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=== Solo albums (2003−2006) ===
=== Solo albums (2003−2006) ===
2004 saw their keyboardist Michael Pinnella release a solo album, entitled ''[[Enter By the Twelfth Gate]]''. Vocalist Russell Allen's solo debut, entitled ''[[Atomic Soul]]'', was released in summer 2005. With this album, Allen took a different musical direction from his work with Symphony X. It was considered by many—including Allen himself—a [[hard rock]] album. Also in 2005, he went on to record the album called ''[[The Battle (album)|The Battle]]'' with former [[Masterplan]] vocalist [[Jørn Lande]] under the Allen/Lande moniker. The two recorded a follow-up album entitled ''The Revenge'', released May 11, 2007. In 2005 Symphony X was featured on [[Gigantour]], a summer festival headlined by [[Megadeth]] with [[Dream Theater]] and [[Anthrax (band)|Anthrax]]. Two Symphony X songs from the tour are featured on the Gigantour DVD and CD-set, released in September 2006.
Keyboardist Michael Pinnella released a solo album, entitled ''[[Enter By the Twelfth Gate]]'', on October 12, 2004.<ref name="amazon1">{{cite web | url = http://www.amazon.com/Enter-Twelfth-Gate-Michael-Pinnella/dp/B00031R810 | title = Enter By the Twelfth Gate: Michael Pinella | accessdate = 2009-02-18 | publisher = [[Amazon.com]] | date = December 22, 2004}}</ref> Vocalist Russell Allen's solo debut, entitled ''[[Atomic Soul]]'', was released in the summer of 2005. With this album, Allen took a different musical direction from that seen in his work with Symphony X. It was considered by many—including Allen himself—to be a [[hard rock]] album.<ref name="progressiveworld">{{cite web | url = http://www.progressiveworld.net/allenrinterv.html | title = A Little Bit O' (Atomic) Soul - An Interview With Russell Allen | accessdate = 2009-02-18 | author = Turner, Joshua | date = June 3, 2005 | publisher = progressiveworld.net}}</ref> Also in 2005, he recorded an album called ''[[The Battle (album)|The Battle]]'' with former [[Masterplan]] vocalist [[Jørn Lande]] under the moniker "Allen/Lande."<ref name="metalrules">{{cite web | url = http://www.metal-rules.com/zine/content/view/411/62/ | title = Russell Allen of Allen/Lande | accessdate = 2009-02-18 | author = Sandvall, Anders | date = November 11, 2005 | publisher = metal-rules.com}}</ref> The two would later record a follow-up album entitled ''The Revenge'', released May 11, 2007.<ref name="hardrockhideout">{{cite web | url = http://hardrockhideout.com/2007/06/21/allenlande-the-revenge-release-year-2007/ | title = Allen/Lande - The Revenge (Release Year - 2007) | accessdate = 2009-02-18 | author = Rockitt, Rob | date = June 21, 2007 | publisher = hardrockhideout.com}}</ref> In 2005 Symphony X was featured on [[Gigantour]], a summer festival headlined by [[Megadeth]] with [[Dream Theater]] and [[Anthrax (band)|Anthrax]]. Two Symphony X songs from the tour, "Inferno" and "Sins and Shadows," are featured on the Gigantour DVD and CD-set, released in September 2006.<ref name="blogcritics">{{cite web | url = http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/08/23/090555.php | title = DVD Review: Gigantour 2005 | accessdate = 2009-02-18 | author = Beaumont, Christopher | date = August 23, 2006 | work = Blogcritics Magazine | publisher = blogcritics.org}}</ref><ref name="amazon2">{{cite web | url = http://www.amazon.com/Gigantour-Various-Artists/dp/B000G8NY4A | title = Gigantour: Various Artists | accessdate = 2009-02-18 | publisher = Amazon.com | date = September 5, 2006}}</ref>


=== ''Paradise Lost'' (2007−present) ===
=== ''Paradise Lost'' (2007−present) ===

Revision as of 07:25, 18 February 2009

Symphony X

Symphony X is an American progressive metal band founded in New Jersey in 1994 by guitarist Michael Romeo. Their 1997 album The Divine Wings of Tragedy and their 2000 release V: The New Mythology Suite have given the band considerable attention within the progressive metal community. Musically, Symphony X is often compared to other progressive metal bands such as Dream Theater and Fates Warning. They play in complex timings and odd meters while incorporating elements of symphonic metal and more traditional heavy metal into their sound. Their music also contains strong neo-classical elements reminiscent of Yngwie Malmsteen, Cacophony, Randy Rhoads, and other neo-classical metal artists.[9]

Biography

Debut album and The Damnation Game (1994−1995)

In early 1994 Michael Romeo (ex-Phantom's Opera, ex-Gemini) recorded a demo tape entitled The Dark Chapter. The tape attracted a fair share of attention. He then recruited bassist Thomas Miller, drummer Jason Rullo, vocalist Rod Tyler, and finally keyboard player Michael Pinnella. Their self-titled debut album was recorded in the same year, and released in Japan by the now-extinct record company Zero Corporation Label. The album was positively received in Japan and in some European markets. The second album, The Damnation Game, followed six months later. Singer Rod Tyler had left the band by then and was substituted by Russell Allen, who influenced the band's style in a noticeable way, emphasizing the classical side of Symphony X.

The Divine Wings of Tragedy and Twilight in Olympus (1996−1998)

The Divine Wings of Tragedy was the album that first gave Symphony X exposure in metal circles. It took a considerable time to record the album, with the recording sessions beginning in 1996 and concluding in 1997. The positive feedback from the specialized press served to establish Symphony X in Europe; their success in Japan only continued to grow.

At the end of 1997 and for part of the next year, Jason Rullo, their drummer, had to stay away from the band in order to solve personal issues. He was temporarily replaced by Thomas Walling. Even with a temporary drummer, the band recorded Twilight in Olympus, released in early 1998. That year also saw the first live performances from the band, which by then had already gathered many fans from around the globe. Their first official show happened in 1998, in Japan. It was soon followed by a world tour. Bassist Thomas Miller left the band and was replaced by Michael Lepond in that year.

A compilation album, Prelude to the Millennium, was released by the end of 1998. As an extra, it featured a second version of the song "Masquerade" from the first album, with Russell Allen on vocals.

V: The New Mythology Suite and The Odyssey (1999−2002)

Jason Rullo returned to the drums for the band's fifth album, V: The New Mythology Suite, released in 2000. It was the band's first release on major progressive label InsideOut Music. The album was their first concept album, dealing with the myth of Atlantis. The album features classics such as "Communion and the Oracle," "Egypt" and the mini-suite "Rediscovery," and includes pieces of classical music.

The band went on a European tour shortly after its release and recorded their first live album, Live on the Edge of Forever.

In 2002, the band released The Odyssey, an album prominently featuring a 24-minute long musical interpretation of the Homeric epic, the Odyssey.

Solo albums (2003−2006)

Keyboardist Michael Pinnella released a solo album, entitled Enter By the Twelfth Gate, on October 12, 2004.[10] Vocalist Russell Allen's solo debut, entitled Atomic Soul, was released in the summer of 2005. With this album, Allen took a different musical direction from that seen in his work with Symphony X. It was considered by many—including Allen himself—to be a hard rock album.[11] Also in 2005, he recorded an album called The Battle with former Masterplan vocalist Jørn Lande under the moniker "Allen/Lande."[12] The two would later record a follow-up album entitled The Revenge, released May 11, 2007.[13] In 2005 Symphony X was featured on Gigantour, a summer festival headlined by Megadeth with Dream Theater and Anthrax. Two Symphony X songs from the tour, "Inferno" and "Sins and Shadows," are featured on the Gigantour DVD and CD-set, released in September 2006.[14][15]

Paradise Lost (2007−present)

Lead vocalist Russell Allen performing at a concert in San Juan, Puerto Rico on May 27, 2007.

The band's album Paradise Lost, a concept album inspired by John Milton's epic poem of the same name, was recorded in Romeo's studio and released worldwide on June 26. The band claimed this work had darker themes musically.[16] The album included a special DVD of footage shot by the band throughout their history, available in FYE stores.[17] The release coincided with a 14-month world tour, including a tour through all of Europe with Dream Theater in the fall of 2007. The band also revealed plans to perform in Japan and other Asian countries, as well as appear for the first time ever in Russia, India, and the Middle East.[18]

Paradise Lost debuted at number 123 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart in the United States selling 6,300 copies in its first week. The record also debuted at number 1 on the Top Heatseekers Chart.[19]

Symphony X released their first music video for the song "Serpent's Kiss" on July 28, 2007.[20] It was followed by a video for "Set the World on Fire," released on January 11, 2008.[21] The band toured North and South America from October to November 2008, and are touring Asia in February 2009.[22][23][24]

Recording Studio : The Dungeon

The Dungeon is the studio located at the home of Symphony X's guitarist and composer Michael Romeo. The albums The Divine Wings of Tragedy and V: The New Mythology Suite were partly recorded in The Dungeon, while The Odyssey was fully recorded there and produced by Romeo himself. Symphony X spent a sum of money upgrading The Dungeon and buying state of the art orchestration software and tools for the rich symphonic arrangements in their songs.

Line-up

Current members

Former members

Discography

Year Title Type U.S. FR[25]
1994 Symphony X Studio - -
1995 The Damnation Game Studio - -
1997 The Divine Wings of Tragedy Studio - -
1998 Twilight in Olympus Studio - -
1999 Prelude to the Millennium Compilation - -
2000 V: The New Mythology Suite Studio - -
2001 Live on the Edge of Forever Live - 145
2002 The Odyssey Studio - 67
2007 Paradise Lost Studio #123 60

References

  1. ^ "Ex-Priest Halford Sets Metal Tour". United Press International, Inc. March 22, 2003. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
  2. ^ "Lamb Of God, Killswitch Engage & More: Metal File". Metal File. MTV Networks. November 8, 2007. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
  3. ^ "Things to do Wednesday, April 30". Tampa Bay Times. tampabay.com. April 30, 2008. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
  4. ^ "Review of The Divine Wings of Tragedy". metal-observer.com. January 25, 2004. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
  5. ^ "Review of V: The New Mythology Suite". metal-observer.com. 2000. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
  6. ^ Ma, Zhenyan (February 6, 2009). "Groove on progressive metal for Valentine's". Shanghai Daily. Shanghai Daily Publishing House. Retrieved 18 February 2009.
  7. ^ Edwards, Owen (March 4, 2008). "A Perfect Symphony Part One: 1970's to 2000". alloutguitar.com. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
  8. ^ Edwards, Owen (May 19, 2008). "A Perfect Symphony Part Two: 2002 - 2008". alloutguitar.com. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
  9. ^ Official Symphony X FAQ
  10. ^ "Enter By the Twelfth Gate: Michael Pinella". Amazon.com. December 22, 2004. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
  11. ^ Turner, Joshua (June 3, 2005). "A Little Bit O' (Atomic) Soul - An Interview With Russell Allen". progressiveworld.net. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
  12. ^ Sandvall, Anders (November 11, 2005). "Russell Allen of Allen/Lande". metal-rules.com. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
  13. ^ Rockitt, Rob (June 21, 2007). "Allen/Lande - The Revenge (Release Year - 2007)". hardrockhideout.com. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
  14. ^ Beaumont, Christopher (August 23, 2006). "DVD Review: Gigantour 2005". Blogcritics Magazine. blogcritics.org. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
  15. ^ "Gigantour: Various Artists". Amazon.com. September 5, 2006. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
  16. ^ 10 Questions with Symphony X
  17. ^ Exclusive Symphony X footage available at FYE
  18. ^ Official Paradise Lost Press Release
  19. ^ Paradise Lost reaches 1 on Billboard Heatseekers Chart
  20. ^ Watch Symphony X's 'Serpent's Kiss' Video Online
  21. ^ Video Premiere: Symphony X’s ‘Set the World on Fire’
  22. ^ "Symphony X Plans North East Shows In Support Of 5.1 Special Edition of "Paradise Lost"". metalunderground.com. November 6, 2008. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
  23. ^ "Symphony X Announces South American Tour Dates". metalunderground.com. August 20, 2008. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
  24. ^ "Symphony X: More Asian Tour Details Revealed". blabbermouth.net. November 18, 2008. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
  25. ^ French Charts
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