Search - Symphony X :: The Divine Wings of Tragedy

Perfect array from the greatest progressive metal band

Christopher B., Vogler | Omaha, NE USA | 02/22/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Symphony X is one of the best progressive metal bands around today. Most fans consider this album to be the band's best. The music is very diverse with many influences, from classical to metal and progressive rock, and at times they throw a bit of jazz into the mix. The vocalist, Russel Allen, at times, sounds like Dio, but overall has a very unique operatic voice. In fact, I'd say that it's safe to say he has one of the greatest set of pipes in any genre today. He'd yet to find his signature sound that he achieves on later albums, but due to the production value, he still sounds magnificent. Michael Romeo, the band's shred-master is a standout among the band's standouts and most of the musical highlights include interaction between him and Mike Pinnella, the keyboardist. They together achieve some complex though accoustically pleasing solos perfectly interwoven in a quilted and layered soundscape. The drumming and bass playing are also excellently performed, and the mastering on this album is nothing short of perfect. All of the drum pieces are expertly captured and mixed, which is needed in this music genre. Every track on the album is a winner, though there are a few that deserve to be mentioned in detail."Of Sins and Shadows" - this track wonderfully starts off the album with a sonic onslaught that reminds me immediately of Pantera. One of the heaviest songs on the album, it is also one of the best."Sea of Lies" - This and the following track, "Out of the Ashes" both serve up a vocal centerpiece ala Russel Allen. These two tracks compliment each other perfectly and when placed after Of Sins, the trio provides one of the best opening sequences of metal ever heard."The Accolade" - The opening of this track alone is worth the price of the album. It's a perfect blend of progressive and dark age folk music...something that has to be heard to know what I mean by that. The lyrics are particularly good on this track, though, as mentioned by others, the vocal is not pulled to the front enough....Russel has a great set of pipes and he should be up front in a "ballad" such as this."Divine Wings of Tragedy" - This, the title track, times in at over 20 minutes, and could have been released as an EP on its own. The numerous musical themes in this remind me of another progressive band, and despite its length, each section sounds like a new song so it's not so bad even for those less inclined to the progressive scene. "Candlelight Fantasia" - The second "ballad"-like song on the album, this song reminds me a little of "Beethoven's Last Night" by Trans-Siberian Orchestra, though the music and singing are better here. At times Romeo sounds a little like Van Halen.If this review helps to convince you of Symphony X's genius then I've done my job, if not--keep reading the other 5-star reviews until you are convinced and buy this album today!"

BEST OF THE BEST

Brian A. Herman | 12/22/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the first ever Symphony X album to purchase. I simply heard this album at a friend's place, and he told me that this band actually ripped alot of riffs from Dream Theater...That what actually made me listen to it...And guess what...Dream Theater is no where near this bands level either musically or lyrically. This album is actually METAL...Progressive, heavy and groovey...This album bought alotta people into metal! This album has the perfect combination of neo-classic, old school metal and progressive power metal...I think...Russel (vocals) is just outstanding...Nothing to compare with James of Dream Theater...Romeo, a very great guitarist that I can really say that is the master out-there...This album is a must for real musicians who appreciate progressive metal at its best...This album has feelings, it has meanings and has music which will touch you deep inside...This is the album which changed my musical life and as a musician, progressive music is not only about odd timings and "who-plays-200-notes-per-second"...It's also about melodies and musical feelings...That is this album...Long live Symphony X!"

Quite simply a masterpiece

Bodom J | Bethpage, TN United States | 02/12/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although i call The Odyssey my favorite symphony x album, this cd is right on his heals. Featuring 9 tracks and being over an hour long, this cd is a pretty deep, bulky release by the worlds greatest progressive band, and one of the best metal bands ever. Track one, Of Sins And Shadows, opens up the cd perfectly. It's a pretty good rocker, pretty fast at time with a good heavy sharp main riff to the song. Scattered throughout the song is opera like passages of people signing, pretty cool. Allen's voice is growling on this song, will cut right through your ears. The Accolade has one of the sweetest keyboard parts in it ever at the first minut eor so of the song when it starts out. A pretty good, little epic song. Speaking of epics, there is the 20 minute long title track that has so many twists and turns that you'll have to listen to it at least 20 times to contain all the coolness it spits forth. The Eyes Of Medusa is one of the best songs the fab five have recorded, the chorus of the song is nothing short of deadly. Candlelight Fantasia is the last track and the quite possibly the best way a album as ever ended, any album. This song is so good that it's worth the price of this cd alone just to hear this song. It's very very very smooth flowing song despite the fact it goes from heavy and soft a lot. A epic in itself, the best song on the cd, maybe even the best song they have ever written. I cannot talk about this song enough. Think of it has been the reason the cd was made with the other 8 songs around it just good litte bonuses. Muscially, you can't get much better folks. Other than the The Odyssey, their heaviest guitar riffs are found in this cd. Drums are perfect, the bass is just amazing, and allen's vocals are extremely brutal at parts (for this type of metal anyway) and at other times he sounds like the best sing ever, he can have a very beutiful, emotional voice. One of the best singers ever. Althought i still believe that The Odyssey is a even better cd, this cd is still one of the best, second best easily. If you go to a store and find this cd, GET IT. If you see both The Odyssey and this one then it will be the best 30 somethings you will ever spend, that i promise you my fellow metal fiends."