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Symphony X is one of the best progressive metal bands around today. Most fans consider this album to be the band's best. The music is very diverse with many influences, from classical to metal and progressive rock, and at times they throw a bit of jazz into the mix. The vocalist, Russel Allen, at times, sounds like Dio, but overall has a very unique operatic voice. In fact, I'd say that it's safe to say he has one of the greatest set of pipes in any genre today. He'd yet to find his signature sound that he achieves on later albums, but due to the production value, he still sounds magnificent. Michael Romeo, the band's shred-master is a standout among the band's standouts and most of the musical highlights include interaction between him and Mike Pinnella, the keyboardist. They together achieve some complex though accoustically pleasing solos perfectly interwoven in a quilted and layered soundscape. The drumming and bass playing are also excellently performed, and the mastering on this album is nothing short of perfect. All of the drum pieces are expertly captured and mixed, which is needed in this music genre. Every track on the album is a winner, though there are a few that deserve to be mentioned in detail.
"Of Sins and Shadows" - this track wonderfully starts off the album with a sonic onslaught that reminds me immediately of Pantera. One of the heaviest songs on the album, it is also one of the best.
"Sea of Lies" - This and the following track, "Out of the Ashes" both serve up a vocal centerpiece ala Russel Allen. These two tracks compliment each other perfectly and when placed after Of Sins, the trio provides one of the best opening sequences of metal ever heard.
"The Accolade" - The opening of this track alone is worth the price of the album. It's a perfect blend of progressive and dark age folk music...something that has to be heard to know what I mean by that. The lyrics are particularly good on this track, though, as mentioned by others, the vocal is not pulled to the front enough....Russel has a great set of pipes and he should be up front in a "ballad" such as this.
"Divine Wings of Tragedy" - This, the title track, times in at over 20 minutes, and could have been released as an EP on its own. The numerous musical themes in this remind me of another progressive band, and despite its length, each section sounds like a new song so it's not so bad even for those less inclined to the progressive scene.
"Candlelight Fantasia" - The second "ballad"-like song on the album, this song reminds me a little of "Beethoven's Last Night" by Trans-Siberian Orchestra, though the music and singing are better here. At times Romeo sounds a little like Van Halen.
If this review helps to convince you of Symphony X's genius then I've done my job, if not--keep reading the other 5-star reviews until you are convinced and buy this album today!
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Top reviews from other countries
Eric Meinzer
The greatest album of all time by the greatest band of all time!
Reviewed in Canada on July 26, 2015Germán
Obra maestra del metal progresivo y de la Música.
Reviewed in Spain on February 2, 2015
