Introduction…

Isn’t YouTube great? For those of you who do not know what I am talking about, YouTube is a web site where you can watch videos that other people have uploaded to said site. The other week I wanted to show the kids the Two Ronnies ‘Fork Candles’ sketch and after a quick search on YouTube there is was, in all its glory. My friends (and so do I occasionally) upload pictures and videos of various walking trips we have been on. But I guess the most usage I get from this site is viewing music videos…

The recent wrangle about copyright (which is and was too confusing for me to even worry about at the time) is now over and one can watch music videos to their heart’s content. I have discovered many jewels by doing this, most recently the wonder that is Symphony X. I stumbled upon them one evening whilst surfing and suddenly the awesome Set the world on Fire was there before me. I watched a few more videos of their songs, then promptly logged onto Ebay and bought this album, which I am reviewing now… Paradise Lost (based loosely on John Milton’s poem).

Now I like various styles of music, but I am a bit of a metal head, and that is exactly what Symphony X appeal to. In short, they are a power metal quintet. I am not saying it is pneumatic drilling all the way, oh no: they have a varied assortment of sounds from fast, to chunky, then to soft and melodic. There is a grand operatic sound to them too, as though their music could be the theme to Lord of the Rings or something similar. I think that sums it up briefly…

Vocals:

Russell Allen is the singer and boy does he have a varied voice! Throaty, gritty metal, then to a softer tone. At some points he reminds me of Ronnie James Dio, then at other times Joe Lynn Turner, then James Hetfield. He is a fantastic vocalist on the whole.

Guitars:

Michael Romeo plays the axe. This guy can play a varied amount of guitar styles and is extremely talented. Sometimes he reminds me of Yngwie Malsteen – simply put he is a well above average guitarist.

Keyboards:

Michale Pinnella is the keyboardist and he gets a special mention here as his keyboard skills are wonderful to the ear. Sometimes swirling, other time so classical. A top keyboard player.

Drums and Bass:

Making up the final two pieces of the jigsaw are the able Michael Lepond on Bass and Jason Rullo on Drums. Both adept at their musicianship.

History in brief:

Symphony X were founded in New Jersey in 1994 by guitarist Michael Romeo. Other than this 2007 album, they have released six other commendable albums. Rod Tyler was the original vocalist until Allen took over in 1994.

Paradise Lost:

Released in 2007, this is an epic journey of an album, were the listener goes from one sound to another…

Oculus ex Inferni (2:34) gets the ball rolling. Remember that Lord of the Rings remark? This music would fit in nicely with a film like that. Operatic voices, dramatic and sweeping orchestral sounds, mingled with chunky guitars and bullet drums.

It fades out to the fast and furious Set the world on fire (The lie of lies) (5:55). A rapid assortment of guitars and keyboards, that fall into a bullet-ridden riff. A wonderful keyboard and guitar solo to compliment things further…

‘Fly with me – forever higher
and with these wings,
we’ll set the world on fire
Fly with me – through scorching skies
You and I – the Lie of Lies.’

Next up is Domination (6:29). This begins with a fast paced bass that is joined with razor sharp guitar and rapid drums. Then it all falls into an extremely low and crunchy riff. Throaty vocals from Allen, this song twists from fast to moderately slow, and features a riff later one that I could only describe as ‘chaotic.’

The Serpent's Kiss (5:03) is the forth song. This begins with a typical heavy metal riff, sleazy and loud. Bit of a weak start, but things do get better as the song progresses. Operatic vocals and brilliant instrumental piece.

Paradise Lost (6:32), the title track, is an absolute gem – probably the song that (having checked it out on YouTube) that made get the album. A gentle and passionate song that builds up as it goes. We have masterful piano playing here and wonderful and emotional vocals.

Eve of Seduction (5:04) is a song that grows on you the more you listen. Faster-paced that the former song, lots of guitar changes from light to dark and merging into a frantic riff.

‘Can it be true?
Why can’t you see – I’m burning for you.
There’s no disguising my desires – what can I do?
All you will know – give me your heart
Give me your soul. I’ll tear it apart, so long as you’ll never let me go.’

The lengthy The walls of Babylon (8:16) is next. It starts with a quiet intro, and a meandering riff slowly fades in. Operatic vocals. Things settle for as moment, then stabbing guitars and a swirling keyboards. An instrumental intro, then into the groove of the song. Throaty and screaming voice, pure rock.

Seven (7:01) is the eight song of the album. This has quite a chaotic beginning, then full on Yngwie Malsteen-like metal, until it quickens up more. More thrash than the other songs though. Bit of a grower this one, I did not really like it to begin with.

The Sacrifice (4:49) is another gentle song. Classic piano and fantastic vocal skills that show of Allen’s ranging voice skills. The song builds up and we have a great solo amid it all, then rounding off with a wonderful Spanish guitars.

Revelation (Divus Pennae ex Tragoedia) (9:17) is your typical end-of-album treat. An epic journey through contrasting sounds and guitar changes. It’s a kind of summery of what has gone on before as well.

‘Lost in the night wandering alone
Try as I might to escape the fight
It never let’s me go – I’ve got to find a way
A way to rise above it all.’

On the whole Paradise Lost is a magnificent album, one I am quite amazed I did not know about before. And guess what? I have another six Symphony X studio albums to buy too!

Basic information:

The songs were written by Romeo and Allen, save for Oculus ex Inferni (written by Romeo alone) and Paradise Lost, written by Romeo and Allen and Pinnella.

It was produced by Romeo…

As for the artwork and layout, well it is not out of this world, but it is very good and quite ‘interesting.’ Designed by Warren Flannagen and Petrick Zaborodniuk, the cover features a nifty silver winged lady sat upon a small hill. The pictures inside to accompany the songs are good also, but it is the casing itself that is strange and new. It is cardboard and opens up to reveal red flames, and some of these flames sliced over the CD within.

Bonus

There is a bonus DVD, and this features the songs: ‘King of Terrors,’ ‘Out of the Ashes,’ ‘Dressed to Kill,’ ‘In the Dragons Den,’ ‘Inferno,’ ‘Evolution,’ ‘The Odyssey Part 2,’ ‘The Odyssey Parts 5 and 6,’ ‘Smoke and Mirrors’ and ‘Of Sins and Shadows.’

These tracks are all recorded live, but to be honest I wonder why they bothered and they look as though your mate might have recorded them on his mobile phone and uploaded them the YouTube. The picture quality and sound are both bad.

But that is my only gripe.

Recommended to one and all…