Symphony X thread!

[Herrick]

Underworld is not only SX’s best album it’s one of the best metal albums of the past ten years.

I will never forgive myself for missing that tour, especially since they RARELY come touring in my neck of the woods.

I saw them on this tour with Overkill. Overkill opened and the place was packed. But when Symphony X came on the place emptied out; I’m guessing maybe 50-75 people remained

But Symphony X still put on a great show 

I saw that tour as well.  S-X was the opener, and the place was about 1/2 full.  For Overkill (which I had no interest in), it was packed, and I bailed after about 1.5 songs.  Worked out just fine for me, as it was at a venue about 90 minutes from home, and on a Sunday night.  I was home before 11.   

Just bought my ticket.  There's some assigned seating at this venue, and that's sold out already.  Figured I should play it safe and get my tic.

That's interesting. Where did you two see this tour? Overkill and Symphony X is an odd mix. I wonder how it was determined that Overkill should open. They seem like the more popular band. They've been around longer than Symphony X, have more albums, and tour a lot more.

[IDontNotDoThings]

So, it's been 2 days & no "big news" has been announced on any of their socials. It must have just been some sort of error. Sorry y'all.

[Big Hath]

my guess is a timing issue between the spotify update and the tour announcement.  You said it was just created, I wonder if there are some extra hoops a band has to jump through to get a verified account and it just didn't happen in time.

[jjrock88]

Underworld is not only SX’s best album it’s one of the best metal albums of the past ten years.

I will never forgive myself for missing that tour, especially since they RARELY come touring in my neck of the woods.

I saw them on this tour with Overkill. Overkill opened and the place was packed. But when Symphony X came on the place emptied out; I’m guessing maybe 50-75 people remained

But Symphony X still put on a great show 

I saw that tour as well.  S-X was the opener, and the place was about 1/2 full.  For Overkill (which I had no interest in), it was packed, and I bailed after about 1.5 songs.  Worked out just fine for me, as it was at a venue about 90 minutes from home, and on a Sunday night.  I was home before 11.   

Just bought my ticket.  There's some assigned seating at this venue, and that's sold out already.  Figured I should play it safe and get my tic.

That's interesting. Where did you two see this tour? Overkill and Symphony X is an odd mix. I wonder how it was determined that Overkill should open. They seem like the more popular band. They've been around longer than Symphony X, have more albums, and tour a lot more.

This was a Canadian tour in the fall of 2015. Each night Overkill and Symphony X would switch who would headline. I guess the Chadster saw SX open the concert he saw and left when Overkill headlined. I saw the opposite. I wasn’t overly familiar with Overkill and went solely to see SX. Overkill opened the show that I was at and the place was packed to the rafters. But once Overkill finished, the place emptied big time and I basically had all the room on the floor to move around. Even though the place was basically empty, Symphony X played like they were playing in front of a stadium. Awesome live band and if you are even a remote fan, you need to check them out.

And at this point I’m content with any Symphony X update, whether it’s a new tour, new live album or new album. The band is a bit of a procrastinator, so I’ll take what ever they do at this point 

[BelichickFan]

Rank:

1 - TDWOT
2 - TIO
3 - V

And it ends there for me. These three were game changers, at a Dream Theater level.

I like 1/2 to 2/3 of the other CDs but I can live without all of the rest of them.

[PMA]

Rank:

1 - TDWOT
2 - TIO
3 - V

And it ends there for me. These three were game changers, at a Dream Theater level.

I like 1/2 to 2/3 of the other CDs but I can live without all of the rest of them.

I really liked the above releases and would include The Odyssey (especially the title track) and Paradise Lost.  After that, they seemed to move to a different form of metal (to me at least) and Russell Allen was overly focused on a more heavy vocal style vs. his cleaner more melodic voice.  If I had to pick only one of their releases it would be V.  I somewhat agree with you that they were a band that rivaled DT in power and composition on some of their songs but not quite as good (IMHO).  Russell Allen is one of the very best singers in all of prog metal.  What I never have understood is why they haven't ever done a concert blu ray.  I've seen them live twice and their show is excellent. 

[MoraWintersoul]

What I never have understood is why they haven't ever done a concert blu ray.  I've seen them live twice and their show is excellent.

Whenever they were asked, they were always talking about how they wouldn't wanna just film a normal gig and sell it, they would wanna do something special, perhaps something with a real orchestra. Seeing how orchestral DVDs seem easier to film nowadays (apparently bands have discovered that symphonic orchestras exist outside of the US and the UK and fans exist outside of these countries too  ), it's now or never.

[ori.elias5]

time for your top 5 symphony x songs!

[bosk1]

Russell Allen is one of the very best singers in all of prog metal.

I suppose that could be true.  But I really only rate him for the stuff he did in Symphony X rather than the prog metal side projects, so it's hard to say.  The sample size of him doing prog metal is pretty small in comparison.

[Zook]

time for your top 5 symphony x songs!

Not a definitive order:

The Odyssey
The Communion and the Oracle
Underworld
The Divine Wings of Tragedy
Through the Looking Glass

[krands85]

1. The Divine Wings of Tragedy
2. The Odyssey
3. When All is Lost
4. Set the World on Fire (The Lie of Lies)
5. Sea of Lies

[IDontNotDoThings]

1. The Divine Wings Of Tragedy
2. When All Is Lost
3. The Accolade
4. The Sacrifice
5. Egypt

[black_biff_stadler]

1. The Divine Wings of Tragedy
2. The Edge of Forever
3. The Accolade
4. Church of the Machine
5. Of Sins and Shadows

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

That's hard but something like this:

1. TDWOT
2. The Accolade
3. Communion and the Oracle
4. Egypt
5. Awakenings

[black_biff_stadler]

Fuck yeah, Awakenings!

[bl5150]

Fuck yeah - Church of the Machine 

I haven't thought much about it but most of my faves would be off TDWOT (probably The Accolade being 1st) , Twilight and Underworld.

[RodrigoAltaf]

New interview I did with Mike Lepond: https://www.sonicperspectives.com/interviews/interview-with-lepond-mike/?fbclid=IwAR1wZpDg6kjHnf0Kne_pfwUVtHsMxfpRopk8CPppj7WLnTFzmt29onIosXU

[Grappler]

I received an email from Enter the Vault refunding my ticket to the Joliet, IL show at the end of May.  Not sure if just that show is cancelled or if the whole tour has been cancelled...havent seen anything online at all.

[goo-goo]

I received an email from Enter the Vault refunding my ticket to the Joliet, IL show at the end of May.  Not sure if just that show is cancelled or if the whole tour has been cancelled...havent seen anything online at all.

Symphony X, both artist and show listings at the Enter The Vault website are gone. I guess the toured is going to be cancelled. Fuck. Bummer.

[jingle.boy]

Not surprising. Was totally expecting it. Nothing regarding the Toronto show.

[Ben_Jamin]

I sure hope they reschedule it and at our city too. We got shafted for Dance Gavin Dance.

[Samsara]

I received an email from Enter the Vault refunding my ticket to the Joliet, IL show at the end of May.  Not sure if just that show is cancelled or if the whole tour has been cancelled...havent seen anything online at all.

I received a change of venue notification for our show that is about a week or so later (the venue they were going to play at had to close, and they just decided to close permanently. Waiting to see if it'll be canceled now...

[Ben_Jamin]

Either way, I haven't got an email yet from my local venue. They'll probably wait for an official announcement.

[goo-goo]

Promoter in Austin is still selling tix but using Eventbrite instead of Enter the Vault. But there's also the listing for Caligula's Horse in Austin but they nixed their NA run.

[Grappler]

I'm not sure why Enter the Vault would refund my ticket if Symphony X pulled their contract with them.  It was a valid sale.  I emailed ETV and asked them about the refund, since my credit card had since been compromised and wanted to know if they needed the updated number to process the refund on their end.  I also asked if they could confirm if the show or tour was cancelled.

They ignored my question about confirming that.  So maybe it's a personal or contractual issue between the band and ETV.  I know I've read a lot of stuff on the ProgPower unofficial group regarding the behavior of the promoter (Enter the Vault)....if the tour isn't cancelled, I wonder if Symphony X decided not to work with them anymore?

[goo-goo]

I'm not sure why Enter the Vault would refund my ticket if Symphony X pulled their contract with them.  It was a valid sale.  I emailed ETV and asked them about the refund, since my credit card had since been compromised and wanted to know if they needed the updated number to process the refund on their end.  I also asked if they could confirm if the show or tour was cancelled.

They ignored my question about confirming that.  So maybe it's a personal or contractual issue between the band and ETV.  I know I've read a lot of stuff on the ProgPower unofficial group regarding the behavior of the promoter (Enter the Vault)....if the tour isn't cancelled, I wonder if Symphony X decided not to work with them anymore?

What is the Progpower unofficial group saying about Enter the Vault?

[Grappler]

I'm not sure why Enter the Vault would refund my ticket if Symphony X pulled their contract with them.  It was a valid sale.  I emailed ETV and asked them about the refund, since my credit card had since been compromised and wanted to know if they needed the updated number to process the refund on their end.  I also asked if they could confirm if the show or tour was cancelled.

They ignored my question about confirming that.  So maybe it's a personal or contractual issue between the band and ETV.  I know I've read a lot of stuff on the ProgPower unofficial group regarding the behavior of the promoter (Enter the Vault)....if the tour isn't cancelled, I wonder if Symphony X decided not to work with them anymore?

What is the Progpower unofficial group saying about Enter the Vault?

Just that his behavior towards others in the industry and music scene has been inappropriate and abusive - it's not my place to repeat anything specific.  But I do know that some users are trying to bring awareness of these allegations to the bands that he books and have them book shows with someone else. 

I'm suspecting it's all COVID-19 related, but anything is possible I guess.  I just found it odd that my ticket was refunded by the promoter with zero communication from the band or venue first.

[jingle.boy]

From S-X's FB feed:

ATTENTION: We have been alerted by Venues and Promoters in several cities in the US as well as in Canada that due to the current situation we will have to move our May / June tour into 2021. We will advise and let everyone know when new dates are announced. Until then, stay well!

And found in my inbox from Eventbrite:

Getting a refund:
please retain your ticket for the future date, and when the new date is announced, if it is not compatible for your plans, reach out for a refund.

[Grappler]

I figured that would be coming.  That sucks - hopefully Primal Fear and Firewind stay on the tour!  I was so pumped to see Primal Fear.

[Ben_Jamin]

I figured that would be coming.  That sucks - hopefully Primal Fear and Firewind stay on the tour!  I was so pumped to see Primal Fear.

Me too.

[jingle.boy]

I figured that would be coming.  That sucks - hopefully Primal Fear and Firewind stay on the tour!  I was so pumped to see Primal Fear.

Me too.

Thirded. And keen on Firewind too!

[goo-goo]

Writing of new album is about to start

https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/symphony-x-is-ready-to-start-writing-a-new-album/

[IDontNotDoThings]

The band began writing Underworld on September 8, 2014, & the album was released on July 24, 2015.  That's 319 days. If writing begins in a month from now, that's 350 days, so we should expect the album on April 24, 2021.

Better late than never, I suppose.

[wolfking]

The band began writing Underworld on September 8, 2014, & the album was released on July 24, 2015.  That's 319 days. If writing begins in a month from now, that's 350 days, so we should expect the album on April 24, 2021.

Better late than never, I suppose.

We are going to hold you to this you know.

[IDontNotDoThings]

It's just an estimation, but I'd be very surprised if it doesn't come out in the (northern hemisphere) Spring or Summer 2021.