Luca Turilli’s RHAPSODY / FREEDOM CALL, LONDON 02 Islington Academy 12 / 11 / 2012
A solid evening of melodic power metal, I missed the opening band but did catch a few songs of Orden Ogan who’s sound seemed to be going down very well.
Highlight of the evening were Freedom Call – limited by a short set but came across with passion and power in abundance. Opening track Freedom Call (from Crystal Empire) was like a huge wake up call, a sledgehammer in the face, announcing a set of some of the best melodic power metal you will ever hear. The band’s forte is huge vocal harmonies (delivered by the band) as well as some damn fine dual work. Several tracks (the stronger ones, in fact) from the excellent new album Land Of The Crimson Dawn, including Rock Stars and Power And Glory, went down well. Tears Of Babylon (operatic and gothic) sat well next to the epic The Quest, and Warriors Of Light all made for a fantastic set. The band were a clear clean and tight sounding unit, singer / guitarist Chris Bray on top form.
Following his split from Rhapsody Of Fire last year, guitarist Luca Turilli now has his own version of the band, and touring as a 5/6 piece, many tracks were dueted with Sassy Bernert. Tracks were a good mix From the opening intro of Quantum X there were lights and backing tapes aplenty. Then it was straight into Riding The Winds Of Eternity. The keyboards and bass complimented each other well, and the guitar work was excellent; the use of backing tapes layered vocals added to the operatic melodic power metal effect. With Rhapsody usually being a twin guitar project, at least live, having the stage to himself allowed Luca room to perform, pose and shred like the a principal dancer; excellent music (for which it was) aside, this did detract from the music.
From Luca’s new Ascending to Infinity to his solo albums and several Rhapsody (Of Fire) albums, there was a wide range of tracks all delivered in energetic and (slightly too) polished fashion. Rage Of The Winter (from the Holy Thunderforce single) was a surprise inclusion, and much as the new album is good it was the old tracks that really stood out – both in terms of music and band performance. In particular Dawn Of Victory, The Village Of Dwarves and Emerald Sword – the former a real cracker latter an anthemic epic. Given the scale of the production the drum and bass solos seemed as unnecessary as the shred, but the music was still good.
I found both main bands thoroughly entertaining but Freedom Call def had the edge. 8.7
Joe Geesin
LT’s Rhapsody Setlist (from a previous show but seems to match what I had)
Intro – Quantum X
Riding The Winds Of Eternity
Clash of the Titans
Tormento e passione
Rage Of The Winter
The Village Of Dwarves
Demonheart
Drum Solo
Excalibur
Forest of Unicorn
Warrior’s Pride
Flames Of Revenge
Bass Solo
Of Michael The Arcangel And Lucifer’s Fall
The Ancient Forest Of Elves
Son of Pain
Dawn of Victory
Dark Fate of Atlantis (intro)
Emerald Sword
Warrior Of Ice
Live photo by www.immerbockaufheavymetal.de