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Rating:
How many bands have an enormous technical rate? Many! But how many bands are not ashamed to show it? Few! Because there are many that, despite having this gift, decide to show it only on a few occasions... for fear of ending up on the critics' chopping block, especially after witnessing the numerous media conspiracies against Dream Theater (attitudes that have frankly become annoying).
Fortunately, this is not the case for Symphony X, a band that makes technique an instrument of power! Long and fast solos, furious scales, and cascades of notes are their trademark; Michael Romeo and Michael Pinnella, respectively guitarist and keyboardist, are the protagonists of all this; but their virtuosity does not lead to a barrage of criticism for them as it does for Petrucci and Rudess, demonstrating that criticism of Dream Theater does not stem from their own shortcomings but simply from the trend of attacking the group! But Symphony X are not just about technique! To it, they add that typically power-driven strength well conducted by the strong and decided tone of the guitar and the more than ever lyrical and expressive voice of Russell Allen (one of the best overall in the prog-metal scene), but also that symphonic and classical touch characterized by always very refined keyboard backgrounds.
"The Divine Wings Of Tragedy" is quite possibly the album where all these characteristics emerge in the right measure. We're in 1997, a significant year for prog-metal: the characteristics of the genre are now well-known, the genre, although young, is now established, and more and more bands follow that style; so much so that this very year, significant masterpieces of the genre were released. The band had already had two albums ("Symphony X" in 1994 and "The Damnation Game" in 1995) with ideas in place but which were characterized by a still cloudy and immature sound and structures that were not yet well perfected. Here, instead, the band has reached brilliance: finally, the sound has the right power, but the atmospheres are also well balanced and no longer weak and sparse, and the sounds are finally in the right place. The true Symphony X is born with this album!
The album opens with a trio that is certainly very immediate but able to leave a mark. Stunning impactful opener "Of Sins And Shadows", where Michael Romeo abuses his guitar with all the anger he can express, supported by clever and sincere keyboard interplay, beautiful guitar and keyboard solos. The second track "Sea Of Lies", introduced by a keyboard background and a bass line, surely leaves a mark with its frenzied rhythm and Pinnella's splendid note sequence in the instrumental part. "Out Of The Ashes" is memorable for its attack, truly ingenious with hammering guitar riffs well supported by keyboards. It's a great start, but with track number 4, we delve into the more progressive and introspective side of the band. "The Accolade" is more epic with keyboards more in the foreground and with the band's symphonic influences clearly in evidence, yet never forgetting the technical side. "The Pharaoh" is appreciable for its aggressiveness, although it does not reach the speed of the first pieces. Hearing Romeo thrash the strings gives a sense of release never felt before, but the symphonic and orchestral side of the band is just as good. The same goes for "The Eyes Of Medusa". Impeccable technique is ever-present in "The Witching Hour" and then... The curtain falls on the superb 20-minute suite that gives the album its title. Epicness, melody, symphony, technique, power... everything we've heard is synthesized in a single piece. And not yet tired from listening, we can treat ourselves to a noteworthy closure with "Candlelight Fantasia", more melodic and less aggressive, offering a kind of breath of fresh air to the listener who will surely need to relax after listening to such an intense album!
Those who love power will love it; those who love extreme tranquility... stay away! And go back to listening to Bach!
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 Sea of Lies (04:18)
Today I've seen the shallow face I wear
Inside this shell,
a living hell endures
I'm held captive by my fear,
decaying hope and wasted years
The knife of time carves another
line around these eyes
Good and evil - lust primeval
Dragging me into a sea of lies
Losing faith in who I am
Never changing just rearranging
my life again
Through eternal abyss I fall,
Silent screams through paper walls
I pray someday the sun will shine
on me again (shine on me again)
Good and evil - lust primeval
Dragging me into a sea of lies
Lies ... lies ...
[Solo]
Lies ... lies ...
03 Out of the Ashes (03:40)
In the house of my master
Beyond the gate there is a bed
of snakes where evil lays
Oh, I hear laughter
I forged the iron bars that
someday will imprison me
Ooh, mother will you help me
Mother will you help me
To find a reason to go on
Out of the ashes of my youth
- I rise a man (And through the eyes)
And through the eyes of truth
- I finally understand
The way
I've been beaten with his words
and whipped withh his lies
He will not break me down no
matter how hard he tries
Pray for my lost soul
Out of control the storm inside
me rages on and on and on
Mother will you help me
Mother will you help me
To find a reason to go on
Out of the ashes of my youth
- I rise a man (And through the eyes)
And through the eyes of truth
- I finally understand
The way
[Solo]
Out of the ashes of my youth
- I rise a man (And through the eyes)
And through the eyes of truth
- I finally understand
The way
05 Pharaoh (05:28)
Ancient lands, lost in time
Storms of sand, walls of lime
Surround this mask of death I wear
Awakened by intruder souls
The jackal screams as my stone gods behold
Desecraters of Ra
Pharaoh's curse upon you
Who dares to invade his sacred ground
Gods of the Nile arise to strike you down
Forgotten days of my rule, cities
blazed with gold and jewel
Diamond symbol of riches
beyond compare
Now I lay cold in this chamber of
stone
Fools forsaken the wrath of my
throne
Desecraters of Ra
Pharaoh's curse upon you
Who dares to invade his sacred ground
Gods of the Nile arise to strike you down
Mystic gods of the stars
- I summon thee from afar
Sun, moon and earth
- align for my rebirth
I feel the blood flow through my veins
The life force shines on me again
Let the ritual begin
- you will pay for your sins
I am god, I am king of the land
The hour of judgement is at hand
Winds of revenges sweep through the sand
The mighty pharaoh lives again
[Solo]
Pharaoh's curse upon you
Who dares to invade his sacred ground
Gods of the Nile arise to strike you down
08 The Divine Wings of Tragedy (20:42)
[Part I: At The Four Corners Of The Earth]
On the edge of paradise
Tears of woe fall, cold as ice
Hear my cry
Renounce, have you, thy name
Eternal is my pain
Eternal is the pain that leads me
to the thrones of temptation
Eternal is the pain that leads me
to the thrones of temptation ...
[Part II: In The Room Of Thrones]
(Instrumental)
[Part III: A Gathering Of Angels]
There was a time ...
When nine choirs sang the
endless melody of light
Music of the spheres
Threre was a place ...
Where mortals embraced thunder
and majesty
Their fate lay in our hands
Feel my wings slowly fading -
forever lost in time - I cry
[Part IV: The Wrath Divine]
The burning conflict I'm feeling
It summons me to descend into
the other side
And just beyond the stars blazing
A beam light from a red, velvet
moon illuminates me
I will devise, from perfect skies
A dark and vengeful day
Faith and mercy gone astray
With strength of infinite measure
The mighty sword divides order
from chaos in the kingdom below
And from the mansions of glory,
This empty soul cries out one
final plea ...
The end has begun
Our worlds collide, now in
disguise,
You'll feel the Wrath Divine
Tears of woe fall from the sky ...
[Part V: The Prophet's Cry]
The prophet cries
Vast battalions rage on in the sky
Rising rom the north
the bringer of war
Eve of destruction
Summon all who have 'power
over fire'
Impending doom from shore to
shore
Standing on the edge of paradise
I sacrifice my truth and loyalty
Seven deadly sins consume you
all, a dance with death
I taste the victory
(Eternal is the pain that leads me to temptation)
Rising from the north
- the warrior prince
Judgement without compassion
eyes of fear
Like the river styx,
the gates of hell -
"Abandon hope all ye who enter here"
The prophets cry
As armies fall from the edge of
the sky
The Prince of truth, now the
bringer of war
The day of wrath
Banish all kings from the face of the land
Dominion for strength is my name
[Part VI: Bringer Of The Apocalypse]
(Instrumental)
Eve of Sacrifice /
Armies in the Sky /
Dies Irae
[Part VII: Paradise Regained]
Looking out on a blue sky
I can see a new world arising
Like a prisoner unbound
I feel the power and the majesty
again
Looking up to the heavens
I can see what I left behind
Beneath the stars, moon and
warm sun
And all I know,
is my paradise has begun ...
09 Candlelight Fantasia (06:45)
Just one more night,
one more score.
Another question in my mind.
can't take no more.
Kissing the tear from my face,
as they fall to the ground in the silence...
In twilight, and faded times.
Spirits cold, with no love.
Bells ring the lonely chime...
Candle fire...
These lit dreams can't burn alone...
Winds of change,
bring songs upon my memory.
An empty heart and soul intoxicates me.
This darkened page orchestrates my final destiny.
Not knowing what,
what tomorrow will bring
From within the mirror's eyes,
I'm forced to run away and hide.
I feel those mystic eyes subside,
and leave me blind.
Through passages in time,
A prisoner locked behind the door.
Lonely roses slowly wither and die.
I can't escape this captive misery.
Heart stone cold, under supremacy.
Thrown into a raging sea of tyranny.
Life's vile walls have tangled me in webs.
Eternally within my futures threads.
Play the violent strings of my symphony.
Transcend,
the absence of this fantasy.
Just another vision,
washed away with the tide.
No place for forgotten ones.
I cannot deny,
what lies beyond.
Beyond this fantasy
From within the mirror's eyes,
I'm forced to run away and hide.
I feel those mystic eyes subside,
and leave me blind.
Through passages in time,
A prisoner locked behind the door.
Lonely roses slowly wither and die.
From within the mirror's eyes,
I'm forced to run away and hide.
I feel those mystic eyes subside,
and leave me blind.
Through passages in time,
A prisoner locked behind the door.
Lonely roses slowly wither and die.
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Other reviews
By wwwhatemoornet
Buy this CD and you’ll realize that Dream Theater are not the best.
Do you headbang listening to Dream Theater? I don’t. With these guys, you will.
By DaveJonGilmour
Symphony X have transcended the canons of prog-metal, with magnificent baroque and neoclassical arrangements.
The title suite, despite its 20:41 minutes, never bores, on the contrary, magniloquent and unpredictable, it almost seems the manifesto of this art.
By Dreamtheater
"Of Sins and Shadows is my favorite song on the whole cd, excellent opening!"
"The Divine Wings of Tragedy suite... many good things but they are not enough to make it a good song."
By Chewbacca
"Definitely among the best power-prog albums of all time."
"The five Americans succeed in the goal of letting 20 minutes of song pass by while keeping the listener’s attention alive with quick theme changes and suggestive 'imperial' marches."
By STIPE
"Listening to it is like embarking on a fantastic journey, from which you don’t know if you will ever return."
"The Divine Wings of Tragedy is the masterpiece of a band with a distinctive and unique sound that stands out significantly from other prog-metal bands."
