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The
band formerly known as Rhapsody has due to some legal implications
changed their name to Rhapsody of Fire and the first album after
the change “Triumph or Agony” will be released late September.
To learn a bit more about the new album and other stuff we’ve
put a few questions together for them.
“Triumph
or Agony” will be released shortly and is the first album since
your name change; do you also see this as a new beginning for the
band?
Fabio Lione –
Well we can say that, I mean, I don’t think that the name thing
it was something so important people will always know that we are
Rhapsody anyway, but I have to say that we talked and agree to do
something - some changes also in the music and I think people can
see that. The new CD it’s more mature - an evolution for the
band, but of course you can still feel our style. What I like most
is the variety and the fact that we have different kind of songs…
What
do you consider to be biggest different between “Triumph or
Agony” and “Symphony of Enchanted Lands II”? I think you
have returned a bit to your roots and have put more emphasis on
melody and harmonies.
Fabio Lione –
I agree - Symphony part 2 it’s more orchestral, our real film
score metal album!!! On “Triumph or Agony” we did a great work
- we have a great sound and the songs are more direct (except for
the last song of 16minutes - the “film score metal” song of
the CD!)I like the fact that the 2 albums are different…
If
you should choose one song, which represents the essence of
Rhapsody of Fire on the new album, which one would that be and why?
I would pick "The Mystic Prophecy of the Demon Knight”,
which I think captures your style in one song pretty good…
Fabio Lione –
Perfect!!! I agree - in this song we have almost everything -
different styles, different kind of lines, tempos and atmospheres.
On
your new album you’ve included one the simplest songs you ever
written: “Silent Dream”. Did you start out with that intention
or was it just something that happened?
Fabio Lione – Well
of course it was our intention - I mean simple doesn’t mean bad
it’s just another type of Rhapsody of fire song. A little more
commercial, we can say. I think its right for a band to try to
compose many songs in many directions, don’t worry we are not
Rhapsody of pop!!! He he...
“Il
Canto del Vento” is in Italian, who came up with that idea? And
how important is your Italian roots?
Fabio Lione –
Me. I have to say that “Il Canto del Vento” it’s the first
complete song that I written for this band. Originally I created
the song for my solo CD, but then the guys liked it a lot and we
decided have it on “Triumph or Agony”. I think it’s very
important for us to have the possibility to express ourselves also
in our native language. The Italian language is really more
“hot”, sweet and especially for ballads it’s perfect!!! I
also think that our style – well probably we couldn’t have
this style without being Italians. This opera touch, classical,
Celtic, folk combined to the rock music…
Your
music has always had strong connections to soundtrack music and
Tolkien, and some even call your music Tolkien Metal. But how does
that make you feel? And how do you fell the term Tolkien Metal
fits your music?
Fabio Lione –
Mmm - usually I don’t like to talk about definitions, I mean, I
just love music! If I like a song doesn’t matter which style it
is. I think we have a strong connection with fantasy themes and
also Tolkien. We just do the best we can to write and give to our
fans the best, then if people are happy talkin’ about “Tolkien
metal” – well then I am happy too…
Fantasy
stories have always been a big part of your lyrically concept –
the opening intro made me think of Galadriel and Tolkien
immediately, but what direction does the story go this time, and
is it another concept album?
Fabio Lione –
Yes, it is. It’s the second part of the new saga (the Dark
Secret Saga) - a part more dramatically and darker. It’s not a
coincidence that also the cover of the CD. This time it’s
different…
You
are signed to Joey DeMaio’s Magic Circle Music label, and the
album will be released by SPV. How did you get signed to his label
and why the change from Limb Music, who did a great job for you
early on in your career?
Fabio Lione – We
were just at the end of the contract with Limb and we didn’t
have particular problems at that time, but we thought to look
somewhere else to try also with different people. Joey shared some
time with Staropoli and then with the rest of us and he make us an
offer. He was
connected to SPV (that was also involved with Limb) so we decide
to change and see. We don’t have anything against Limb – he is
a person that we have to thanks a lot for all that he did., but we
felt ready to try and reach another level…
You
(Luca Turilli & Alex Staropoli) have produced the album your
selves, did you ever consider using an outside producer for this
project, or do you feel comfortably enough with your songs to do
it yourselves?
Fabio Lione –
No - until now we didn’t think about that. We just feel happy
and satisfied with our music and what we do…
At
the end of November you will embark on a tour as special guests on
the European Manowar tour. This must be like a dream come true?
Fabio Lione –
Well as you may know the tour is postponed. We’ll go on tour in
March - together with Manowar and I’m sure will be a great
experience for us. We’ll probably also do some summer festivals
together - after that we’ll go on tour as headliners…
Will
you at a later stage be going out on tour on your own supporting
this great new album? And if so who would be an ideal support act?
Fabio Lione –
We will do it in the end of next year. We think to reach many
places. I don’t know about a support act - we’ll see. We have
plenty of time…
Tell
us a bit about the cover artwork; compared to some of your
previous ones it’s rather simple?
Who created it and is there a story behind it?
Fabio Lione –
This time the cover artwork it’s done by Jeff Easley, he worked
on "Dungeon & Dragons" and we thought he was the
right person for us. The new cover looks different and we wanted
that. I agree it’s quite simple, but perfect for what we wanted.
About the image - well… we are in the Darkunor caverns
and new prophecies are close to happen...
Let’s
play an association game, please tell us your first spontaneous
thoughts about the following key words:
Howard
Shore
Fabio Lione – Mmm...
I don’t know - maybe The river of Howard (who is??? He he...) (He
is the Lord of the Rings soundtracks composer, Kenn)
J.R.R.
Tolkien
Fabio Lione –
An old man he he (An old dead man, Kenn)
Manowar
Fabio Lione – Metal
The Italian metal scene
Fabio Lione –
Naaaaaaaaaa - not a
real scene, just some few good bands…
Italy winning the World Cup 2006 (Soccer)
Fabio Lione –
Italy was just the one that made it because the others were
bad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What do you consider to be the biggest
accomplishment for you and Rhapsody of Fire, not necessarily sales
wise? What are the strengths and where can Rhapsody of Fire
improve?
Fabio Lione –
To reach the heart of the people with a positive message and give
to them some hours of beautiful music out of the stress of the
society. I think we are lucky ’cause we are unique - our sound
it’s just our sound, no one can copy or imitate us. I don’t
see any band that is able to compose so different songs with so
many elements, styles, atmospheres and I also talk about the
vocals -various and complex.
Improve??? Well I think this band could reach many people. We are
not just a heavy metal band, you know, it’s just a matter of
points of view for someone. We could improve some things for one,
for others we might be a completely different thing We just play
our music and as long as people like our music we’ll be happy.
The important is to do it in the best way you can…
I
was wondering – could you name an album, person or event that
has had a huge influence on your life - and why?
Fabio Lione –
Personally the Monsters of Rock - I think in ’90 (with
Whitesnake and Aerosmith). THIS CONCERT CHANGED MY LIFE. Europe
and Skid Row ’cause I started to sing along with these bands.
For the band - I think: Europe, Crimson Glory, Manowar, Iron
Maiden, Helloween, Malmsteen and Dio are big influences for us…
Which
album(s) have put a big smile on you face and has made you bang
your head in 2006?
Fabio Lione –
Mmm to be honest; no one…
I
thank you very much for participating in this interview and
sharing this information and your thoughts with us - these last
lines are entirely for you. Any final words you would like to
round off with?
Fabio Lione
– I have to thanks all our fans and I hope to see a lot of them
on tour soon!! Gloria Perpetua.
Interviewed
by Kenn Jensen |
