Rhapsody

Getting back to the topic, I personally think some Rhapdosy tracks are definitely outstanding (I mean for instance The Last Winged Unicorn, Rage of Winter or Holy Thunderforce) as regards the beauty of the singed theme or musical ideas (I simply love the sound of the synth soloing on Land of Immortals).

Hi all:

Never heard that rumour, and it doesn't affect my judgement... I don't hear any really true baroque influences, either.

Mmm... They really are there. I should now say some song titles, but, as I said before, I'm not a fan, and I can't recall the titles of most songs although I have all their CDs. Anyway, I assure you all that there are many baroque interludes, as well as renaissance and medieval parts, which are why I listen to this group.

I don't like the Enid either but it's a lot more tastefully done than Rhapsody.

But, alas, what does tasteful mean?

OK, It's poor fantasy (and poor English). I'm not saying I'd like it if it were good fantasy, but it isn't.

Yes, it's really poor. What I'd like to point out is that fantasy element does NOT equal bad, as it have been stated here. It may equal 'I really won't like it', but not 'It sucks'.

Agressive? Nah. Sure it's metal, but it belongs to that ever growing pool of indistinguishable Italian/occasionally German/occasionally rest of Europe happy-crappy power metal groups with vocals/drums/keys way too high in the mix - I'm not saying this applies to Rhapsody in particular, it's just a general "feature". I don't think the solos are in much of a heroic fashion either, although happily it's been some time since I listened so I may be wrong on that point.

I haven't heard much (or any) of that style. It's true that complaint myself and many metal friends have about the mix (and that I didn't recall when I was summing up what metal heads dislike about this group). To my non-metal expert Oldfield-used ears, these solos are more often than not 'guitar heroish'.

Or... 'Hollywood metal' =>unoriginal soundtrack metal. Soundtrack => not neccesarily orchestral, very tight structures to fit the onscreen action/dialogue. Power metal => light metal =>'light heavy rock'?

Sorry, I don't agree:

a) Why is unoriginal, if they are the only group donig the style?

b) Sountrack in this case (as they apply it) IS neccesarily orchestral.

c) Soundtrack strucktures are tight, but they are not tight in a pre-coded sense.  A folk jig has a tight structure (like, let's say a sonnet), while a soundtrack must work out different and sometimes innovative structures to fit (bad decision) or add signification (the right decision) to the picture. And anyway, we are refering in this particular case mainly to influences of main themes. We could say that the influence is how classic Hollywood composers understood and adapted orchestral music from their european heritage (Korngold, Steiner), and how (mostly) american composer retook this sound and developed it when the new Hollywood post 1975-77 began changing the way movies were being understood.

I'm not saying it isn't prog because it's cheesy, I'm saying it isn't prog because it exhibits neither progression nor any influences from the older prog groups.

It exhibits some progression, although not in all songs. I've heard several times the same musical phrase appear again in the same song slightly modified, although it is undoubtly true that we are not talking Gentle Giant here.  Please, correct me if I'm wrong and I apoligize if so, but I suspect many forum members just now the group for its singles.

In all, this is not the proggiest of the groups. In my Mp3 folders I don't even feature it in prog. But they certenlly have some prog elements. If this is not prog, BJH, Moody Blues, Strawbs and many other groups which are not terribly complex although with some prog moments shouldn't be here.

As for the prog influences, I don't consider it necessary for a prog group to show clear influences from older ones to be considered as one. But if someone wants one, they made a Goblin cover. Although as someone else pointed out, it's one of their most boring songs.

a) Why is unoriginal, if they are the only group donig the style?

I meant modern Hollywood soundtracks are not very original (often). I wouldn't say Rhapsody were totally unoriginal, but the original things they do don't seem to exhibit progressive tendencies, really. And it can't help that I don't like them

You are right about modern Hollywood. I'm a bit confused with the trend of scores being written for films. Either there are the Hans Zimmer school (they are A LOT of people working for his company or ex-workers) or several bland new people without much a voice of their own and/or no sense for a good melody (which is only sometimes needed). Most of the new composers from the 80s are delivering very weak works, like Danny Elfman, who lately seems just to be worried about percussion.

Anyway, I think what Rhapsody like are composers like John Williams, Trevor Jones or Basil Poledouris (specially this one, and even more specially the excellent 'Conan the Barbarian'). A triva note: the 9th song on their second album (I told you I was bad with names of tracks) opens just like Klaus Doldinger's score for 'The Neverending Story', who is the front man of the band Passport

I meant that, if a band doesn't show progression (or the spirit of prog), to be considered prog it would have to have influences fom older prog bands (the sound of prog) - i.e. most neo prog bands (whoops, did I say that out loud? )

I see what you mean (the concept beyond this group showing or not progression). But be careful, 'cause a new neo prog thread would make the lack of agreements in this one seem a mere love flirtation.

fandango wrote: MikeEnRegalia wrote: I recommend Blind Guardian as a perfect alternative. They started as a speed metal act, then published a fairly progressive power metal album (Nightfall In Middle Earth), and then their masterpiece A Night At The Opera. Avantasia is also great ... but more in a Iron Maiden meets Halloween style. Hey Mike, I don't know whether I'd go that far... I have BG's 'A Night At The Opera' in my collection (probably as my token sop to power metal) but its well hidden and comes out occasionally... I've never been able to decide whether I like it (it has some good tunes) or be embarrassed by some of the lyrics: "Broken bodies lay down on the ground, Blood sheds all over the place, The Green shall be stained forever and Hate reigns all over the field!" I can feel my Manowar loin cloth being heft in twain as I write!!

I guess my being German saved me from analyzing the lyrics too much

But their music is really complex and cleverly constructed. My only problem is the singer's voice.

Do you know Adagio? They're the absolute best I ever heard in the (Speed) Power Metal genre, and their album Underworld is a true masterpiece. The MUST be added to the archives, at least to provide some counterbalance to the entire Rhapsody catalogue!