Symphony X
Symphony X |
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Symphony X is an American progressive metal band from New Jersey founded 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 comparable 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, Randy Rhoads, and other neo-classical metal artists.
Biography
1994 - 1995: The First Two Albums
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 now-extinct 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.
1997: The Divine Wings of Tragedy
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.
1998: Twilight in Olympus
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.
2000: V: The New Mythology Suite
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.
2002: The Odyssey
In 2002, the band released The Odyssey, an album prominently featuring a 24-minute long musical interpretation of the Greek tale The Odyssey.
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 with former Masterplan vocalist Jørn Lande under the Allen/Lande moniker. The two recorded a follow-up album entitled The Revenge, released May 11th, 2007. 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 are featured on the Gigantour DVD and CD-set, released in September 2006.
2007: Paradise Lost
The band's new album Paradise Lost, an album with themes inspired by John Milton's epic poem of the same name, was recorded in Romeo's studio and released worldwide on June 26th. The band claimed this work had darker themes musically. In a first for the band, the album included a special DVD of footage shot by the band throughout their history, exclusively available in FYE stores.[1] This release coincided with a 14-month world tour, giving an opportunity for fans the world over to see them live. Territories include a tour through all of Europe with Dream Theater in fall 2007. The band will also play Japan, Australia, and other southeast Asia territories as well as the first ever jaunt to Russia, India, and the Middle East.
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 Billboard Heatseekers Chart.[2]
The band released a music video for " The Serpent's Kiss," which is their first music video. It was followed by their second music video for "Set The World On Fire" released on November 11, 2007.
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
- Russell Allen - vocals
- Michael Romeo - guitar
- Michael Pinnella - keyboards
- Michael Lepond - bass guitar
- Jason Rullo - drums
Former members
- Rod Tyler - Vocals (1994)
- Thomas Miller - Bass guitar (1994-2000)
- Thomas Walling - Drums (1998-2000)
Discography
| Year | Title | Type | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | - |
| 2002 | The Odyssey | Studio | - |
| 2007 | Paradise Lost | Studio | #123 |