Triumph or Agony

Triumph or Agony
Studio album by Rhapsody of Fire
Released	25th September 2006
Genre	Symphonic metal Power metal
Length	62:33
Label	SPV GmbH
Producer	Luca Turilli, Alex Staropoli, Sascha Paeth
Rhapsody of Fire chronology
Live In Canada 2005: The Dark Secret (2006) Triumph or Agony (2006) The Frozen Tears of Angels (2010)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
Metal Rules	[2]

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.

Contents 1 Track listing 1.1 Bonus tracks 2 Concept 3 Credits 4 Production 5 References 6 External links

Track listing

• All Songs Written By Turilli/Staropoli, except where noted.

1. "Dar-Kunor – 3:13

   I. "Echoes from the Elvish Woods"

   II. "Fear of the Dungeons"

2. "Triumph or Agony" – 5:03
3. "Heart of the Darklands" – 4:11
4. "Old Age of Wonders" – 4:35
5. "The Myth of the Holy Sword" – 5:03
6. "Il Canto del Vento" – 3:54 (Lione)
7. "Silent Dream" – 3:51
8. "Bloody Red Dungeons" – 5:12
9. "Son of Pain" – 4:43
10. "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"

11. "Dark Reign of Fire – 6:26

    I. "Winter Dawn's Theme"

Bonus tracks

1. "Defenders of Gaia" – 4:35
2. "A New Saga Begins (radio edit)" – 4:19
3. "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 Saga. 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 Lione - Vocals
• Luca Turilli - Guitars
• Alex Staropoli - Keyboards, Orchestral Arrangements
• Patrice Guers - Bass
• Alex Holzwarth - Drums
• Christopher Lee - Spoken Album Narrator
• Toby Eddington: Narrator
• Jeff Easley - Cover art
• Dominique Leurquin: Additional Guitars
• Petr Pololanik - Conductor

Production

• Executive Producer: Joey DeMaio
• 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

References

External links

• (Italian) Triumph or Agony Album Review

Rhapsody of Fire Fabio Lione • Alex Staropoli • Tom Hess • Alex Holzwarth • Oliver Holzwarth • Roberto De Micheli session members: Christopher Lee • Dominique Leurquin Former members Luca Turilli • Patrice Guers • Alessandro Lotta • Cristiano Adacher • Andrea Furlan • Daniele Carbonera Studio albums Legendary Tales • Symphony of Enchanted Lands • Dawn of Victory • Rain of a Thousand Flames • Power of the Dragonflame • Symphony of Enchanted Lands II – The Dark Secret • Triumph or Agony • The Frozen Tears of Angels • From Chaos to Eternity EPs The Dark Secret • The Cold Embrace of Fear - A Dark Romantic Symphony Live albums Live In Canada 2005: The Dark Secret Compilations Tales from the Emerald Sword Saga Singles "Emerald Sword" • "Holy Thunderforce" • "The Magic of the Wizard's Dream" • "Reign of Terror" • "Aeons of Raging Darkness" • Demos Land of Immortals (as Thundercross) • Eternal Glory DVDs Visions from the Enchanted Lands Musical sagas Emerald Sword • Dark Secret Related articles Discography • Luca Turilli (band) • Kamelot • Vision Divine • Symphonic power metal