Epidemia - Elfiyskaya Rukopis - Skazanie Na Vse Vremena (2007)CD-Maximum

"Elfiyskaya Rukopis - Skazanie Na Vse Vremena" ("The Elven Manuscript - Saga For All Times") is the second part of the metal opera recorded three years earlier. This time, the main line-up is made up of six musicians: Yuriy Melisov (guitar), Iliya Mamontov (guitar), Maxim Samosvat (vocal), Ivan Izotov (bass guitar), Dmitriy Ivanov (keys) and Dmitriy Krivenkov (drums). There are also many contributing vocalists (characters): Maxim Samosvat as Dezmond, Andrey Lobashev as Torvald, Dmitriy Borisenkov as Deymos, Mikhail Seryshev as Bezymyannyi Bog (Master), Artur Berkut as Irdis, Kirill Nemolyaev as Skai, Ekaterina Belobrova as Minatriks (The Teachers), Konstantin Rumyancev as Drogbar (Troll Gnet El), Aleksandra Komarova as Alatiel (Luna Aeterna) and Evgeniy Egorov as Giltias (Everlost, Retriem, Kolizey, Renaissance). Like on the first part of the opera, here are also two guest instrumentalists: Andrey Smirnov (guitar solo; Everlost, Tantal, Shadow Host) and Vladimir Lazerson (flute, hornpipe).

To be honest, I admit that my expectations with regard to this album were enormous! The success of the first part was unquestionable, so I wondered if its sequel would be equally great. And how about my first inmpression? Ladies and Gentlemen, the only one thing I can express after the first hearing is: what a power! I can't believe that so many vocalists with different timbres can perfectly fit with the genre and the concept of the album. They are simply wonderful! Upon listening to this stuff, I felt as if I were in a fantasyland. It is caused by fabulous atmosphere and fairylike interludes. Guitarists play out attention-grabbing solos at blinding speed with great dexterity and technical expertise. The leader of the band, Yuriy Melisov has got an inherent compositional talent and exceptional instrumental proficiency. Regardless of tempo, both fast tracks with precipitating and furiously paced solos as well as ballads with evocative singing are exquisite! Here are lofty compositions with choral parts and breathtaking orchestral passages. The Russian instrumentalists' hold of complex musical structures is unbelievable. Similarly to the first part of the opera, here are as well tracks played with splendour and virtuosity, but the differences are the following: much more emphasized keyboard lines and some progressive chords audible in guitar riffs. I am mostly impressed by wondrous vocal dialogues and soliloquies and astonishing guitar solos executed with the ultimate perfection and total precision.

What is the strongest feature of Epidemia's music? Its atmosphere? Its pathos? Its concept? All of these elements are surely the distinguishing points of Epidemia, however I think that the strongest factor are joyful and positively inclining songs! Every track gives us a great load of positive energy and it is super! Dear Readers, you will decise whether it is the highlight album of Epidemia or not, but it's obviuous that its greatness is extremely hard to estimate. Having this work mastered in a famous Finnvox Studios, the Russian power metallers delivered us again with the top production and amazing instrumental performance. "Elfiyskaya Rukopis - Skazanie Na Vse Vremena" is one of the high points of their career proving they play in the world's premier league of power metal bands. With this metal opera showcase, they earned a deserved reputation as innovative and gifted musicians and nobody can challenge it! They are ready for composing a soundtrack to a fantasy film! One of the best groups in the history of Russian metal music! Extra League!