Iconoclast (Symphony X album)
| Untitled | |
|---|---|
Iconoclast is the eighth album by American progressive metal band Symphony X. It was released on June 17, 2011, in Europe, June 21, 2011, in the United States[1] and on June 28, 2011, in Canada.
Theme
When interviewed, vocalist Russell Allen said that the lyrical concept of the album is based on "The idea of machines taking over everything, and all this technology we put our society into pretty much being our demise." Allen said on Heavy Metal Thunder that "it isn't a story, but rather a theme, like Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd."[2]
Album art
Illustrator and film concept artist Warren Flanagan (Watchmen, The Incredible Hulk, 2012), who designed the cover of Paradise Lost, returned as art director for Iconoclast. Sharing his creative process on the album's artwork: "The idea was to create imagery that was a little darker in tone to previous Symphony X albums and to represent the overall theme of Iconoclast into the artwork. The whole concept came from Michael Romeo, who had a strong idea of what the cover should represent based on the music. I just ran with it. When the album's title was decided on, I focused the image based on the meaning of it. I also wanted to use the band's signature 'masks' but present them in a way that connected to the new album."[3]
Reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |    [4] |
| Jukebox:Metal | [5] |
| Metal Assault | [6] |
| Metal Storm | [7] |
| Metal Temple | [8] |
| Metalholic |   [9] |
| Prog Sphere | [10] |
| Thrash Hits | [11] |
Iconoclast debuted at number 76 on the Billboard 200 album chart in the United States, selling more than 7,300 copies in its first week. The record also debuted at number 7 on the Top Hard Rock Chart, number 19 on the Top Rock Chart and number 13 on the Top Independent Chart.[12][13] The album showcases the highest chart position and the most first-week sales in the band's history.
Track listing
Iconoclast is available as a single disc as well as a special edition digipak with five extra tracks, three additional and two alternative versions from disc one. Guitarist Michael Romeo has stated that the special edition contains the track order that the band originally intended to release, but their label (Nuclear Blast) wanted a single-disc version as well. According to Romeo, the track "Reign In Madness" is the proper closing to the album.
Regular Edition
All lyrics are written by Russell Allen and Michael Romeo except where noted; all music is composed by Romeo
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Iconoclast" | 10:53 |
| 2. | "The End of Innocence" | 5:29 |
| 3. | "Dehumanized" | 6:49 |
| 4. | "Bastards of the Machine" | 4:58 |
| 5. | "Heretic" | 6:26 |
| 6. | "Children of a Faceless God" | 6:22 |
| 7. | "Electric Messiah" (Lyrics: Allen) | 6:15 |
| 8. | "Prometheus (I Am Alive)" | 6:48 |
| 9. | "When All Is Lost" | 9:10 |
Special Edition
CD 01/02
All lyrics are written by Russell Allen and Michael Romeo; all music is composed by Romeo
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Iconoclast" | 10:53 |
| 2. | "The End of Innocence" | 5:29 |
| 3. | "Dehumanized" | 6:49 |
| 4. | "Bastards of the Machine" | 4:58 |
| 5. | "Heretic" | 6:26 |
| 6. | "Children of a Faceless God" | 6:22 |
| 7. | "When All Is Lost" | 9:10 |
CD 02/02
All lyrics are written by Russell Allen and Michael Romeo, except where noted; all music is composed by Romeo
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Electric Messiah" (Lyrics: Allen) | 6:15 |
| 2. | "Prometheus (I Am Alive)" | 6:48 |
| 3. | "Light Up the Night" (Lyrics: Allen) | 5:05 |
| 4. | "The Lords of Chaos" (Lyrics: Allen) | 6:11 |
| 5. | "Reign in Madness" | 8:37 |
Personnel
- Russell Allen - vocals
- Michael Romeo - guitar
- Michael Pinnella - keyboards
- Michael Lepond - bass
- Jason Rullo - drums
Notes
- ^ "SYMPHONY X: Artwork & Track Listings Revealed". Nuclearblast.de. Retrieved 2011-03-25.
- ^ "SYMPHONY X Guitarist Interviewed On 'Heavy Metal Thunder'". Heavy Metal Thunder. May 26, 2011. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
- ^ "SYMPHONY X: New Audio Interview With RUSSELL ALLEN'". Blabbermouth. May 15, 2011. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
- ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Iconoclast - Symphony X". Allmusic. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
- ^ Jukebox:Metal review
- ^ Bansal, Aniruddh. "Symphony X: Iconoclast (Album Review)". Metal Assault. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
- ^ Anderson, Baz. "Symphony X - Iconoclast review". Metal Storm. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
- ^ Taich, Fede. "Symphony X - Iconoclast". Metal Temple. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
- ^ Rose, Rustyn. "Review: Iconoclast". Metalholic. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
- ^ Fynes, Conor (August 13, 2011). "Album: Symphony X - Iconoclast". Prog Sphere. Retrieved August 13, 2011.
- ^ Dare, Tom (June 30, 2011). "Album: Symphony X - Iconoclast". Thrash Hits. Retrieved July 6, 2011.
- ^ "Iconoclast chart position". billboard.com. June 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-30.
- ^ "Iconoclast cracks US Top 100 Sales". blabbermouth.net. June 30, 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-30.