Luca Turilli’s Rhapsody – Prometheus, Symphonia Ignis Divinus
Luca Turilli’s Rhapsody
Prometheus, Symphonia Ignis Divinus
Power Metal, Symphonic Metal
Released: 22 June 2015
via Nuclear Blast Records
Prometheus, Symphonia Ignis Divinus is the second studio album by Italian symphonic power metal band Luca Turilli’s Rhapsody. It is the first album with Alex Landenburg on drums, following Alex Holzwarth’s departure shortly after the recording of the previous album Ascending to Infinity (2012).
The album opens on the intensely atmospheric and interesting intro track, “Nova Genesis (Ad Splendorem Angeli Triumphantis)”, it’s one of those intros that lets you know you’re in for something truly special. The mix of electronic and classical music really is inviting and I was interested to hear where the album was going to go from there. From there into “Il Cigno Nero” which plays out as a typical symphonic metal track. Turilli’s compositions are gorgeous and the arrangements work beautifully. The piano parts are lovely and the ever so slight power metal touch to this song is nicely executed. Also, Turilli’s guitar skill is amazing, he just packs so much content into every track. I feel that the lead in the single was quite well chosen, the song “Rosenkreuz (The Rose And The Cross)” has a very nice melody and feels big. In fact, the whole album feels immense and impressive. Just the sheer size, scope and ambition to this album feels really impressive.
This is an album that rewards repeated listens. Everytime I go back to it, there just feels like there was something I missed. There is just so much going on in the background. Nearly every time I’ve come back to it, it feels like a different record. Similar to movies, I enjoy music that challenges the audience and gives them something worth coming back to, time and time again. It’s always something small, like the background choir or some subtle synth but it’s just rewarding to listen to at the end of the day. One song I’ve particularly experienced this with is “Il Tempo Degli Dei”. This song so good and every time feels different, depending on what I’m doing or how I’m listening to it. It just has a lot of interesting moments, the structure is solid and hits every point I want it to, when I feel the song needs to hit it. It’s very hard to describe in words, this is an album needs to be experienced in full.
I can’t think of any real downside to the album, other than nothing is really that catchy, there are no songs that get stuck in your head. Then again I don’t think it’s really meant to. It’s meant to be a musical journey through Turilli’s imagination. It was reported that it took seven months of composition, three months of production, over 50 days of mixing, working with two choirs and several special guests and let me tell you it really shows. I absolutely adore it. It sounds and feels huge.
This is really a fantastic piece of work, I can’t stress that enough. All really have is praise for it. This isn’t just an album. It’s art that needs to be listened to in full. So scratch 70 minutes out of your day, get a drink, put your feet up and enjoy. Take my word for it, you will not regret it. My third 5/5 this year!
5/5
Mick Birchall
Valkyrian Music 
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