Symphony X
Twilight In Olympus

THE REVIEW

Just after 2 years from the excellent "The Divine Wings Of Tragedy," Symphony X returns with "Twilight In Olympus." Well, this CD sits between two immense works (the second is "V" for those who don't know...) and I can't consider it on their level, but let's say it's pleasant... it stays in their typical epic prog-metal style with hints of power.

It starts excellently with "Smoke And Mirrors" which perfectly represents their sound, excellent track, (Michael Romeo's opening riff is fantastic!!!) in the instrumental part, we're greeted by a deep and heartfelt melody that truly deserves applause, unfortunate for the continuation where they overdo the solos, but it quickly recovers with the enveloping rhythm of this piece. "Church Of The Machine" has become one of their classics with good ideas but also a bit of chaos in some parts, yet overall I find it enjoyable. "Sonata" is the prelude to the excellent "In The Dragon's Den" which is the best piece of the work, great rhythm, powerful and charged track, only flaw: it lasts too short!!!!! It follows "Through The Looking Glass": typically progressive instrumental start with keyboard in the foreground, change of rhythm in the central part to then return to the track's sound, hints of melody in the finale but never quite impressing... a bit confusing, that is, the ideas are all there, but in my opinion, they wanted to put too many "things" in this piece.

"The Relic" starts fast (this beginning reminds me of masquerade...), an excellent instrumental part where one has to appreciate the skill of the guitar-keyboard pair that churns out two solos worthy (almost..) of Petrucci & co. In "Orion - The Hunter" a slightly calmer atmosphere while remaining in the sound of the previous tracks, I don't feel any creative spur from this track, indeed, once again note the chaotic piece in the instrumental section, what a bad habit!!!!! (did they perhaps take it from Dream Theater???) It closes with "Lady Of The Snow": starting with oriental sounds in Tool style, note the beautiful deep but at the same time powerful solo by Romeo after just 2 min. which gives us oxygen before returning to the tranquil atmospheres of this track which, in the chorus, reminds me a lot of "Candlelight Fantasia" (from the previous album).

So ends "Twilight In Olympus", well, what to say... good album, the ideas are there, but I expected more from them, especially some instrumental parts need improvement (and they will improve excellently!), but overall I can give it, even though it doesn't deserve it, a nice 3.5 almost 4: first of all, because they are Symphony X and I have great admiration for them; second: Romeo is a genius who composes extraordinarily beautiful music and knows how to bring out a fantastic melody in every album... and finally, one cannot give less to a band that two years later will compose "V - The New Mythology Suite," in my opinion, one of the most beautiful albums I've ever listened to in my life.