Rhapsody of Fire – Challenge The Wind
Rhapsody Of Fire – Challenge The Wind
AFM Records
Release Date: 31/05/2024
Running Time: 63:27
Review by: Chris Galea
9.5/10
Rhapsody Of Fire’s albums are synonymous with intricate Symphonic Power Metal concepts, a sub-genre that this Italian band actually pioneered. So is their brand new and 15th studio album more of the same? And would that necessarily be a bad thing? For the 2nd question, the rating is a bit of a spoiler, but nevertheless let’s pry open the album with the assiduous care of a bomb defusal operative.
According to guitarist Roby de Micheli, “Challenge The Wind” “…is about the fact that anyone can be a hero. Not automatically or from birth, but on the strength of what they do with their lives, whether they help others and grow into an empathic and caring person. Everybody can develop into a hero in the course of their life.” In fact this idea of heroism of the underdog is an idea that had already cropped up in the band’s previous album “Glory For Salvation” (2021) from which the concept story of “Challenge The Wind” continues.
According to AFM Records this album is Rhapsody Of Fire’s heaviest album to date. This is their way of saying there are no ballads, even though several songs do have some hushed moments. But, cynicism apart, the album is quite heavy with drummer Paolo Marchesich and bassist Alessandro Sala delivering relentless performances. Guitarist Roby De Micheli is also on fire and his neo-classical licks really bring the songs alive. As always with Rhapsody of Fire, the music at any given point is carefully composed so as to reflect the ongoing lyrical development.
But for me the greatest quality of “Challenge The Wind” is that Rhapsody Of Fire are dabbling with a range of musical ideas while retaining their recognisable sound. ‘Mastered by the Dark’, for example, starts with some haunting acoustic guitar arpeggios before some mid-tempo riffs come crushing in – and the rest of the song is similarly compelling. The album’s centrepiece, however, is an incredible 16-minute-plus epic called ‘Vanquished By Shadows’ – it’s impossible to adequately summarise the layers, moods and dynamics of this song in just a few words so I’ll just say that vocalist Giacomo Voli really shines in this track – he even uses some Black Metal vocals at one point (at least I think it’s him).
Rhapsody Of Fire have crafted a masterful album. If you buy just one Symphonic Metal album this year, then let it be this one.
RHAPSODY OF FIRE ‘Challenge The Wind’ official video:
TRACKLISTING:
01. Challenge the Wind
02. Whispers of Doom
03. The Bloody Pariah
04. Vanquished by Shadows
05. Kreel’s Magic Staff
06. Diamond Claws
07. Black Wizard
08. A Brave New Hope
09. Holy Downfall
10. Mastered by the Dark
LINE-UP:
Giacomo Voli – vocals
Alex Staropoli – keyboards
Roby De Micheli – guitars
Alessandro Sala – bass
Paolo Marchesich – drums
LINKS:
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