rhapsody of fire dark wings of steel mega

The fact that the band has lost one of its most important elements in their sound is noticeable throughout as the riffing arrangements, solos and general presence of the guitars loses the traditional sense of grandeur and majestic atmosphere that was always present in the band that made them so initially renown in the scene and leaders of the genre whereas now it seems they’re just like a traditional symphonic power metal band. Playing similar-styled notes and generating the kind of energy and skill are two separate feats, and here the former applies to the material while it lacks the wow factor that Luca frequently employed on guitar. Sure, the same technicality and rousing energy is delivered here with the same verve and rather impassioned virtue, but there’s an undeniable sense of magic that runs through these songs that does cause them to come up short in the grand overall scheme of the bands’ catalog.

The fact that the split dropped their most distinguished feature in the complex, unrelenting guitar prowess that weaved neoclassical melodies throughout the whole effort in the past were one of the most important part of the bands’ sound and influence, which is decidedly missing in this go-round. So, first and foremost it must be addressed that this is the first release from the band after the infamous split and while initially not really meaning much, it does start to show up in spurts throughout the album. The fourth true release under the Rhapsody of Fire banner, “Dark Wings of Steel,” shows the Italian symphonic power metal masters slipping slightly after their glorious comeback last time around but still shows the band in top form following the controversial split in between.

Rhapsody of fire dark wings of steel mega