Tales from the Emerald Sword Saga

Artist: Rhapsody
Label: Lmp
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Format: Enhanced
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 693723605722
EAN: 0693723605722
ASIN: B0001DD968

Release Date: 2004-02-26

Related Categories:

General

| Pop | Styles | Music

General

| Rock | Styles | Music

General

| Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock

| Pop | Styles | Music

Progressive Metal

| Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Listmania:

Melodicly Heavy Vol 1
Symphonic - Prog - Power Metal Warlords
The Power of Power Metal
Monsters of the Epic/Power Metal Scene

Tracks:

Warrior Of Ice
Rage Of The Winter
Forest Of Unicorns
Land Of Immortals (Remake)
Emerald Sword
Wisdom Of The Kings
Wings Of Destiny
Riding The Winds Of Eternity (Edit)
Dawn Of Victory
The Village Of Dwarves
Rain Of A Thousand Flames
Knightrider Of Doom
March Of The Swordmaster
Power Of The Dragonflame
Lamento Eroico
Holy Thunderforce (Video)

Similar Items:

Symphony of Enchanted Lands
Symphony of Enchanted Lands, Vol. 2: The Dark Secret
Legendary Tales
Rain of a Thousand Flames
Triumph Or Agony

Customer Reviews:

Draw your emerald blade!.......2006-08-13

If you've never listend to Rhapsody, you're missing out on one of the most unique musical experiences of our time. The idea of composing and reinventing the 'bard's tale' of eras past is the unifying theme throughout Rhapsody's releases. Take one part Spinal Tap showmanship, one part Iron Maiden, the vocals of Queen, throw in some Bach and Beethoven, back it up with a full choir, have the band dress up like renfair geeks, hit blend, and you've got Rhapsody.

Yes, the high fantasy story is cheesy as hell, but it works and rather infectous too. It's part of their charm. On the music side, it's really amazing how well fast paced speed metal anthems combine with classical music (often with full choir back up singers and latin verses) to create one of the most epic and exhilirating modern 'symphonies' I've ever heard. Probably the best comparison would be Nobuo Uematsu's "One Winged Angel" remix for Advent Children. If you liked all that pomp, rocking speed and over the top craziness, there's no doubt you'll find Rhapsody a breath of fresh air from the staleness of the music scene in general.

Most of the songs are blazingly fast, with lots of screaming guitar and bass work and intense drums but can also be surprisingly melodic. The keyboard trumpets, organs, pianos etc punctuate key moments and set up the songs very nicely, while the violin work adds an eeire beauty to even the most hardcore tracks. The great thing is how the songs can change tempo, instruments, vocal range and style (alternating between classic and metal and sometimes playing simultaniously) on a dime seemlessly for a wonderful variety of sounds within a single song. Dawn of Victory is perhaps the best example of this along with Winds of Eternity. But ultimately, it's Fabio Lione's vocals and Luca Turilli's composing and guitar that hold this band together. Their enthusiasm and passion for what they do shines through in every one of Rhapsody's songs. It takes a brave man to rock it hard about dragons and dark lords, but if anyone is up to the challenge, it's these two. Turilli especially deserves a lot of credit for knowing when to go all out and when to be suble. Despite what critics have said in the past, Rhapsody does back off the gas... when it suits them.

The only thing that's criminal about this release is the exclusion of Eternal Glory, one of the strongest tracks of Symphony of Enchanted Lands. But that is what full albums are for afterall.

Still, if you're looking for a CD that shows what Rhapsody is all about, this is a good place to start. So, take a listen to the preview tracks listed on full albums here at Amazon, and take your first step into a larger music world.

Compilation is very well done.......2005-11-30

Covers the first four Rhapsody recordings at 70 minutes plus plus the 'mini' 48 one.

Each recording contains about 15 minutes of music, or 4 songs, plus one song from the mini at 3 minutes.

Note - there is not a remix but an edit on one of the songs, read the song is cut.

It gives a good introduction to Rhapsody and a good sample of each cd (except the mini)

It reprints the lyrics and gives a good introduction to the band.

That said, the video does not justify buying the cd if you already have these recording.

For a compilation it is very well done and deserves a 4 for the info noted above, except one more tune should have come from the mini

By the way, why does Amazon include a 'NO' in 'was this review helpful to you?'. People are only human and don't like opinions that differ from themselves. With some who are less mature, this the 'NO' makes it too easy express such displeasure.

Are they trying to discourage negative reviews, hence not purchase the CD. Such reviews only help a person in not being dissatisfied a product that received positive reviews

Amazing album, for fans & non-fans.......2005-06-12

Rhapsody has a lot of fans, especially those who love power metal, and for good reason - the orchestration & arrangements are used to great effect in their albums. The level of composition complexity is only outclassed by Nightwish in the world of modern music. This particular album is a compilation album of excellent songs from various Rhapsody albums, along with bonuses of a good symphonic version of Rage Of The Winter, a remix of Land Of Immortal, an edit of Riding The Winds of Eternity, a remix of Holy Thunderforce, & a video of the band playing Holy Thunderforce live (can't have too much Holy Thunderforce, now can we? ;) ).

Now, all Rhapsody fans know already that these are some great songs. It doesn't take someone who has a trained ear to love songs like Warrior of Ice, Rage Of The Winter, Wisdom Of The Kings, Dawn Of Victory, Holy Thunderforce, Power Of The Dragonflame, Riding The Winds of Eternity, Rain Of A Thousand Flames, & Knightrider of Doom. And that's not all! The other songs also are very enjoyable as well. These songs not only catch the ear, but contain a compositional depth that arises partly from the epic nature of these songs (as each Rhapsody album is an epic covering a part of a tale, just as the namesake of this album implies).

In short, if you're new to Rhapsody, buy this album, then buy the other Rhapsody albums (starting with Legendary Tales, and continuing in chronological order of their release). You won't be disappointed if you love music! If you're a current Rhapsody fan, this album might bolster your appreciation of them, and is also recommended.

I don't know why I'm the first to review this????.......2004-10-19

The first thing holding me back from buying this album is the fact that they forgot to include Eternal Glory!! Perhaps my fav or in the top 5 Songs of all from Rhapsody. I don't know why they wouldn't include such an awsome and glorious muscial composition. Luca, if you ever read this WHY!!! But I have to agree that the rest of the tracks are very worthy of inclution. Oh well, maybe next time.

Music CD:

Music CD

Music CD

Music CD

Gryphon/Midnight Mushrumps ~ Gryphon

Start From the Dark ~ Europe

Interview ~ Van Halen

The More Things Change ~ Machine Head

Tejendra Narayan Majumdar ~ Tejendra Nanryan Majumdar

Les Freres Gritos ~ Toure Kunda

Welcome Aboard The 3C10 ~ Rocket Science

Gelato All Italians

Maria Sama Ga Miteru -Haru- Image Album 2 ~ Japanimation

Connected ~ Various Artists