Space 1992: Rise of the Chaos Wizards

Story

In 1992, a millennium after the events of Tales from the Kingdom of Fife, the evil wizard Zargothrax remains in cryogenic sleep, imprisoned on Triton and guarded by the Space Knights of Crail (“Infernus Ad Astra”). A cult of “unholy chaos wizards” plot his release and attack Triton, defeating the Knights and freeing Zargothrax, who promises to terrorize the galaxy (“Rise of the Chaos Wizards”). The intergalactic warrior Angus McFife XIII, descendant of the original Angus McFife, sets out to thwart him once again, wielding the powerful Astral Hammer (“Legend of the Astral Hammer”).

Zargothrax seeks out the Goblin King, who gives him the crystal key to a secret portal to Hell that lies on Earth beneath Dundee (“Goblin King of the Darkstorm Galaxy”). Meanwhile, McFife is joined by the legendary Hollywood Hootsman (“The Hollywood Hootsman”), the reformed Knights of Crail led by Ser Proletius and Triton survivor Ser Regulon (“Victorious Eagle Warfare”), and the Questlords of Inverness (“Questlords of Inverness, Ride to the Galactic Fortress!”). Both the allied forces (“Heroes [of Dundee]”) and Zargothrax’s demonic army (“Universe on Fire”) prepare for battle in the skies above Mars.

As the opposing forces clash, with heavy casualties for McFife’s allies, Zargothrax returns to Earth where, in the caverns beneath Dundee, he begins a ritual to unleash the hellish Elder God Kor-Virliath upon the galaxy. Warned of the danger by the hermit Ralathor, the Hootsman speeds back to Earth and detonates his body’s neutron bomb, destroying the entire planet and stopping the ritual just in time (“Apocalypse 1992”). Foiled, the furious Zargothrax escapes into another reality through the ensuing chaotic space-time rift, pursued closely by Angus McFife XIII.

Critical reception

Professional reviewers agreed that the album's style and story should not be taken too seriously but lauded the musical quality of the band. The writer for Rock Hard stated even that it was the one of the best Epic power metal releases since Rhapsody's 1997 debut album. While Revolver's reviewer wrote that the "ultra-happy key changes in the choruses of 'Legend of the Astral Hammer' and 'Victorious Eagle Warfare' would put Bon Jovi’s 'Livin’ on a Prayer” to shame', the German edition of Metal Hammer argued that the band was pursuing a risky concept with its overly high-pitched voices.

Track listing

All orchestrations scored and conducted by Ben Turk.

Personnel