Reviewed - 08/30/04
Unholy
Warcry
[Magic Circle Music]
Writing a review of an album is one thing, but reviewing a single or EP is an entirely different task. After all, writing several hundred words on sixty minutes of music is far easier than doing the same for sixteen minutes of music. Or, in the case of Rhapsody's "Unholy Warcry," less than five. In fact, the only people I can see being interested in a one-track single are those who are obsessive about collecting every Rhapsody release in existence. This is, after all, a single taken from the forthcoming EP "The Dark Secret," which itself is taken from the forthcoming album "Symphony of the Enchanted Lands – Part II." There is absolutely nothing here that isn't on either of the upcoming releases, save the possible fact that this is an 'edited version' (whatever that means). But nonetheless, if "Unholy Warcry" is any sign of things to come, "The Dark Secret" and "Symphony of the Enchanted Lands – part II" are going to be two of the best power metal albums of the year.
Most noteworthy is the presence of Christopher Lee (from Star Wars Episode I and II and the Lord of the Rings, among many other films). Lee is a fantastic actor, and here plays the part of the Wizard King. He is a welcome change to previous narrator, and even provides some backing vocals on the upcoming album (Lee is a classically-trained opera singer). Lee's voice is very bassy, though, and is difficult to understand on some sound systems. But it's Christopher Lee, so I forgive him. Besides, the presence of Lee on a Rhapsody release is practically guaranteed to turn some heads in the Italian metal band's direction. Also of note, Manowar's Joey DeMaio produces this album. "Unholy Warcry" doesn't sound terribly different in terms of mix or mastering than every other Rhapsody album, so I don't know what his presence here is going to mean. Hopefully no loincloth-clad warriors.
The upcoming album will be featuring an expanded Rhapsody entourage as well – one of the band's biggest mistakes in my opinion was scaling back the presence of an orchestra for their last two albums in favor of more traditional power metal keyboards and synths. "The Dark Secret" (and "Symphony of the Enchanted Lands – Part II," I assume) features more than a dozen soloists, the entire Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic Orchestra from the Czech Republic, and a 50-piece choir. And given what guitarist/co-writer Luca Turilli did with his choirs on "Prophet of the Last Eclipse," I can only have high expectations for the next Rhapsody release.
This is vintage Rhapsody with that classic Rhapsody sound, once dubbed 'Symphonic Epic Hollywood Metal," now shortened to the somewhat better 'Film Score Metal." Personally, I don't see why this isn't symphonic power metal or orchestral power metal, but that's just me. But whatever you call it, "Unholy Warcry" is good. Those who have fallen in love with Rhapsody will doubtless find the next album and a half worthy of many hours of heroic listening. And those who can't stand the inherent cheesiness and fantasy clichés of the band Rhapsody might want to give this song a try, via download or purchase. While not especially different from the last six years of Rhapsody music, the presence of Christopher Lee, as well as an expansion of orchestra and a slight increase in maturity, might win your metal-loving heart where previous Rhapsody material failed.
[Magic Circle Music]
Writing a review of an album is one thing, but reviewing a single or EP is an entirely different task. After all, writing several hundred words on sixty minutes of music is far easier than doing the same for sixteen minutes of music. Or, in the case of Rhapsody's "Unholy Warcry," less than five. In fact, the only people I can see being interested in a one-track single are those who are obsessive about collecting every Rhapsody release in existence. This is, after all, a single taken from the forthcoming EP "The Dark Secret," which itself is taken from the forthcoming album "Symphony of the Enchanted Lands – Part II." There is absolutely nothing here that isn't on either of the upcoming releases, save the possible fact that this is an 'edited version' (whatever that means). But nonetheless, if "Unholy Warcry" is any sign of things to come, "The Dark Secret" and "Symphony of the Enchanted Lands – part II" are going to be two of the best power metal albums of the year.
Most noteworthy is the presence of Christopher Lee (from Star Wars Episode I and II and the Lord of the Rings, among many other films). Lee is a fantastic actor, and here plays the part of the Wizard King. He is a welcome change to previous narrator, and even provides some backing vocals on the upcoming album (Lee is a classically-trained opera singer). Lee's voice is very bassy, though, and is difficult to understand on some sound systems. But it's Christopher Lee, so I forgive him. Besides, the presence of Lee on a Rhapsody release is practically guaranteed to turn some heads in the Italian metal band's direction. Also of note, Manowar's Joey DeMaio produces this album. "Unholy Warcry" doesn't sound terribly different in terms of mix or mastering than every other Rhapsody album, so I don't know what his presence here is going to mean. Hopefully no loincloth-clad warriors.
The upcoming album will be featuring an expanded Rhapsody entourage as well – one of the band's biggest mistakes in my opinion was scaling back the presence of an orchestra for their last two albums in favor of more traditional power metal keyboards and synths. "The Dark Secret" (and "Symphony of the Enchanted Lands – Part II," I assume) features more than a dozen soloists, the entire Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic Orchestra from the Czech Republic, and a 50-piece choir. And given what guitarist/co-writer Luca Turilli did with his choirs on "Prophet of the Last Eclipse," I can only have high expectations for the next Rhapsody release.
This is vintage Rhapsody with that classic Rhapsody sound, once dubbed 'Symphonic Epic Hollywood Metal," now shortened to the somewhat better 'Film Score Metal." Personally, I don't see why this isn't symphonic power metal or orchestral power metal, but that's just me. But whatever you call it, "Unholy Warcry" is good. Those who have fallen in love with Rhapsody will doubtless find the next album and a half worthy of many hours of heroic listening. And those who can't stand the inherent cheesiness and fantasy clichés of the band Rhapsody might want to give this song a try, via download or purchase. While not especially different from the last six years of Rhapsody music, the presence of Christopher Lee, as well as an expansion of orchestra and a slight increase in maturity, might win your metal-loving heart where previous Rhapsody material failed.
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Tracklist:
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| Rating: 8.5/10 | ||
| Release Date: 2004 | ||
| Length: 4:26 | ||
| Review By: J. Ossmann | ||
| Total Reviews: (1) | ||
| Bands Website: Go Here | ||
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