Power of the Dragonflame

Rhapsody

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 11, 2002)
• Original Release Date: April 23, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: LMP
• ASIN: B000067UO4
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #107,725 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

From the Artist
As previously mentioned, Power Of The Dragonflame ends the Emerald Sword saga. "As far as the style goes, it's like drawing a section through all our previous releases, right from our 1997 debut," Luca Turilli characterizes the new opus. "We were able to use ideas from a huge amount of inspiration, that's why it's turned out so long, being over 60 minutes." On a special note, Rhapsody also present a classical choir, a classic ensemble with violins, flutes etc. as well as a song sung entirely in Italian. "The song, "Lamento Eroico" is a very poetic piece with words that we can only express in our native language." Turilli described this, one of the highlights of the album. The brilliance of the album is again underlined by cover artwork by Marc Klinnert, who was also responsible for the artwork on the two previous albums.

Product Description
Sensational sales figures, almost a cult status amongst their fans all over the world, sold-out shows, high chart positions and thrilling performances at almost every important European metal Festival: The Italian formation Rhapsody, with their three previously released albums, Legendary Tales (1997), Symphony Of Enchanted Lands (1998) and Dawn Of Victory (2000) as well as the speciallly priced Album, Rain Of A Thousand Flames released last Autumn, has been able to create a totally new and unique style called 'Hollywood Metal' and to fascinate fans all over the world with it.

Power Of The Dragonflame, their fourth full length album is another episode of the exciting Emerald Sword saga and one which brings the saga to an end. Power Of The Dragonflame took form in familiar surroundings, namely in the Wolfsburg 'Gate Studios` with Sascha Paeth and Miro, themselves experienced musicians (Heavens Gate, Virgo etc) and who have been closely tied to the success of the Italian band since the beginning of Rhapsody's career. Similar to their previous releases, the musicians Luca Turilli (guitar), Alessandro Staropoli (keyboards), Fabio Lione (vocals) and Alex Holzwarth (drums) let off a spectacular firework display of ideas, showing themselves not only as heavy, fast and aggressive, but also epic and orchestral. After the sensitive intro, 'In Tenebris' and exciting tracks such as 'Knightrider Of Doom`, 'The March Of The Swordmaster' and 'Steelgods Of The Last Apocalypse' the album culminates in the closing, over 19 minute long 'Gargoyles, Angels Of Darkness', which begins with a calm acoustic guitar prologue, accelerates in typical Rhapsody fashion and which includes the expressive, unusually theatrical voice of singer Fabio Lione. 'Gargoyles, Angels Of Darkness' combines all of the band's strengths: their rhythmic finesse, their epic basic structures and the hymn-like vocals.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a litmus test, February 20, 2004

By A Customer

The music of Rhapsody is a litmus test for the quality of a human being in these declining days of Western civilization. If you like this album, you are a good and noble person. If you don't like it, you are a soulless robot sleepwalking through your mediocre and degenerate existence, just like the other ninety-nine percent of the human race. Rhapsody mixes the highest quality of classical music with the most powerful rock-pop ever crafted. They are, by far, the best popular music ensemble in the world, or that has ever been in the world. Some people love them. Some hate them. Almost no one is neutral. That's why they are a litmus test. A soul detector. If you have one, you will love this. If you don't, you won't. It's as simple as that.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ultimate Rhapsody album, April 11, 2003

By	"hawkwinter" (Smithers, BC Canada) - See all my reviews

My first impression of this album was a bit off. I didn't have Rain of a Thousand Flames in hand yet and the difference between this album and Dawn of Victory is HUGE ! Another reviewer here complained that the format is the same, well yeah, I can't argue that. ALL Rhapsody albums start with an instrumental intro and then rage into a powerful, in-your-face charge. That being a given, this album is far heavier than Dawn of Victory. If you did pick up the Rain of a Thousand Flames EP, it won't seem that heavy as Rain really bridges the two albums quite nicely. In my opinion Power of the Dragonflame combines the best of Dawn of Victory and Rain of a Thousand Flames and mixes them flawlessly. Dragonflame doesn't seem quite as rough as Rain was, the songs are much more fluid and focused. The songs also range from extremely heavy to soft ballads, a pace determined by, as well as complimentary to the story of the final chapter of The Emerald Sword Saga.

If you are new to Rhapsody, and are considering this as your first album, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it, however be aware this is by far their heaviest album. The final battles of the free world against all the forces of evil take place in the story on this album, meaning there are a lot of very intense songs. Compared to Symphony of Enchanted Lands, much of that albums harmonious melodies have been dropped for agression and power. This fits the story. I just want potential newcomers to be aware that this band has various albums ranging every area of metal.

The intro "In Tenebris" is what you would expect from a Rhapsody intro, powerful and majestic.

"Knightrider of Doom" is a very fast and powerful song and one of my favorites on this album. This is one of the two really heavy songs that caught me off guard when I first heard this album.

"Power of the Dragonflame" is the other one. It starts like a death metal song, but once you hear the chorus, you realize you are listening to the most majestic Rhapsody song ever written. A very fitting tribute to the might of the Dragon.

"The March of the Swordmaster" is a classic Rhapsody song. Dungeons & Dragons in metal. I love the chorus of this song.

"When Demons Awake" is a slower, but very heavy song. In many ways this is a song that could have been on the first album if it wasn't so heavy, it has that kind of atmosphere to it.

"Agony is my Name" Ah yes, a no nonsense song that has all the makings of a great live tune. Strong and aggresive it has a great chorus with plenty of power to it.

"Lamento Eroico" In a surprising turn, Rhapsody recorded this song all in Italian. The music is beautiful and haunting and I definately love the song.....I just wish I knew what they were saying.

"Steelgods of the Last Apocalypse" While this song is a great song, if I had to pick a weak link on this album, this would be it. There's just not much to the song. It seems to lack purpose.
The chorus is catchy but overall the song just doesn't live up to the rest of the album.

"The Pride of the Tyrant" Majestic and uplifting, this song portrays the spirit of those making their last stand in a hopeless battle perfectly. I get chills listening to the chorus.

"Gargoyles, Angels of Darkness" I won't even try to describe this masterpiece. It is the crowning achievement of Rhapsody's legacy of great songs (so far). My absolute favorite song.

One last note, if you can spare the extra cash, get the 2-disc/DVD combo version of this album, it has a bonus song called "Rise from the Sea of Flames" that is one of the five best songs on the album. If you're a fan, you'll kick yourself if you miss out on having that song.

Every album is better than the last, and Power of the Dragonflame is no exception. I cannot recommend this album enough !!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another great album from Rhapsody, June 24, 2002

By	Ironblayde (Omaha, Nebraska, USA) - See all my reviews

Rhapsody's latest album is sure to make their fans happy. Yeah, the lyrics are cheesy, but the music is so good you'll want to sing along anyway. There aren't really any tracks that jump out and grab me right away, but that means there aren't any weak points or "filler" songs either. Everything on this album is done very well, except of course for that blasted narrator we've all come to know and hate. The good news is that he only shows up in one song. The bad news is that it's in the 20-minute finale. When, oh when will they get rid of him? Maybe if and when they do, I'll consider giving Rhapsody five stars. :)