01	Aenigma						01:58
	02	War Of The Universe						04:18
	03	Rider Of The Astral Fire						05:12
	04	Zaephyr Skies' Theme						03:19
	05	The Age Of Mystic Ice						04:53
	06	Prince Of The Starlight						05:13
	07	Timeless Ocean						04:18
	08	Demonheart						05:08
	09	New Century's Tarantella						05:15
	10	Prophet Of The Last Eclipse						11:48

Luca Turilli - Prophet Of The Last Eclipse

Released: 2002
Label: SPV/Limb Music Products
Cat. No.: LMP 0210-045
Total Time: 50:07


Reviewed by: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck, February 2003
Progressive metal, symphonic rock, progressive rock … what does it all mean to you and how do you understand it with your ears? Like anything else, it is a matter of taste and opinion. Luca Turilli and his sonic blast into the future titled Prophet Of The Last Eclipse, could fall into many different styles of music, or several depending on what song you are listening to on this CD. I would call it prog-symphonic-metal.

Complimented by a full choir, Turilli takes you to another world far away where apocalypse is eminent. Does it sound all too familiar? One gaze at the cover and it does not take that much of an imagination to understand what this is all about. The story and concept is all too well known and its nothing new as a far as a storyline is concerned. The music is what puts it all over the top. I thought of Rick Wakeman’s lavish production Journey To The Center Of The Earth more than a few times while reflecting upon all the values of this project.

Perhaps you recognize the name Turilli, as he is not only a fine guitar player recognized for his exceptional solo work; he is in the metal group Rhapsody. His work deserves a close look even though there is nothing particularly extraordinary going on here. This type of music has a tendency to carry the same beat with the rapid-fire computerized drums, emphatic vocals, and the whiz-bang guitar lines that sound the same in every song. I did not find that kind of sameness or monotony on this album, although at times the incessant high-speed beats got to me; for the most part Turilli utilizes his experience very well by creating an assortment of sounds that did not fall into any one grouping snuggly, which in the end is his saving grace. It stays interesting enough to keep your attention straight on through, which can be another feat in itself with this style of music. I enjoy this approach in music most of the time, but the problem I have with it is that it can become too similar without enough room for growth and experimentation. Once again, Turilli manages to step beyond those boundaries and make this his own with a stamp of originality. It is too dissimilar to become dry or boring. You can count on one thing, this is not what you would expect for prog-metal, it is almost too progressive to say the word metal in the same sentence, yet both genres play off each other well. It is an interesting blend to be sure. I guess you will just have to hear it for yourself and then come up with your own precis as to what it is for you. For me … it was a good listen worth investigating some more.

Rating: 4/5

More about Prophet Of The Last Eclipse:

Track Listing: Aenigma (1:58) / War of the Universe (4:18) / Rider of the Astral Fire (5:12) / Zaephyr Skies' Theme (3:19) / The Age of Mystic Ice (4:53) / Prince of the Starlight (5:13) / Timeless Oceans (4:18) / Demonheart (5:08) / New Century's Tarantella (5:15) / Prophet of the Last Eclipse (11:48)

Musicians:
Luca Turilli - Guitar
Sascha Paeth - Bass
Olaf Hayer - Vocals

Guests:

Susanne Mohle - Choir
Rannveig Sif Sigurdardottir - Choir
Bridget Fogle - Choir
Cinzia Rizzo - Choir

Contact:

Website: www.lucaturilli.com
Note: will open new browser window

Discography

"The Ancient Forest Of Elves" (1999) (single)
King Of The Nordic Twlight (1999)
Demonheart (2002) (ep)
Prophet Of The Last Eclipse (2002)



Luca Turilli – Prophet Of The Last Eclipse
Luca Turilli - Prophet Of The Last Eclipse
Country of Origin: Italy
Format: CD
Record Label: Limb Music
Catalogue #: LMP0210-045
Year of Release: 2002 (Re-release)
Time: 61.07
Info: Click Here
Samples: Click Here
Tracklist: Aenigma (1:58) War of the Universe (4:19) Rider of the Astral Fire (5:12) Zaepher Skies’ Theme (3:19) The Age of Mystic Ice (4:54) Prince of the Starlight (5:14) Timeless Oceans (4:18) Demonheart (5:09) New Century’s Tarantella (5:15) Prophet of the Last Eclipse (11:49) Bonus Tracks: Dark Comet’s Reign (4:44) Demonheart (5.02)

Luca Turilli, the mastermind behind Italian Symphonic Power Metal champions Rhapsody, is back with the follow-up to his first solo album, King of the Nordic Twilight. Fans of Rhapsody will know largely what to expect here, but their successful formula of high class metallic riffing, married with neo-classical orchestral arrangements, and topped off with gloriously pompous vocals (often complete with choral backing), is varied here with the addition of some folk and new-age touches, and more importantly, spacey synth sounds, to arrive at a variant style which Luca calls “Symphonic Cosmic Metal”.

In addition to Luca’s impressive guitar playing, the band consists of Sascha Paeth (famed producer of Angra, Kamelot & Heaven’s Gate) on bass guitar, Olaf Hayer on lead vocals, Miro on keyboards and Robert Hunecke-Rizzo on drums. Also present are no less than four choirs and a string quintet. The limited edition digibook comes in a slipcase, and features apocalyptic sci-fi artwork, story synopsis, lyrics, notes to the songs and a short biography of Turilli. The story (Part one of The Dark Comet Saga) is a futuristic tale of world-saving heroics and tragic love, perfectly suited to the majestic, bombastic music served here.

The brief opening track consists of eerie synthesisers and stunning choral vocals, perfectly setting the scene before smoothly segueing into War of the Universe, a fast metallic romp which strongly reminds of Brazilian's Angra. The next three songs highlight the level of inventiveness at work here. Rider of the Astral Fire and The Age of Mystic Ice both feature excellent keyboard work, rousing choruses (Rider.. has a section for children's choir whose “la la la’s” have a cheesy sixties feel), and prove that the drummer is not afraid to break away from the ultra fast drumming that is the genres norm. Together they sandwich Zaepher Skies’ Theme which starts with Celtic harp and ethereal vocals, lending a distinctly new-age vibe and also reveals Turilli’s love of movie soundtrack music. Speaking of which, the only ballad here, Timeless Oceans is an obvious homage to the kind of song that graces many a Hollywood blockbuster and as such, sounds a touch syrupy and bland to my ears. Although a change of pace is needed on the album, this style of song leaves me cold. Demonheart picks up the pace once more and is here in two versions, the latter bonus track being sung by Andre Matos (Angra), but its inclusion seems a bit unnecessary given the similarity of the two vocalists. New Century’s Tarantella takes an Italian folk dance as its starting point and utilises Peruvian flutes and accordions in an audacious brew that makes me smile every time I hear it.

The concluding epic Prophet of the Last Eclipse begins with monastic chanting, developing into an up tempo operatic section and featuring a keyboard break that sounds almost Wakemanesque. Although many of these songs are firmly rooted within the conventions of the Power Metal genre, and occasionally the double bass drum pounding can seem a bit relentless, there are enough changes of pace (often several within a given song) and surprising embellishments poping up throughout, to ensure that progressive rock fans seeking something heavier, or probing the borders of the genre, should find much to enjoy.

Conclusion: 7 out of 10

Dave Sissons