Intense!
That would be my one word review for
Symphony X's seventh studio album. This is the bands least Progressive and most Power Metalish effort to date.
With that in mind it could seem a bit odd that it demands so much attention for it to really flourish. In my opinion it's the bands most direct effort to date, but when it did open fully up I was almost knocked down from the strong scent of its blistering and still complex nature.
The albums intro and first "real" track is just what could be expected, a grand symphonic opening before
Set The World On Fire (The Lie Of Lies) ignites a firestorm of force, speed and most important melody, encapsulated in Russell's divine execution of a most thrilling chorus.
Domination ingeniously opens with a vivid bass before exploding into an aggressive onslaught so brilliantly executed. The harsh way Russell sings
My Domination is just so convincing and utterly spine chilling and if that isn't enough the monster guitar riff at 4:47 will most likely leave you in complete ecstasy.
The Serpent's Kiss spins around a sophisticated, captivating riff and settles at mid tempo speed throughout. I think the band could have gotten more out of the rather pale mid section but all in all good and highly groovy track.
Recently my mind started evolving around candidates for my all time favourite musicians in their respective roles and when I ran through the names I ended up including all members of
Symphony X at some point. That says quite a lot and when listening to this album I got remind why that is. Apart from the dominant roles played out by Mike and Russell, Michael Pinnella's grandiose keys and sensitive piano playing and the immense, forceful bass by Michael Lepond are such important aspects in making this band sound so unique, not to forget Jason Rullo's crushing and highly technical drumming.
This album is very song-oriented, meaning that the longer instrumental passages are kept at a minimum, not that the band ever got lost in those anyway but it gives this album a distinct feel.
Paradise Lost starts off with a beautiful piano melody before an acoustic guitar atmosphere reminiscent of "Communion And The Oracle" and "The Accolade" fulfils a spellbinding mystical atmosphere.
The chorus has developed into a
Symphony X favourite, so placid, warm and magical while Michael Pinnella's keyboard background is moving in itself; the controlled and tender guitar solo also speaks an appealing language of its own.
Eve Of Seduction is kept rather simple, shifting from third to fifth gear and lets just say that it's pretty damn fast when it reaches its fastest, impressingly Mike decides to play a sophisticated guitar lick through this passage.
Still this one doesn't leave so strong an impression; OK chorus, nice break, cool solo but nothing really striking.
The Walls Of Babylon is classic
Symphony X in many ways, gothic choirs, mystical atmosphere and a dramatic build up.
The expressive drum and detailed bass collaboration is simply magical and an essential piece in this grand design. Inject a fierce key solo, thunderous vocals and tight composition skills and a most excellent
Symphony X song has seen the light of day.
Especially in the beginning there are similarities between
Seven and
Eve Of Seduction.
Seven is if possible even more intense and fast, the ultra technical and weighty mid section works out well before all hell breaks loose again towards the end.
The Sacrifice is the ballad of Paradise Lost and a great one too. Romanticism resembled through powerful vocals, soft piano melodies and soft acoustic guitar, a delicate track that suits the album well.
As the final product the 9-minute
Revelation (Divus Pennae Ex Tragoedia) brings along a high range of complexity and (big surprise!) pure heaviness.
The chorus isn't really that memorable but the instrumental section offers a cornucopia of ingenious moments, I only wish it all had been tied together by a more distinct binding thread.
I still hold The Odyssey and The Divine Wings Of Tragedy as my favourite albums by the band, the first one's over the top dramatics and the later's amazing diversity make these two discs something truly extraordinary, Paradise Lost nevertheless adds a different and exciting chapter to the
Symphony X story, may there be many more to come.
Lyrically things are naturally pretty gloomy with betrayal, loss and revenge in focus, not the bands best lyrics but fitting and with some creative passages.
Russell Allen has been a personal favourite for many years and I only think he's getting better and more diverse, for others that can't get enough of his voice I can recommend his enjoyable solo effort and the two amazing Allen - Lande discs, both leaning more in a Heavy Rock direction.
If you like your Metal powerful, progressive and well done you probably already own this one and are well into the feasting process, otherwise this will still be burning hot tomorrow.
Pieces from paradise:
Set The World On Fire (The Lie Of Lies),
Domination,
Paradise Lost and
The Walls Of Babylon.
Written by
Tommy Monday, July 9, 2007
Show all reviews by TommyRatingsTommy: 8/10Members: 7.5/10 - Average of 3 ratings.
Member ratings
 | Transcendence
Rating: 9/10
Superb album from these guys. The only thing that stops it from earning a perfect score is... · Read more · |
 | ProfessorShred
Rating: 5.5/10
This is the weakest album from Symphony X including the 1st album without Rusell Allen...
... · Read more · |
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