Symphony X thread!

[Scorpion]

Twilight in Olympus
The Odyssey
The Divine Wings of Tragedy
Paradise Lost
V: The New Mythology Suite
Underworld
The Damnation Game
Iconoclast
Symphony X

Not much has changed, but then I haven't listened to SX much lately. I really should do something about that.

[Scar]

Just posting it here, but I'm running a Symphony X survivor, if anyone is interested:

https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=49261.0

[jjrock88]

Just posting it here, but I'm running a Symphony X survivor, if anyone is interested:

https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=49261.0

sounds good!

[wolfking]

Just posting it here, but I'm running a Symphony X survivor, if anyone is interested:

https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=49261.0

sounds good!

Indeed.

[matthewmatt]

I made this list in March 2016 and I still feel pretty much the same:

1.) The Odyssey
2.) Underworld
3.) The Divine Wings of Tragedy
4.) Paradise Lost
5.) Iconoclast
6.) Twilight in Olympus
7.) V
8.) The Damnation Game
9.) Symphony X

If anything, I might push Iconoclast even above Paradise Lost, as I've warmed up to it even more than before and I feel it's criminally underrated.

[goo-goo]

I'm kind of surprised at how low V is in your list. Mine would be:

1.) Underworld
2.) Iconoclast
3.) V
4.) Divine Wings of Tragedy
5.) Paradise Lost
6.) The Odyssey
7.) Twilight in Olympus
8.) The Damnation Game
9.) Symphony X

[matthewmatt]

Yeah, I know I go against the majority with that one, but although I love some of the songs on their own (Evolution, Fallen and Fool's Paradise are actually among my favourite "shorts" by the band), the whole album sounds very lost in preludes/interludes to me, very disjointed and incoherent and, in fact, rather overrated. I still love it, cause it's Symph X, it's just that as a cohesive whole I like the other albums more.

[jjrock88]

Nice to see Underworld getting high rankings. It's just an outstanding album and I would put it top three, maybe in the top two for myself

[Architeuthis]

I agree! Underworld is such a great album. Probaly my fav SX album to date.

[wolfking]

I really like Underworld now.  At first I thought it was pretty meh, but has grown into a monster of an album.

[PROGdrummer]

I was watching early 70s concert footage of Genesis on YouTube, and I couldn't help but think to myself "Gee, I wish there was a band that performed like this nowadays."

Then I realized that Symphony X TOTALLY has the same kind of shtik going on with their  Underworld shows. The stage decorations (perching gargoyles on either end of the stage, the fog and moody lights),  Russell's masks, his mannerisms, the way he becomes each character  and the way he explains the story in between songs.  Totally taking a page out of Peter Gabriel's book when it comes to being a frontman. And he's not even a "prog" kind of guy, he admits that he really only listens to classic 80's hard rock and metal bands. So where he got the idea to try this stuff, who knows exactly.  But it's really awesome and gave me even more appreciation for what's already one of my favorite bands.     I really hope they do another U.S tour with Underworld soon.

[wolfking]

I didn't know the tour was so elaborate in the stage show.  Good stuff.

[PixelDream]

Symphony X was the first prog metal band I heard aside from DT, and I initially was more of a SymX fan than a DT one. Nowadays I have to say I prefer DT by far, but they're still an incredible band. Even though I feel they got a bit samey from Paradise Lost on, Underworld beats DT's recent output for me. By the way, I can totally see how people would dig their last three albums more. The style is more streamlined and the production is more professional. But it was the older proggy albums I fell in love with when I was 15 years old.

1. V: The New Mythology Suite
2. The Divine Wings of Tragedy
3. The Odyssey
4. Twilight in Olympus
5. Underworld
6. Paradise Lost
7. The Damnation Game
8. Iconoclast


9. Symphony X - funny how DT and SymX both have a subpar debut album with a different singer

[bosk1]

Here is a complete show from last year:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtxxkP5KlK4

Their entire set from Bloodstock is also up:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bd3R30AM1E

[Herrick]

I'm liking Allen's vocals more on Underworld. He's always sounded great but all the "GRRR!!!!" on the last couple albums was a little tiring.

[bosk1]

Yeah, I agree.  There is still PLENTY of grit.  But he is melodic as well, even when he is singing really aggressively.

[jjrock88]

Underworld is the perfect balance for his voice.

[Cyclopssss]

I for one am very happy he went back to a more melodic style of singing. I hated all the harsh vocals on the Odyssy, hated it on Paradise Lost and other albums as well. Very happy with his voice on Underworld.

[Herrick]

I for one am very happy he went back to a more melodic style of singing. I hated all the harsh vocals on the Odyssy, hated it on Paradise Lost and other albums as well. Very happy with his voice on Underworld.

Was there a lot of that on The Odyssey? I haven't listened to it in a long time. Currently listening to The Damnation Game for the first time. I'll put on The Odyssey after.

[Nachtmerrie]

Is there any news about Symphony X planning a tour or releasing a new album this year?

[jjrock88]

Is there any news about Symphony X planning a tour or releasing a new album this year?

Nothing that's been reported. But SX has never been the best in providing updates for what they are up to

[Mosh]

Also takes them at least 4 years to make an album.

[Big Hath]

this year is the 20 year anniversary of Divine Wings.  Would LOVE to see a tour featuring that album.  (it's also the 15th for The Odyssey, so maybe they can throw the title track on as the encore.)

[kaos2900]

this year is the 20 year anniversary of Divine Wings.  Would LOVE to see a tour featuring that album.  (it's also the 15th for The Odyssey, so maybe they can throw the title track on as the encore.)

15 Years since the Odyssey! Good lord that makes me feel old.

[Big Hath]

I know, right?!?

[Architeuthis]

Is there any news about Symphony X planning a tour or releasing a new album this year?

Nothing that's been reported. But SX has never been the best in providing updates for what they are up to

I doubt we will be hearing much from Symphony X this year. Their bass player Mike Lepond is working on the mixdown and post production to his second solo album, a follow up to his first one  Silent Assassins. I'm ok with this, Silent Assassins is a fantastic metal album. Can't wait to hear this new one!! Michael Romeo is helping with the production and some guitar work. I like this project as much as anything Symphony X has ever done. It's more bass and guitar driven with way less keyboards..

[wolfking]

this year is the 20 year anniversary of Divine Wings.  Would LOVE to see a tour featuring that album.  (it's also the 15th for The Odyssey, so maybe they can throw the title track on as the encore.)

15 Years since the Odyssey! Good lord that makes me feel old.

I remember getting into this band around the time The Odyssey was released.  Good lord 15 years, wow.

[Herrick]

Also takes them at least 4 years to make an album.

Do they tour a lot or do they have day jobs?

[Mosh]

I think one of them is a music teacher or works at a music store or something. Saw a clip of another one who owns a food truck. Russell Allen has other projects, namely TSO. No idea what Michael Romeo does. I assume he teaches on the side too.

[Lowdz]

this year is the 20 year anniversary of Divine Wings.  Would LOVE to see a tour featuring that album.  (it's also the 15th for The Odyssey, so maybe they can throw the title track on as the encore.)

15 Years since the Odyssey! Good lord that makes me feel old.

I remember getting into this band around the time The Odyssey was released.  Good lord 15 years, wow.

It was V The New Mythology for me, in 2000. But I realised a few days ago that 1987 was 30 years ago  . My best year for music I think. I had my first job and cash to spend.

[bosk1]

It was The Odyssey for me back in probably around 2003.  I went back and got V and liked it a lot.  Tried the stuff before that and didn't much care for it.  I have bought every new release since then and thought they were each decent, but not great, up until Underworld, which I feel is the album of their careers.

[Cyclopssss]

It was V. for me as well. Every new release is an automatic buy for me. But come on, after all these years STILL no decent dvd recording?

Also, that live album doesn't nearly get the credit it deserves. The energy on that one....

On the prospects of any new material, I'd say slim for the next couple years. Russel is doing the Ayreon Live concerts in september and I don't know what the rest of the band is up to.
Romeo is probably brooding in his little homestudio somewhere. 

[Architeuthis]

It was V. for me as well. Every new release is an automatic buy for me. But come on, after all these years STILL no decent dvd recording?

Also, that live album doesn't nearly get the credit it deserves. The energy on that one....

On the prospects of any new material, I'd say slim for the next couple years. Russel is doing the Ayreon Live concerts in september and I don't know what the rest of the band is up to.
Romeo is probably brooding in his little homestudio somewhere. 

If you scroll up and read my previous post, it will clue you in on what two of the other members are up to.

[Art]

Got into Symphony X right when Twilight In Olympus was released, though the first album i heard was The Divine Wings Of Tragedy. By the time V was released, i got to see them on that tour here in Brazil, still one of the best concerts i've ever been.

[LudwigVan]

Got into them when V was released.  That album and The Odyssey are still the pinnacle for me.   Underworld is a nice return to form.