''Glory for Salvation'' is the thirteenth studio album by the

Italian Italian(s) may refer to: * Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries ** Italians, an ethnic group or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom ** Italian language, a Romance language *** Regional Ita ...

symphonic power metal Symphonic metal is a cross-generic style designation for the symphonic subsets of heavy metal music subgenres. It is used to denote any metal band that makes use of symphonic or orchestral elements. The style features the heavy drums and guitar ...

band

Rhapsody of Fire Rhapsody of Fire (formerly known as Rhapsody) is an Italian symphonic power metal band formed by Luca Turilli and Alex Staropoli, widely seen as a pioneer of the symphonic power metal subgenre. Since forming in 1993 as Thundercross, the band h ...

. It was released on 26 November 2021 via

AFM Records AFM Records GmbH is a music label based in Schwalmstadt, Germany. They focus on the heavy metal musical genre, signing bands such as U.D.O., Doro, Lordi, Kotipelto, Masterplan, Nostradameus, and Annihilator. In 2005, Candlelight Records si ...

. The album is the second chapter of ''The Nephilim's Empire Saga''. It is the first studio album to feature Paolo Marchesich on drums.

Background

On April 6, 2020, Vocalist Giacomo Voli in an exclusive interview, had revealed that the band were working on the album. Voli said: The band later announced that the recording of the album had been completed on 24 September 2020, and were confirmed to be mixing the album with Sebastian "Seeb" Levermann in April 2021. The first single off of the album, "I'll Be Your Hero" was released on 4 June 2021 as an EP. The album's details and release date were later announced on 8 July 2021, along with the release of the second single and title song "Glory for Salvation". The third single, "Magic Signs" was released on 2 September 2021. The fourth single, "Terial the Hawk", was released on 15 October 2021. The fifth single, "Chains of Destiny" was released on 7 November 2021, along with a music video. The sixth single, "Un'ode per l'eroe" was released on 17 December 2021, along with a music video.

Composition

Influences, style and themes

According to Staropoli, the song "Chains of Destiny" is "an epic, uplifting and intense song, characterized by catchy melodies, fast paced rhythm, great vocals and choirs".

Concept

Following the events from ''The Eighth Mountain'', Kreel, the fallen wizard, has sworn vengeance on his masters. He is the servant of Bezrael, son of Chezaquill, the father of all Nephilim. Bezrael resurrected Kreel from the Abyss of Pain to serve his will. ("Son of Vengeance") He remembers his previous life and laments the kingdom of ice he is now living. ("The Kingdom of Ice") Years previously, Kreel murdered Namecid, the holy man of the Diaphanous Cathedral. ("Glory for Salvation") Ever since, Terial, the hawk made of ice, has followed Kreel. ("Eternal Snow") Terial symbolizes hope and forgiveness for Kreel for his past transgressions as he seeks to find peace and serenity. ("Terial the Hawk") He then meets the Maid of the Secret Sand, Vardagwen, and intends to murder her. But instead, he falls in love with her and tells her to stay hidden to escape the wrath of Bezrael. ("Maid of the Secret Sand") Upon learning this Bezrael again imprisons him in the Abyss of Pain and brands him as a traitor. Upon accepting his fate, he emplores the Guardians of the Sky to watch over the maid of the secret sand since he knows his master will not set him free. ("Abyss of Pain II") Feeling overwhelming guilt at what he has done, Kreel once again asks Terial the Hawk for forgiveness as he learns Vardagwen was killed by his master. He then swears revenge for all he has seen. ("Infinitae Gloriae") Still struggling with guilt and the desire for forgiveness for his transgressions, he prays for the mystic rain to wipe away his tears. ("Magic Signs") Kreel vows to change his life and be the hero Vardagwen would have wanted him to be. ("I'll Be Your Hero") Finally, he decides to break the chains of his destiny and turn against his Lord Bezrael in the name of Vardagwen and the prophet Namecid, whom he murdered. ("Chains of Destiny")

Track listing

Personnel

Credits for ''Glory for Salvation'' adapted from liner notes.(2021). "''Glory for Salvation'' liner notes". In ''Glory for Salvation''

D booklet D, or d, is the fourth letter in the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its name in English is ''dee'' (pronounced ), plural ''dees''. History The ...

AFM. Rhapsody of Fire *

Alex Staropoli Alessandro "Alex" Staropoli (born 9 January 1970) is a keyboard player, composer, leader and co-founder (with Luca Turilli) of the Italian symphonic power metal band Rhapsody of Fire. He does the orchestral arrangements in all the band's songs. Fo ...

–

keyboards Keyboard may refer to: Text input * Keyboard, part of a typewriter * Computer keyboard ** Keyboard layout, the software control of computer keyboards and their mapping ** Keyboard technology, computer keyboard hardware and firmware Music * Musi ...

, orchestrations, choir vocals, engineering, production * Roberto De Micheli –

guitar The guitar is a fretted musical instrument that typically has six strings. It is usually held flat against the player's body and played by strumming or plucking the strings with the dominant hand, while simultaneously pressing selected stri ...

s * Alessandro Sala – bass * Giacomo Voli –

lead Lead is a chemical element with the symbol Pb (from the Latin ) and atomic number 82. It is a heavy metal that is denser than most common materials. Lead is soft and malleable, and also has a relatively low melting point. When freshly cu ...

and choir vocals * Paolo Marchesich –

drums A drum kit (also called a drum set, trap set, or simply drums) is a collection of drums, cymbals, and other Percussion instrument, auxiliary percussion instruments set up to be played by one person. The player (drummer) typically holds a pair o ...

Additional personnel * Manuel Staropoli – baroque recorders, flute * Giovanni Davoli – uilleann pipes, low whistle * Davide Simonelli – violin * Mateo Sivelli – cello * Valerio Mauro – harp Choir * Alex Mari, Angelo Guidetti, Erika Beretti, Gabriele Gozzi, Giacomo Pieracci, Giovani Maria Palmia Production * Sebastian "Seeb" Levermann – mixing, mastering * Alberto Bravin – engineering, choir vocals * Marco Vattovani – engineering * Alexandre Charleux – artwork * Paul Thureau – additional artwork, layout * Emanuele Aliprandi – photography

Charts

References

{{Rhapsody of Fire 2021 albums AFM Records albums Rhapsody of Fire albums