As a young metalhead trying to find my way in this wayward genre, the most frustrating thing I could ever read in a review was “not as good as [earlier album]” or “sounds too much like past work.” These critiques are very useful for fellow fans, but not so much for newcomers lacking that frame of reference. It is my hope today to write a review for Challenge the Wind by Rhapsody of Fire that the younger me would appreciate because, despite the band’s prolific history—fifteen full-length albums over a thirty-year history—I have never listened to one from start to finish. Of course I know the band; Alex Staropoli and co. are huge names in the symphonic power metal space, which means Rhapsody of Fire should be right up my alley, but for whatever reason I never dove in. Still, the expectations are there, the hopes are high, and Challenge the Wind offers a lot, so I was eager to dive in.
Whether you’re familiar with Rhapsody of Fire or not, I suspect what is on Challenge the Wind won’t come as much of a surprise, as the guitars are big, the orchestrations are bigger, and the vocals are even bigger. Giaacomo Voli’s singing is a strong focal point, and his delivery is superb, nailing the catchy choruses (“Diamond Claws”), the high-but-not-annoyingly-high notes (“Challenge the Wind”), and even the odd menacing rasp (“Vanquished by Shadows”). Staropoli and Roberto de Micheli similarly do great work with the album guitars, riffing with tremolos (“The Bloody Pariah”), huge power chords (the whole album), and some appropriately speedy solos (“Black Wizard”). I wish Paolo Marchesich and Alessandro Sala’s drums and bass were a touch more audible, but even that’s expected for this style, just like the ever-present or orchestrations and keyboards that give the album much of its character and story. Through and through, Challenge the Wind is a bombastic display of symphonic power metal that’s as fun and cheesy as the band’s own Italy.
Challenge the Wind opens with a one-two-three punch of its best material, laying a fantastic foundation for the album to follow. “Whispers of Doom” is one of the slower songs on the album, with a dramatic grandiosity that dials back on keys and let’s Voli do a lot of heavy lifting. “The Bloody Pariah” is similarly dramatic, but much darker and a lot faster. It features some of my favorite guitar work on the album, gritty1 tremolo riffs accompanied by fast-paced keys that create a genuine sense of adventure. By contrast, the title track is all bombast, with huge riffs and a huger chorus, call-and-repeat choral vocals, and super energetic drumming. These three styles—bombastic, dramatic, and speedy are what Rhapsody of Fire do best across Challenge the Wind, and create a powerful foundation for the music they so clearly love.
I don’t, however, think Rhapsody of Fire does quite enough with the solid foundation. Beginning with the sixteen-minute “Vanquished by Shadows,” Challenge the Wind starts the crack. It has its moments—lots of vocal variety, some nice acoustic moments, and the album’s only keyboard solo—but never fully justifies its length or provides any climactic payoff. From here, the back half of the album is homogenous, and I still have trouble picking out which song is which when my focus returns after it inevitably wanders partway through. “Holy Downfall” has some cool orchestral moments but feels too long by several minutes, while the operatic bombast of “Black Wizard” feels a bit sillier than I think it’s meant to. Fortunately, the album ends on a strong note, as “Mastered by the Dark” takes the best five minutes of “Vanquished by Shadows” and… repeats them exactly. I’m not exactly sure why, but it does wrap up Challenge the Wind on what is simultaneously its strongest and strangest moment.
Strong and strange feels like a good note to end this review on as well. Challenge the Wind is both familiar and new; it doesn’t stray far from comforting norms, but does enough to distinguish itself enjoyably. Talent, songwriting, confidence—it’s all here. Sure, some songs are stronger than others, but it’s so hard to dislike this kind of power metal done well. As far as I can tell, Rhapsody of Fire are still going strong. I might even have to start listening to them now.
Rating: 3.0/5.0
DR: 5 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: AFM Records
Websites: rhapsodyoffire.com | facebook.com/rhapsodyoffire
Releases Worldwide: May 31st, 2024
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