Symphony Of Enchanted Lands

LINE-UP:

Luca Turilli - guitars

Alex Staropoli - keyboards

Fabio Lione - vocals

Alessandro Lotta - Bass

Daniele Carbonera - drums

TRACKLIST:

Epicus Furor
Emerald Sword
Wisdom Of The Kings
Heroes Of The Lost Valley
Eternal Glory
Beyond The Gates Of Infinity
Wings Of Destiny
The Dark Tower Of Abyss
Riding The Winds Of Eternity
Symphony Of Enchanted Lands

REVIEW

This is probably one of the best produced albums of all time. Yes, it´s a bold statement, but the sound on this CD is simply stunning. Amazing. Incredible. You get the meaning. Again, it´s the producing tandem of Sascha Paeth and Miro that created this well-sounding miracle. Of course an album, no matter how well produced it may be, is nothing without great songs. So what luck that Turilli and Staropoli once again created magic in the songwriting process. Tracks like "Emerald Sword", "Wisdom Of The Kings" and the slower "Wings Of Destiny" are simply great. As is the case with their first album, it´s impossible to point at one or two songs that stands out. They are all great. "Emerald Sword" is probably the song most metalheads know. I have only two remarks to make:
1: The narrator that makes his debut on this album really sounds too corny
2: The booklet. I personally prefer a regular booklet instead of fold out inlays like the one included here. It looks great and all that, but it´s much easier to hold a booklet to read the lyrics or whatever.
These two things, bug me as they may, are not enough to take anything away from the whole picture though.

RATE out of 10: ********** (10)

		The promo version of "Symphony Of Enchanted Lands" is a great one. It comes in a special cardboard cover that folds out. The edges are made of plastic and there is also a kind of "lock" on the frontcover (seen to the right in the first scan). On the inside (see third scan) there is a holder for the 16-page booklet to the left. The booklet is in black and white (except for the front and back) and has biography in German and English, The Algalord Chronicles part II and the lyrics to all the songs. Worth noting is that this is a booklet, and not the foldout inlay that accompany the commercial edition. To the right of the inside there is a place for the CD. The words "Not for sale - For promotional use only" is printed in a yellow band on both the cover and the backcover. The backcover also have a different picture of the band than the standard edition.

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	Another version of the CD as a promo. Standard cover and jewel case, but with a red sticker on the inside of the back saying "- Not for sale - For promotional use only!".
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This special edition of the "Symphony Of Enchanted Lands"-cd was released in 2000, to coincide with the European tour. It was never commercially released in the stores, but was sold exclusively at the concerts and through the fanclub. It comes in a foldout (gate-fold) cardboard cover and also contains a small sheet of stickers. Limited to 2000 copies. NOTE: My copy is still sealed (shrinkwrapped) so I don´t have any information about booklet. Sorry.
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		The Japanese version of "Symphony Of Enchanted Lands" has the same tracks as the other editions. No extratracks which often is the case when it comes to Japan editions. The inlay is also identical to the standard European edition. It does however have an "obi" (the paperband on the left on the cover) and an extra 12-page booklet in Japanese. This booklet is in black and white.

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The three (3) pictures above shows the combined release of "Symphony Of Enchanted Lands" and "Rain Of A Thousand Flames - vol. 1". Only the first three tracks from "Rain Of A Thousand Flames" is present. Vol. 2. of that record (final four tracks) are present on the "Dawn Of Victory"-release. I´m not sure what this release is though. It´s too professional-looking to be a bootleg with it´s full colour booklet and picture CD. On the other hand, no real record label is stated (only something called the "AGAT Company") and no matrix / record number is printed anywhere. Some sources state that this is the ofiicial Russian release, but I honestly don´t know. Probably some semi-official release. It looks great though and is well worth tracking down.
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		This is a strange release from something called "Monsters of rock". An illegal release probably, but a very well made one. 8-page full color booklet with full lyrics. Yes, this is a booklet, not a fold-out as the standard issue. Also full color picture disc. The design of the text (letters) in the lyrics are different, and this is the same throughout the booklet. The front is only slightly different with the title written to the left in the clear jewel case. This is not the case with other releases. The CD is basically the same and therefor I didn´t include a scan of it.
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This is the box released at the same time as the "Symphony Of Enchanted Lands" CD, and it´s widely regarded as the band´s most exclusive release and premier collectible. Although it was made in 5 000 copies, it´s quite tough to track one down today. It´s very understandable, because if you get your hands on this baby you´re not likely to let it go. As stated above this is a box and it comes in the look of a thick book. When you open the box-cover all the glorious content is revealed. Included inside is of course the CD itself (not shown in the scans above), complete with an "obi-like" paperstrip to the left on the cover, advertising the band´s musical style and info on the back catalogue. The next thing in the box is an excellent, large booklet. Besides the standard lyrics and stuff that the regular CD inlay also have, this is a monster at 40 full colour, high quality pages. Interviews with all the band members, exclusive song comments, lots of photos, complete discography, both parts of "The Algalord Chronicles" and so on. It even has a centerfold poster of the beautiful cover motive. Well, that was just the booklet. Let´s move on. There are 6 great, full colour postcards (one of each member + one groupshot), one sheet of tattoos, one sheet of 6 metallic stickers, a great metallic necklace (pendant) in the shape of a sword, with the logo engraved and last there is a metal pin in the shape of a dragon with the logo. In conclusion, this box is a great piece of memorabilia and well worth the money if you´re lucky enough to find it. A very fitting box to commemorate this glorious CD.
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		Here we have the special 12" vinyl LP edition that was released at the same time as the regular CD. Limited to 5 000 copies worldwide. Originally came in a sealed black die-cut cover.

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