Triumph or Agony
Encyclopedia
Triumph or Agony is the seventh album studio released by Rhapsody of Fire
in Europe on 25 September 2006.
It is the first album that the band released after their name change.
Triumph or Agony features a live 70 piece orchestra and choir and was again self-produced by guitarist/songwriter Luca Turilli and keyboardist/songwriter Alex Staropoli
with assistance from co-producer Sascha Paeth
. The album also features an array of guest narrators and character actors, including several recruits from the London theatre scene, the late Susannah York
of the Superman film series and a return appearance by renowned actor Christopher Lee
, as the all-knowing ‘Wizard King’. The song "Il Canto del Vento", is the first song in the band's history that is not composed by Turilli or Staropoli, instead it was composed by Fabio Lione
.
The cover art is done by artist Jeff Easley
, famous for his work on the Dungeons & Dragons
line of products.
. During the third Elvish war in the battle for Galfor's mines, the warrior Naimur was captured by Atlon (referred to as "Hell's Fury"). Atlon tortured Naimur using an emerald stone to drain his energy and eventually killed him. After the battle, Loinir, Naimur's brother, took the stone used to torture Naimur and forged the Emerald Sword. Loinir asked the angels to bless the sword, filling it with their holy might.
Some years later, the Elves launched a new attack against Atlon and his forces, giving Loinir the chance to avenge his brother. "just a strike of the sword, [was] hell's last breath". Loinir felt as though the blade was too powerful, and thus he gave it to the wizards to examine. The wizards determined that the sword had indeed been enchanted with holy powers and that it could be dangerous if it fell into the wrong hands. They therefore hid the sword beyond the Ivory Gates.
Rhapsody of Fire
Rhapsody of Fire is an Italian symphonic power metal band led by Alex Staropoli. Since forming in 1993, the band has released eight studio albums, one live album, two EPs, and a live DVD...
in Europe on 25 September 2006.
It is the first album that the band released after their name change.
Triumph or Agony features a live 70 piece orchestra and choir and was again self-produced by guitarist/songwriter Luca Turilli and keyboardist/songwriter Alex Staropoli
Alex Staropoli
Alessandro Staropoli is the keyboard player, composer and co-founder of the Italian symphonic metal band Rhapsody of Fire...
with assistance from co-producer Sascha Paeth
Sascha Paeth
Sascha Paeth is a German guitarist, bassist, musical producer, and mixer known for working with heavy metal bands such as Avantasia, Edguy, Angra, Shaaman, Rhapsody of Fire, Kamelot, After Forever, Epica, et al...
. The album also features an array of guest narrators and character actors, including several recruits from the London theatre scene, the late Susannah York
Susannah York
Susannah York was a British film, stage and television actress. She was awarded a BAFTA as Best Supporting Actress for They Shoot Horses, Don't They? and was nominated for an Oscar and Golden Globe for the same film. She won best actress for Images at the 1972 Cannes Film Festival...
of the Superman film series and a return appearance by renowned actor Christopher Lee
Christopher Lee
Sir Christopher Frank Carandini Lee, CBE, CStJ is an English actor and musician. Lee initially portrayed villains and became famous for his role as Count Dracula in a string of Hammer Horror films...
, as the all-knowing ‘Wizard King’. The song "Il Canto del Vento", is the first song in the band's history that is not composed by Turilli or Staropoli, instead it was composed by Fabio Lione
Fabio Lione
Fabio Tordiglione is an Italian singer who has sung with many music bands including Rhapsody of Fire, Labyrinth, Ayreon, Vision Divine and Athena, and as a touring lead singer with American band Kamelot...
.
The cover art is done by artist Jeff Easley
Jeff Easley
Jeff Easley is an oil painter who creates fantasy artwork in the tradition of Frank Frazetta.-Early life:...
, famous for his work on the Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
line of products.
Track listing
- All Songs Written By Turilli/Staropoli, except where noted.
- "Dar-Kunor – 3:13
- I. "Echoes from the Elvish Woods"
- II. "Fear of the Dungeons"
- "Triumph or Agony" – 5:03
- "Heart of the Darklands" – 4:11
- "Old Age of Wonders" – 4:35
- "The Myth of the Holy Sword" – 5:03
- "Il Canto del Vento" – 3:54 (Lione)
- "Silent Dream" – 3:51
- "Bloody Red Dungeons" – 5:12
- "Son of Pain" – 4:43
- "The Mystic Prophecy of the Demonknight" – 16:26
- I. "A New Saga Begins"
- II. "Through the Portals of Agony"
- III. "The Black Order"
- IV. "Nekron's Bloody Rhymes"
- V. "Escape From Horror"
- "Dark Reign of Fire – 6:26
- I. "Winter Dawn's Theme"
Bonus tracks
- "Defenders of Gaia" – 4:35
- "A New Saga Begins (radio edit)" – 4:19
- "Son of Pain (Italian version)" – 4:47
- "Son of Pain (french version)" – 4:47 (Available on the French limited edition)
Concept
"The Myth of the Holy Sword" presents the history of the Emerald Sword in the Emerald Sword SagaEmerald Sword Saga
The Emerald Sword Saga is a high fantasy story spread over 5 albums by the Italian symphonic power metal band Rhapsody of Fire that follows many of the common tropes of the genre, including clearly defined good versus evil and the inclusion of various fantasy monsters...
. During the third Elvish war in the battle for Galfor's mines, the warrior Naimur was captured by Atlon (referred to as "Hell's Fury"). Atlon tortured Naimur using an emerald stone to drain his energy and eventually killed him. After the battle, Loinir, Naimur's brother, took the stone used to torture Naimur and forged the Emerald Sword. Loinir asked the angels to bless the sword, filling it with their holy might.
Some years later, the Elves launched a new attack against Atlon and his forces, giving Loinir the chance to avenge his brother. "just a strike of the sword, [was] hell's last breath". Loinir felt as though the blade was too powerful, and thus he gave it to the wizards to examine. The wizards determined that the sword had indeed been enchanted with holy powers and that it could be dangerous if it fell into the wrong hands. They therefore hid the sword beyond the Ivory Gates.
Credits
- Fabio LioneFabio LioneFabio Tordiglione is an Italian singer who has sung with many music bands including Rhapsody of Fire, Labyrinth, Ayreon, Vision Divine and Athena, and as a touring lead singer with American band Kamelot...
- Vocals - Luca Turilli - Guitars
- Alex StaropoliAlex StaropoliAlessandro Staropoli is the keyboard player, composer and co-founder of the Italian symphonic metal band Rhapsody of Fire...
- Keyboards, Orchestral Arrangements - Patrice GuersPatrice GuersPatrice Guers is the former bassist of the Italian symphonic metal band Rhapsody of Fire. He joined the band after Alessandro Lotta left the band and performed with them until 2011, when he departed with guitarist Luca Turilli. He started playing bass at the age of fourteen and he started lessons...
- Bass - Alex HolzwarthAlex HolzwarthAlex Holzwarth was born on 4 October 1968 in Landshut, Germany and is a professional drummer, and current member of italian symphonic power metal band Rhapsody of Fire. He is also the brother of the band's bassist Oliver Holzwarth....
- Drums - Christopher LeeChristopher LeeSir Christopher Frank Carandini Lee, CBE, CStJ is an English actor and musician. Lee initially portrayed villains and became famous for his role as Count Dracula in a string of Hammer Horror films...
- Spoken Album Narrator - Toby Eddington: Narrator
- Jeff EasleyJeff EasleyJeff Easley is an oil painter who creates fantasy artwork in the tradition of Frank Frazetta.-Early life:...
- Cover art - Dominique Leurquin: Additional Guitars
- Petr PololanikPetr PololáníkPetr Pololáník is a Czech conductor, orchestrator and music producer. His father Zdeněk Pololáník belongs to foremost Czech composers.Petr studied both violin, piano and conducting; in 1996, he earned his Master of Arts in conducting at the Janacek Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Brno.Since...
- Conductor
Production
- Executive Producer: Joey DeMaioJoey DeMaioJoey DeMaio is an American bass player and main songwriter for the heavy metal band Manowar which he co-founded in 1980. He is also the founder and CEO of Magic Circle Music....
- Producers: Sascha Paeth, Alex Staropoli, Luca Turilli
- Engineering: Phillip Colodetti, Bernd Kugler, Rob Lavacque, Marc Lenz, Sascha Paeth, Olaf Reitmeier, Jan Wrede
- Mixing: Sascha Paeth
- Editing: Phillip Colodetti, Rob Lavacque