 | Review and photography: Navneet Johal (C) 2023 All rights reserved by MetalMasterKingdom.com RHAPSODY OF FIRE Glory Of Salvation North American Tour 2023 w/ Wind Rose and Seven Kingdoms @ The Garrison Toronto, ON, Canada May 14, 2023 Presented by Inertia Entertainment It had been over a decade since I was last immersed into the fantastical realm of Italian symphonic power metallers Rhapsody Of Fire concert back in 2012. Three years ago, in the spring of 2020, fans like me were stoked when another North America tour was announced - then sadly the COVID-19 pandemic hit and live music became a distant memory. It is no surprise that the show sold out, proven by the fact that by the time the first opener hit the stage, The Garrison was packed to the brim. The venue was sweltering with the combined excitement of hundreds of metalheads and their body heat. |
| First up were Florida power thrashers Seven Kingdoms, opening with “Universal Terrestrial”, a track from their new album Zenith, energizing the audience with a battery of power chords and blast beats. The flurry of Kevin Byrd and Camden Cruz’s shredding accompanied by Sabrina Valentine’s high wails continued with “Chasing The Mirage” and “The Water Dance”, the crowd jumped and headbanged along. Next, Valentine instructed fans to hold up their lights - numerous phones and lighters went in the air illuminating the atmosphere for a gentle beautiful ballad “The Valonqar”. After this solemn serenade, energy quickly reignited the crowd as crushing riffs, intense rhythms and howls dominated the remainder of Seven Kingdoms setlist highlights including “Love Dagger” and “Diamond Handed”. WIND ROSE Photo credit: Navneet Johal / (C) 2023 MetalMasterKingdom.com Finally the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived - Rhapsody Of Fire emerged with an epic cascade of power chords and orchestral harmonies opening with “I’ll be Your Hero”. Frontman Giacomo Voli commented on the absence of keyboardist Alex Starpoli due to visa issues and informing fans that they would be hearing pre-recorded live keyboard tracks. Most of the set consisted of offering from the last two albums “Glory For Salvation” and “The Eighth Mountain”, including such gems as “Rain Of Fury” and “Son Of Vengeance”. The atmosphere was mesmerizing and the crowd was completely immersed into lyrical themes of medieval fantasy battles. When it came to “Master Of Peace” - Voli called for the audience to create a wall of death - a mighty circle pit ensued. This energetic vibe was briefly replaced with a solemn interlude, the crowd raised lights for ballad “Un’onde per l’eroe” and Voli sang softly in Italian. Finally, Rhapsody Of Fire completed their set with fan favourites “Dawn Of Victory”, “Emerald Sword" and “Wisdom Of The Kings” in the encore. | SEVEN KINGDOMS Photo credit: Navneet Johal / (C) 2023 MetalMasterKingdom.com Next up were Italian Middle-Earth themed power/folk metal dwarves Wind Rose. The audience was immediately animated by Federeco Miranda’s merry keyboard melodies accompanied with a frenzy of powerful riffs rallying Francesco Cavalieri’s mighty war cries opening with “Army Of Stone” a track from their latest album Warfront. The vibe shifted between festive and intense throughout the set with fan favourites including “Drunken Dwarves”, “Fellows Of The Hammer” and “Mine, Mine, Mine”. Wind Rose briefly teased leaving the stage right before inflamming the crowd into a jumping frenzy with their final offering “Diggy, Diggy Hole”, then putting down their instruments to dance a jig on stage as “Diggy, Diggy Hole - Dance Remix” played. RHAPSODY OF FIRE Photo credit: Navneet Johal / (C) 2023 MetalMasterKingdom.com |
RSS Feed
