Growing up, I was weened on classic metal bands like Helloween, Iron Maiden, Toxik, Manowar, etc. While a plethora of metal bands have been surfacing of late that emulate the masters, very few actually live up to the legend. I am happy and proud to say that Italy's Rhapsody not only live up to the precedents set by those before them, but manage to completely refresh the classic metal sound and expand it to grandiose levels never before achieved. Each of their two albums to date, the debut Legendary Tales and Symphony of Enchanted Lands, weave a classic tale of good vs. evil called The Saga of The Emerald Sword. The true strength in Rhapsody's music is that it actually reflects the events in the story, telling the tale along with the lyrics.Read on to get an inside look to one of the most inspiring metal bands active today.
Interviewed by Al Kikuras. Note: Daniele's English has not been corrected.
Al Kikuras: Congratulations on your latest album, Symphony of Enchanted Lands. It is truly a masterpiece! How long did it take, from conceptualization to completion?
Daniele Carbonera: Okay, thanks for the compliments! We tried to do the maximum in symphonic metal. There were some song very old as "Eternal Glory" or "Beyond the Gates," but these song was really improved with a continuous work to introduce new elements, always respecting the song. The love for the soundtracks of the best Hollywood movies was been the true key for Symphony of Enchanted Lands. Some songs was ready 4 years ago, but other was been composed for Symphony, thinking the Hollywood metal!
A: How do you the new album has evolved from your first, Legendary Tales? D: First of all, the experience in studio with Sascha Paeth (producer of the new album - Al) opened our minds because we have watched all the possibility for our music: true instruments, a lot of different choirs, lyrical singers... so, when we started to compose Symphony of Enchanted Lands, we were thinking the final result more realistically and was easier studding new ideas...
A: How do you plan on re-creating the music on stage? Will you be using live musicians or samples for the choral and classical parts?
D: We have already prepared the samplers for the live shows, because using musicians would be too expensive and complicate on stage, but to a good live show we need absolutely all violin and choirs sound so using the samplers was the only good solution.
A: Legendary Tales was part I and Symphony part II. Is it safe to assume that the next release will be part III of the continuing story of the Algalord Chronicles?
D: Yes, we have already thought the story for five cd, probably the music during the years will have an evolution, but will always remain Hollywood Metal, but the concept with the fantasy story, the fight between good and bad with surprise, will continue in the next album.
A: Have you written any material for the next release yet? What can listeners expect musically?
D: We have already some ideas, but we have composed only 4 to 5 songs for the next album. We are really happy about success of Symphony of Enchanted Lands and we want to maintain our style, but we want also add new instruments and new musical influences.
A: Is there a title for the next album?
D: Non still ! Usually we decide after composition of all songs.
A: Have you given any thought to what you will move on to once the Algalord Chronicles have come to a close?
D: Yes, we have already some ideas for a new concept, but will be a surprise and I think will try to link with the Emerald Sword Saga, but in different dimension, time and will be a surprise after the fifth chapter.
A: If you were to make a film of the Algalord Chronicles, who would you have play Loregard, the main character and hero?
D: I never thought so, but for sure a big actor. Perhaps Anthony Hopkins?
A: I take it you are big fans of the fantasy/adventure genre of literature and films. Any favorite books or films?
D: Yes, we are really big fanatics of the movies. We love all the big productions from Hollywood. First of all the epic movies as Braveheart, Conan, Willow, also Star Wars, Batman, Alien... big emotion from the imagines and from the soundtracks.
A: It is obvious that both classical music and metal are equal influences on Rhapsody's sound. How closely do you feel the two are related?
D: The classical music is important to the atmosphere and epic situation. The metal is fundamental to power and fight situation, all that really talking in general about our music, a more serious discussion would demanding a lot of time.
A: In your opinion, who are the true Kings of heavy metal?
D: I think band as Manowar, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Dream Theater are fundamental in the story of heavy metal. Obviously many more still!
A: What is your all-time favorite metal album?
D: I love [Helloween's] Keeper [of the Seven Keys] 1 and 2. The best albums!!
A: What is your opinion of the current resurgence of classical metal, with bands like Sacred Steel and Hammerfall? Do you feel that the new blood at all holds up to the old days?
D: Yes. Is also my personal opinion that are happen now is a resurgence of classic metal. New band as Rhapsody, Hammerfall, Labyrinth, Angra, Edguy are news hopes for the future, and the reunion as Kiss, Iron Maiden, Europe are also signal of resurgence of mondial Heavy Metal!!
A: Are you familiar with the US band Nevermore?
D: No. I have listen only some song from the magazine's compilation and I like, but I never listen a full cd, so I can't express an opinion.
A: Are there any plans for Rhapsody to tour the US?
D: Now we are preparing our world tour, but we don't know were will go, but I think the U.S.A will remain a dream.
A: Do you listen to any death metal or black metal?
D: No, but I observed the most important bands play sometime really good music, on the other hands sometimes I don't agree with the lyrics.
A: What is the primary message you are striving to convey with Rhapsody's music?
D: In general we are trying to diffuse a think positive, but with an vigorous energy. In all situation you have to fight against injustice for peace and love and believe me, is not so easy!!
A: Any last words?
D: Thanks for all our fans in U.S.A. and I hope we will meet soon, maybe during the Legendary tour. A legendary hail!!
Limb Music Products (Rhapsody's label).
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