Dark Wings of Steel
| Dark Wings of Steel | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Rhapsody of Fire | ||||
| Released | December 12, 2013 (Europe); December 31, 2013 (United States) | |||
| Recorded | August-October 2013 | |||
| Genre | Symphonic power metal | |||
| Length |
59:27 66:23 (Digipak version) | |||
| Label | AFM Records, Roadrunner Records | |||
| Producer | Alex Staropoli | |||
| Rhapsody of Fire chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| About.com |   [1] |
| MetalTraveller |  [2] |
| Nightfall in Metal Earth | [3] |
Dark Wings of Steel is the tenth full-length studio album by the Italian symphonic power metal band Rhapsody of Fire. It was released on December 12, 2013 in Europe and December 31, 2013 in the United States via AFM Records.[4] Following the various line-up changes since the previous album From Chaos to Eternity in 2011, Dark Wings of Steel is the first album of the band to not feature guitarist and founding member Luca Turilli, the first with guitarist Roby De Micheli, and the only with bass guitarist Oliver Holzwarth.
Due to Turilli writing the lyrics and co-composing the songs with keyboardist Alex Staropoli in the previous albums, the lyrics are written by singer Fabio Lione, with Staropoli now composing the music with his brother Manuel.[5] Following the departure of other guitarist Tom Hess earlier in the year, the album also marks the return to one full-time guitarist only.
Alex Staropoli stated: "Fabio from now on will be in charge of writing the lyrics and I think this is really important for a singer to be able to write and sing its own lyrics". He also noted about his brother Manuel: "I knew my brother had lots of talent and he proved himself by submitting me with many great songs, which some of them I had to arrange and to use. I am so proud of him and there is a lot more to come".[6]
The trailer for the album was released on October 11, 2013.[7] The new song "Silver Lake Of Tears" was released for free on YouTube on November 4, 2013.[8]
Track listing
All lyrics written by Fabio Lione; all music composed by Alex Staropoli and Manuel Staropoli.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Vis Divina" (Divine Strength) | 1:29 |
| 2. | "Rising From Tragic Flames" | 6:16 |
| 3. | "Angel of Light" | 7:05 |
| 4. | "Tears of Pain" | 6:27 |
| 5. | "Fly to Crystal Skies" | 5:13 |
| 6. | "My Sacrifice" | 8:05 |
| 7. | "Silver Lake of Tears" | 5:00 |
| 8. | "Custode di Pace" ("Keeper of Peace") | 5:07 |
| 9. | "A Tale of Magic" | 4:18 |
| 10. | "Dark Wings of Steel" | 5:51 |
| 11. | "Sad Mystic Moon" | 4:37 |
| Digipak & vinyl edition bonus track | ||
|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Length |
| 12. | "A Candle to Light" (English version of Custode di Pace) | 6:56 |
| Japanese edition bonus track | ||
|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Length |
| 12. | "Voler Vers Toi" (French version of Custode di Pace) | 5:07 |
Personnel
- Fabio Lione – lead vocals
- Roby De Micheli – guitar
- Oliver Holzwarth – bass
- Alex Staropoli – keyboards
- Alex Holzwarth – drums
References
- ↑ "Rhapsody Of Fire - Dark Wings Of Steel Review". About.com.
- ↑ MetalTraveller. "Rhapsody Of Fire - Dark Wings Of Steel". Metaltraveller.com.
- ↑ "Wings Of Steel review". Nightfall in Metal Earth.
- ↑ "RHAPSODY OF FIRE To Release 'Dark Wings Of Steel' In November". Blabbermouth.net. September 16, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
- ↑ http://rhapsodyoffire.com/news/101-dark-wings-of-steel.html
- ↑ Interview with Alex Staropoli, by Grande-Rock.com retrieved on January 10th, 2014.
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VgCZPjiAh4
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bC3tbfhpKqM