• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

I'm sitting here, feeling both nostalgic and ever so slightly bittersweet writing this review. This album stands as the end of an era, both for the band and their ridiculous, yet brilliant high fantasy sagas started so many years ago. I recently caught them live, and upon returning home I found out that Luca Turilli had decided to part ways with the band. That is a shame because I thought the band were in a great place, two quality full-lengths and an EP in the space of a year, a superb line-up and a fantastic live show. However I'm here to review the final album in the sagas so let's push on.

The first time I listened to From Chaos to Eternity I must admit that it all kind of went over my head, although naturally, I decided to persist with repeated listens. Boy, am I glad I did. In fact, the whole album renewed my passion for the band, and I think that while maybe not as strong as The Frozen Tears of Angels, it is still more powerful than anything after Power of the Dragonflame. The first thing that sticks out to me is that the guitars are a lot more prominent, with some really neat riffage throughout. Tracks such as "Aeons of Raging Darkness" or the title track are nuts, with plenty of shredding and fast guitar riffs, with "Aeons..." almost in thrash territory in places. Counter-balancing some of the heavier guitar work are some of the more melodic tracks I've heard from the band, "I Belong to the Stars" is superb, with a nice hard-rocking vibe and a ridiculously catchy chorus. "Anima Perduta" is another of the bands exotic foreign language ballads, that is powerful although not quite as stunning as "Lamento Eroico".

The whole band is in top form, especially Fabio Lione who just seems to get better with age. He really nails it here, and his range is insane. "Tornado" is a particularly cool example of Fabio asserting his range; the song has a perfect schizoid feel that welcomes varying vocal styles. Everything you expect and more from a Rhapsody of Fire album is here on From Chaos to Eternity. Ending in style the band treat us to one of, if not their longest songs to date: "Heroes of the Waterfalls' Kingdom". This has everything you've come to expect from a Rhapsody epic, Sir Christopher Lee, acoustic/folk passages, "epic Hollywood metal themes", insane guitar work, and of course those ever triumphant vocal passages. "Heroes..." is pure Rhapsody and a damn fine way to close the book on this era of their career.

Overall this album stands as a good end to the band's high fantasy sagas, and I'm definitely interested to hear where they go without Luca Turilii. Fans of the band should already have it by now, and this is definitely one of the better power metal albums I've heard this year. Maybe not as good as The Frozen Tears of Angels, From Chaos to Eternity is certainly not without merit and is a welcome addition to the band's discography. Journey to Dar-Kunor one last time, and see how the story concludes. Recommended.