Divine Wings of Tragedy [Limited Edition, Original recording reissued]

Symphony X | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 13, 2004)
• Original Release Date: 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Limited Edition, Original recording reissued
• Label: Inside Out U.S.
• ASIN: B00012BD0S
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,660 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #73 in Music > Hard Rock & Metal > Progressive Metal

Track Listings

1. Of Sins and Shadows

2. Sea of Lies

3. Out of the Ashes

4. The Accolade

5. Pharaoh

6. The Eyes of Medusa

7. The Witching Hour

8. The Divine Wings of Tragedy

9. Candlelight Fantasia

10. Enhanced Element: Screensaver & Band Interview, Pt. 3

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Progressive Perfection - Rapid and Emotional, February 6, 2005

By 

Dan Solera (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Divine Wings of Tragedy (Audio CD)

It wasn't until the New Jersey progressive metal band released their third album that they would build a substantial fan base. After their first two albums, Symphony X and The Damnation Game went by relatively unnoticed, the band replaced their lead singer with California-born Russell Allen and wrote the best album of their career. Fusing progressive and neoclassical movements with aggressive and fast power-metal, guitarist/songwriter Michael Romeo established the band with a sound unlike any other. The songs do not have the predictable quality of everyday power-metal outfits, but instead have surprise turns and unexpected notes.

The opening track, "Of Sins and Shadows" would not be the masterpiece it is without the juxtaposed chorus of voices that follows the second chorus (a delightful surprise). Neither would the 20-minute giant "The Divine Wings of Tragedy" have its tremendous appeal if the entire song were a predictable journey through mundane and overdone chord arrangements. The twists and turns through which listeners navigate as they listen to each song are what separate both the album and the band from everyday metal fanfare. The keyboard/guitar solo on "Sea of Lies" is delightful and indicative of things to come; the triumphant energy of "Out of the Ashes" is as close to "regular" (yet exceptional) power-metal as the band will ever get; and the real treasure of the album is "The Accolade", a 9-minute woeful power-ballad that is destined to be unforgettable.

The album is powerful, beautiful and (after a few listens) very catchy and accessible. Progressive power-metal is a difficult combination to execute, but thankfully for the classically-oriented Michael Romeo, this band pulls it off perfectly. Except for a few lackluster tracks ("The Eyes of Medusa" and "Pharaoh"), the album is monumental.

See also: Symphony X - Twilight in Olympus, Symphony X - V: The New Mythology Suite, Symphony X - The Odyssey

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The first masterpiece from Symphony X, October 25, 2005

By 

R. Gorham "RCG2" - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Divine Wings of Tragedy (Audio CD)

THE BAND: Michael Romeo (guitars), Russell Allen (vocals), Thomas Miller (bass), Jason Rullo (drums & Percussion), Mike Pinnella (keyboards).

THE DISC: Released orginally in 1997. 9 tracks clocking in at approximately 66 minutes. Recorded at Trax East Studios in South River, NJ. The new digipak contains digitally mastered sound as well as a screen saver and band interview. There is an 18-page booklet containing band pictures, lyrics, song credits and thank you's. Label - Inside Out Music.

COMMENTS: This was my first ever disc from this New Jersey band. It will forever hold a special place in my heart. I rank it 2nd only to the band's magnum opus "V-The New Mythology Suite"... and it isn't 2nd by much. This is a truly wonderful album. The band has since grown and matured since '97 and I truly believe they rank as one of the top heavy progressive rock music acts out there. It truly escapes me why Symphony X receives little or no air play in America, little or no promotion, and limited touring (at least in the southwest)... yet they remain Gods across the ocean in Europe and Japan. Romeo's blistering work on the guitar is high quality stuff (Yngwie Malmsteen would be proud) and he has very few equals. Russell Allen's voice is beautiful - and he's a singer, not a screamer or growler. Miller, Rullo and Pinnella are all equally talented on their instruments. The 22+ minute title track and "The Accolade" will forever be my two favorite songs that the band has ever written. If you're new to Symphony X, you must try "V-The New Mythology Suite" or "Twilight In Olympus" next. Great disc.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Symphony X at their best, August 17, 2005

By 

Ztrange (South of heaven) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Divine Wings of Tragedy (Audio CD)

Arguably their best album to date, together with 'The Oyssey'. The title song is a true epic with over 20 minutes of total bliss and musical genius.

No fillers on this album, every song is a classic in its own right. Killer cuts along the amazing title track; 'Eyes of Medusa', 'Out of the Ashes', 'Of Sins and Shadows' -Great stuff!