There is more than one band by the name Rhapsody: 1) Rhapsody (now known as Rhapsody of Fire) is a symphonic power metal band from Italy, but have been "on hold" since 2008. A new album has been announced, "The Frozen Tears of Angels", billed for release in March. They incorporate classical music, baroque and power metal styles. The classical influences include such composers as Antonio Vivaldi, Johann Sebastian Bach, Niccolò Paganini, and Antonin Dvořák. ...show more

There is more than one band by the name Rhapsody: 1) Rhapsody (now known as Rhapsody of Fire) is a symphonic power metal band from Italy, but have been "on hold" since 2008. A new album has been announced, "The Frozen Tears of Angels", billed for release in March. They incorporate classical music, baroque and power metal styles. The classical influences include such composers as Antonio Vivaldi, Johann Sebastian Bach, Niccolò Paganini, and Antonin Dvořák.

Their songs are also heavily influenced by power metal in general and their lyrics are fantasy-themed. In 1997 Rhapsody released their debut album, Legendary Tales. Co-founders Luca Turilli and Alex Staropoli created an epic sound with this first album. Although neo-classical metal had existed previously, Rhapsody incorporated classical music, baroque and heavy metal styles in a new sub-genre known as "hollywood metal".

In the years that followed, Turilli and Staropoli, joined by Fabio Lione on vocals, developed this new sound with their albums Symphony of Enchanted Lands (1998), Dawn of Victory (2000), Rain of a Thousand Flames (2001), and Power of the Dragonflame (2002). They wrote pieces such as "Emerald Sword", drawing on Russian folklore and Celtic style elements and creating what was known as the "Emerald Sword Saga". Turilli is the band's lyricist, as well as guitarist. His lyrics often refer to mystical lore from the medieval age and the heroic valor of those times, highlighting in particular the ever-lasting fight between good and evil. ...show less