From: "E-Man" <>
> ...what is a good first (or first and second) purchase for Symphony X? Can anyone
help me?
I can answer that question for you: get either their newest one, TWILIGHT IN OLYMPUS, or
the one before that, THE DIVINE WINGS OF TRAGEDY, or both. These are what their fans rave
about. I *used* to own TDWoT. I much prefer Eternity X over Symphony X, as I'm just not an
enthusiast of the Yngwie Malmsteen-spawned neo-classical shredding, "look how may
septuplets I'm going to cram into this measure" type of prog-metal. The vocalist is
good, but TDWoT had little variance in the realm of composition; when the CD ended, I
recall, I thought I had listened to one long *movement.* On the other hand, Eternity X's
fourth [concept] album, THE EDGE (1997), is full of top-notch musicianship in all areas:
vocals, keyboards, guitar, bass and drums, amazingly enough, and the songs are packed with
emotion, melodic dynamism, and the stylistic nuances that make a song interesting listen
after listen after listen...it was my favorite vocal album of 1997 (while everyone was
raving about Fates Warning's over-rated APSoG), so you may want to look into Eternity X,
as well.
From: RAM <> I realized today which band should be headlining at Nearfest. > > > Rob, > > If you're listening, you 'must' make "Symphony X" the headling band. > > Their new album "V" is, without a doubt, the most unbelievable > prog-metal album I've ever heard. I cannot possibly say enough > good things > about it. It's day 3 for me since I got a copy of it, and it's still > growing on me exponentially.
From: RAM <>
I just got my copy of Symphony X "V" today. Damn it's great !!This is
the best prog-metal album I've heard in a long time. I think it even beats Dream
Theater's "Scenes from a Memory". Michael Romeo, who is the guitarist
and apparent composer for the band, is highly influenced by Yngwie Malmsteen's
guitar playing and writing style, has advanced this artform to new heights.
Unlike Malmsteen, who focuses his material mainly on the art-of-guitar and
speed-soloing, Romeo focuses his material on the art-of-composition, while still
playing killer guitar parts. I am very impressed with both his mastery of the
guitar and his level of understanding of music. I believe that they have, in my
opinion, surpassed Dream Theater as the kings of prog-metal.
From: RAM <>
This is the second day I've been listening to "V" from Symphony X. I love this album even more today. I never
believed it could happen...that any prog group was capable of producing a
perfect album. The closest to perfection I've heard before was "Close to
the Edge" by Yes. This album beats anything Malmsteen, or Dream Theater
ever made to date. It is a
monstrous achievement, indeed!P.S. some of you might be wondering what a perfect
album is. A perfect album is one where there is no part of it that bores you, or
makes you lose interest, or makes you think it could be improved. I played the
album for myself at work today, and the entire time it was playing, I couldn't
take my attention off of it to get any work done.
From: "Mark Fonda" <>
from ...
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PROG-REVIEWS NR 119 - 2000 (InsideOut Special)
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SYMPHONY X - V: The New Mythology Suite
USA Rating: * * * * ? 9 October 2000 INSIDEOUT IOMCD066 SPV 085-41242 CD Time:
62:46
Musicians: Russell Allen - vocals Michael Romeo - guitars Michael Lepond - bass
Michael Pinnella - keyboards Jason Rulo - drums
Track Listing: 1. Prelude (1:07) 2. Evolution (The Grand Design) (5:20) 3.
Fallen (5:51) 4. Transcendence (Segue) (0:38) 5. Communion And The Oracle (7:45)
6. The Bird-Serpent / Cataclysm (4:02) 7. On The Breath Of Poseidon (Segue)
(3:01) 8. Egypt (7:04) 9. The Death Of Balance / Lacrymosa (3:42) 10. Absence Of
Light (4:58) 11. A Fool's Paradise (5:48) 12. Rediscovery (Segue) (1:25) 13.
Rediscovery (Part II) - The New Mythology (12:01)
I have heard a lot about Symphony X before and all the rumors told me that they
were among the best in their genre. As I finally got to hear them on their fifth
release entitled "V - The New Mythology Suite", I had very high
expectations. Could they really live up to their reputation?
"V - The New Mythology Suite" is a concept album about Mythology. I
guess that many of you have already heard the band before, but if you haven't I
can tell you that they are somewhat reminiscent to Ayreon, Dream Theater, Yngwie
Malmsteen, Nightwish and Rhapsody. Complex, yet melodic Prog Metal blended with
Neo-Classical hard rock, big choirs, classical music and magnificent
instrumental passages. The musicianship and the songwriting are very good and
the vocalist Russell Allen has a strong voice, so there's actually nothing to
complain about.
Even though it took some time to get into this album, it's definitely one of the
most interesting releases this year. Not a single bad track. Highly Recommended! -Reviewed by Greger R?nqvist-
Contact: Symphony X Official
Website: http://listen.to/teof German Symphony X Website: http://www.symphony-x.de/
German Symphony X Website Email:
InsideOut Music: InsideOut
Music Kleiner Markt 10 47533 Kleve Germany Website: http://www.insideout.de/
E-mail:
Telephone/Fax: +49-(0) 2821-26237 +49-(0) 2821-26920 (fax)
InsideOut Music America: InsideOut
Music America 344 TB Oakville Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15220 USA E-mail: Fax: +1 4129379283
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From: "Surjorimba Suroto" <>
Subject: Re: Advice on some bands
Symphony X - V : A New Mythology Suite Symphony X's music is probably best
described as having neoclassical heavy metal (a darker, brooding version of
Yngwie Malmsteen) as a basic ingredient served with a strong progressive twist.
I don't know if you're familiar with their previous albums, but as an album
effort this is their best offering to date. On the other hand, please not that
songwise the album doesn't have tracks as strong as The Divine Wings Of Tragedy
(off their 3rd album). The playing is, as always, very capable. The Michaels
(Romeo and Pinella) are simply monsters on guitars and keyboards, respectively.
To technical freaks like me, hearing these guys play is worthy enough of the
admission price. Gobs after gobs of sizzling guitar-keyboard interplay. Oh, and
this one's a concept album.
From: "David Carrillo" <>
I finally bought this album, even though it's a
good album it hasn't grown into me yet. I wouldn't consider it as a keyboard
prog metal album, as usual the keys serve as a background to the all mighty
guitar. As before, it's a good album but no way better than DT's Metropolis Pt.
2. but better than Dali's Dilemma. I'll
need to listen to it a bit more.
From: David Eric Shur <>
Subject: Symphony X
> Dear David Eric Shur, > While you merely asked for words, I brought
you much more. I have prepared a web- > page dedicated to the 'V' album. >
I hope you appreciate my efforts, because it was your question > that
prompted it. http://www.HeavyReign.com/RamsRock/Bands/Symphony_X
> -RAM
Dear Ram- I checked out the site, and downloaded all the music. I've only
played it once thus far, but am interested in more listenings. My initial
thought is, yes, the prog metal label does come to mind- but I hear a more
involved Dream Theatre mixed in with the 70's groups Esperanto and very early
Queen. The technical level is quite high- I enjoyed the classical modes present
and the emotive playing hit me. I will be purchasing the album. My thanks to you
for spending the time to inform us about this group. -David Eric