The Eighth Mountain


The Eighth Mountain is the twelfth studio album by the Italian symphonic power metal band Rhapsody of Fire. It was released on 22 February 2019 via AFM Records.
The album is the first chapter for a new saga, written by Alex Staropoli and Roby De Micheli, entitled The Nephilim's Empire Saga. It is the first saga not written by Luca Turilli, who had left the band in 2011. It is also the first studio album without vocalist Fabio Lione, and the first without longtime drummer Alex Holzwarth since 1998's Symphony of Enchanted Lands. They were replaced by Giacomo Voli and Manu Lotter respectively, though it would be the only studio album with drummer Manu Lotter.
A music video for "Rain of Fury" was released on 11 January 2019.

Track listing

Concept

The posthumous narration by the late Christopher Lee at the end of the album explains the concept: "In ages past, the Nephilim Empire ruled the earth. But they fell from grace. Once their slaves, humanity rose up, and defeated their gods. The Nephilim were purged from the earth and banished to the darkness. For centuries they watched and waited. The Nephilim Empire would one day rise again. And when they rose from the ashes, they formed an alliance with a highly evolved race, known as The Konstrukts. Together, they wiped out every last remnant of Homo sapiens DNA. Despite the genocide, the dream of humanity would rise again. Time flows like a river, but there are many streams. The end of flesh is come before me, for the Empire is filled with violence and hatred. Behold, I will destroy the Empire and those within. I am become death, the destroyer of worlds!"

Reception

The album has received generally positive reviews. Metal Wani gave the album an 8 out of 10 review saying, "On their twelfth full-length record, ‘The Eighth Mountain’, Rhapsody of Fire casts a familiar yet powerful spell that should have fans of epic fantasy metal clamoring for their 20-sided dice."
Joe Geesin of "Get Ready to Rock" gave the album a positive review stating "It’s not as anthemic or progressive as the mid 00s, but that doesn’t stop this being great listen. Heavy yet uplifting, symphonic, conceptual, shred, orchestra and choir. What’s not to love?"

Personnel

All information from the album booklet.
Rhapsody of Fire
Additional personnel
Choir
Production