Customer Reviews

The Damnation Game

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Symphony X put themselves on the progressive scence with this album. This album introduces the new singer, Russel Allen.

The instrumentals on this album will blow your mind! (actually I can say that for any other SX albums after Damnation Game :D )

Though this album is not as great as "V" or "Divine Wings of "Tragedy", it is still a decent prog metal album.

Here are my ratings: (5/5 would be a perfect progressive metal song)
1)Damnation Game - 4/5
2)Dressed to Kill - 4/5
3)The Edge of Forever - 6/5, very beautiful song.
4)Savage Curtain - 3/5
5)Whispers - 4/5
6)The Haunting - 3/5
7)Secrets - 4/5
8)Winter's Dream (Part 1) - 5/5
9)A Winter's Dream(Part 2) - 3/5

If you are new to SX then I suggest getting this album first or Divine Wings of Tragedy. The Odyssey is quite different from thier previous albums.

"The Damnation Game" is certainly an improvement over Symphony X's self-titled debut album. The songwriting is more controlled, the production is better (though still leaves something to be desired), and most importantly, this album marks the arrival of vocalist Russell Allen. Allen is an emotive, versatile, downright amazing vocalist, one of metal's finest. I think the only other metal vocalist I enjoy as much is Roy Khan (Kamelot).

Though not as strong an album as later efforts, this is still an essential addition to the collection of any Symphony X fan, and will not disappoint. If you're new to the band, it's probably better to start with 1997's "Divine Wings of Tragedy," or 2000's "V: The New Mythology Suite," but if you enjoy those, pick this one up right away.

With a more powerful production, The Damnation Game could have been so much better than it is. It's sad that guitars buzz instead of crunch, drums click instead of slam, and the overall power just isn't there.

The Damnation Game, SyX's second album, brings god-like metal vocalist Russell Allen into the ranks. Although his ability never really shines through in this production, one can immediately see the promise in this man's pipes. Sounding like a younger, more vicious Ronnie James Dio, Allen fits SyX's aggressive music direction much better than the hopelessly bad Rod Tyler (from the debut).

In the song department, the band has their frantic songwriting more under control, with tighter arrangements and more intensity. The neoclassical element is still strongly evident, although the band is now exploring more interesting avenues. "The Edge of Forever" is a beautiful song with fast and slow passages, lamenting poetry, and inventive melodic progressions. It really sets the tone for the band's later brand of progressive/neoclassical metal found on Twilight In Olympus and V. Michael Romeo, one of the reigning champs of metal soloing, has his neoclassical leads coming fast and furious, with technique that might cause our good friend Yngwie to take notice. Romeo's partner in devastating soloing is the lightning-fast Michael Pinnella, whose blistering keyboard leads smoke through the song and arrest one's attention as much as any guitar solo. Songs feature trademark SyX features... majestic harmonies, symphonic textures, and killer leads, but the band has yet to explode. On the next several albums, they certainly erupt with all the ambition and quality hinted at here.

You've probably discovered SyX with either The Divine Wings of Tragedy or V. If that's the case, be sure to add The Damnation Game to your collection. It is flawed, but it's great moments give it the "must-have" status. And if you're new to Symphony X, start with one of the aforementioned albums.

This album is in my opinion one of the best of Symphony X, fighting the first place with V and closely (too closely I wolud say) followed by Divine Wings. If you like Symphony X and don't have this album, get it soon. Masterpieces here are The Edge of Forever, Winter's Dream (both parts) and Savage Courtains.

This is a damn fine album here. It is the bands first album with Russell Allen, their current singer. The album has cool guitar riffs and solos, nice basslines, good vocals, and of course nice melodies from the keys.

While this is far from my favorite by these guys, its still a damn good album.

I'm not going to go into attempts to sell potential new fans on Symphony X. Its your loss if you dont check them out.

For only being a Sophomore effort, this is WAY beyond the evolution the band was taking after hearing their debut! I'm amazed at their music-creating level this early in their career! Great album, great vocals, amazing keyboards (as always), and Michael Romeo, do I even need to comment on your God-like guitar skills? Russell Allen just came on board for this album and that may be what made the song-writing level jump so drastically...or they just may have matured faster than most bands do? Whatever the reason, this is a very underrated album and you people should get it!

Music:

The music on this album is a DRASTIC IMPROVEMENT from their debut and arguably close to the level of musicianship they would achieve on The Divine Wings of Tragedy and Twilight in Olympus (See my review for T.i.O.).

1. Damnation Game- A very good song. The intro is very advanced, the vocals are amazing and the lyrics are very well thought out. Great song!

2. Dressed to Kill- Not as good as the opening track but still very good! Russell's vocals are very good on this album. I like the range he uses on this song and the song has an interesting melody.

3. The Edge of Forever- Once you hear this, you WILL say: "This is really their 2nd album? DANG!" This is a masterpiece of a song that would eventually become songs like The Accolade, Through the Looking Glass, and Communion and Oracle. Very advanced for being a 2nd album and amazing music on this song...

4. Savage Curtain- Even though I don't really like this one, it's still very good. I wouldn't say this is filler but not an essential song on here...

5. Whispers- Another great song. They continue to amaze me.

6. The Haunting- An interesting song. It's mysterious. I like it.

7. Secrets- I don't really care for this one either but it is pretty good.

Tracks 8 and 9- A Winter's Dream- A very nice song similar to The Edge of Forever but also distinct enough to tell the difference. I very good ending to an unexpectedly great album!

Verdict: A very good album, I suggest that you get it if you like Symphony X. I think that you might be able to start with this one, but it's best to start with either The Odyssey or Twilight in Olympus (I have reviews for both of those (You should read them *Hint, *Hint)). I believe that the exit to this review is that "Yes" button down there and the Gift shop is in the "Buy" button. Thank you for visiting the review and enjoy your day here at the Amazon site.

This album is the best from Symphony X.It sounds tight,and the change of lead singer was really good for them.It makes the band sound more deep and agressive.Russell Allen does a great work.It's hard to think that a band can consolidate a style and a sound on their own on their very second album,but this guys did so,and did a great job.The progressive touch that this band has can be tasted in trax as "The Haunting",and the title cut.There are more melodic songs,as "Winter's dream".It's an excellently worked album.A great effort from Symphony X.Their best album.

Symphony X would not be where they are today without the addition of Russell Allen. Russell gives them their sound, and is far superior to original voaclist Rod Tyler. Listen to "Symphony X" then "Damnation Game" and you will see a huge difference. The only downside to this album is that the production sucks. Plain and simple; the songs are too quiet. If Damnation Game had the quality of Divine or V, it would be one of their best. With that aside, this album has awesome songs. Michael Romeo tears it up on the guitar. His solos are jaw-dropping! Russell Allen's vocals soar. The other musicians are equally proficient. Every song rules, but the best are "Damnation Game ( incredible guitar solo ), Looks that Kill, The Haunting, the Winter's Call 1 & 2. This album shows that from a production standpoint, Symphony X has come a long way, but from a song quality view, they never go wrong. Buy this after Divine, V, or Odyssey. You will love it!

What can I say, Symphony X in the early years are just as good as they are now. Michael Romeo is excellent on here. I was a little skeptical about buying this CD, but after listening to it, I realized that this is one underated CD.

this is the most underrated Symphony X album. Might be because of the, compared to the newer releases, weak sound. It still smokes though, it's actually my favorite Symphony X album.