Search - Luca Turilli :: King of The Nordic Twilight

Rhapsody on Ice

Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 07/27/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have a rule about solo albums. If the band member is the "band leader" and/or the major songwriter, he or she shouldn't release a solo album unless the material is significantly different from what their main band is doing. Bruce Dickinson's decidedly un-Maiden-ish early solo albums are the best example of this. So when Rhapsody founder Luca Turilli comes out with fantasy-themed solo album, I have to be a bit skeptical since there really wasn't any need for this album.



That being said, I sure am glad Luca released King of the Nordic Twilight. It may not be that original (aside from the logo, it's essentially a Rhapsody album), but it is as good as or better than anything Rhapsody has released. All of the Rhapsody trademarks are here - symphonic arrangements, Helloween-inspired guitars and keyboards, catchy vocal melodies, and of course those Dungeons & Dragons lyrics - but they just seem to sound better on this album. Much of the credit goes to vocalist Olaf Hayer (Dionysus), whose style and performance just seems more dynamic than Rhapsody vocalist Fabio Leone. Of course it doesn't hurt that the uber-cheesy narrator from the Rhapsody albums does not appear on this album. Songs like Ancient Forest of Elves and Legend of Steel are among the album's highlights, and the epic title track alone is worth the price of the album. The operatic Princess Aurora is the album's weak point, sounding out of place and just a bit too cheesy, even for a power metal album.



Overall, King of the Nordic Twilight is perhaps a perfect example of what a power metal album should sound like. It should easily appeal to fans of Rhapsody (obviously), Blind Guardian, Gamma Ray, Helloween, Freedom Call, and other similar bands. Fans of traditional metal bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest should also find it quite enjoyable. If you're a die-hard death/black metal fan, then you should probably skip this one in favor of something more aggressive.

"

Very good indeed

Sigbjorn | Norway | 06/29/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This allbum does indeed remind you a lot about rhapsody, but the symphonic elements aren't as apparent in the mix as in Rhapsody's. This album has the usual sing along choruses and all that. All in all, this album does partly sound like Rhapsody with hints of Nightwish (when Rannveig sings Princess Aurora), elsewise like Helloween, (Olaf Hayer being german explains that) but most of all it is Rhapsodyish (there's only one blues-style solo - Sascha Paeth plays in the intro of Where Heroes Lie). My favourite epic track is on this CD. Kings of the Nordic Twilight starts with soft piano , then goes into this choir accompanied with guitars, before moving into this cheerful folkish theme. And that's before Olaf has sung one note....
This epic is so much better than Prophet of the last eclipse which gets a little messy I think.Other good tracks are Legend of Steel (infectious main theme...) , Black Dragon, Princess Aurora. All songs are good, though I tend to skip the intro(1)/interlude(7)Also look out for the unlisted track 11 .. Rannveig singing an traditional nordic lullaby in Icelandic."