The Frozen Tears of Angels

The Frozen Tears of Angels is a fulfilling work on which Rhapsody of Fire splendidly bundles grand, gorgeous orchestration, speeding fierce power metal and cinematic narrative. The gorgeous, outstanding movement of keyboards and guitar powerfully draws the grand scenery of battle and fantasy one after another. Also a record on which more aggressive, heavy guitar riffs are foregrounded. An important record on which the story of the “Dark Secret Saga” heads toward its latter half. From the opener “Dark Frozen World” and the speeding “Sea of Fate” to a cut like “Crystal Moonlight,” every song is engaging, while cuts like “Reign of Terror,” the Italian instrumental “Danza di Fuoco e Ghiaccio” and a cut like “Raging Starfire” convey the work’s fullness. Fabio Lione’s operatic voice is powerfully in sharp form throughout. A record on which one wants to carefully savor not only each song’s memorable melody but the flow of the grand story advancing powerfully throughout the album. It unites symphonic splendor and a heavier, harder feel at a high level. A powerful, engaging masterpiece symbolizing Rhapsody of Fire’s fulfilling period — a record where the band’s grand world shines.