LUCA TURILLI’S RHAPSODY – Prometheus – Symphonia Ignis Divinus
- Posted on 23-08-2015
The second full-length after the friendly Rhapsody split as keyboardist Alex Staropoli going the Rhapsody (Of Fire) route with Fabio Lione while guitarist Luca Turilli maintained the Rhapsody name with his own LT’s Rhapsody is another symphonic, cinematic metal adventure. What can you expect on this 11 track, 69 minute record my friends? Everything from sweeping keyboard and symphonic orchestration runs going in tandem with semi-operatic vocals, choirs, and grand flourishes that have been a trademark for this Italian act since their early days.
Alessandro Conti as a vocalist can more than hold his own – soaring with proficiency while being emotional when necessary, making his melodies very enchanting in "Il Cigno Nero" or the more operatic ballad "Notturno". Luca and his fellow guitarist Dominique Leurquin spins out some interesting, fluid arpeggios and neo-classical elements in another favorite "Anahata", the keyboards building to this momentous crescendo during its conclusion. What is intriguing is many of the songs are certainly symphonic in foundation, but not necessarily speedy – the bombast can occur in spurts, check out "King Solomon and the 72 Names of God" for the smoothness of the regular metal spots and full on cinematic nuances.
The album of course ends on an epic 18 minute track, as Luca Turilli’s Rhapsody has to throw every bell, whistle, keyboard, choir, guitar, keyboard, double bass, etc. in there to shock and awe – the projection of words and music ideal for movie screens the world over. "Prometheus- Symphonia Ignis Divinus" is not for everyone – you need to know that a lot of the playing is larger than life on purpose. In the end, this is a record that quality-wise can’t be disputed, it’s more a question of being in the right frame of mind to fully absorb and appreciate its contents.