Symphony X
V: The New Mythology Suite

THE REVIEW

"V - The New Mythology Suite" was released in 2000. At first glance, it seemed to me like just another album... yes... not bad, but it didn't impress me that much. A few days ago, I happened to come across it again and listened to it more closely, and it changed my mind about Symphony X: this CD comes close to being a masterpiece. It has everything: creativity in the many melodies offered, a variety of instruments, very beautiful choruses, and truly well-crafted tracks with dreamy atmospheres. Beautiful.

After the opening with the chorus of "Prelude," "Evolution (The Grand Design)" kicks in... a song with the typical Symphony X sound: fast and melodic... pure prog metal with a very catchy chorus. On the first listen, it may seem like the best track on the album, but the good music certainly doesn't end here, quite the opposite... "Fallen" keeps the rhythm high with an engaging finale, well-played, and the instrumental part is appreciable. "Transcendence" introduces us to "Communion and the Oracle", in my opinion, the only off-note of "V": a ballad that's too quiet, somewhat out of place, I would say. With "The Bird-Serpent War/Cataclysm", the rhythm picks up: good riffs accompanied by an excellent Jason Rullo, it's a fast song divided into three parts, quite enjoyable.
And now begins the beauty: "On the breath of Poseidon" is the true masterpiece of the CD, 4 minutes of extraordinary melodies, exquisite notes follow one another with strong classical influences and an extensive use of instruments, but at the same time, it maintains a good pace with melodies that will return in the final track. Never heard anything like it!! Perhaps many of you will consider it a simple ballad, but I find it's much, much more. Following it is "Egypt", which starts (naturally...) with oriental sounds: a beautiful, melancholic yet majestic chorus, with a more prog metal sound than the previous one. And again... "Death of Balance/Lacrymosa": another piece worthy of applause, unmistakable beginning, but the best is in the central part... a guitar/keyboard duo scale that sets a dark atmosphere and "Lacrymosa" begins with perfect choruses and timings. Spot on!

"Absence of Light" may be a bit repetitive, a step backward, but with "A Fool's Paradise", we get back on the right track with a prog metal song and a chorus that (once again) fits perfectly into the sound of this piece. "Rediscovery" gently leads us to the grand finale: "Rediscovery pt. II - The New Mythology" starts with a rhythmic beginning with guitar riffs accompanied by Michael Pinella's keyboard. Fast rhythms and calm parts intertwine until reaching the applause-worthy finale hinted at in "On the breath of Poseidon": poignant, melancholic, and deep.

I can only say that this is a near-masterpiece, a pity for some tracks that I don't agree with, but for the rest, one is captivated by this album. Truly beautiful. An epic CD rich in good melodies, the notes flow smoothly without any hitches. Exceptional. And to think that many consider Symphony X a poor copy of Dream Theater... well.

RATING: 4.9