Tales from the Emerald Sword Saga [ENHANCED] [IMPORT]

Rhapsody

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 1, 2004)
• Original Release Date: February 1, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced, Import
• Label: Limb Music
• ASIN: B0001DD968
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #119,887 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

For the past seven years or, to be more precise, since the opening tones of their sensational debut album, Legendary Tales, Rhapsody have been one of the most unusual phenomena of the current metal scene. The huge range of their creativity, the number of legendary compositions that the Italian band, with their primary members, guitarist Luca Turilli and keyboarder Alex Staropoli, have released so far is now documented in their "Best Of" album Tales From The Emerald Sword Saga. Rhapsody is unique in the true meaning of the word. 16 tracks, the most unusual and the favourites in the Rhapsody saga to date, with a total playing time of over 70 minutes, as well as several valuable add-ons, (something which has almost become a firm tradition for Rhapsody) make Tales From The Emerald Sword Saga a highly interesting release for fans old and new.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing album, for fans & non-fans, June 11, 2005

By	Wesley Cho "music seeker" (Hartsdale, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Rhapsody has a lot of fans, especially those who love power metal, and for good reason - the orchestration & arrangements are used to great effect in their albums. The level of composition complexity is only outclassed by Nightwish in the world of modern music. This particular album is a compilation album of excellent songs from various Rhapsody albums, along with bonuses of a good symphonic version of Rage Of The Winter, a remix of Land Of Immortal, an edit of Riding The Winds of Eternity, a remix of Holy Thunderforce, & a video of the band playing Holy Thunderforce live (can't have too much Holy Thunderforce, now can we? ;) ).

Now, all Rhapsody fans know already that these are some great songs. It doesn't take someone who has a trained ear to love songs like Warrior of Ice, Rage Of The Winter, Wisdom Of The Kings, Dawn Of Victory, Holy Thunderforce, Power Of The Dragonflame, Riding The Winds of Eternity, Rain Of A Thousand Flames, & Knightrider of Doom. And that's not all! The other songs also are very enjoyable as well. These songs not only catch the ear, but contain a compositional depth that arises partly from the epic nature of these songs (as each Rhapsody album is an epic covering a part of a tale, just as the namesake of this album implies).

In short, if you're new to Rhapsody, buy this album, then buy the other Rhapsody albums (starting with Legendary Tales, and continuing in chronological order of their release). You won't be disappointed if you love music! If you're a current Rhapsody fan, this album might bolster your appreciation of them, and is also recommended.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Draw your emerald blade!, August 13, 2006

By	J. A. Farber (United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you've never listend to Rhapsody, you're missing out on one of the most unique musical experiences of our time. The idea of composing and reinventing the 'bard's tale' of eras past is the unifying theme throughout Rhapsody's releases. Take one part Spinal Tap showmanship, one part Iron Maiden, the vocals of Queen, throw in some Bach and Beethoven, back it up with a full choir, have the band dress up like renfair geeks, hit blend, and you've got Rhapsody.

Yes, the high fantasy story is cheesy as hell, but it works and rather infectous too. It's part of their charm. On the music side, it's really amazing how well fast paced speed metal anthems combine with classical music (often with full choir back up singers and latin verses) to create one of the most epic and exhilirating modern 'symphonies' I've ever heard. Probably the best comparison would be Nobuo Uematsu's "One Winged Angel" remix for Advent Children. If you liked all that pomp, rocking speed and over the top craziness, there's no doubt you'll find Rhapsody a breath of fresh air from the staleness of the music scene in general.

Most of the songs are blazingly fast, with lots of screaming guitar and bass work and intense drums but can also be surprisingly melodic. The keyboard trumpets, organs, pianos etc punctuate key moments and set up the songs very nicely, while the violin work adds an eeire beauty to even the most hardcore tracks. The great thing is how the songs can change tempo, instruments, vocal range and style (alternating between classic and metal and sometimes playing simultaniously) on a dime seemlessly for a wonderful variety of sounds within a single song. Dawn of Victory is perhaps the best example of this along with Winds of Eternity. But ultimately, it's Fabio Lione's vocals and Luca Turilli's composing and guitar that hold this band together. Their enthusiasm and passion for what they do shines through in every one of Rhapsody's songs. It takes a brave man to rock it hard about dragons and dark lords, but if anyone is up to the challenge, it's these two. Turilli especially deserves a lot of credit for knowing when to go all out and when to be suble. Despite what critics have said in the past, Rhapsody does back off the gas... when it suits them.

The only thing that's criminal about this release is the exclusion of Eternal Glory, one of the strongest tracks of Symphony of Enchanted Lands. But that is what full albums are for afterall.

Still, if you're looking for a CD that shows what Rhapsody is all about, this is a good place to start. So, take a listen to the preview tracks listed on full albums here at Amazon, and take your first step into a larger music world.

5.0 out of 5 stars Hail to Rhapsody!!, December 9, 2008

By	Cynthia Meden "Old Newcomer" (Davenport, IA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

I stumbled across this band while surfing on the Internet one day. Never had I ever heard such a unique blend of film score music and power metal. Rhapsody has done something in Europe that I think many more bands here in the US need to learn a lesson from.

Rhapsody, now renamed Rhapsody of Fire, unlike many power metal bands relies not just simply on speed and heaviness but on brutal epicness. Yes, those headbangers who cannot tolerate the over-the-top theatrical passion in these fantasy-based lyrics may raise a few eyebrows. the anthemic "Emerald Sword" (pronounce "suhword," not "sord") sort of captures the elevated spirit of patriotic music, just patriotic music about "green valleys where dragons fly."

I however, find Rhapsody of Fire vocalist Fabio Lione to be my one heavy metal counterargument to my parent's love of Italian soprano Andrea Bocceli and pop star Eros Ramazatti. Not that I deplore those latter two singers of their skills, but they lack the progressive inspirational sound of this band. Guitarist Luca Turilli also belts some amazing guitar solos that compliment the epic movie sound only specific to Rhapsody of Fire.

So quit reading my lengthy review, and expose yourself to the newest class of inspirational metal music.