29.RHAPSODYSYMPHONY OF ENCHANTED LANDS II:
THE DARK SECRETSymphonic Power Metalreleased September 27th, 2004
via Steamhammer
1. The Dark Secret (The Ancient Prophecy / Ira Divina) [4:12]
2. Unholy Warcry [5:53]
3. Never Forgotten Heroes [5:33]
4. Elgard's Green Valleys [2:19]
5. The Magic of the Wizard's Dream [4:30]
6. Erian's Mystical Rhymes (The White Dragon's Order) [10:32]
7. The Last Angels' Call [4:37]
8. Dragonland's Rivers [3:44]
9. Sacred Power of Raging Winds [10:07]
10. Guardiani del destino [5:51]
11. Shadows of Death [8:13]
12. Nightfall on the Grey Mountains [7:20]
SYMPHONY OF ENCHANTED LANDS II: THE DARK SECRET is
Fabio Lione (Vocals)
Luca Turilli (Lead guitars)
Patrice Guers (Bass)
Alex Holzwarth (Drums)
Alex Staropoli (Keyboards)
FEATURINGDominique Leurquin (Rhythm guitars)
Sir Christopher Lee R.I.P. 2015 (Narration, as The Wizard King)
The Brno Academy ChoirThe Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic OrchestraWITHToby Eddington (Narration, as Iras Algor)
Manuel Staropoli (Baroque recorder)
Johannes Monno (Classical guitars)
Thomas Rettke (Choirs)
Gerit Göbel (Choirs)
Miro Rodenberg (Choirs)
Robert Hunecke-Rizzo (Choirs)
Olaf Hayer (Choirs)
Cinzia Rizzo (Choirs)
Stefan Horz (Harpsichord)
Søren Leupold (Lute)
Paulina van Laarhoven (Viola)
Bridget Fogle (Soprano vocals / Choirs)
Previn Moore (Choirs)
"It was a good time for all creatures of the earth, but fate decreed that the dark prophecy of a demon knight could bring a tragic end to this peace, scarring their lives forever. Shortly before his defeat in the last of the primordial wars between the heavens and hells, the evil son of the Hell God Kron, known as Nekron, withdrew to his lair in the underworld. There, sensing his impending death he inscribed a testament of pure evil in seven black books. One by one six of these books were discovered through out the ages, however the seventh, last and most terrible of all contained the secret of his resurrection. He commanded seven immortal demons to carry out his dark plan – but they were turned into stone by the angels of the crystal realms. And so his dreams slept with them until a time came when the forces of evil would usurp the earth. Nekron would rule in the unholy name of cosmic chaos, and this time he would reign supreme.”
Go big or go home! Things this album has going for it: some of the best singing and range of Fabio Lione's entire career (“Erian's Mystical Rhymes” and “Guardiani del destino”), two of the best power metal guitar solos (“Unholy Warcry” and “Sacred Power of Raging Winds”), one of the best guitar-keyboard metal duels ever (“Shadows of Death”). This album's had a tremendous impact in the world of symphonic metal and although countless bands have tried to replicate the epic orchestrations and emulate the sounds of this album, very few have actually come close to doing that.
Symphony of Enchanted Lands II is the first chapter of Rhapsody's Dark Secret Saga. This stuff is awesome, man. The booklet contains a whole timeline, pages and pages of story. This album tells the story of a band of heroes in quest of a magical ancient tome which reveals the secrets to resurrecting the ancient dark lord Nekron, who would rule the world in blood and chaos for eternity. By the end of the journey, their fellowship (!) has formed, and they reach the edge of the freezing underworld of Dar-Kunor, which contains the ancient seventh black book. Sir Christopher Lee offers both narration (“Ira Divina”) and operatic singing (“The Magic of the Wizard's Dream”) as The Wizard King, as well.
It's arguably Rhapsody's heaviest album, because the orchestra adds such a terrific amount of power to the songs. “Erian's Mystical Rhymes” is mixed perfectly where the heavy metal band chugs clearly along, including the keyboards, yet the orchestra has enough room to breathe. The horns swell and crash like thunder, and the choirs cry like angels. Fabio's got enough range and power in his voice to sell his role as the commander of this sonic army, even getting into character as Dargor in “Sacred Power of Raging Winds” as he talks to his demon father Vankar during a blizzard in the mountains.
Classical music and power metal are a match made in heaven on this album. I adore the amount of choirs, flutes and recorders, and strings in action at any given moment. Love flutes? “Guardiani del destino,” “Elgard's Green Valleys,” “The Magic of the Wizard's Dream,” and “Sacred Power of Raging Winds” have you covered. “Sacred Power” actually has an amazing instrumental section containing a neoclassical guitar solo and a direct reference to a Vivaldi flute concerto played by a baroque recorder. Love huge brass swells and accents? “Shadows of Death,” “Unholy Warcry,” “Erian's Mystical Rhymes” are what you want. And good vocal parts? Can't pick a bad track on the record.
In Summary: This record is dope as fuck and you should listen to it because it's got some of the best orchestrations and musical variety I've ever heard on a metal record. I also think the Dark Secret Saga is just really epic especially after reading all the booklets. From a production standard this record sounds phenomenal, easily the best sounding Rhapsody album with some of their all-time best moments between keys, guitars, and vocals. Lots of bands utilizing an orchestra in their studio work owe a great deal to this record.
ALSO a massive shoutout to the incredible, late Sir Christopher Lee. He loved Rhapsody, and did so much narration from this record onward that they were able to use scrapped dialogue for a posthumous appearance on the latest Rhapsody record. He released 2 symphonic metal albums at the very end of his life, which is metal as fuck. R.I.P.
Katt's Favorites: The Dark Secret / Unholy Warcry ft. Sir Christopher Lee (music video),
The Magic of the Wizard's Dream ft. Sir Christopher Lee (music video),
Sacred Power of Raging Winds,
Guardiani del destino,
Shadows of DeathListen to “Symphony of Enchanted Lands II: The Dark Secret” by Rhapsody on Spotify