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Rating: It's difficult to describe the progressive scene of recent years.
The fundamental issue has been finding in new bands, sounds that would refer to historic groups of the scene like Dream Theater, Fates Warning, and Symphony X. I call it an issue because there are now very few new bands that stand out for originality in progressive metal: Pagan's Mind, Circus Maximus, Sun Caged, even though in the end it's always the same "stuff".
From this small and personal observation, I take the opportunity to present to you, my dear readers, an album that marks the return to the musical scene after years of touring here and there by one of the most influential bands for new progressive groups: Symphony X. Yes, because a band like this, after producing masterpieces like "The Divine Wings of Tragedy" or "V: The New Mythology Suite" and after the intermezzo of "The Odyssey", returns 5 years later with this new endeavor: "Paradise Lost".
Well, what is there to say? This album is simply splendid. Not only for the usual orchestrations masterfully handled by the genius Michael Romeo, but also for being characterized by a more aggressive yet technical sound that the band has brought from previous years. We start with "Oculus ex Inferni", a kind of overture to the magnificent journey that takes us through the seventeenth-century poem by John Milton, which makes this a full-fledged concept album. After great orchestrations and symphonies, we have the striking "Set the World on Fire (The Lie of Lies)", a magnificent track where the improved technical and stylistic aspect of the band is evident, with a more "raw" and mean voice of a Russell Allen who increasingly stands out. Even here, at some points, orchestrations are not lacking, perhaps a fundamental part of all the work by Romeo and co. We move to the third track, "Domination", characterized by sounds more oriented towards the classic but still remaining in the prog zone with some hints of power in the driving rhythms of Jason Rullo. Again, there's the violent interpretation of Allen and a more prominent presence of Michael Lepond on bass and Michael Pinnella on keyboards. Moving on to the fourth track, "The Serpent's Kiss", which was the first track the band released online before the album's release, brings a breath of heavy metal, especially highlighted by the tasteful riff by Romeo. Then we arrive at the ballad of the album, the title track "Paradise Lost", in my opinion one of the most beautiful tracks composed by the band in 13 years of honorable career. Thrilling and emotional, the track showcases a "sweeter" interpretation by Allen, given his range and vocal talent making him one of the most versatile singers in the global metal scene, with Pinnella at his best form.
After the beautiful title track, we delve into the album's second part starting with "Eve of Seduction", the most technical track of the album where Romeo's riffs mesh with Pinnella's accompanying the splendid interpretation of a formidable Allen. We also find "The Walls of Babylon", a track that takes us back in time with more oriental harmonies and directed towards a different style from what has been presented so far on the album. Once again, Allen adds his unique touch, accompanied as always by an excellent Romeo and a Rullo showcasing all his drumming technique in this formidable piece. Second ballad of the album, "The Sacrifice", a piece less demanding than the others but still allowing for the softer side of the composition with Allen appearing different from usual. Finally, we come to "Revelations (Divus Pennae ex Tragoedia)", the classic Symphony X track in every way: classic oriental loops, sung interludes, and a tear-jerking chorus. All accomplished with excellent technique, a piece that recalls the sounds of the old "The Divine Wings of Tragedy", which is well referenced towards the end of the piece to close the album.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are faced with a band that compared to others in the same scene (Dream Theater invoked above all) continues to thrill and deliver music of the highest creative and technical quality. Highly recommended album 100%, if not more. The return of Symphony X reaffirms the band's superiority over other bands that always sound the same. Year after year. Enjoy!
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
08 Seven (07:01)
Above all - high and mighty - will like a towering
steed - a Web of Conceit that I weave
More...wanting much more - grasping with
Envious Eyes - dark desires lead to words
that cut like knives
Frozen in your tracks... No remorse
Embrace the rack - Twisting down your spine
... 'till the End of Time
It's Fire and Ice - make the Sacrifice
No one there to catch you when you Fall
It's Shadow's and Sin - Enemies Within
You'll be fine, so cross the line and Damn it all
Slip into Shades of Nothing - yesterday's
promises die - More, taking more than I need to
bleed you dry
Cut your throat - Abandon all Hope 'blood-money
lusting' portrayal - Break the trust from dawn
to dusk bring down the curtains on you final
act of betrayal
Empty hands recoil... feel your Blood begin to boil
Tails and Fangs or Doom - violently consumed
It's Fire and Ice - make the Sacrifice
No one there to catch you when you Fall
It's Shadow's and Sin - Enemies Within
You'll be fine, so cross the line and Damn it all
Virtue or vice? Will you pay the price?
When there's no one to catch you when you fall
...so Damn you All...
Give me hot-blooded yearning - infect and pollute
all that's pure - more than my heart can endure
Vengeance and Fury - Screaming
and eye for an eye - lashing out in Anger
I curse the sky
Demon Song is sung - first your ear ... and then
your tongue - Wear this Mask of Fire - and burn
for all you're desired
It's Fire and Ice - make the Sacrifice
No one there to catch you when you Fall
It's Shadow's and Sin - Enemies Within
You'll be fine, so cross the line and Damn it all
09 The Sacrifice (04:49)
Your Eyes singing to me sweet lullabies
While you lie there in submission
Forbidden desire
Alone in the moonlight hearts of fire
Burn away our inhibitions
When the stars lose their fire
And night steals the morning away
Forever and a day
I will stay, I will stay here with you my love
Sacrifice a heart beat away from paradise
All my reasons given way to temptation
Fear and shame
Looking for someone else to blame
We're devoured by these foolish accusations
With every fleeting breath I take
Maybe our love was a mistake
Eternal life I traded for one moment beside you
When the stars lose their fire
And night steals the morning away
Forever and a day
I will stay, I will stay here with you my love
When the stars lose their fire
And night steals the morning away
Forever and a day
When the stars lose their fire
And night takes the morning away
Forever and a day
I will stay, I will stay here with you my love
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Other reviews
By The Guitarist
Allen's voice remains of a superior class compared to all his power colleagues for its ability to incorporate all the nuances of these in their best variant.
Paradise Lost, at least for the moment, is one of the best albums of the year and a cornerstone of modern progressive metal.
By actingout
Michael Romeo’s guitar is absolutely devastating, and the drum sound does justice to the great musician Jason Rullo is.
‘Paradise Lost’ is one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard, with a unique delicacy and intensity.
By Dreamtheater
Symphony X is showing a severe lack of innovation.
They are slowly fading, and "Paradise Lost" confirms it.
By Hellring
Romeo’s guitar, Allen’s voice, Pinnella’s keyboard, Lepond’s bass, and Rullo’s drums are perfect in every section of the album.
Iconoclast returns to us, four years after Paradise Lost, a band in great shape with clear ideas.
