Symphony X - Paradise Lost

Year of Release: 2007
Label: InsideOut
Catalog Number: SPV 79252 CD/IOMCD 259
Format: CD
Total Time: 61:04:00

Five years on from the release of The Odyssey Symphony X is back with a searing new release, Paradise Lost. With the epic instrumental opening "Oculus Ex Inferni" filled with a chorus of voices, orchestration and cinematic scope (you'd swear it was from a movie soundtrack), it's all systems go as we are taken through a further 7 tracks of white-hot metal at breakneck speed, full of screaming leads and the concussion of punishing percussion. Sure, that all sounds like PR hype, but it's the truth.

This is an authoritative, take-no-prisoners release -- it is a typical Symphony X release in that you get wildly fiery guitar leads from the incomparable Michael Romeo, pummeling drumming from Jason Rullo, chugging bass from Michael Le Pond and barbed swirls and stabs of keyboards from Michael Pinnella. Russell Allen's vocals are rough though not unpolished; it lends grittiness to this album that wouldn't be nearly as effective if Allen sang it too clean. But, this time around, the band wanted this to be more guitar driven - it is, though drums and percussion become the second most dominant element (aside from vocals).

There are two or three that are respites from the blistering displays of technical prowess that reign down (play on words intentional): "Serpent's Kiss," which throttles things back somewhat; it's still pretty powerful, even as Allen's voice slithers around the triple attack of guitars, bass and drums. There's "Paradise Lost," a balladic piece, yet not in a way wimpy; piano-like keys twinkle, guitar swirls around, and percussion sets an irregular heartbeat. Funnily enough, this song during the chorus at times reminds me of latter-day Spock's Beard, and in fact, specifically of "All That's Left." It's a dusty, mid-western feel during the chorus; a warm, husky vocal from Allen during that section is what does it. This is a fabulous performance; not just from Allen but from all involved.

Another ballad is "The Sacrifice" - this clearly Adam singing to Eve, rather than Lucifer. It's also not a syrupy ballad, though edging a bit closer since it's truly a power ballad that has the potential for soppy sentiment. More tinkling piano can be heard here, even as guitars take more of a lead role than on "Paradise Lost."

The rest of Paradise Lost is purely a speedy, rollercoaster ride from hell. While Romeo admits it is not a concept album per se, the album draws on John Milton's classic, epic poem Paradise Lost for inspiration. "Set The World On Fire" - Lucifer, cast out from heaven after attempting a coup to usurp God, is solidifying his rule in hell, encouraging his minions to follow him ("Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heaven" - Milton). In as much as all of these pieces contain enough melody that you can sing along, this one perhaps has the most "singalongability," with it's rousing chorus.

"Domination" is he stomping around, making proclamations, beating his chest and flapping his wings menacingly. It begins with a cool, rumbling bass line that is soon replicated by the guitar, which flares up every once in a while, and punctuated by the drums, all against the endless exhale of keyboards. For the main part of the track, this all becomes hot swirling flames (guitars, bass, drums and reedy keyboards) with the occasional release of gas (guitar bursts). In the middle section (about the 4:15 mark), a punishing pause comes as piano and bass stomp and pound beneath some angry, dissonant guitar - it's a bit industrial, it's a bit avant-garde (Pr?sence anyone?).

"Eve Of Seduction" is an entreaty for Eve to taste of the forbidden fruit (though also to carnal relations, as implied in the lyrics). Although it tries for seductive, as "Serpent's Kiss" is, rather it comes across as insistent and demanding, often more a petulant man wondering why the object of his affections, Eve, won't give in. Of course, through shear force of will, you know he will win? That insistence is evident from the opening guitar pyrotechnics from Romeo, which just hit pin you back, and the nearly relentless drums and percussion. Romeo leaps out with a solo that surely would shred his fingers to ribbons; speedy, naturally, but so wonderfully all over the fretboard with a vengeance? oh, some violence is surly going on?

"The Walls Of Babylon" is back to the dark epic feel we had with "Oculus Ex Inferni" - a chorus of chanting male voices lend a gothic feel; the legions prepping for battle. An instrumentally, the battle is already taking place. Symphony X as a black metal band? Well, yes, in a way; though Allen doesn't go "cookie monster." And he doesn't quite go "metal screamer" either? falling somewhere in between. Actually here (and at other times), I thought of Blind Guardian. "Seven" is a little more "screamy" than elsewhere. And "Revelations (Divus Pennae Ex Tragoedia)," which is a sequel of sorts to "Divine Wings of Tragedy" (which the Latin phrase of the title translates to, if you didn't guess), is smoky piece where for the most part Allen's sings "cleaner."

Paradise Lost is tight, yet not so tightly wound that it doesn't also breathe. The performances are masterful, most certainly Romeo's guitar playing. But that we have come to expect; it would have been otherwise easy enough for this album to miss its mark. It doesn't. And I think the common thread running through the tracks allows each to have a sense of purpose, making this feel like a concept album? Well, truly it is, even if there isn't a linear through-line.

In short, with this release Symphony X solidify their right to world domination.

Released in North America by InsideOut Music America; there's also a special edition version that includes a bonus DVD with live footage.

Tracklisting:
Oculus Ex Inferni (2:34) / Set The World On Fire (The Lie Of Lies) (5:55) / Domination (6:29) / The Serpent's Kiss (5:03) / Paradise Lost (6:32) / Eve Of Seduction (5:04) / The Walls Of Babylon (8:16) / Seven (7:01) / The Sacrifice (4:49) / Revelation (Divus Pennae Ex Tragoedia) (9:17)

Musicians:
Russell Allen - vocals
Michael Romeo - guitars
Michael Pinnella - keyboards
Michael LePond - bass
Jason Rullo - drums

Discography:
Symphony X (1994)
The Damnation Game (1995)
The Divine Wings Of Tragedy (1997)
Twilight In Olympus (1998)
V - The New Mythology Suite (2000)
Live On The Edge Of Forever (2001)
The Odyssey (2002)
Paradise Lost (2007)
Iconoclast (2011)
Underworld (2015)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin US

Added: December 26th 2007
Reviewer: Stephanie Sollow
Score:
Artist website: www.symphonyx.com
Hits: 2948
Language: english