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CD: Rhapsody - Legendary Tales	Released:
Reviewed By: John Profiti (Painkiller)	Rating: (3.5/5)

Tracks:
1. Ira Tenax
2. Warrior Of Ice
3. Rage Of The Winter
4. Forest Of Unicorns
5. Flames Of Revenge
6. Virgin Skies
7. Land Of Immortals
8. Echoes Of Tragedy
9. Lord Of The Thunder
10. Legendary Tales

Rhapsody's debut record is quite different from their later material. Not to say that it isn't still symphonic power metal of the highest degree. It just doesn't have the same amount over the top orchestras and choirs as found on their later releases. On this release Rhapsody rely more on the 4 members of the band to tell the first chapter of The Emerald Sword Saga. The album starts of the same as every Rhapsody album to follow, with an opera esque opener that ties in to the second song. Rhapsody are fairly heavy on this record and some songs are tinged with speed metal. For example Warrior Of Ice and Flames Of Revenge have fast double kick, guitar line and vocals that are carried off well with the mood of the album. A great thing about this album is that there is no narration of any kind like on later albums. Legendary Tales also features a few slow songs with barely any guitar or drums such as Forest Of Unicorns. The album consists of mostly high points except for the cheesy Manowar rip off Echoes Of Tragedy which sounds like it was a B-side from the Kings Of Metal album. With that said Legendary Tales is not the best Rhapsody album but definitely a great record. Not the best introduction to Rhapsody but a good album for anyone who is already familiar with them.

Key Tracks: Warrior Of Ice, Rage Of The Winter, Flames Of Revenge, Lord Of The Thunder