Customer Reviews

Infinite Wonders of Creation

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Rhapsody frontman Luca Turilli decided to pursue a solo career back in 1999 when he released the highly accomplished King of the Nordic Twilight, the first part of a trilogy. Turilli followed it up with Prophet of the Last Eclipse, which was particularly well received in Germany. And now, the third and final part of his trilogy has arrived, The Infinite Wonders of Creation. This album marks Turilli adding one male and one female singer to his lineup.

Joining Turilli are male and female vocalists (whose names are unfortunately not mentioned in the liner notes), and guest musicians that play drums, guitars, bass, and even the flute, in order to help create the sounds Luca Turilli had envisioned before he started writing this album. Considering this album is the medium for Turilli to showcase his talents on keyboards and guitars, he doesn't hesitate to pull darker and more gothic-style atmospheric sounds out of his instrument, lending pieces like "Altitudes", a cinematic and dreamy aura. Add to this wonderfully-sung operatic vocals by a slightly Italian-accented lady, and huge symphonic textures. This isn't to say the album lacks the mandatory crunch and heaviness of symphonic power metal: "Mother Nature", begins with agile synth work, huge waves of melody, slowly rising drumming, and excellent female vocals that precede hard-hitting power chords and even a brief lead guitar solo. Bear in mind though that Lost Horizons is not meant to be Rhapsody in disguise. Therefore the guitar playing on the album isn't as highlighted and extensive on Turilli's main band. Rather, the huge riffs are there to provide contrast and dynamics. With that mentioned, fans of Turilli's distinct power metal side will be pleased when they hear the catchy title track, sung by classic power metal vocals (with only few supporting female harmonies), big double-bass drums, and speedy guitar riffing. Add to this the electronic keyboard sequencing and rich synth layers that distinguish the piece from the Rhapsody repertoire.

On the slower, more ballady songs, such as the piano-driven "Silver Moon", the female soprano vocals may remind some of Nightwish, with a less operatic singer. The song has a full sound, enriched with clever orchestrations and an intense emotional scope. "Angels of the Winter Dawn" is another cool song, beginning with folky flute sounds and heavy guitar breaks. There are both male and female vocals on this track, exchanging verses and soaring during the chorus. Turilli gets to show his respect to his influences Chopin and Scriabin during a beautiful piano here as well. More electronica is available on "Cosmic Revelation", a number reminiscent of Wishmaster period Nightwish, except that this track has a more epic aspect to it; while traces of film score can be detected in the Middle Eastern intro of "Pyramids and Stargates".

While The Infinite Wonders of Creation might highly please most Rhapsody fans, I feel it's far from being original or too different from Luca Turilli's other projects. Also, it's a shame that the packaging of the album totally ignores the other musicians and puts the limelight solely on Turilli. Still, power metal fans who aren't too interested in originality but moreso energetic, pumping melodic metal marked by symphonic soundscapes should enjoy this disc immensely.

I don't usually pay attention to what other reviewers ratings are but I really have to shake my head at the one and two star ratings. This is an excellent album - one of the best of the year. What the naysayers were expecting I have no idea. What they got was a very impressive melodic symphonic metal creation, featuring orchestral backing, beautiful choirs and a fabulous female lead singer.

I suppose, whether you like this album or not depends upon your expectations because there certainly isn't anything wrong with the composition, performance or arrangements. They are all spectacular, so if you're into the music of bands like Therion, Epica, Within Temptation or Nightwish.

For another treat, check out Lost Horizons by Luca Turilli's Dreamquest. It may even be better

I don't usually pay attention to what other reviewers ratings are but I really have to shake my head at the one and two star ratings. This is an excellent album - one of the best of the year. What the naysayers were expecting I have no idea. What they got was a very impressive melodic symphonic metal creation, featuring orchestral backing, beautiful choirs and a fabulous female lead singer.

I suppose, whether you like this album or not depends upon your expectations because there certainly isn't anything wrong with the composition, performance or arrangements. They are all spectacular, so if you're into the music of bands like Therion, Epica, Within Temptation or Nightwish.

For another treat, check out Lost Horizons by Luca Turilli's Dreamquest. It may even be better

Luca Turilli's Infinite Wonders of Creation,,, hmmm... For starters, it is quite good. A nice, heavy album that to me was more memorable than Prophet of the Last Eclipse (2002). Luca does the guitars and the keyboards on this one. So that means the keyboards are little more prominent now. New label, new logo, a little bit new style. I had to check the band lineup lists twice because Olaf Hayer sounds very different on this album than how he sounded on Luca's other albums. At times I wondered if it was a different singer. Bridget Fogle gets to shine some more on this album too. There is still some Rhapsody similarities as far as the choirs go and choruses, Infinite Wonders (more specifically, Luca's solo stuff) is becoming its own entity now. It's a little different than Prophets... and Kings of the Nordic Twilight (1999), but I felt that it was a good buy. There is a 2CD limited version, the second CD is a four track sample of Luca's other band, Dreamquest.

Both musically and creatively Luca Turilli is, in this disc, under himself. The trilogy project started well, «Prophet of the Last Eclipse» meaned an incredible quality jump, and logically the waited «punch line» created great expectation. But then, «The Infinite Wonders of Creation» happens. And what a disappoint. The sound here is totally different in a bad way, likewise the style. What we love in the previous albums --brilliant passages, emotive choral segments, interesting themes and stories, the fast and furious drums, among many other things-- is now disappeared. Definitly the trilogy is not well closed; Turilli is in debt with his exquisite work. «The Infinite Wonders of Creation» is not one of them.

Luca Turilli has always been one of my favorites, but unfortunantly he comes up short on this one. The music is still amazing, but the decision to use more female voice in this album really killed it for me. Don't get me wrong, the female singer is very good, but it simply does not fit with Turilli's previous work. Listen to a bit of the Dreamquest stuff before you buy it, and if you like it, go for it, but if you prefer the male voice and more of his older style, this is not for you.

Back in 2002, I felt that both Rhapsody and Luca Turilli had pretty much perfected and released the strongest chapters of their self-created style(s) of 'Epic Hollywood Metal' and 'Epic Fantasy/Symphonic Comsic Metal' with "Power of the Dragonflame" and "Prophet of the Last Eclipse". Unfortunately, with the "Power of the Dragonflame" came the end of the Emerald Sword Saga, and for this metal fan the end of a good thing.

Rhapsody would return in 2004 with a revamped, re-invented style dubbed 'Film-Score Metal' in "Symphony of Enchanted Lands II: The Dark Secret" and like the first three albums in the Emerald Sword Saga after listening to it I would pretty much turn a deaf ear (excluding a few key songs) and ultimately felt a purchase was unnecessary. While re-inventing their style does keep things fresh, it also takes a few albums for said style to evolve to the point I feel it's worth listening to (the last two albums in the Emerald Sword Saga are the best in my mind, the first three are pretty hit and miss).

So what does Rhapsody's latest effort have to do with Luca's latest effort? Well, for one, it made me extremely apprehensive to buy "The Infinite Wonders of Creation" on a blind whim, and I'm glad I didn't. While the first two chapters in Turilli's trilogy had their own unique feel and identity (and also fit the style/genre they were ultimately dubbed as), this album is just all over the place as it struggles to find an identity of its own. Halfway through the album I was still waiting for that "magic moment" when you know you're completely infatuated with the album - which never arrived. Granted, there is some interesting synthesizer work to be had, but nothing as interesting as that found on "Prophet of the Last Eclipse".

While Turilli's compositions really leave something to be desired, the biggest hurtle "The Infinite Wonders of Creation" faces is the fact singer Olaf Hayer is made to take turns with a female vocalist, basically turning almost every song into a duet. While I personally have no ill feelings against the female vocals or vocalist, Hayer's vocals are half the reason I liked the last two chapters as much as I did (and his work with Dionysus), and cutting down on his mic time just puts another check in the minus column. I really have to question whether splitting the vocal duties was a wise decision at this point of the trilogy; though I doubt Hayer's solitary voice would be enough to make these compositions stronger than they currently are. Unfortunately, this album probably marks the end of Turilli/Hayer's collaboration since Turilli's Dreamquest employs female vocals.

The other thing about the album that bugs me isn't really about the album as it is about how the artist is presented. As another reviewer has already pointed out, the booklet pretty much focuses on Turilli himself. Like I said above, Hayer is half the reason I tune into Turilli's project and he is at least somewhat responsible for this Saga's success. Also, I get a kick out of the Editorial Reviews: About the Artist section above. Can we talk about blowing our own trumpet? Seriously, it's over-bearing press release schlep like this that leads many to believe that the members of Rhapsody are overrated, conceded, self-absorbed and self-important. An artist should let their music talk FOR them - lyrics in one's music will always talk louder than any album or product review. Also, in a somewhat related matter, record labels should not degrade other artists or the genre itself - this means you Limb Music Products.

In the end, "The Infinite Wonders of Creation" isn't a bad album in the least, but it just doesn't do enough to get much past the starting line. I would definitely recommend one get a good earful before putting any money down on this release.

Greetings Everyone!

Ijust bought the new Turilli's Album. I can't understand why does Luca make so much albums in very short period of time... Ok, the guy is great, he has an amazing sense of melody and a vast imagination but Luca! Have a break!!! This Album sounds Tired, Uninspired... How can i tell you... It's boring! We wll know how great commposer you're, give us great albums like the first Rhapsody's or the amazing two albums from you as solist... I can wait for a very Turilli Album, there's no need to rush! Sincerily Juan Pablo

For all you naysayers out there, you definitly do not know art. This is a work of perfect art by one of the greatest artists of all, Luca Turilli. The CD of course is the 3rd in his solo trilogy, the finale of his story. The Infinite Wonders of Creation centers on the concept of spiritualism and mother earth in general. Joining Luca and head vocalist Olaf Hayer in this album is female vocalist Bridget Fogle, and to amazing results.

Going through track by track.

1: Secrets of the Forgotten Ages: 7/10 - an excellent intro track, leads you into the new feel and sound of the album but doesn't really take off, its just there.

2: Mother Nature: 10/10 - Female Vocalist Bridget Fogle really gets to shine in this powerful but stunningly beautiful piece centered on exactly as the title says. This track alone proves many naysayers wrong about her, her voice lends itself to the theme beautifully and Mother Nature was written for her and her alone it would seem.

3: Angels of the Winter Dawn: 10+/10 - Simple amazing, it blew me away, starting with the powerful vocals of Olaf Hayer then leading into a duet with Bridget Fogle, this track is definitly the highlight of the entire album, that will get you singing and airguitaring along over and over. It will get stuck in your head and no that is not a bad thing.

4: Altitudes: 7/10 - Another Bridget Fogle lead track, its beautiful but could have been better as I'll get into later, something was just missing.

5: The Miracle of Life: 10/10 - It opens with the sounds of Dolphins and Whales then Olaf takes off again with Bridget, it seems whenever they do a duet, the song is gold and this song is pure gold, Bridget and Olaf sing with eachother and bounce off perfectly creating an amazing blend of vocals to go with Luca Turilli's powerful instrumentals.

6: Silver Moon: 7/10 - Bridget leads in this beautiful ballad, not as powerful as the songs with Olaf but it suits the song well.

7: Cosmic Revelation: 8/10 - Beautiful female led ballad, that really captures the mood of the cosmos and sets the mood for what is to come next.

8: Pyramids and Stargates: 10/10 - Olaf is back and with Bridget again strikes up a duet, about the Egyptian Pyraminds and the spiritual and cosmotic wonder of the Pyramids and Stargates, a truly powerful piece of music.

9: Mystic and Divine: 10/10 - A duet again, Olaf as the main vocals Bridget as backup setting the soprano tone, one cant describe this piece, it simply is there and when you hear it, it captures the spirit of what Luca wished to be seen and as the album is the about the Infinite Wonders of Creation, this piece captures that moment perfectly.

10: The Infinite Wonders of Creation: 9/10 - a Little bit of everything and everyone in this piece, it works but not to the perfection of many of the other duets, maybe because there is just so much in it, it is by far the longest of the songs in the entire CD but not the least, as the CD reaches its climatic finale.

Bonus: Altitudes (piano version): 9/10 - this is how this song was to be heard, the version earlier in the CD, is beautiful but the song works better with the simpler instrumental, the piano accompanyment with the almost operatic sound of Bridget's voice makes this version all the more beautiful.

Overall, buy this CD, it does everything one would ask in a CD, it captures all the emotions, hope, love, sorry, anger, joy,everything and does this all while sparking your imagination and wonder of the glorious and Infinite Wonders of Creation.

Okay, here is Luca's Third Album, and an odd one it is. In this album, Luca has gone away from the driving guitar and gone fully into the realm of New Age. I say good for him. He has been doing much in the way of metal for a long time, I figure he meant this as his "Gimme a break for a second" album. He enlists new talent here, Bridget Fogle, a relatively unknown vocalist to this point, and she does an excellent job of it, having a strong enough voice to hit the high notes without faltering, yet able to also hit some of the more tender notes as well. I doubt she will be without a job in the future.

Now, for some of the bad points. One bad point is, if you aren't expecting metal, don't bother with this album. It has very little in the way of Power Metal. Another bad point is that, yet again, the plaguing corniness of the lyrics that has bothered Luca since his beginning albums with Thundercross (Which turned into Rhapsody, which turned into Rhapsody of Fire due to copyright problems).

Overall, an excellent album, but if you are used to the same old, don't bother with it.