Turilli, Luca - King Of The Nordic Twlight

Year of Release: 1999
Label: Limb Music
Catalog Number: LMP 9909-013
Format: CD
Total Time: 46:05:00

This is guitarist Luca Turilli's (Rhapsody) first solo album. Fans of Rhapsody are aware of his productivity and that he's the genius behind Rhapsody's music. Prior to this the album, a single was released ["The Ancient Forest Of Elves"] that gave you an idea what the forthcoming album would sound like. In addition, the single had one song that is not on the full CD ["Knight Of Immortal Fire"] and also a different version of "Warrior's Pride," which made the single absolutely worth getting. Luca has teamed up with Sascha Paeth (b/g), Miro (k), Robert Hunecke (d) and Olaf Hayer (v).

Stylistically, what we get here is very close to the material offered on the previous Rhapsody albums. Actually, this might just as well have been another Rhapsody album. This is heavy, classically influenced epic power/speed metal. First, although the music is full of clichés, there's no denying the quality of the songs. They all have great hooks, bombastic arrangements, super melody lines and choruses. The instrumentation is awesome and the use of epic choirs and orchestral arrangements (flute, violin, viola, piano, cembalo, etc.) are nicely integrated to the music. The songs have enough variation within each song to keep this interesting all the way to the end of the CD. Also, vocalist Olaf Hayer's (Treasure Seeker) mid-to-high ranged vocals, are superb, and practically made for this music.

The production is of course as good as it gets, and the songwriting and arrangements are top notch. I was a bit disappointed when I first heard this CD, but after living with it for some weeks, this CD has turned out to be one of my favourites so far this year. Although this might just as well have been another Rhapsody disc, and the clichés are all over the place, this is still sounding fresh and 10 times better than most other bands within the genre. King Of The Nordic Twilight is an enjoyable disc and a must for all fans of the genre.

Released in conjuction with InsideOut/SPV (SPV 085-31722CD)

[This review originally appeared November 2002 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]
Tracklisting:
To Magic Horizons (1:21) / Black Dragon (5:05) / Legend Of Steel (5:21) / Lord Of The Winter Snow (6:06) / Princess Aurora (3:47) / The Ancient Forest Of Elves (4:44) / Throne Of Ice (1:52) / Where Heroes Lie (4:24) / Warrior's Pride (3:48) / Kings Of The Nordic Twilight (11:37)

Musicians:
Luca Turilli - lead guitar, additional keyboards
Olaf Hayer - vocals
Sascha Paeth - bass
Miro - keyboards
Robert Hunecke-Rizzo - drums

Discography:
Rhapsody - Legendary Tales (1997)
Rhapsody - Symphony Of Enchanted Lands (1998)
Rhapsody - 'Holy Thunderforce' (1998) (single)
'The Ancient Forest Of Elves' (1999) (single)
King Of The Nordic Twlight (1999)
Rhapsody - Dawn Of Victory (2000)
Rhapsody - Rain Of A Thousand Flames (2001)
Demonheart (2002) (ep)
Prophet Of The Last Eclipse (2002)

Rhapsody - Power Of The Dragonflame (2002)
Rhapsody - Tales From The Emerald Sword Saga (Best Of) (2004)
Rhapsody - The Dark Secret (2004)
Rhapsody - Symphony Of Enchanted Lands II: The Dark Secret (2004)
Rhapsody Of Fire - Live In Canada 2006: The Dark Secret (2006)
Rhapsody Of Fire - Triumph Or Agony (2006)
Luca Turilli's Dreamquest - "Virus" (single) (2006)
Luca Turilli's Dreamquest - Lost Horizons (2006)
The Infinite Wonders Of Creation (2006)
Rhapsody Of Fire - The Frozen Tears Of Angels (2010)

Rhapsody Of Fire - Visions From The Enchanted Lands (DVD) (2007)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin IT

Added: December 30th 2004
Reviewer: Bjørnar Bevolden
Score:
Artist website: www.lucaturilli.com
Hits: 2096
Language: english