Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
makes me want to live again, February 22, 2004
By A Customer
Rhapsody comes on like Spinal Tap, with their silly outfits and hyperbole. They're the worst band in the world, right until you push the play button. At that moment they become the best band ever. I know, I know, every music fan in the world thinks his own little momentary favorite is the best band ever. No, but seriously, Rhapsody makes the best popular music in the history of the human race so far. I don't even like much rock music, especially this diseased garbage the kids listen to nowadays. I'm a Sinatra and big band fan. But I've waited my whole life to hear a band like this. They restore hope. They represent everything holy and decent in the universe, and the willingness to take up arms to defend it. They not only respect the great tradition of European classical music, they have mastered it. Beethoven and Wagner and Bach and Tchaikovsky themselves couldn't write motifs more stirring, more noble, more beautiful. At the same time, Metallica couldn't match these guys in terms of raw power and speed and virtuosity. And these two styles of music are blended with such utter naturalness, it makes you wonder why we haven't been doing this all along. And the singer is a marvel, expressive, beautiful, unabashedly dramatic. Who cares if he has an Italian accent? Italy is the cradle of classical music, and he still speaks better English than any of those soul-destroying creatures called "rappers", who have no respect for heritage or any regard for anyone who does. Hail Rhapsody! They aren't just the best of the so-called "power metal" bands, they are a unique phenomenon in the history of pop music, a band that will be remembered for a hundred years after all the vile nonsense that tops the American charts has been wiped from time and memory. If you have one ounce of taste and don't buy every album they have made and listen to them, and nothing else, until you have memorized every note, you might as well go deaf, because you're wasting your ears.
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10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Swords, dragons, and heavy metal., March 24, 2001
I'm the jerk who wrote the review deriding Rhapsody's exceedingly foreign vocals and cheesy lyrics. While I stand by that assessment, it was unfair for those characteristics to denigrate Dawn of Victory's rating. I'm returning to give it the score it deserves. (Previous review: 3 stars; new review: 5 stars; average of 4 stars between the two which is what it deserves.)Rhapsody's story of fantasy adventure is something that generates emotional fuel. Even if the story is very generic, what counts is the feelings that come through. Metal bands these days are turgid and excessive in their negative attitudes, and Rhapsody's feeling of heroism is refreshing and pleasant. And, this is just my opinion, but I'd rather listen to songs about dragons and warriors than drinking beer, driving a truck, or having the hots for the girl at the office. Rhapsody feels no embarrassment when tackling songcraft of this type. Because they are so enthusiastic about what they are doing, their energy is certainly infectious, aided by their excellent musicianship and Luca Turilli's incredible sense of melody. Many of these songs have the hooks of pop, but the energy and intensity of heavy metal. However, Rhapsody's inclusion of symphonic elements makes it something else entirely. Operatic choirs, REAL strings (not keyboards), among other things, all add credence to the band's style. Unfortunately, the band seems to have lost some of its creativity since their previous release, Symphony of Enchanted Lands. SoEL is more creative, with greater ebbs and flows of diversity, and more interesting orchestral passages. While Dawn of Victory is still very good and has several great songs, they are more and more interchangeable with less emphasis on the orchestral side and a heavier lean towards the metal end. That's not necessarily a bad thing in itself, but doing so sacrifices an important factor of originality that they once possessed. A good album. It's cheesy, but that's part of what makes it great.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rhapsody owns, July 27, 2001
I bought "Dawn of Victory" with high hopes and expectations, and it surpassed them. When the spoken intro comes on, I thought the voice actor sounded kind of dumb, but hey. Then the epic choirs entered the scene, and I was hooked. Excellent use of the choirs, classical instruments, and female vocals. This is neoclassical metal at its finest. The singer, although he sometimes mispronounces words, sounds great. In fact, I think his mispronunciations actually enhance the atmosphere of the music. The album's theme is fantasy, which appeals to me very much, and the lyrics are very good. I can't say that I've seen lyrics written quite this way, but they pull it off terrifically. The guitarist, Luca Turilli, is virtuosic, on par with Yngwie Malmsteen. When he shreds, it's melodic and meaningful. The keyboardist/harpsichordist, Alex Staropoli, is also wonderful. I haven't listened to the bass very much, but it is great too. The drummer is also rather impressive. Keep in mind that "Dawn of Victory" is like a third chapter in a book, so you won't get the beginning of the story. The music is the important thing, though, and even the heavy parts are beautiful, not to mention the classical interludes. As I said before, the female guest vocalist is great, and adds a lot to the music. I can't really describe how terrific and gorgeous this music is, so I'll just leave you with this: get this CD.
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