Live Report - RHAPSODY OF FIRE
(+ Visions Of Atlantis + Vexillum)
Estragon, Bologna, 02.25.2011
Nine years have passed since the last exhibition in Italy of our own Rhapsody Of Fire. At that time still called Rhapsody, and were in the first five years of their incredible career, which he had Handheld, with the time, to become one of the most popular band (and, alas, even hate) in the metal flag, proving a huge success abroad. They have certainly needs no introduction these six musicians, who, after years of stop for a lawsuit against the bosses of the Magic Circle Music (and bass player of Manowar) Joey DeMaio, are back on the throne of Symphonic Metal with "Frozen Tears Of The Angels "(link to review: http://recensionimetalfil.blogspot.com/2010/11/rhapsody-of-fire-frozen-tears-of-angels.html), fresh and powerful as the album's debut, quickly followed by the EP film "The Cold Embrace Of Fear" (review link: http://recensionimetalfil.blogspot.com/2010/11/rhapsody-of-fire-cold-embrace-of-fear.html). There's no denying: a golden age for the band is ready, as if not more, to release a new album ("From Chaos To Eternity") in the coming months, at the close of "The Dark Secret Saga".
In November 2010 part of the supporting tour, the "Tour Of The Frozen Angels," with stops touching the globe, until the announcement of the long-awaited Italian dates: 25, 26 and 28 February 2011. The Italian fans were in raptures, awaiting this event for many years.
The location for the first exhibition is the Italian Estragon in Bologna. I and my traveling companions arrive at 1:30 p.m. in the immense parking lot of that locally. The number of visitors is very low and slow, and will be until late afternoon, so this allows us, in peace, can take some photos with Patrice Guers (bass), while solace in a terrace outside the room, and Fabio Lione (vocals) seemingly fleeting, but then available for autographs and photos.
Among various sandwiches, accompanied by sips of beer, waiting in queue at the gates from 17. These start at around 20 and 30, and after a short waiting time (in which the local time ago to fill up properly), open the evening the Vexillum. The Italian power metal band this is, after all pretty canonical, but nevertheless, the lack of a half-hour setlist at their disposal, are able to give the Italian public some good chorus and a good dose of energy. The best performance of the band for the evening is "Avalon" , epic and triumphant song.
It 's the turn of the Austrians VISIONS OF ATLANTIS, a band that has assets now 3 album (and fourth in press). We think they need to warm up to the public dell'Estragon, with the tracks of Symphonic Metal mold, very much indebted to Nightwish known, although the Austrian band plays on the contrast voice more masculine / feminine voice. The quintet we can do, show a remarkable fluency and confidence with the stage. The setlist reserved for the band is about 45-50 minutes: excellent and engaging the first songs (especially "Seven Seas" and "At The Back Of Beyond" ), but in the long run start to see some 'flatness of composition in the following songs (more than half the time it takes to play songs from their new upcoming album "Delta "). Never mind, because the public is sufficiently hot and begins to be felt at the sound of "out! out! ", extolling the expectation Italian band, not just the Visions Of Atlantis left the stage.
It comes a fateful moment: around 22, on the notes of the intro "Dar-Kunor" Mighty Warriors are on the scene Italian RHAPSODY OF FIRE! Open now dances with the beautiful "Triumph Or Agony" , the public is scatenatissimo, the band is in an absolutely dazzling. In the succession of the lineup, the Estragon become a huge chorus in every song Fabio Lione is accompanied by an audience in ecstasy. Honestly, I never have heard a concert with an interest so intense. The pieces of the career of ninety-three-color combos one after another, from the highly anticipated "Dawn Of Victory" , "Lamento Heroic" , "Knightrider Of Doom" (also fished the timeless "Land Of Immortals" by first "Legendary Tales") extracted from the last new work "On The Way To Ainor" , and the individual "Sea Of Fate" . There is also space for a good drum solo of the faithful Alex Holzwarth, and an exciting bass solo by Patrice, on the basis of the instrumental part of "Sacred Power Of Raging Winds" . Emotions follow one another without interruption, and after a superb "March Of The Swordmaster" , topped by an interlude where the audience sing Lyon, the apex of the performance is achieved by successive two encores: the new and surprising " Reign Of Terror " (Done to perfection, with a devilish Lyon, between screams and clean vocals impressive) and a worthy conclusion to named "Emerald Sword" , the most representative and popular song of the band: the refrain, repeated endlessly, is accompanied by the public and is the most exciting you can hear a concert metal. The moment is entrancing, and although it is now past midnight, tired and not feel the public is still hot and this, now more than ever. On the notes dell'outro "The Angels' Dark Revelation" (EPA "The Cold Embrace Of Fear"), the lights fall and closes this magical and amazing concert, focusing on (for this writer) the best Italian metal band. The six musicians on stage last fall for the classic bow, to the tune of "Sea Of Fate" orchestral version, greeting their audience, who accompanied them proudly throughout the show. We hope to have them back soon in our country, without having to wait another 9 long years.
Worth noting is the technical aspect and stage of the band. To whom they accused of being just a studio band, who shot up as zero sound "plastic", who ruled that Turilli speed up the solos in the studio and other crap like, say only one thing: go to a concert personally and I assure you, you know how you are wrong. Lyon is in good shape until the end, does not miss a beat, his highs are perfect, there is only a drop in voice and encourages the public to duty. Turilli sweeppa like a madman, is a sight to see him play, and very few notes are out of place. He also shows an unexpected charisma and an incredible grip on the public. The rest of the band is a perfect balance between technique and charisma. A professional band in short, that makes us realize how worth it they wait nine years to see them play live.
And so ends this wonderful day, with music quality of the opening band and the triumphant music of Rhapsody Of Fire, who give a concert at Estragon long-awaited and unforgettable in every aspect. So congratulations to these musicians, who continue, even better, to hold high the banner of the metal flag.
Setlist:
01. Dar-Kunor (Intro) - Triumph or Agony
02. Knightrider Of Doom
03. The Village Of Dwarves
04. Sea Of Fate
05. Guardiani Del Destino
06. Land Of Immortals
07. On The Way To Ainor
08. Drum Solo
09. Dawn Of Victory
10. Heroic
Lamento 11.
Holy Thunderforce 12. Bass Solo
13. Unholy Warcry
14. The March Of The Swordmaster
15. Reign Of Terror
16. Emerald Sword