Rhapsody of Fire hold a special position in the exciting and multi-faceted world of heavy metal: Like few other acts, the band from Italy stands for anthemnic symphonic metal presented with lots of speed, great pathos and technical refinement. Another characteristic that the band's fans love: At the beginning of their career in particular, their songs presented a mythical, album-transcending saga. Who doesn't like to recall classics such as Legendary Tales (1992), Symphony Of Enchanted Lands (1998) or Dawn Of Victory (2000)? Rhapsody of Fire have now returned to the very strengths of those albums. Their latest studio recording The Eighth Mountain combines spirited songs and epic chorus parts with lavish orchestra arrangements. At the same time, the album marks the beginning of a new, exciting saga that's typical of this band. First of all, there's been an important personnel change: Vocalist Giacomo Voli has been at the group's musical helm for the last three years, whom has not only accepted the powerful heritage, he has also brought fresh momentum to the Rhapsody of Fire fold. To dress the new material in appropriately lavish sounds to suit it's extravagant songwriting, Rhapsody of Fire have worked with a major orchestra again. This time the musicians of the acclaimed Bulgarian National Symphony Orchestra in Sofia, were instrumental in recording The Eighth Mountain's sublime, atmospherically dense overall sound. Two choirs featuring more than 20 vocalists, as well as a number ofsoloists playing medieval instruments, also deserve to be mentioned. The album was mixed and mastered by Sebastian "Seeb" Levermann (Orden Ogan).
