Rhapsody of Fire – Challenge the Wind
Release Date: 31st May 2024
Label: AFM Records
Order/Stream
Genre: Symphonic Melodic Metal, Power Metal.
FFO: Twilight Force, Angra, Avantasia, Dragony, Symphony X.
Review By: Eric Wilt
In the world of symphonic melodic metal, few bands can boast as impressive a discography as Rhapsody of Fire. For over thirty years and despite numerous personnel changes, keyboardist and composer Alex Staropoli and co. have put out quality release after quality release of their patented “film-score metal.” On 31 May, the band is poised to release album number 14, the ambitious and impressive Challenge the Wind. Comprised of Staropoli, singer Giacomo Voli, guitarist Roby De Micheli, bassist Alessandro Sala, and drummer Paolo Marchesich, Rhapsody of Fire has concocted ten new songs filled with power and bombast. Speaking of the album’s aggressive nature, Staropoli says, “Compared to all previous Rhapsody of Fire releases, the current album consists exclusively of up-tempo numbers, not a single ballad in sight.”
If you’re like me, an album full of up-tempo songs is just about right, and Rhapsody of Fire does it as well as anyone in their genre. The album gets started with the title track, which is one of the fastest songs on the album. Think classic Helloween crashing into a symphony orchestra, and you’ve got a feel for the song. Other tracks that crest above the 190-bpm mark are The Bloody Pariah, my personal favorite song on the album, and Holy Downfall. Not to be outdone in bombast, other stand-out tracks like Whispers of Doom, Diamond Claws, and A Brave New Hope bring all of the symphonic pomposity that fans have come to love and expect from Rhapsody of Fire. While not a ballad by any means, Kreel’s Magic does calm things down a bit if you need a breather, and Mastered by the Dark has a singsong chorus that will get stuck in your head.
Thirty years is a long time for any band, and even though Rhapsody of Fire doesn’t sound exactly like they did in the 90s and early 2000s, that doesn’t mean that they aren’t producing some amazing music. Staropoli and the guys are firing on all cylinders on Challenge the Wind, and the ten songs contained herein are going to please fans of all eras of the band.
(4 / 5)
