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Is this as good as the Odyssey? Up to par with New Mythology? The better version of Divine Wings? Forget all those questions. What if this was Sym X's first and only album? What if you had never heard anything from Sym X before? The latter was the situation I found myself in, and then, after hearing every single track from every other Symphony X album from TDWOT on, none of it compares to this. Not a single part of a single song had me more engaged, more excited, or more satisfied, than any and every moment of this album. Much like many people consider Opeth's Blackwater Park to be their masterpiece, and I do not (see Still Life), many people consider this a step down from much of their previous work. I don't see any steps. I'm not comparing this album to their others, or to anything else I've heard for that matter, which seems to be something everyone (including myself) does, with one band or set of albums or another.
No, all I can think about when I listen to this is how it makes me feel. Apparently this is progressive power metal. That doesn't matter to me either. To me, this is simply everything I've ever wanted to hear out of a straight up metal album. And even beyond that, it's everything I like to hear in my music. Powerful, sung vocals, blazing guitar solos, inventive, original, and fluid riffs, tight, intuitive drumming, intelligently intertwined, and background keyboards and epic choruses that support the band's sound rather than feature in it. Identifiable, yet subtle bass work that lends muscle to the main guitar's speed, beautifully constructed ballads with great lyrics, long, multi-faceted songs...I could go on, but it would be easy enough by now for someone who disagrees with me to counter my points, and someone whose never heard this before to decide if they should pick it up or not. In the end, we all have that special place in our minds and our hearts that when something we hear hits that, it becomes an all time favorite, a personal classic, and something that few other albums can touch. Paradise Lost didn't hit that place for me. It created it. Bias is a position that stands defiant in the face of a plethora of contradicting evidence, opinions, and information. But my ears have heard nothing that can tell me that this isn't the best album Symphony X has made, or one of the best metal albums of the 21st century.
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Album Rating: 5.0
I actually wanted this to be a sound off, but apparently I made it too long and it got moved to a review, so I apologize for the super short length, especially considering the 5 rating.
On the other hand, almost no one would ever agree to this being a 5 anyway, no matter how long or involved I made this review, so considering that, I kind of like it how it is. I'll beef it up later with a nice TBT if ya'll want, but I doubt it's necessary at this point.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
AngelPhoenix,
You did a good job with this short review but if you are going to give it a 5, I think a little more justification behind a rating this high needs to be done. Maybe just add a few paragraphs talking about guitars, drums or a bit more reasoning behind why you think this is a classic (I don't know, use your imagination hahahahaha). At least your wording and grammar is excellent.
I thought this album was really shitty. It was just so boring to listen to. I guess power metal isnt my thing.
Edit: sorry about my comment above. I had no idea you were trying to make this a soundoff. My bad!This Message Edited On 02.16.08
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
I thought this album was really shitty. It was just so boring to listen to
Same could be said of Given to the Rising. It wouldn't be true, but it could be said ;) lol.
I guess power metal IS my thing. This Message Edited On 02.16.08
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
Hahahahah sorry, I didn't mean for that to sound insulting towards your opinion. I just gave my two cents hahaha!
And No, Given to the Rising could never sound boring if you have an ear for good music hahaha.
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I just bought this CD earlier today.
This has inspired me to spin it when my Iron Maiden CD is done
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A couple sentences were too long, but I guess I do that myself as well. Make it a bit longer and this will be fine to me.
I've listened to the first four tracks, and it does kinda bore me. Guess I'm more interested in 'dramatic' power metal (Nightwish, Kamelot) than the speedy stuff (Dragonforce, Symphony X).
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Honestly, of my four 5 ratings, Moonsorrow is the only one that really deserves it. The others are just how I feel about them, much more emotionally based than content based. I've also got several 4.5's that probably should be 5s (see Disillusion's Back to times of Splendor and Death's Symbolic) but just don't make me feel the way my 5's do. That's all it comes down to really, which is why it's hard for me to justify this kind of rating for this kind of album. But still, I guess there is something to be said for making yourself heard, even if everyone throws fruit at you afterwards lol. This Message Edited On 02.16.08
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
I rate my 5's like that too AP!
Reviews are all opinions anyways. Everybody who throws fruit at you has had fruit thrown at themselves too at one point or another for their opinions.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Thanks wizard, you've had my back since I started posting here, I really appreciate your support. No homo and all that, just a pound and a slap on the back if I could reach you lol.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
No butt buddy loving? Damn! hahahaha jk.
No problem dude, I really respect intelligence on this website.
About this album, I will check this album out again since you hold this album in such high regard. Plus your tastes in music are killer to begin with; your opinion has some merit to it!
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
It was a good review despite the length. However, this is no where near a 5 for me. It's really good, but SymX has better.
V: New Mythology Suite>The Odyssey>TDWOT>Paradise Lost>Damnation Game>Twilight in Olympus>self titled.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
HAS better, or you like better? ;)
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This is easily Symphony X's worst album. I can't stand the thing, to be perfectly honest...absolutely tasteless wanking with terrible songwriting. They used to be wanky but could put together a decent song or two, but this entire thing is garbage if you ask me.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
They used to be wanky but could put together a decent song or two
Why are you looking at this review? lol Speaking of fruit that was a fkin pineappleThis Message Edited On 02.16.08
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Pretty good review. I wouldn't say this is a five star album but it is pretty good. The title track is really quite awesome.
I said this in another review discussion and I'll say it again though; for me the low point of the album was the solos. The guitarist starts off strongly with great ideas but then just breaks into senseless shredding. I wasn't fan of that. Everything else was pretty damn good though.
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the only problem i have with the review is where you say that you are not comparing it to their other albums, yet at the beginning of the review you compare it to their other albums.
you even say "after hearing every single track from every other Symphony X album from TDWOT on, none of it compares to this"
and tbqh, saying an album doesnt even compare is still comparing lol
other than my stupid b*tching, it's a decent enough reviewThis Message Edited On 02.16.08
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
saying an album doesnt even compare is still comparing
That's actually a really good point lol. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm not equating Set the World On Fire with Inferno or Evolution, or the Eyes of Medusa with Domination and saying which song/style is better and why. I was trying to say how much I love this album, and at the same time say that none of Sym X's other stuff is as good as this (imo) so yeah, it was a sticky spot I put myself into.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
I was like you as well, I hadnt heard any Symphony X before this. I thought this was amazing at first (4.5), but I ended up listening to this so many freakin times I got tremendously bored.
This is definitely better than The Odyssey
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
The Odyssey is a lot better than this...but this still rules.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
[quote=Bfhurricane]This is definitely better than The Odyssey[/quote]
[quote=bodominflames]The Odyssey is a lot better than this[/quote]
See, this is the dilemma I find myself in whenever I have to try and explain why I love this album so much lol. I just do 
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