Prophet of the Last Eclipse [Extra tracks, Import]

Luca Turilli | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 4, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Import
• Label: Limb
• ASIN: B00006JOTG
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,217,596 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Aenigma

2. War of the Universe

3. Rider of the Astral Fire

4. Zaephyr Skies' Theme

5. The Age of Mystic Ice

6. Prince of the Starlight

7. Timeless Oceans

8. Demonheart

9. New Century's Tarantella

10. Prophet of the Last Eclipse

Editorial Reviews

Outside of being a leading member in Rhapsody of Fire, the Italian guitarist/composer Luca Turilli has also the reputation of being a more than capable solo musician. His 1999 debut album "King Of The Nordic Twilight" reached high chart positions worldwide and not only the press praised the album as a fantastic opera linking melodic Metal and classic, the reaction of the fans was equally euphoric. Luca describes "Prophet Of The Last Eclipse" as "...even more versatile and diversified than "King Of The Nordic Twilight". There are a lot of new sounds, some of which sound really futuristic, so the sound perfectly fits what I call 'Symphonic Cosmic Metal'." And finally, the 2002 classic "Prophet Of The Last Eclipse" again sees the light of day, with two bonus tracks added! --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A defining masterpiece in symphonic metal, July 6, 2004

By 

Orion Crystal Ice (Jacksonville, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prophet of the Last Eclipse (Audio CD)

For those familiar with Luca Turilli's work, you know that he likes his music big, huge, bombastic, and sweeping in composition - which is both a turn off for some metal fans and the reason a good deal of his audience is rabid about his work. Love or hate his material, one would have a hard time denying the strength of his melodic sense and compositions, along with the fact that throughout his career he has kept upping the ante, making the music bigger and bigger and bigger.......

And then, there was Prophet of the Last Eclipse.

On this, Luca's second solo album, the sound has gone so through the roof it can barely even be seen anymore. This is big, this is powerful, this is in your face, but this is also stretching a few boundaries of what can even be called metal...rather, the music on Prophet of the Last Eclipse sounds like a hyperactive symphony from outer space, with a metal band guesting to back it up. There are almost 30 choir members on the album, in 4 seperate choirs, along with the String Quintet of Hamburg, Germany, plus a timpani player. Add to this Luca's normal guitar/bass/drums/keyboards/vocals band and his brand of epic composing, and you have one of the biggest and most pompous albums to come out since.. well, the last Rhapsody release actually. But this may be even more giant sounding, and the best thing about it is; it's of the same quality.

Prophet of the Last Eclipse is a conceptual work, telling an odd story revolving around love and apocalyptic prophecy on a distant planet. While not on the same level as a successful author's material, Luca manages to craft a short and interesting, as well as even a bit original (for science fiction), tale.
The album is also a nice evolution in Luca Turilli's sound in ways; first, as aforementioned, the album sounds like a symphony with a metal band as opposed to a metal band with a symphony. In the booklet, it's learned that Luca restrained himself guitarwise on this album in order to let the compositions and the classical instrumation come through a lot more. For this, he gains extra respect from me and what's good is that contrary to what most people would fear, the music is actually enhanced by a little less guitar. There are never any guitar parts battling with string parts for volume or attention, or any loose ends on the album, every part of the huge arrangements is placed within the songs tastefully and professionally. Although, once in a while the rhythm guitar work can get a bit lost in the large mix, but it doesn't detract a great amount - that's how big the orchestration is here. Second, there is now a good amount of a surprising element added to this music - an electronic influence ranging from techno-esque to dark and ambient....something of a crash course in awkwardness or metal suicide in print, yet on this album the new electronic elements are placed absolutely without flaw, meshing perfectly with the choirs, strings, and metal guitars and drums. This becomes apparent as soon as Aenigma, the album intro, hits with a dark sounding programmed beat that soon melts into one with the sounds and rhythms of the European Renaissance-era styled choir. After 2 minutes, the intro explodes into War of the Universe, an excellent speedy song with great vocals from Olaf Hayer and a shredding, aggressive violin/cello riff. Yes, that's 'violin/cello riff', and it shreds well right along with the thunderous drumwork and subtle little synth bleeps and bloops underneath the verses. Nice melodic guitar solo from Luca here as well. Next is Rider of the Astral Fire, where the creativity of the sound and Turilli's sense of melody really start to create some huge sparks. Excellent programming, rhythm guitar riffs, and even a good use of a children's choir can be found here. The first minute of the song is also sheer melodic brilliance, with a slow, pulsing, and dark intro building up to a galloping and positively glorious sounding viola/violin harmony with a heavy riff underpinning, taking a breather with some light keys before going into the first verse. Fantastic. Zaephyr Skies' Theme is a slower, ballad like instrumental with a gentle electronic pulse and some beautiful female vocalizations. Another major high point is the album's single, Demonheart, with some menacing programming, slashing guitar work, and an unbelievable chorus punctuated by a powerfully contrasting choir. New Century's Tarentella is another good showcase of the album's creativity, being a power-metalized rendition of classical Italian tarentella style music, though lacking a bit in the overall songwriting department. The album closer, the epic title track, is nothing short of stunning in parts and though with some weak links in the middle section, is a fitting climax for the album. Starting with the same Renaissance-styled choir heard singing in Aenigma, the song soon morphs into a ball of pure intensity, fading into a fanatical keyboard part and bursting into a crushingly heavy double bass drum attack, layered with orchestral strikes and a Latin-chanting male choir that brings almost frightening shivers. The verses also work well, after the song slows to mid pace, the female vocal in the middle part after the almost gothic keyboards is perfect, and the song closes with the same intense opening which slows down to a final, peaceful sounding Latin verse by the choir.

Overall this is one of the best, truly symphonic metal releases around. There is a track or two hindered by weaker songwriting, such as Timeless Oceans which has a few awkward melodies, and the album can also tend to give off a feeling of wanting more, but this is an album more than worthy of attention if you're not put off by the amount of symphonic elements involved. Superb.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantasy VS. Science Fiction, December 3, 2003

By 

Dr. Stein (Argentina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prophet of the Last Eclipse (Audio CD)

Rhpasody's guitarrist tried to be more creative this time and he really had it on. His first album was just the same as Rhapsody but with poorer vocals. In this second album he mixes science fiction with fantasy. The songs that most stand out are Demonheart, War of the Universe, Rider of the Astral Fire and Prophet of the last eclipse.
If you like symphonic power metal try this Cosmic Metal as defined by Luca Turilli and you'll surely love it.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It is fresh, stunning, amazing, beautifull..., May 3, 2003

By 

Juan (Chihuahua, Chih Mèxico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prophet of the Last Eclipse (Audio CD)

Since i heard for the first time to Rhapsody, they catched me instantabily... So i bought the first solo album of Luca and it like me just at the same than Rhapsody's!. I wait for this new opus from Luca too much, and i am so happy to realize that he is making more amazing things... This album has a kind of little madnes form Luca, he is just a genius!!! His skills as a composer even got better and as guitarist too.... I am so sorprised how the big music companies haven't yet discoverd the maestro.... the Man.... The Artist,,, Thank you Luca for make such a beautyfull art!!!