Rhapsody of Fire Albums Ranked

Rhapsody of Fire (formerly known as Rhapsody) is an Italian symphonic power metal band formed by Luca Turilli and Alex Staropoli, widely seen as a pioneer of the symphonic power metal subgenre. Since forming in 1993 as Thundercross, the band has released twelve studio albums, two live albums, three EPs, and a live DVD. Rhapsody of Fire is known for its conceptual lyrics that constitute a fantasy story throughout all of their albums from 1997 to 2011. After using the moniker of Rhapsody for nearly ten years, the band changed their name to Rhapsody of Fire in 2006 due to trademark issues. In 2011, following the release of their album From Chaos to Eternity which concluded The Dark Secret Saga, and after 18 years as co-leader of the band, Turilli left Rhapsody of Fire (on good terms) to form a new Rhapsody band, Luca Turilli’s Rhapsody, along with two other members who left with him, Dominique Leurquin, Patrice Guers. They describe their discography as a parallel continuation of Rhapsody of Fire’s discography, with their first album being their own “Rhapsody’s 11th album” and consider that they didn’t leave the band, rather than it amicably split in two. In 2016, other long-term members Fabio Lione and Alex Holzwarth had left the band, and reunited with Turilli, Leurquin, and Guers, to play again under the name Rhapsody for their 20th Anniversary Farewell Tour; in December 2018, several months after announcing that Luca Turilli’s Rhapsody was now inactive, Turilli announced the creation of a new Rhapsody band named Turilli / Lione Rhapsody, with the lineup of the 20th Anniversary Farewell Tour (recreating, minus Staropoli, the original band’s 2002–2011 lineup). Here are all of Rhapsody of Fire albums ranked.

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10. From Chaos to Eternity (2011)

“The first thing that stands out that really differentiates this record from previous albums is the more extensive use of black metal-style screams on songs like “Aeons of Raging Darkness,” “Tornado,” and even on the huge epic “Heroes of Waterfall’s Kingdom.” This actually comes with some heavier parts as well, where the drums are blasty à la Dragonforce or Falconer, but without losing what is so distinctly… Rhapsody. Also, the continuation of the movement into the more progressive at times is definitely noticeable. “Ghosts of Forgotten Worlds,” leans in that way at times during the versus, as well as the solos in “Aeons of Raging Darkness.” It should not go unmentioned that the solos on here are often doubles and feel very creative and unique within neo-classical genre.”

9. Into the Legend (2016)

“I found it surprising how heavy this album is. Even the vocals aren’t as airy as I expected but really earthy instead. That’s nice. Nice, that’s the word that comes to my mind listening to nearly every song on this album. I am missing the great hooklines, the majestic melodies. I don’t want to find them only by using a magnifying glass. But I have to.”

8. Triumph or Agony(2006)

“Triumph or Agony is one of those albums that it’s better to listen to start to finish, as it almost feels like it could be the soundtrack to a musical, I could easily picture Triumph or Agony being sung on stage, with the 16 minute epic “The Mystic Prophecy of the Demonknight” being the epic climax of the play and the song Dark Reign of Fire being the curtain call, then just when you think the play is over, the curtain opens one more time as the bonus track “Defenders of Gaia” comes on.”

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7. Symphony of Enchanted Lands 2: The Dark Secret (2004)

“Symphony of Enchanted Lands 2″ would mark a point in Rhapsody’s tenure where they decided to put the Orchestra in the foreground and the power metal on the back burner. I don’t mean that the metal in this album is absent, far from it, but it’s clear that Rhapsody wanted to use the orchestra sound to drive home their story this time around more so than we were used to at the time of this release. This album left fans at a crossroads of either; love it, indifference or suffering from post guitar loss syndrome and to be honest, I wouldn’t question anyone of these outlooks. That being said, I enjoyed this album not because of the shift in sound, but what the sound added to Rhapsody’s already established recipe. Recommended for sure, but be aware of the shift before you decide to dive into the album.”

6. Frozen Tears of Angels (2010)

“The Frozen Tears of Angels is the perfect Rhapsody of Fire comeback record. After four years of chaos, and the band’s still ongoing legal fight with Joey DeMaio (who signed the band and tried to steal their sound), Rhapsody of Fire is back with a power metal vengeance. They could not have chosen a better time or written better music for this imminent return. I hope this record helps push them back into the spotlight and that the next (at least) year of touring is good for the band, for all the individuals involved and is a kick in the teeth to everyone trying to hold down the most powerful force in power metal.”

5. Rain of a Thousand Flames (2001)

“Although it’s as long as a full-blown album, Rain of a Thousand Flames is not regarded as a full release by Rhapsody – as they explain it, it’s an EP release which isn’t a full chapter in the Emerald Sword Saga because it tells a side story that isn’t essential to the main narrative. Nonetheless, it’s one of my favourite Rhapsody releases because it describes how, away from the quest of the Saga’s protagonist, the powers of darkness are just running riot across the land. Consequently, the album has a decidedly harder edge and darker tone than is usual for Rhapsody’s music, which spices proceedings up nicely and continues the band’s tradition of not resting on their laurels and shaking things up with each new release.”

4. Legendary Tales (1997)

“The beginning of what would become a juggernaut in the power metal world, Rhapsody’s (before “of Fire”) debut release was everything fans of power metal and fantasy could ask for. Uplifting riffs, solos that Guitar Hero fans could easily envision emulating and orchestral numbers that set the atmosphere of being in a realm of fantasy. The influence of “Rage of Winter” and “Land of Immortals” can easily be heard in numerous symphonic and neo-classical metal acts the were spawned in the coming years. With “Legendary Tales”, Rhapsody laid out a nice blueprint for not only themselves, but for the power metal community at large.”

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3. Power of the Dragonflame (2002)

“This album is clearly the result of years of hard work. How they made an album this good and this distinguished is anyone’s guess. But somehow Luca Turilli, Fabio Lione, Alex Holzwarth and Alex Staropoli pull of a monster of a dynamic album here. The music is straightforward and speedy Symphonic Power Metal with traces of Neo-Classical Metal and Progressive Metal around many of its corners. The chemistry between the band at this particular juncture in time is unprecedented. There is a real ‘magic’ to this album that causes it to shine.”

2. Dawn of Victory (2000)

“It feels like listening to a Disney power metal musical that has lyrics that scream MMO tier fantasy plot and lore. This album is pretty much the top of the line power metal for me, I went into it with underwhelming expectations and came out of it fairly satisfied, large symphonic sweeps coupled with powerful guitars drums and vocals that make it all into a fun and interesting album that always has something going on with it and managing to keep the listener engaged and on his toes. This is pretty much a must if you love power metal.”

1. Symphony of Enchanted Lands (1998)

“Symphony of Enchanted Lands sees Rhapsody refine and perfect the formula established on Legendary Tales. The classical instrumentation gets to be a little more prominent this time, especially on the epic title track, and we get a bit more narration here and there to help out those who want to follow the story, but otherwise it’s essentially more of the same, with just enough variation and musical development to save the album from feeling redundant or unnecessary. If you’re going to do Dungeons & Dragons metal, you may as well go completely over the top with it, and Rhapsody pull this off in fine form.”