Rhapsody Of Fire - Legendary Years

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Compilations are, sometimes, boring and truly disgusting. In many cases, this kind of disc is just a way to take the last coins of the fans, especially when the band has nothing new to present. To the greater part of compilations in the “The Best Of” way, this is an undeniable truth. But in few cases, there are some compilations that are truly good, has something different to present. This is the case of “Legendary Years”, the new release of the Italian heroes from RHAPSODY OF FIRE.

It seems a good intention: in “Legendary Years”, the band re-recorded some songs from the most creative and successful era, from the period of 1997 to 2002, and with the actual lineup. To speak in another way, it’s a way to present the new vocalist Giacomo Voli and new drummer Manuel Lotter. Maybe it’s a statement that the band will go on without Fabio Lione, who left the band in 2016. As well, it’s an extremely courageous album, because to have Giacomo singing old classics of the band is not only a way to say that RHAPSODY OF FIRE is alive, but to show the fans how the things will go with the new vocalist. Let’s be honest: with the great intolerance that Metal fans show to vocalists’ changes (bands as IRON MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST and ICED EARTH suffered a lot for this), to record such kind of album is a sign of courage!

The sound production of “Legendary Years” is near perfection. Sebastian “Seeb” Levermann did a great job on the mixing and the mastering, and the quality of the sound that flows by our speakers is truly excellent. You’ll get the best of the songs clearly. The artwork of Alexandre Charleux for the cover is really great, and the message is clear: the gates for a new era for the band and its fans are coming. Another factor that can be the cause of the band release of “Legendary Years” is the actual reunion tour of RHAPSODY with Fabio and Lucca, for it could cause confusion in the minds of the fans. But here on the album is the true essence of the band’s music. I must be true: I really know that Fabio’s voice is amazing, but Giacomo a great singer as well.

The are some classics that are amazing on their new versions, and “Dawn of Victory”, “Flames of Revenge”, “Land of Immortals”, “Emerald Sword”, “Legendary Tales”, “When Demons Awake”, “Holy Thunderforce” and “Rain of a Thousand Flames” are songs that speak for themselves. They are classics that all the band’s fans know and sing on the shows. But I think that songs as “Warrior of Ice”, “The Wisdom of the Kings”, “The Might Ride of the Firelord” and some others could be included on the album.  Yes, I know it would be necessary to have a double CD, but who cares? RHAPSODY OF FIRE deserves!

Ending my words, I believe that the band is really strong and amazing with this new lineup, and “Legendary Years” is here as proof that the Italian kings are back.

Originality: 9
Songwriting: 10
Memorability: 8
Production: 10