What makes Into the Legend by Rhapsody of Fire notable?

The album debuted at number 2 on the Italian album charts, reflecting Rhapsody of Fire's strong fanbase and commercial viability. Critics noted the seamless integration of classical music influences within metal, further solidifying their reputation as pioneers in the symphonic metal genre. Into the Legend marks Rhapsody of Fire's ninth studio album and continues their journey following the 2013 release of Dark Wings of Steel. By this time, the band had solidified their place in the power metal scene, showcasing their signature blend of operatic elements and heavy instrumentation while also navigating lineup changes that influenced their sound.

Who is Into the Legend for?

Into the Legend works well if you're into epic crescendos that inspire awe, cinematic journey with dramatic arcs and powerful riffs for emotional release.

How many songs are on Into the Legend?

Into the Legend has 10 tracks, running approximately 66 minutes.

Released 10 years ago

Into the Legend

Rhapsody of Fire · 2016

66 min · 10 tracks · power metal

Epic orchestration blends with powerful vocals, creating a grand tapestry of storytelling and emotion in a symphonic metal landscape.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Into the Legend — This title track serves as a perfect encapsulation of the album's thematic elements, combining powerful melodies with lyrics that draw listeners into an epic narrative.
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Distant Sky — With its soaring chorus and lush instrumental backdrop, this track highlights the band's ability to create an emotionally resonant experience while maintaining technical proficiency.
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The Kiss of Life — As a lengthy closing piece, it showcases the band's ambition and complexity, weaving together various musical motifs developed throughout the album into a grand finale.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong compositions and elaborate arrangements typical of power metal, maintaining a cohesive epic narrative.

What we noticed

The album opens with a cinematic orchestral intro that sets a dramatic tone, leading into powerful guitar riffs and soaring vocals.
Each track features complex arrangements with multiple tempo changes, often shifting from fast-paced sections to slower, more melodic passages.
Several songs incorporate choral elements and symphonic instrumentation, enhancing the epic feel of the music and storytelling.
The final track concludes with a gradual fade-out, leaving a lingering sense of resolution after the intense journey of the preceding songs.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

epic crescendos that inspire awe
cinematic journey with dramatic arcs
powerful riffs for emotional release
back-loaded tension leading to climax

Maybe skip if you

prefer instant gratification tracks
seek short, standalone songs

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Continues the band's signature sound with strong commercial performance.
Career context: Into the Legend marks Rhapsody of Fire's ninth studio album and continues their journey following the 2013 release of Dark Wings of Steel. By this time, the band had solidified their place in the power metal scene, showcasing their signature blend of operatic elements and heavy instrumentation while also navigating lineup changes that influenced their sound.
Stylistic neighbors: Nightwish· Epica· Sonata Arctica

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Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Winter's Rain

The narrative shifts from external observations to a personal reflection on loss and longing, creating a poignant emotional depth.

This structural choice deepens listener engagement by drawing them into an intimate moment, contrasting with the grander themes present elsewhere in the album.