Customer Reviews

Triumph Or Agony

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

No you're not seeing things. It is Rhapsody in all their excess and you know what? It sounds pretty good. Not sure of the reason for the name change but it seems to have made them less hyper and more melodious (if that's possible). Plenty of medieval melodies, soaring vocals, backing choirs and of course, bombast.

Not unlike Luc Turilli's two new separate releases sans the female lead vocalists, but not quite as good. For fans of Therion, Dreamquest, Epica.

This is the first review I've ever written on this site. I have been an avid viewer and customer of Amazon for quite a while, yet I have never felt a need to actually write a review for something. This CD changed that for me. It is simply brilliant. With Symphony of Enchanted Lands II, Rhapsody had somewhat changed their style. SoEL2 was very epic, very big, very mature sounding, yet it didn't have that fast paced, hard hitting, almost catchy-like quality of their previous releases (for the most part). Don't misunderstand me, SoEL2 is a brilliant album, one that I would pick over most other music any day. It was just... missing something. Well, good news folks, Triumph of Agony takes the best of SoEL2 and combines it with enough of their old energy to give us something incredible. Starting with eerie whispers, this album never left me bored or wanting to switch tracks. Song ten is enough for anyone to buy the album. That song is truly brilliant. If you like power metal, if you like a big, epic sound, if you like to be swept up in your music and truly feel a part of it, then this album is for you. While Rhapsody, now Rhapsody of Fire, is certainly not for everyone, if you have even an inkling of a liking for them, this is certainly one of their very strongest efforts to date. I certainly hope their future efforts are as strong as this one. Good job guys.

i always see negative reviews of this album and get into arguments with former fans and/or blind guardian fans... and this is the first album i ever heard of theirs, and this is what sold me to their music, so i don't understand how someone can hate this album.

it is true that this album is not as intense, but there is no war going on in the story at the time, The Dark Secret is the second saga's starter, which i felt like that album previous to this, was more straight forward to the story's progression, where as this album is mostly time passing as they head to dar-kunor and their wizard king guide is telling of stories, which is basically the majority of the songs preluding the present journey which is the epic song The Mystic Prophecy Of The Demonknight, which its length does not compare to previous saga endsong Gargoyles, Angels of Darkness, but its quite debatably just as epic.

but the main difference between those songs, is that Gargoyles, Angels of Darkness (from Power of the Dragonflame), is a major climatic event in that saga, so all epicness is involved. so i can see that some would prefer the older albums due to their constant battles and drama. but even so, this album's epic is a decent plot movement, and this album will leave you wondering what happens next.

which i am buying the new album soon, Frozen tears of angels. and as for the less harsh critics, i would agree with the idea of having new Rhapsody fans getting into the first 4 albums first (5 if you count Rain of a thousand flames EP).

but if you are willing to accept their new stuff as more theatrical elements and not so much action and powerful, this album and The Dark Secret (Symphony of enchanted lands part 2), will make for with epicness and bring on both a new story and nostalgia of the previous saga.

I have to admit, some of you power metal fans have built neuron paths in your brain that only fire at 260 beats per minute. The chord structure is simple, but goes along with the territory of ancient folk music! But even beyond that, the vocals are absolutely amazing and expressive! The lyrics are pleasant! I find it interesting that fans either love it, or are dissapointed. *****

This is an amazing album. Yes, it is not as hyper as previous CDs (very sparing use of the double bass), but Rhapsody hasn't lost their powerful and epic feel. If you like Rhapsody, get this album!

I just love this album not much speed as previous ones but melodies, AWESOME production, storylines[lyrics], the guitars are awesome too an excellent album. So, guys don't be afraid of change!

Very good product. Thank you very much. Excellent vendors. Amazon is the best page product sales in which I purchased. 100% recommended

I have never written a review on Amazon before, but I believe that this album certainly deserves to be highly praised. I have read too many negative reviews for this album. If you are a fan of Symphonic Metal, or Classical music in general, this album is a must have in your collection.

Luca Turilli and Alex Staropoli have completely outdone themselves. I certainly do believe this is the peak of their work. Unlike the other Rhapsody albums, Triumph or Agony is not filled with so much intense double-bass and over-zealous guitar solos. Rather, the album unleashes the full-force of Rhapsody that I don't think any band can compare to. What you get is the understanding of pure, raw emotion and impassioned power. Just because it doesn't fit the norm of "power metal" doesn't mean it isn't power metal. This is "power" in a completely different form. Fans of this album can definitely perceive that the heart and soul of the band members went into this album. I believe this is the "film score" metal sound they have always wanted. I can't imagine someone listening to a track like "Son of Pain" and not get chills or shed a tear. Absolutely mind-blowingly powerful!

I am a classically trained musician with both a Bachelors and Masters in Music. I know a thing or two about great music, and I would seriously rank these artists in Rhapsody up there with the great Classical masters of our time. What Rhapsody shares with our Classical masters is their ability to emotionally move an audience. Never have I felt so sentimental for modern-day music as I have with Triumph or Agony.

One word: brilliant.

I have only been a fan of Rhapsody for a few years now and Only have heard Symphony of Enchanted lands 2 and Power of the Dragonflame. I see so many reviews stating on how this band isn't the same..sound totally diff? Well judging by the 2 albums I own..This one is just as good and in a diff way. I'm not an old school fanboy who likes nothing but old rhapsody So I can't say how this is compared to the first 3 and 1 e.p But as a music lover and Metalhead...This album is good.

No you're not seeing things. It is Rhapsody in all their excess and you know what? It sounds pretty good. Not sure of the reason for the name change but it seems to have made them less hyper and more melodious (if that's possible). Plenty of medieval melodies, soaring vocals, backing choirs and of course, bombast.

Not unlike Luc Turilli's two new separate releases sans the female lead vocalists, but not quite as good. For fans of Therion, Dreamquest, Epica.