RHAPSODY IN FIRE hailing from Triest, Italy, were formed as RHAPSODY in 1995 with the name change taking place in 2006. The symphonic Power Metal icons have an impressive discography and “Challenge The Wind” is their 15^th full-length album. It was produced and recorded by keyboarder Alex Staropoli, and mixed and mastered by Sebastian Levermann (ASPHYX; MOB RULES; ORDEN OGAN). All whistles and pipes were played by Giovanni Davolo. The album has a length of more than 63 minutes, and it was released via German Heavy, Power, and Gothic Metal specialists AFM Records. The album starts with the title song, and it starts strongly with tight guitar riffing, a lot of double-bass drumming, and a melodic framework that is classically inspired. The orchestral arrangements are very prominent with the strings and partially the brass throughout. The vocals range between the medium and higher end of the vocal range, and they are intensified by the choir that has a very important contribution to the track and gives it an additional layer. “Whispers Of Doom” starts with a lead guitar pre-lude accompanied by the arrangements transitioning into a mid-tempo track with catchy melodies, especially when it comes to the chorus parts. During the verse parts, the vocals use mainly lower notes with some occasional tonal shifts, while the notes are higher during the chorus parts. The orchestral arrangements are prominent during the verse and chorus parts, with the brass being one of the main contributors.

“The Bloody Pariah” starts with the orchestra, transitioning into a mid-tempo track with epic melodies. While most of the track is a typical mid-tempo rhythm, there are a few short fast breaks driven by tight riffing and the double-bass drumming. The vocals use mainly higher notes, and the chorus parts are anthemic. Highlight of the track is the extended and contributing lead guitar solo. “Vanquished By Shadows” starts heavy with thunderous riffing, crunching basslines, and the brass being in the background. The vocals during the verse parts are growls at the medium end of the guttural range, while during the chorus parts, Giacomo Voli uses his clean vocals, and he uses almost the entire vocal range. “Vanquished By Shadows” is a mini opera with two stages. The first stage is mainly a mid-tempo song, driven by the heaviness and the darkness of the sound, where the latter one is boosted by the extensive use of the brass. The melodies are grim and have partially oriental vibes. The track breaks with an extended acoustic guitar part and starts from then onwards the second stage, which is mainly played at a measured tempo, and it uses extensively the choir to intensify the vocals. The melodies are epic, and the overall sound is bombastic due to the use of the choir and the arrangements. At the end of the mini opera, the song circles back to the oriental melodies and closes out with the acoustic guitars. Needless to say, that “Vanquished By Shadows” is with 16 minutes the longest track on the album.

“Kreel’s Magic Staff” starts with the lead guitars and the brass, transitioning into a track at a measured tempo during the verse and chorus parts. The orchestral arrangements use the strings pre-dominantly for the verse parts, while the brass have more impact on the chorus parts. The chorus parts sound bombastic due to the dominance of the full orchestra and the choir. Highlight once again is the cool lead guitar solo. “Diamond Claws” has a fast traditional Power Metal start with the tight riffing and the double-bass drumming. Things change quickly for the quiet verse parts at a measured tempo and epic chorus parts at mid-tempo. The orchestral arrangements are at full swing during the choruses, and the choir also have an important contribution as they ensure the epic melodies and the bombastic sound. The chorus parts have catchy melodies and are anthemic. The extended lead guitar solo is accompanied by the strings and that gives the track an additional layer. “Diamond Claws” is the official video release, and the YouTube link is provided below. “Black Wizard” is a mid-tempo song with traditional Power Metal riffing, the double-bass drumming, catchy melodies, and very prominent orchestral arrangements. The break starts very operatic with the use of the choir, leading into another contributing and extended lead guitar solo.

“A Brave New Hope” starts with powerful riffing at a measured tempo with epic, almost MANOWAR-like melodies. The orchestral arrangements are not quite as prominent as on most album tracks. However, things change when it comes to the chorus parts. The tempo during the choruses is fast with catchy, sing-along chorus lines. “Holy Downfall” starts with an extended instrumental part, transitioning into a mid-tempo verse part. It is one of the heavier album tracks, even though the bridge and the chorus parts are the typical trademark sound with anthemic chorus lines and epic melodies. The extended break is crushing with another cool lead guitar solo. There are several changes in tempo and rhythm throughout the track ranging across almost all potential tempi and rhythms. The album finishes with “Mastered By The Dark” and it starts with an acoustic guitar part, delivering the main melody of the track. The song is played at a measured tempo and the verse parts are thunderous and crushing with a sluggish rhythm. The sound changes for the chorus parts which are again anthemic and epic, driven by the arrangements and the choir. It is a fitting end to the album, as “Mastered By The Dark” represents the album sound very well.

RHAPSODY OF FIRE deliver symphonic Power Metal at its best. “Challenge The Wind” is an excellent symbiosis of traditional Power Metal driven by the guitar riffing, the drumming, the lead guitar solos, and classical music delivered by the orchestral arrangements and the choir. The vocals act as a mediator between both ends supported by the choir. The outcome is a well-balanced powerful sound with epic melodies and bombastic choruses. The album is very well produced. I felt that the anthemic choruses were at times repetitive and exhaustive, however, fans of symphonic Power Metal will not care and “Challenge The Wind” is surely a must-have album for them.