RHAPSODY OF FIRE Rain Of A Thousand Flames CD 2001

In 2001, Rhapsody were doing things with orchestras and power metal that most bands still haven't caught up to. Luca Turilli and Alex Staropoli had already built a cinematic universe out of double bass drums and soprano vocals before anyone was calling it that.

Rain Of A Thousand Flames sits between Dawn Of Victory and Power Of The Dragonflame in the Emerald Sword Saga, which means it arrives mid-epic, fully committed to the bit. It's a mini-album in format but not in ambition, with orchestral interludes and choral passages that would embarrass most film composers. Italian symphonic power metal at its most operatic and unapologetic. If you've ever wanted your metal to come with a full string section and a narrative about ancient prophecies, this is not an unusual entry point, it's exactly what it sounds like and that's the whole appeal.

Artist: Rhapsody of Fire (formerly Rhapsody). Title: Rain Of A Thousand Flames. Format: CD, full length album. Country of origin: Italy. Genre: Symphonic Power Metal. Original release: 2001.

Fans of: Blind Guardian, Stratovarius, Nightwish, HammerFall.