Prior to the supersonic speeds of Dragonforce (about seven years) there was Rhapsody, the Italian symphonic metal wizards who first took the sounds of Blind Guardian and Stratovarius to the next level of grandiosity (without overdoing it like the Force).

Tried and true..."Frozen Tears of Angels" (the seventh studio album) does not veer from their formula; charging/dualing guitars and keyboards, smooth Pavarottiesque vocals (with lyrics sometimes in their native language), and epic sweeping musical landscapes. Sure, it’s an acquired taste (especially amongst traditional metalheads) and a style unique unto Rhapsody themselves really, but even if you don’t like the music you gotta give em credit for being one talented group. For myself, when in the mood Rhapsody’s music is enjoyable.

Again, legendary actor Christopher Lee (Dracula and Lord of The Rings films) provides the spoken dialogue to the opening single/video ‘Sea Of Fate’ which is a spirited Rhapsody style rocker (the keyboard’s tone in the solo sounds a lot like Jens’ from Strato?). Flute and acoustic guitar gives ‘Danza Di Fuoco E Ghiaccio’ authenticity and something you could hear when visiting the streets of Italy while ‘Lost In Cold Dreams’ is a classy ballad with its accompanying orchestrations and ascending chorus. ‘Reign Of Terror’ is one of my favorites and pretty damn solid lassoing the dragon’s fire (and also ‘Raging Starfire’) for this heavier number where Fabio even dabbles into the black metal pool for added effect. Good stuff.