Epidemia - Hroniki Sumerek - Elfiyskaya Rukopis (DVD) (2006)CD-Maximum

Do you remember Epidemia's "Elfiyskaya Rukopis" metal opera inspired by the "Dragonlance" book series? If you'd like to see it played live, here it is! "Hroniki Sumerek - Elfiyskaya Rukopis" ("Twilight Chronicles - The Elven Manuscript") is a live version of the entire metal opera on DVD done on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the band's artistic activity. The basic line-up is made up of six musicians: Maxim Samosvat (vocal), Yuriy Melisov (guitar), Ilya Mamontov (guitar), Ivan Izotov (bass guitar), Dmitriy Krivenkov (drums) and Dmitriy Ivanov (keys). Three guests were invited: Ilya Knyazev (bass guitar), Grigoriy Strelkov (backing vocal) and Vladimir Ermakov (drums). There were also seven characters in the form of: Dezmond (by Maxim Samosvat), Irdis (Artur Berkut), Deymos (Dmitriy Borisenkov), Torvald (Andrey Lobashev), Skai (Kirill Nemolyaev), Traktirshik (Lexx Platnikov) and Alatiel (Lana Badu).

The show starts, like on the studio album, from a fantastic intro "Zolotye Drakony", and there is only one difference between the DVD and the studio version of "Elfiyskaya Rukopis". After the intro, we get "Bitva Barabanshikov" what means "Drummers' Fight" in English. It is a brief, but clear-cut drum solo performed by two drummers - Dmitriy Krivenkov and Vladimir Ermakov. All the rest tracks are played in the studio album's chronological order. "Hroniki Sumerek - Elfiyskaya Rukopis", like the first part of the DVD, exactly reflects the contents of the original album. The band adds some ornaments to the instrumental parts, but they don't change the original arrangements. I am very satisfied that the musicians don't focuse themselves on exterior elements, but on the music itself! If you play such a brilliant music, fireworks are redundant. Upon watching this DVD, I don't feel surfeit, since all details are balanced and well-prepared for reception. There are as well some additives to the gig like warriors appearing in "Krov' El'fov", conversation of three characters at the feast table in "Na Poroge Ada" as well as sword-brandishing knights who fight against themselves with verve in "Oskolki Proshlogo". Aforementioned knights are actually stuntmen of "Virtus Credo" group under Konstantin Kapustin's leadership. I think that all singers are excellent, but I'd like to single out Lana Badu who substitutes for Anastasia Chebotareva. I couldn't look at the scene when she is audaciously pushed around by wicked knights. Oh, God! What a krasavica! It takes my breath away while watching her in aforesaid scene and hearing her miraculous, girlish and innocent voice in "Romans O Sleze" (extraordinaly executed alongside Maxim Samosvat). Do you want me to suffocate watching her on stage? She is so talented and exquisite that I am lost for words describing his angelic singing! It is the next evidence that the Slavic women are the most beautiful in the world! I want her and Anastasia Chebotareva to be the main characters on the 3rd part of "Elfiyskaya Rukopis". They were two women on "Skazanie Na Vse Vremena" (Aleksandra Komarova and Ekaterina Belobrova), so I don't see any contraindications to invite Lana and Anastasia to take part in the 3rd part of this quintessential opera in the future! I count on you, My Dear Russian Brothers!

Getting back to the subject, I'd like to write a few words about the guitar playing. This time, I have an impression that Ilya Mamontov plays more solo parts than Yuriy Melisov, but it may be an illusion only. I have no doubt that all the solos are snazzy, arrangements - instrumentally rich and their performance - full of excellence. Melisov-Mamontov's riffs are sometimes scathing, however guitar dialogues are beautiful and memorable delivering us with a great assortment of wonderful melodies. All the tracks are obviously our of ordinary! As a bonus, we can hear Yuriy Melisov and Maxim Samosvat telling us some details on making this DVD. Summing up, I got what I exactly expected!

"Elfiyskaya Rukopis" is a landmark item among the metal operas proving that Epidemia is an individual-sounding group of very gifted people. This DVD, once again, shows the band playing melodic power metal at its finest form and foreshadowing the 2nd part of the opera. I wish Epidemia to be one of the most illustrious bands in the history of metal in general. For me, they are one of the top power metallers in the world!