.2017 - 14:14
qlacs
"The Quaker"
To divert from fanboys above; this was the quite possibly first power metal album I've ever heard, and I find it very much enjoyable today still. In fact, revisiting it in every few years it just makes me realize how little I listen to Rhapsody and how good the record really is. It's not perfect, but what is... I'm not quite sure about the production comment, I find the sound very balanced, and I feel the heaviness justified. I wouldn't mind blasting this out of a car (if I had one).
----
Loading...

Hits total: 9023 | This month: 20