Rhapsody Of Fire - The Frozen Tears Of Angels

Published May 21 2010

*=Staff's pick	Dark Frozen World Sea Of Fate Crystal Moonlight Reign Of Terror* Danza Di Fuoco E Ghiaccio Raging Starfire* Lost In Cold Dreams On The Way To Ainor* The Frozen Tears Of Angels Labyrinth Of Madness Sea Of Fate (Orchestral version)

Genre	Symphonic Power Metal	Fabio Lione	Vocals
Tracks	11	Luca Turilli	Guitar
Runningtime	61 Min.	Dominique Leurquin	Guitar
Label	Nuclear Blast	Patrice Guers	Bass
Release	26 April 2010	Alex Holzwarth	Drums
Country	Italy	Alex Staropoli	Keyboard
Similar artists	---

Rhapsody Of Fire have been involved in major legal issues for the past five or so years, having been tied to a contract with their previous label Magic Circle Music and unable to release anything for a while and are to this day unable to even speak of the reasons behind it all. I assume there have been a lot of tension and aggression built up that is looking to be released and that can be heard in the music on their new album. I have not heard them this vital and powerful in quite a while.

After the couple of laidback, saggy and cheesy albums Symphony Of Enchanted Lands II (2004) and Triumph or Agony (2006) they are now back at the level of the Dawn Of Victory, Power Of The Dragonflame and Rain Of A Thousand Flames albums. I absolutely adore those albums and this is really not far behind. The power and the speed is back to a normal and familiar level, and they have apparently also not forgot to work a lot on the melodies.

There is an even level throughout the album and it's hard to name songs that stick out more than the others, and that is also the only downside. Quite a lot of isolated parts are just amazing but I would have wished for more whole songs of the same caliber, some real killers. The few slow songs and passages that are to be found here also hold an unusual high level, but Lost In Cold Dreams they could just as well have left on the sketch board.

There is an abundance of great licks and arrangements to be found here. However, it lacks it a bit in the chorus department, meaning they are not as bombastic and breathtaking as you expect them to be when it comes to Rhapsody Of Fire, but at the end of the day this is a good and energy filled piece of work that undoubtedly will appeal to and satisfy long-term fans.

See also review of: Into The Legend
See also: interview with Alex Staropoli

Performance	Originality	Production	Vocals	Songwriting
9	8	8	8	7

Summary
7,5 chalices of 10 - Tommy