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Rhapsody - Biography


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2006-

1997-2005

1993-1996

Biography

The Italian metal band Rhapsody Of Fire is definitely one of the most influential acts of the '90s. With their mixture of melodic metal and elements of classical music influenced by the cinema soundtracks, the Italians created a complete new genre: symphonic metal.

Guitarist Luca Turilli and keyboardist Alex Staropoli started in 1993 under the name of Thundercross, influenced by acts like Helloween, Blind Guardian, Cacophony, Yngwie Malmsteen and Crimson Glory. With their first demo Land Of Immortals the young guys from Trieste were signed by the new label LMP Records, which was founded by the former Helloween manager Limb Schnoor who effectively established the band. The new singer Fabio Lione completed the band and just before the production of the debut they renamed the group Rhapsody. Legendary Tales with its pompous choirs and an orchestra was released in 1997. The lyrical content was based on the "Emerald Sword Saga", an epic fantasy tale written by Luca Turilli.

The first German chart entry with their second album Symphony Of Enchanted Lands on #54 was made and even topped by the following creations Dawn Of Victory (#32), Power Of The Dragonflame (#30) and Symphony Of Enchanted Lands - Part II (#33). By now the most sophisticated production was Symphony Of Enchanted Lands - Part II. A whole orchestra and Christopher Lee (Lord Of The Rings) as the narrator who was at that time 82 years old, have been mobilized for the recordings. In addition to this you can hear Christopher Lee on the track "The Magic Of The Wizard's Dream" on a fabulous duet with Rhapsody frontman Fabio Lione.

In 2006 Rhapsody was forced to rename into Rhapsody Of Fire because of a copyright complaint of a US band with the same name. The following extensive world tour was a great success and the DVD Visions From The Enchanted Lands, released in 2007, provides into it.

2010: Rhapsody Of Fire are back with their new masterpiece The Frozen Tears Of Angels. The quintet rediscovered their power with this creation and its nine fantastic brand new tracks. Including the pre-released free track "Sea Of Fate" which is also the title of the new video clip, the heavy and fast "Reign Of Terror", the ten-minute-epos "The Frozen Tears Of Angels" or the Italian "Danza Di Fuoco E Ghiaccio".

The Frozen Tears Of Angels was released on April 30, 2010. The opus was produced by Luca Turilli and Alex Staropoli, recorded at the Gate Studios in Wolfsburg, Germany, and mixed by Sascha Paeth ( Avantasia, Epica, Kamelot). The Columbian artist Felipe Machado ( Blind Guardian, Iced Earth) designed the artwork.