RHAPSODY
Live in Canada 2005: The Dark Secret
Magic Circle Music 2006
www.mightyrhapsody.com

What’s the 4-1-1?
Italian power metal group releases their first live album via Joey Demaio’s (Manowar) new record label. The show was taken from an opening gig during Manowar’s ‘Demons, Dragons, and Warriors World Tour.’

Genre
Power metal / hard rock

The Good
Rhapsody starts off their sixty minute set with all the pomp and circumstance of an epic fantasy movie. “The Dark Secret” starts off with operatic female vocals and lots of brass instruments to help pump of the energy levels. Christopher Lee (Star Wars, Lord of the Rings) does a vocal introduction, and then we begin with the music. “Unholy Warcry” employs some of the same elements as the introduction but supersedes them with frantic chugga-chugga riffs. Vocalist Fabio Lione delivers with passion and high-pitched melody. The track really does give you the feeling something exciting is happening.

“Wisdom of the Kings” continues the charge with powerful rhythms and piercing keyboard tones. “Erian’s Mystical Journey” is a thirteen minute composition that runs the gamut of tempos and emotions and focuses strongly on its storyline. “Dawn of Victory” is just as impactful as a might battle and could set the tone for a victory celebration. “Lamento Eroico” is sung entirely in Italian, but doesn’t detract from the rest of the material. Rhapsody close down the show with the keyboard heavy “Gran Finale.” If you get the bonus DVD version, you get a 5.1 audio mix of the show, plus a sneak peak of their upcoming DVD that ties into this release.

The Bad
The opening of “The March of the Swordsman” kind of reminded me of Sir Robin’s theme from Monty Python and the Search for the Holy Grail. You kind of have to be into the whole fantasy scene to really appreciate the lyrics. When I was growing up we called it Dungeons & Dragons metal. I don’t know if we’re calling it Lord of the Rings metal yet. Also, the booklet is a big advertisement for Manowar.

The Verdict
This is my first experience with Rhapsody. Their music is powerful with lots of melody and emotion. It’s almost as if you’re watching a grand adventure movie when you listen to this collection of songs. The lyrics seem a little funny to me, but that’s only because I’m not into fantasy and mythology stories.

Did You Know?
Prior to joining Rhapsody, vocalist Fabio Lione went by the name Joe Terry in the group Labyrinth.

Rating: out of 5

--George Dionne