Artist: Rhapsody
Label: Limb Music
Release Date: 10/30/00
Rating: 3 Skulls
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Title: Dawn of Victory Artist: Rhapsody Label: Limb Music Release Date: 10/30/00
Rating: 3 Skulls |
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Reviewed by Requiem (1/17/01):
Blatantly categorizing themselves as "Symphonic Epic Hollywood Metal" makes me wonder. I have heard lots about this rising force in power metal and, believe it or not, this was my first Rhapsody experience. What they present is some extremely technical and talented power metal in an almost orchestrated sound but at times it's just too much for me. It reminds me of a heavy metal version of a Broadway musical and almost sounds like something that the whole family can sing along to. But as with many things, the more you listen the more you can appreciate them.Rhapsody will definitely appeal to all of those who are into music for technicality's sake. All musicians involved are quite skilled and show their talents throughout the course of the album. Vocalist Fabio is the perfect man for the job handling his operatic vocal style with ease. The guitars and keyboards provide stunning precision and speed and the drums provide the proper tempos to make sure you know this is a heavy metal album. Not to mention that they use a real orchestra and choir as well as other skilled musicians throughout the course of the album. The album deserves credibility in the creativity department for incorporating all of these elements so smoothly into the nature of the album, making the clash of heavy metal and classical music work so well.
The album has a Helloween-ish feel, being of a speedy and yet non-aggressive nature. The male operatic vocals and the ridiculous examples of instrument mastery bring to mind Dream Theater and Children of Bodom. The album is quite brilliant at times and actually started to grow on me after a while but there are some parts that are too silly for me to handle. And yes, I know a lot of power metal bands can get carried away but these ears can only handle so much. Just take a look on the back of the album for visual evidence of what I mean by "too much".
Although there are some aspects of the album that excel my tolerance for heavy metal silliness, a majority is worth the effort. This is a great album in terms of playing ability and songwriting skill, but unless you have a high tolerance for power metal, stay far away from this one. This is heavy metal to the highest power. This is none less than a heavy metal orchestra and I'm sure it would be quite the spectacle to witness live. Manowar are probably still the kings of the heavy metal mountain, but Rhapsody is climbing and it may not be long before they conquer the throne.
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