Paradise Lost 5.1 (CD/DVD)

Symphony X | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 4, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Inside Out / SPV
• ASIN: B001FEO6MS
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #50,378 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Oculus Ex Inferni

2. Set The World On Fire (The Lie Of Lies)

3. Domination

4. The Serpent s Kiss

5. Paradise Lost

6. Eve Of Seduction

7. The Walls Of Babylon

8. Seven

9. The Sacrifice

10. Revelation (Divus Pennae Ex Tragoedia)

Disc: 2

1. Oculus Ex Inferni

2. Set The World On Fire (The Lie Of Lies)

3. Domination

4. The Serpent s Kiss

5. Paradise Lost

6. Eve Of Seduction

7. The Walls Of Babylon

8. Seven

9. The Sacrifice

10. Revelation (Divus Pennae Ex Tragoedia)

See all 12 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

The masters of Symphonic Power Metal Return! Symphony X are recognized by-and-large as one the most important acts in the worldwide Metal scene. After the release of their hugely successful CD, The Odyssey , and after nearly five years, Michael Romeo and his band have Returned with what is already being praised as their best work to date. Paradise Lost has all the trademarks that have come to be associated with Symphony X: Incredibly intricate and powerful, yet-melodic compositions that showcase every member s unrivaled technical skill as instrumentalists. However, once again it must be said that the spotlight is squarely on the ferocious vocal force of singer Russell Allen and the almost inhuman pyrotechnics of guitarist Michael Romeo.

The Special 5.1 Edition of Paradise Lost features a digi pack that was designed by Warren Flanagan, who has done art-direction for major motion picture blockbusters such as I Robot, X-Men and Blade. In addition to this great package, the release also includes a DVD with the videos for Set The World On Fire and Serpent s Kiss . Paradise Lost 5.1 is thee guitar release of the Fall!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic music, great mix, marred by poor audio bitrate, December 30, 2008

By 

Alex K. (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Paradise Lost 5.1 (CD/DVD) (Audio CD)

First off, let me say that the album is nothing short of astounding - well mixed, well balanced, well written, well sung, and well played. This is easily one of my favorite albums of all time.

Alas, the DVD is marred by a poor audio bitrate. The DVD itself is a normal, standard definition DVD. The visuals are simple, but very effective. While the sound is very enjoyable, it simply won't hold up to critical listening.

Since the DVD uses a Dolby Digital audio stream, it's limited to 448 kilobits/sec worth of data. A critical ear will be able to pick this up, even with a run of the mill 5.1 system. I'd rate the disc's sound right on par with the CD when I weigh the the benefit of extra channels against the compression artifacts.

With the CD so astounding, I must say I was expecting more out of the DVD. Including a DTS audio track (at either 768 or 1,536 kilobit) would have gone a long way for me.

The music videos on the DVD have a PCM Stereo soundtrack, that sounds like it's been run though an MP3 encoder, or perhaps prepped for a YouTube upload. Very dissapointing.

I'm left happy with the purchase, and salivating for a Blu-Ray release to get to some of that lucious lossless audio.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Once you hear the 5.1 mix, you may find yourself ignoring the regular mix., September 3, 2009

By 

George Dionne (Cape Cod, MA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Paradise Lost 5.1 (CD/DVD) (Audio CD)

The Good
If you missed out on the 2007 release of this album, than SPV has a special treat for you. Paradise Lost 5.1 not only delivers the standard 10 track CD, but also a bonus disc (DVD) that contains a special 5.1 mix of the album, as well as two HD music videos.

Epic is the only word that can describe the music on Symphony X's latest offering. It's almost as if you are listening to a momentous movie. That movie comes to life in you imagination and runs wild. "Set the World on Fire" is a guitar lover's wet-dream. The riffs are meaty and electrifying. The drums are devastating, and vocalist Russell Allen brings the characters to life with his melodic and emotional delivery.

"Serpent's Kiss" brings the tempo down a little bit, but keeps the amplifiers cranked to 11. The track is a twisted story that parallels life in the Garden of Eden, with the focus on the devil's role. The piano takes center stage for the tender tale that is "Paradise Lost." With Allen's passionate vocals here you have to wonder why he chose the metal field, rather than broadway or mainstream rock.

"Eve of Seduction" boils down to a duel between the rapid-fire guitar of Michael Romeo and keyboardist Michael Pinnella. "Sacrifice" is another gut-wrenching ballad delivered over-the-top by Allen and company. The album simply comes to life on the 5.1 mix. It literally surrounds you with electric power and emotion. The HD videos are a mix of digital imagery and live band performances.

The Bad
Once you hear the 5.1 mix, you may find yourself ignoring the regular mix.

The Verdict
Symphony X deliver another powerhouse full of metal fury and emotional heart. The 5.1 mix of Paradise Lost enhances the experience by adding an extra level of vibrancies that literally makes the material come to life.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars metal for minds, November 29, 2008

By 

spin_glass "spin_glass" (Canberra Australian Capital Territory) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Paradise Lost 5.1 (CD/DVD) (Audio CD)

For years I have been looking for a re entry point into the metal scene and for the most part the filth and violence, I can get that for free on television, that form the themes of too many albums has been off putting.
I came across Dream Theater at the suggestion of Amazon and then had Paradise Lost presented, the 30 second limit on previews not withstanding, I purchased the album and have been very pleased with that purchase. The idea of a theme album for me goes way back to Rick Wakeman and this albums inspiration taken from Milton's work just add to its great appeal to those with literary sensibilities.

The guitarwork is blistering and the drumming thunderous. Unless you are craving sleaze you should enjoy this album. Its great there is a section of the industry for people who, like me remember the beginnings of metal and are intelligent enough to apprecate albums like this. So it took five years...it was worth the wait