Symphony X - Paradise Lost

[Liu]

Symphony X - Paradise Lost
InsideOut Music

I have to admit that despite being a fan of progressive metal bands, I've never taken a liking to Symphony X. Across the last few years I've listened to most of this band's catalouge and have found very little to excite me. Their particular brand of power/prog metal isn't one I'm fond of, especially with the endless wankery of guitar virtuoso Michael Romeo cluttering up the place. All this would change however when I got the chance to see this band live earlier this year where I got my first real taste of the Paradise Lost material live. Now I wouldn't say that I've become a full-fledged Symphony X fan, but I sure became a fan of this, their latest album.

The intro track Oculus Ex Inferni sets the pace for the album, featuring brilliant orchestration with scant guitar riffing that builds up to the first real song, Set The World On Fire. This song is a heavy hitting slab that gets the message across that Symphony X isn't just here to twiddle their thumbs anymore, they're going for the throat and succeeds with flying colors. Some older fans will no doubt turn on the band for this heavier direction, but there's still plenty of that trademark fretboard trickery at play, only this time there's actually a good song there to take advantage of it. With Romeo's guitarwork taken into consideration, I feel that the real star of the show is vocalist Russell Allen. This time he is sporting a far more grittier tone behind the mic, bringing a much needed sense of authenticity to this heavier sound. On the song Domination, Russell easily brings forth a sinister tone that propels the band to darker territories. He still has time to display his emotive side on the two ballads The Sacrifice and the Paradise Lost title track. He's a truly versatile vocalist and without him this band wouldn't be anywhere as noteworthy.

Serpent's Kiss has a real groovey feel to it, almost Pantera-esque, especially in the riffs. The aforementioned title track is one of the album's highlights (trust me, there are many), an effectively written ballad that weaves soft piano, acoustics, mighty guitar and Allen's soulful vocals. Eve Of Seduction brings the band back to the fast paced power/prog mold, containing one of the album's strongest choruses backed up by stellar keys provided by Michael Pinnella. Eerie chants start off the lengthy intro to The Walls Of Babylon, bringing to mind Dream Theater at times. Hey, at some point one has to expect a long wanking guitar solo and Romeo gets that out of the way in the beginning of Seven. Once that's out of his system, we can get back to what's an otherwise ripping song. Of course the album has to end with some grandiose epic, but thankfully the band has chosen to spare us all from some 20 minute wankfest. Instead we get the stellar 9 minute Revelation, which is ample enough time to toss in all those chilling orchestrations, big choirs and sweeping time changes without the risk of becoming bloated.

One of my few complaints with the album is in its packaging. Its housed in a digipak that unfolds in four sections, one for each side. The bottom holds the booklet, the top has the cover while the two on the sides are shaped like flames meant to house the cd tray that's under it. It was pretty cool... the first time I opened it. Every time since the whole thing has been nothing but redundant and unnecessary. Its novelty wears out quick, needless to say.

So is this Symphony X's best album? I'm sure several folks out there would disagree, but they're not writing this review, so that's that.


01. Oculus Ex Inferni
02. Set The World On Fire
03. Domination
04. Serpent's Kiss
05. Paradise Lost
06. Eve Of Seduction
07. The Walls Of Babylon
08. Seven
09. The Sacrifice
10. Revelation (Divus Pennae Ex Tragoedia)

Score: 9/10