Customer Reviews

Divine Wings of Tragedy

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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

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.

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!

The Divine Wings of Tragedy is quite possibly the greatest progressive metal album I have ever heard. I have been listening to metal (in various tweaked subgenres) for several years now, and when I found Symphony X, there was no going back. At first my interests were curbed toward a more mainstream approach, such as the works of Metallica, but I soon was introduced to The Odyssey (the most current Symphony X release to date--also a 5-star work) and have not moved Symphony X out of my own personal #1 slot. This album is so complete and so absolutely incredible that anything more would have made these men (Michael Romeo, Russell Allen, Michael Pinella, Michael Lepond, and James Rullo) proverbial gods of 'prog.'
My favorite track has shifted from time to time (I've been listening to this CD for years and it's still got its kick), but among the best is "The Divine Wings of Tragedy," which is an apocalyptically driven 20-minute suite that is beyond words for description, from the well-orchestrated (and I should know, being myself an accomplished musician) choir segment to the final hits in the vein of Holst; "Of Sins and Shadows," "The Eyes of Medusa," "Out of the Ashes," "Candlelight Fantasia," and "The Witching Hour" are all incredible also. This album has beautiful contrast, while still managing to drop your jaw at least once in a song. The talent that Romeo and Pinella display in the first track is inspiring. There really is no better way to kick off a progressive metal album than with shredding of the most exact degree. And of course, they keep on providing this virtuosic performance with great speed and lush vocal melodies until they approach "The Accolade." This song is a bit more than a touch of power metal, but the way it's done really detracts absolutely nothing from the beautiful voice of Allen. From singing of the mighty soldier to the pharoh, his voice is unfaltering, passionate, and powerful (it's that way live, too). Instrumentally, the group delivers, as I have already said (but this is worth repeating), a breathtaking and incredible performance, with beauty in the soft and relaxing melodies of "Candlelight Fantasia" and yet brawn "The Eyes of Medusa." If you have to choose one track on this album, the title track is the way to go. It just may be the best 20 minutes and 42 seconds of your day. Trust me, my musical tastes (among types of metal) are constantly ephemeral, yet Symphony X never disappoints. I would dare go so far as to recommend this album as the best ever made.

-A. Carlson (pianist, guitarist, etc.)

When I have the money, I always look for something new and different in Metal, and Symphony X delivers everything that I listen for in terms of sound. While staying on the emotional side, the band keeps things nice and heavy through out the entire album. Quite easily one of the best, and most impressive songs on this album is the twenty minute long epic: "The Divine Wings of Tragedy". I won't go into describing the song, because it'll spoil the surprise if you have not heard it yet. My favorite songs on this album are: "Sea of Lies", "The Accolade", "The Divine Wings of Tragedy", and "Candlelight Fantasia." All in all, Symphony X is a great band to add to your collection, highly recommended for fans of "Evergrey", "Blind Guardian", "Kamelot" "Sonata Artica", etc...

Symphony X - simply they rock, and this is a must have disc.

For any review to be honest you have to give the good with the bad, so lets get the bad out of the way first. The guitar tones get on my nerves after a while (borrowed straight from Diamond Dave). There is only so much my ear can take of that extremely heavy tone, it would be nice if it was mixed up a bit. Second - Like most bands they tend to take a rif or two, or an idea that has already been done before and make it theirs, For me not a big deal but worth mentioning in a review.

Now the good - Even with my previous comments I think they deserve a 5 and I believe this CD is a must have for anyone serious about their progressive metal collection.

The Vocals are that perfect blend of hard edge without that stupid (Grover) growl crap. This guy can actually sing. In my opinion he is one of the better metal singers - up there with the likes of Dio and the late Carl Albert (Vicious Rumors).

One of the things that makes this band so great is their compositions, with great use of each instrument, a good balance of going outside of the metal box with their use of symphonic instruments and even a hint or two of some modern Jazz. They are one of the better bands when it comes to mixing the Classical with the Metal (thus their name Symphony X).

This is one of those bands like Dream Theater where each of the musicians are top notch. Once this disc reaches your player it will stay there for a very long time.

By far the best symphony X album IMO (not that others are bad by any way shape or form). This album is so energenic and powerpacked it is hard to find the correct words to describe. This album starts with the more than excellent "of sin and shadows" and carries you through the most magical and exciting musical journey that you have ever taken. Your journey will end on a high note with the extreemly beautiful and haunting song, "candlelight fantasia". Symphony X is simply one of the most tallented band out there that nobody has heard of. Do yourself a favor and BUY this album ASAP. If you don't like it you simply donnot like
music.

I am blown away by the virtuosity of each individual member of the group, absolutely stunning. This is a must buy, I listen throughthe whole cd almost everday.

Divine Wings of Tragedy(1997). Symphony X's Third Album.

In the 90's, when you typically say the words "Progressive Metal", you will immediately think of bands like Dream Theater, Queensryche, and Fates Warning. Unless you happen to be imaginative and willing to discover relatively unknown bands, you wouldn't have heard of Symphony X( they do have a fairly large following in Europe). An intense mixture of Power Metal and Progressive Metal, albeit with thundering guitar melodies, imaginative keyboard flourishes, melodic vocals, fever-pitch drumming, audible(and cool) bass, not to mention lyrics and melodies that will make anybody who hasn't listened to the album complain that they are "Dream Theater rip-offs". Although they have the same distinct sound, that assumption would be wrong, since Symphony X sounds completely different when it comes to the *music*, not just the *approach*. While their previous two releases, 'Symphony X' and 'The Damnation Game' were relatively unknown, 'Divine Wings of Tragedy' broke them through to a larger audience in Europe and the U.S. Since I'd heard many good things about the band, I expected this album to be a blast. Was that the case? Read on to find out!

Track Ratings-

Of Sins And Shadows- Symphony X hits all the right notes on "Of Sins And Shadows", with Michael Romeo's dark, pulsing guitar lick setting the song up for Russel Allen's melodic, epic, and mystifying vocals. Symphony X utilizes backup keyboards and choirs for an *epic* feel, and the end result is quite simply beautiful. An album's opener should always interest the listener, and this certainly does!

Sea of Lies- A beautiful, epic, melodic, and metallic rocker, "Sea of Lies" sees Michael Romeo switching from a haunting, dark guitar riff to a mystifying rhythm guitar melody, and vocalist Russell Allen shines with his tales of "good and evil". Absolutely insane guitar and keyboard interplay here, and each musician plays like their possessed by the devil. Amazing.

Out of the Ashes- Right from the opening, Symphony X is obviously trying to get the "medieval" and "dungeons and dragons" sound, and on "Out of the Ashes", Symphony X blends an unbelieveable mix of chugging guitar licks, medieval keyboards, dark vocals, and insane backup choirs to create another epic that sounds totally original. Imagine Dream Theater on steroids.

The Accolade- The Divine Wings of Tragedy's other epic, "The Accolade" is a 9 minute epic, starting with an eerie opener that beckens back to medieval times, with a slick rhythm guitar melody and a flute opening. The song soon moves on to an upbeat, rhythmic, melodic Prog-Rock song, combining the epic keyboards, the wailing guitars, and the heart-breaking vocals to create another song that's brilliant, beautiful, and epic. The song never stays the same longer than 10 seconds, and for that reason, Symphony X leaves me speechless.

Pharoah- The perfect ode to a pharoah's curse, "Pharoah" is a thrashy power metal rocker, combining the fever-pitch drumming, the guitar pyrotechnics and wizardry of Michael Romeo, and the decidedly dark, foreboding vocals of Russell Allen. What's amazing here is how Symphony X plays exactly what you'd imagine a song about Ancient Egypt to sound like. It may sound weird reading it, but once you listen to it, you'll see for yourself. I'm beginning to like Symphony X more than Dream Theater...

The Eyes of Medusa- From the opening guitar chords to the symphonic keyboard melody, "The Eyes of Medusa" is a creepy, challenging Prog-Rock song that begs the question, "Can you look into my eyes?". Russell Allen's vocals are creepy and angry, and Michael Romeo shreds like a madman, not only on his solos but during riffs. Great musicianship, great song.

The Witching Hour- Beginning with a rather cheesy(but still crazy) keyboard/synthesizer solo, you get the impression this is an upbeat, passionate ballad, but you'd be wrong! Michael Romeo's haunting, dark, creepy guitar arpeggios, not to mention Russell Allen's daunting vocals, make "The Witching Hour" a dark, mystifying epic even though it clocks in at a little over 4 minutes! Incredible musicianship, brilliant songwriting, and magnificent vocals. Can you take a hint? This song rules.

The Divine Wings of Tragedy- There are no words. From the opening choir, to the hopeful ending, "The Divine Wings of Tragedy" lays down a story of love and adventure, using long musical interludes, passionate vocals, and incredible songwriting to blend a 20 minute masterpiece. Michael Romeo, from his emotional rhythm guitar to his symphonic electric guitar, remains forceful and creative throughout. Micael Pinella's keyboards provide an excellent backup, giving the music an added flavor, and keeps the music moving. Russel Allen, as always, is amazing. The bass is exceptional. Quite possibly, the best 20 minute epic ever made, and that's saying something around Rush, Yes, Dream Theater, and Pink Floyd.

Overall, 'The Divine Wings of Tragedy' is a Progressive and Power Metal masterpiece, easily equalling or out-doing Dream Theater, while keeping a sense of creativity that sets them far apart from Dream Theater. All the instrumentalists are brilliant, with Guitarist Michael Romeo, Keyboardist Michael Pinella, Drummer Jason Rullo, and Bassist Thomas Miller each playing their instruments to their absolute best. Symphony X vocalist Russell Allen is all you could ever ask for, blending the vocals of James Labrie with Matt Barlow to create an amazing, melodic voice that stands out among other musical artists. The album's magnificent, but fair warning, the music is very cheesy, with Symphony X trying to sound medieval(at times) and a constant backup choir(Imagine Catholic church choirs circa. 1200 A.D.) always backing up the music. I don't think it takes away from the songs, but some might. Worth the title track alone, but the other tracks easily hold their ground!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO FANS OF POWER METAL, PROGRESSIVE METAL, HEAVY METAL, AND SYMPHONY X! DREAM THEATER, WELL, YOU JUST AREN'T AS GOOD! SORRY!

Killer Kuts- Everything

Also Recommended-

The Odyssey- Symphony X
Images And Words- Dream Theater
Night of the Stormrider- Iced Earth

Thanks For Reading!

This is an earlier effort from Symphony X, and it does show some great qualities. For a band that at the time was younger, they do a nice job with the overall production, and the song arrangements are smartly laid out. Romero's guitar work is predictably solid, as is the rest of the band. Allen moves his vocals between sweet & clean to powerful & gritty effectively. Still, I can see that they have made much progress since. For one thing, their production values have increased immensely. Divine Wings of Tragedy doesn't have the same crisp, full mix that later efforts such as Paradise Lost have. And while most of the vocal arrangements are excellent here, at times I didn't fully "get" the harmonies they were going for in the sense that they didn't always sound like the best complimentary choice to me. The epic title track, however, is an excellent piece of prog, clocking in at just over 20 minutes and providing just about everything across the spectrum that a fan of this style of music could want.