Jump to content

Symphony X


Janga666

Recommended Posts

Sorry if this is a duplicate thread... I didn't see another one with this name. If you are into prog metal, you should already be well aware of Symphony X.... they are one of the best bands from this genre. My favorite albums from this band are "Paradise Lost", "The Odyssey", and "V".

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

I have the Iconoclast album, it's pretty good, I'm really only casually interested in prog it isn't a favourite genre of mine and I find most practitioners of it to be quite boring despite their technical brilliance, for example I can't stand Dream Theatre. On Steve's point I don't know if I could listen to a twenty plus minute song by these guys, I don't mind long songs, I can easily listen to songs like 2112 by Rush or The Monad Of Creation by Mournful Congregation but I don't see how Symphony X would be able to maintain my interest for that time frame. Rush manage to do it by mixing up clean and distorted passages whilst telling an entrancing story, Mournful Congregation do it by creating a gripping atmosphere that compels you through the song, how do these guys do it?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Rush manage to do it by mixing up clean and distorted passages whilst telling an entrancing story' date=' Mournful Congregation do it by creating a gripping atmosphere that compels you through the song, how do these guys do it?[/quote'] I would say that Symphony X keep things interesting during long songs by also mixing up light and heavy passages that contribute to telling interesting stories. Check out the song "Odyssey" to see what I mean.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Symphony X is a great band, magnificent personalities, extraordinary musicians. But sadly, i think they were more creative in The New Mythology period. I mean, I like Iconoclast, not mentioning Paradise Lost, but it seems to me that they are diminishing their musical novelty. Something like they've found their spot and want to linger there. My favourite is definitely The New Mythology with Russel's clean but powerful voice. Guys if you like Symohony X, maybe you will enjoy some of my music. Check it out:

Hope you will enjoy listening. I'll be grateful for any comments. Cheers!
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
  • 3 weeks later...

Their last album was my favorite. I liked what they were doing early on, especially with the direct influences from Beethoven, but the vocals took a bit too much precedence. I would have liked it if they could have more seamlessly blended the much angrier prog elements with the classical influences, since that's entirely within the realm of possibility, but their lyrics got much better and the music became something much more unique and varied. I thought Iconoclast was great, and I look forward to their new material.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Join Metal Forum

    joinus-home.jpg

  • Our picks

    • Whichever tier of thrash metal you consigned Sacred Reich back in the 80's/90's they still had their moments.  "Ignorance" & "Surf Nicaragura" did a great job of establishing the band, whereas "The American Way" just got a little to comfortable and accessible (the title track grates nowadays) for my ears.  A couple more records better left forgotten about and then nothing for twenty three years.  2019 alone has now seen three releases from Phil Rind and co.  A live EP, a split EP with Iron Reagan and now a full length.

      Notable addition to the ranks for the current throng of releases is former Machine Head sticksman, Dave McClean.  Love or hate Machine Head, McClean is a more than capable drummer and his presence here is felt from the off with the opening and title track kicking things off with some real gusto.  'Divide & Conquer' and 'Salvation' muddle along nicely, never quite reaching any quality that would make my balls tingle but comfortable enough.  The looming build to 'Manifest Reality' delivers a real punch when the song starts proper.  Frenzied riffs and drums with shots of lead work to hold the interest.


      There's a problem already though (I know, I am such a fucking mood hoover).  I don't like Phil's vocals.  I never had if I am being honest.  The aggression to them seems a little forced even when they are at their best on tracks like 'Manifest Reality'.  When he tries to sing it just feels weak though ('Salvation') and tracks lose real punch.  Give him a riffy number such as 'Killing Machine' and he is fine with the Reich engine (probably a poor choice of phrase) up in sixth gear.  For every thrashy riff there's a fair share of rock edged, local bar act rhythm aplenty too.

      Let's not poo-poo proceedings though, because overall I actually enjoy "Awakening".  It is stacked full of catchy riffs that are sticky on the old ears.  Whilst not as raw as perhaps the - brilliant - artwork suggests with its black and white, tattoo flash sheet style design it is enjoyable enough.  Yes, 'Death Valley' & 'Something to Believe' have no place here, saved only by Arnett and Radziwill's lead work but 'Revolution' is a fucking 80's thrash heyday throwback to the extent that if you turn the TV on during it you might catch a new episode of Cheers!

      3/5
      • Reputation Points

      • 10 replies
    • I
      • Reputation Points

      • 2 replies
    • https://www.metalforum.com/blogs/entry/52-vltimas-something-wicked-marches-in/
      • Reputation Points

      • 3 replies

    • https://www.metalforum.com/blogs/entry/48-candlemass-the-door-to-doom/
      • Reputation Points

      • 2 replies
    • Full length number 19 from overkill certainly makes a splash in the energy stakes, I mean there's some modern thrash bands that are a good two decades younger than Overkill who can only hope to achieve the levels of spunk that New Jersey's finest produce here.  That in itself is an achievement, for a band of Overkill's stature and reputation to be able to still sound relevant four decades into their career is no mean feat.  Even in the albums weaker moments it never gets redundant and the energy levels remain high.  There's a real sense of a band in a state of some renewed vigour, helped in no small part by the addition of Jason Bittner on drums.  The former Flotsam & Jetsam skinsman is nothing short of superb throughout "The Wings of War" and seems to have squeezed a little extra out of the rest of his peers.

      The album kicks of with a great build to opening track "Last Man Standing" and for the first 4 tracks of the album the Overkill crew stomp, bash and groove their way to a solid level of consistency.  The lead work is of particular note and Blitz sounds as sneery and scathing as ever.  The album is well produced and mixed too with all parts of the thrash machine audible as the five piece hammer away at your skull with the usual blend of chugging riffs and infectious anthems.  


      There are weak moments as mentioned but they are more a victim of how good the strong tracks are.  In it's own right "Distortion" is a solid enough - if not slightly varied a journey from the last offering - but it just doesn't stand up well against a "Bat Shit Crazy" or a "Head of a Pin".  As the album draws to a close you get the increasing impression that the last few tracks are rescued really by some great solos and stomping skin work which is a shame because trimming of a couple of tracks may have made this less obvious. 

      4/5
      • Reputation Points

      • 4 replies
×
×
  • Create New...