FROM CHAOS TO ETERNITY

After 15 years and nine albums (including one "mini-album") the curtain finally comes down on the epic sagas of Rhapsody (who begat Rhapsody of Fire). While the band are to carry on touring and recording, they have announced that with the departure of Lucca Turilli, their story book albums are complete. Never again will we hear them tell of "Lord of the Rings" type fantasies, the guest appearances of Christopher Lee as narrator also being brought to an end.

That though is the future, and we have some significant story telling to do to bring things to a satisfactory conclusion first. Thus "From chaos to eternity" represents Turilli's last album with Rhapsody Of Fire, and the conclusion of the Dark Secret saga which began on "Symphony of Enchanted Lands II". In the previous chapter, "Frozen tears of angels", the good guys had a book of dark secrets which the bad guys were after. At the same time, the good guys were after an antidote in the form of the "White Book". Here, they have to locate a couple of stones (which have their own names) which are actually eyes and put them back where they came from.

It is pretty much good news all the way in this final chapter (except for a couple of twists of course) the imaginative ending offering a suitably fanciful and enigmatic conclusion to a unique musical project.

There is little point in going into too much detail on the music of the album. Suffice to say that those who have followed the band thus far will find no surprises here. Highlights include the supremely melodic title track and of course the almost 20 minute five part epic "Heroes of the waterfalls kingdom" which rounds everything off. The orchestration and choral arrangements are as dynamic as ever, especially on the totally over the top closer "Heroes..".

While it makes perfect sense that the band should decide to bring an end to the Saga albums, it is at the same time the end of an era. Rhapsody have graced the music world with a set of albums unparalleled in their imagination and continuity. I can only hope that in time their legacy will gain the recognition it truly deserves. Luca Turilli has announced that he will be pursuing his own projects in the future, and it may be here we will need to look for any further sagas. In the meanwhile, I salute Rhapsody (of Fire) for their incredible achievement.

Footnote - The limited edition Digipak release of the album contains a wonderfully presented booklet with the final chapter of the tale. It also has a bonus track in the form of a cover of Iron Maiden's "Flash of the blade". The version is of course fully competent, but it is superfluous in terms of the album. The track may however be an indication of what we should expect in the future from the band.

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