Symphony X
The Odyssey

THE REVIEW

Things couldn't be better for these 5 guys. Making an album worthy of the previous "V: The New Mythology Suite" (2000) was highlighted by most critics as a 'mission impossible' due to the success and splendor reached by that album. Impossible, then... but not for Symphony X; indeed, the band of guitarist Michael Romeo, only two years after the acclaimed album mentioned, has created this "The Odyssey" (2002) which I am about to discuss.

Let's clarify immediately that it is a splendid album, and harder than their classic "The Divine Wings Of Tragedy" (1997).

Once again, Romeo proves to be one of the best composers and guitarists currently on the global prog-metal scene… along with him, Russell Allen contributes to the album with a vocal performance beyond the norms of normality. Allen can truly be considered the prototype of the perfect metal singer.

The production of the CD is, as always, at the highest levels, the sounds of the various instruments are perfectly reproduced; and the post-production nuances are perfectly integrated into the album.

But let's go straight to the heart of this album… talking immediately about the epic title-track "The Odyssey". Incorporating remarkable classical music influences, this suite, 24 minutes long and based on Homer's "The Odyssey," is certainly the highest peak reached in the band's history. The keyboard work of Michael Pinnella fits perfectly with the intricate and complex riffs/solos played by Romeo's guitar. The suite is divided into VII parts, ranging from the introduction ("Odyssey theme/Overture") to Ulysses' return to Ithaca ("The Fate Of The Suitors/Champion Of Ithaca")… in between, there will be the musical and sung narration of all the most important events of Homer's work (meeting with Polyphemus, arrival at Circe's island, the tempting sirens, Scylla and Charybdis, etc.). The suite, reflecting the theme of the Odyssey, alternates 'calm' moments with 'hard' ones, all masterfully highlighted by Allen's voice and Romeo's guitar… but a note of merit also goes to Jason Rullo, truly a monster on the drums… and incredibly at ease with unusual rhythms; notable are the progressions in 3/4, 5/4, and 7/4.

Analyzing the other songs on the album, such as "Inferno (Unleash The Fire)" and "Wicked", it is evident that the band decided to give a decidedly heavy imprint to their sound, as never before in their previous works… all accompanied by Allen's hard and almost demonic voice. Going back to Allen's performance, I want to say that I have always considered Dio as the only singer truly at ease in this genre of sound; but this time, I reconsider… as I also wrote above, Mr. Allen manages (in my opinion) to even surpass him in this work!
The tones of Romeo's guitar are harder than ever before, and it seems that the album was conceived to be more 'guitar-oriented' than past works… and this can only be pleasing given Romeo's remarkable technical preparation.

"Incantations Of The Apprentice" introduces us to gothic keyboards, almost horror-like… here the bass and drums work by Michael Lepond and Rullo respectively is something incredible… no less are Romeo and Allen, who sings almost as if possessed by some superhuman entity.
The sweet and captivating melodies that the band knows how to pull out when needed arrive with the beautiful "Accolade II", a track which is the sequel to the wonderful "The Accolade" present on The Divine Wings Of Tragedy. Absolutely listen to the solo by Romeo from minute 5:11 to minute 5:53… a solo dense with emotion and concluding with incredible vibrato bends on the 24th fret of the high E string. I still wonder how he managed to achieve them.

Themes and dark lyrics return in "The Turning", and once again, it is Romeo's solos that give goosebumps in "The Awakenings"… an 8-minute track that represents one of the highest peaks of prog-metal music in general and contains an unison between Romeo and Pinnella that needs to be listened to in order to understand the technical and emotional peak that can be reached with an instrument. If you think what Malmsteen and Johansson did 15 years ago is incredible, wait until you hear this track.

In conclusion, as you have understood, we are faced with another stellar work by Symphony X… which certainly represents the best way to spend the time waiting for the commercialization of the new work from the New Jersey band, that "Paradise Lost" which is so anticipated.