Poster for THE ARISTOCRATS (2005).
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Christopher Lee Joins Rhapsody For An Eloquent Metal Ballad

Containing 8 tracks in a limited edition digi-pack pressing, the Italian epic metal band Rhapsody has released an EP titled The Magic of the Wizard's Dream, which proffers a stunning new take on the highlight track from the band's latest album, Symphony of Enchanted Lands II: The Dark Secret (see our review elsewhere on this web site this week).

That 2004 release was given a strong measure of class through narration from actor Christopher Lee, who laid the groundwork for the album's epic tale of mythic fantasy, a continuation of the mythic story, "The Emerald Sword Saga," that the band began with its first album, Legendary Tales, in 1997.

After the recording, Lee, being a talented singer possessing a rich bass/baritone voice, expressed some misgivings that he was about to narrate for the album in a role of a wizard king but not sing at all, laid the ground for what was to come next -- a re-recording of the album track "The Magic Of The Wizard's Dream", this time as a duet that would feature the rich and expressive singing voice Christopher Lee with the band Rhapsody, supported by a Cologne string orchestra and some other guest musicians.

"With Mr. Lee's command of over 12 languages it was a pleasure not a problem to record the song in the four different languages English, German, French and Italian," the band expressed on its web site. A video was shot in High Definition filmed by noted director Neil Johnson featuring a 40-piece orchestra and a 20-piece choir, but no word is out yet on the availability of the video (it is not included on the EP).

Lee's classical baritone voice is beautifully harmonized with that of Rhapsody's frontman, Fabio Lione (formerly of Athena, Labyrinth and Vision Divine). The EP includes the song performed in four different languages (English, Italian, French and German), and includes both the original album version and a version with Lione and Lee backed by a full orchestra. In addition, two previously unreleased tracks are included, "Autumn Twilight" and "Lo Specchio D'Argento" both very well suited for the collection.

Christopher Lee also joined Rhapsody on stage for this year's Earthshaker Fest 2005, held in Geiselwind, Germany last month, performing the new single live.