It's hard to put my finger on what particular song (if there was one) that grabbed my attention and drew me in to the world of power metal, but I know for a fact Rhapsody had a hand in there somewhere.
This is a band that could have come out from my hidden dreams. The baby of guitarist Luca Turilli, it is fast, dramatic, heavy metal act which knows about melody, uses choirs and classical interludes (as well as some folk), while singing about battles against dragons and suchlike, with stunning artwork to match.
This band is my Duran Duran of the nineties and beyond.
Legendary Tales was the debut for these Italians, and the first of five records which depicted the Emerald Sword Saga, where the Ice Warrior searches for said sword so he can defeat the evil Dark Lord Akron.
In truth, this isn't a truly great album, as there are some rather mediocre passages in places. But the grandness of it all cannot be overlooked, and such songs as "Warriors Of Ice", as well as the final three pieces, "Echoes Of Tragedy", "Lord Of The Thunder" and "Legendary Tales" (seven of the ten songs have 'Of" in their title, looking almost like a list of fantasy novels at your local bookshop), where the dramatic choral vocals come to the fore, show what the group is capable of, while "Forest Of Unicorns" best realises their folk leanings. I'm not overly excited by Fabio Lione's wobbling tenor (I have already encountered him with Laybrinth, and don't think I thought a lot of him there either), although he does suit the material rather well somehow, so maybe I need to get a better handle on what he's about.
Legendary Tales is not a truly legendary release, but it is the start of a heavy metal band that I could not have imagined. Many hate them, I know. But many love them.
Ah, isn't variety the spice of life.
***1/2
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