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Rating: It's already been ten years since the release of this album, but I wanted to review it anyway as it's one of the albums that brought me closer to the metal scene...
"The Divine Wings of Tragedy" marks a historic milestone for the New Jersey band led by the Yngwie Malmsteen-influenced Michael Romeo and his four virtuoso colleagues. Forgetting the poor gains with the self-titled Symphony X of the emblematic vocalist Tyler, and going through a good "Damnation Game," they reach a compositional peak that would set them on the path (up until complete consecration with "V") to being among the most prominent prog-power metal bands on Earth.
Let's start with the tracklist:
1 - Of Sins and Shadows - The track opens with a powerful riff from Romeo which is immediately supported by a great Jason Rullo on drums, alternating syncopated rhythms with faster 4/4s with the double pedal to make the track diverse right from the start. Further enriched by Pinnella's tasteful keyboard, the main theme gives way to a vocal harmony reminiscent of Freddie Mercury's Queen and leads into the verse sung by a great Russell Allen, who immediately gives a taste of his powerful and gritty voice, adding even more body to an already impressive rhythm section. The track is structured simply but gives a taste of the orchestrations that will be used later in the album. In any case, an excellent opening.
2 - Sea of Lies - Thomas Miller's bass sets the stage for a track less impactful than the previous one but absolutely not inferior in terms of arrangement. The syncopated verse transitions painlessly thanks to an excellent choice of accents on the vocals and Pinnella's electric piano (albeit with a vintage flair) beautifully accompanies a fairly catchy chorus. And here we arrive at the unison of guitar and keyboard, a technical piece and one of the most challenging on the album.
3 - Out of the Ashes - A return to the past. The introduction makes it clear that the Symphony X of 'Damnation Game' are still alive and well and are heard in a beautiful baroque-style unison between guitar and synth that marries perfectly with the change of theme in the verse. A thrash-like verse, a progressive bridge, and an almost power chorus justify listening to this beautiful track, which still manages to surprise even in the solo sections of Pinnella and Romeo where harmonic scales are used, giving a Middle-Eastern feel to the piece.
4 - The Accolade - This is one of the most famous tracks by Symphony X, a song crafted to achieve a perfect blend between ballad and heavy riff immediately found right from the beginning where the acoustic guitar sound gives way to distortion while maintaining a sweet and ethereal musicality, enriched by Thomas Miller's accompaniment and the melodies played by a masterful Pinnella on the keyboards. Allen gives yet another demonstration of versatility and allows himself a small vocal phrase before the absolute pearl of the track where the initial bells are now supported by the piano, now by the violin, and so on, until achieving an overdubbing of instruments that taken individually play few notes, but together reach the completeness and impact of an orchestral performance.
5 - Pharaoh - And here we return to good old metal, abundant distorted guitar licks, hammering drums, sixteenth note bass, and "hard" vocals enriched with a hint of keyboard that still supports the technical complexity of a very valid song. Again, the use of harmonic and Arabic scales does justice to the song's title, giving it an exotic evocative power not to be underestimated, but it also provides a melody that at certain points makes one think too much of the soundtracks from films based on "The Thousand and One Nights."
6 - The Eyes of Medusa - Here comes the thrash again that comes out of Romeo's guitar strings... it might seem like the usual stuff but instead Symphony uses their old and very valid trick: to keep a constant melodic line while changing the accompaniment of the other instruments to give the track a thousand different shades... a striking example right from the first seconds where the main guitar riff becomes the accompaniment for Pinnella's evocative keyboard. And so on until the end in a succession of variations, solos, and more, essentially another great track.
7 - The Witching Hour - Probably the weakest track on the CD, also due to its length, but the duets between pseudo-harpsichord and recurring guitars throughout the song are worth listening to. The track is noticeably simpler and with less elaborate melodies compared to its predecessors. Despite this, Allen manages to give an identity to the composition with a good performance.
8 - The Divine Wings of Tragedy - Here we are at the 20-minute suite of this wonderful album that now delivers this ensemble of melodies so different from each other but perfectly connected. 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 that give a touch of majesty to the masterpiece of this title track. The initial choir is interesting and despite the terrible vocal registers of the musicians (Allen excluded), it succeeds in evoking an "cathedral-like" atmosphere that leaves room for Pinnella's trumpet of hell which recalls musical themes from medieval film soundtracks. In the song, there's room for everyone: bass solos, aggressive and calm guitar riffs, key changes, quotes from the Divine Comedy, ambient moments, and endless virtuosity, all starting from a build-up in intensity and variations that slowly conclude with a verse sung by An Allen who continuously changes singing modes... synthesis of this magnificent work.
9 - Candlelight Fantasia - Last piece of DwoT. It's essentially a ballad. It succeeds in being poignant like the moments described in the lyrics (it's about the life of a musician). Allen gives his best and Romeo expresses himself in one of his best solos. The track is decidedly "romantic" but maintains the variety and sudden changes that characterize the other tracks of the album. At the start, however, the vocal melody nods a bit to "The Only Way" by ELP (listen to Tarkus and you'll know it). Still, only two words can be said: beautiful track.
Symphony X achieves a great feat with the creation of this magnificent work, a summary of their two previous discs and a taste of those to come. Definitely among the best power-prog albums of all time. I strongly recommend listening to it to fans of the genre and non-fans alike for its ability to evoke emotions and fantastic scenarios, a capability granted to only a few other bands. Rating 4 and ½ / 5
Chewbacca
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 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."
By splinter
Symphony X makes technique an instrument of power!
"The Divine Wings Of Tragedy" is quite possibly the album where all these characteristics emerge in the right measure.
