Rhapsody Of Fire

Rhapsody Of Fire

Rhapsody Of Fire is an Italian symphonic power metal band from Trieste, formed in 1995 and active to the present day. The group’s sound sits within power metal and symphonic metal, and it is known for combining metal songwriting with orchestral and narrative elements.

Formation and early line-up

The band begins as Thundercross and then adopts the name Rhapsody. Its founding line-up includes Luca Turilli, Alex Staropoli and Daniele Carbonera. In 1994, the band releases its first demo, Land of Immortals, with vocalist Cristiano Adacher. Fabio Lione later replaces Adacher on vocals, and Alessandro Lotta joins on bass. Guitarist Roberto De Micheli also joins briefly in the early period.

Albums and story cycles

Rhapsody of Fire builds much of its early catalogue around connected fantasy narratives. Its debut album, Legendary Tales (1997), starts The Emerald Sword Saga. This is followed by Symphony of Enchanted Lands (1998), which includes “Emerald Sword”, and Dawn of Victory (2000), which continues the saga and reaches number 32 in Germany and number 4 in Japan. Rain of a Thousand Flames (2001) acts as a bridge to Power of the Dragonflame (2002), which concludes The Emerald Sword Saga.

The Dark Secret Saga starts with The Dark Secret EP and Symphony of Enchanted Lands II: The Dark Secret (both 2004), with narration by Christopher Lee. The band changes its name to Rhapsody of Fire in 2006 because of trademark issues, and releases Triumph or Agony, which features a 70-piece orchestra and choir. That album includes “Silent Dream”, “Son of Pain”, “The Mystic Prophecy of the Demonknight” and Fabio Lione’s contribution “Il canto del Vento”.

After the hiatus caused by legal disputes in 2008 and 2009, the band signs to Nuclear Blast Records and releases The Frozen Tears of Angels in 2010, followed by The Cold Embrace of Fear – A Dark Romantic Symphony. From Chaos to Eternity (2011) concludes The Algalord Chronicles and The Dark Secret Saga.

Line-up changes and later releases

Guitarist Tom Hess joins in 2011. After Luca Turilli and Patrice Guers leave, the band adds Oliver Holzwarth and Roberto De Micheli, then signs to AFM Records in 2012. Live – From Chaos to Eternity appears in 2013, and Dark Wings of Steel is the first album not part of The Algalord Chronicles. Oliver Holzwarth leaves in 2014 and Alessandro Sala replaces him. Into the Legend follows in 2016.

Fabio Lione and Alex Holzwarth leave in 2016. Former members then conduct a 20th Anniversary Farewell Tour in 2017 and 2018, performing Symphony of Enchanted Lands in full. Giacomo Voli and Manu Lotter join as vocalist and drummer. In 2017 the band releases Legendary Years, a re-recorded set of fourteen classic songs.

Recent material

Rhapsody of Fire begins The Nephilim’s Empire Saga with The Eighth Mountain in 2019. It follows with the I’ll Be Your Hero EP and Glory for Salvation in 2021, with singles including “Glory for Salvation”, “Magic Signs”, “Terial the Hawk” and “Chains of Destiny”. Kreel’s Magic Staff follows in 2023, and Challenge the Wind appears in 2024 as the third chapter of The Nephilim’s Empire Saga, alongside the singles “A Brave New Hope”, “Diamond Claws” and “Mastered by the Dark”.

Discography highlights

The band’s studio albums include Legendary Tales, Symphony of Enchanted Lands, Dawn of Victory, Rain of a Thousand Flames, Power of the Dragonflame, Symphony of Enchanted Lands II: The Dark Secret, Triumph or Agony, The Frozen Tears of Angels, From Chaos to Eternity, Dark Wings of Steel, Into the Legend, The Eighth Mountain, Glory for Salvation and Challenge the Wind. The group also releases two live albums, three EPs and a live DVD.