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. [1] 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. [2]
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SYMPHONY X TICKETS
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Biography
The Dark Chapter
, Symphony X
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
, which featured himself and keyboard player
Michael Pinnella.
[3] The tape attracted a fair share of attention, particularly in
Japan.
[3] He then recruited bassist
Thomas Miller, drummer
Jason Rullo, vocalist
Rod Tyler, and finally keyboard player
Michael Pinnella.
[5] Their
self-titled debut album was recorded in the same year, and released to a positive reception in Japan by the now-extinct record company Zero Corporation Label.
[6] The band's second studio album,
The Damnation Game
, followed six months later. Singer Rod Tyler had left the band by then and was replaced by current singer
Russell Allen.
[7]
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.
[8] 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.
[9] Also in 2005, he recorded an album called
The Battle
with former
Masterplan vocalist
Jørn Lande under the moniker "Allen/Lande."
[10] The two would later record a follow-up album entitled
The Revenge
, released May 11, 2007.
[11] 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 "Of Sins and Shadows," are featured on the Gigantour DVD and CD-set, released in September 2006.
[12] [13]
Paradise Lost
(2007-present)
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, 2007. The band claimed this work had darker themes musically.
[14] The album included a special DVD of footage shot by the band throughout their history, available in
FYE stores.
[15] The release coincided with a 14-month world tour, including a tour through all of Europe with
Dream Theater in the fall of 2007.
[16] 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.
[17]
Paradise Lost
debuted at number 123 on the
Billboard 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.
[18] [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. The band are also currently in the process of gathering material for a Live DVD.
[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
- Russell Allen - vocals (1994-present)
- Michael Romeo - guitar (1994-present)
- Michael Pinnella - keyboards (1994-present)
- Michael Lepond - bass guitar (2000-present)
- Jason Rullo - drums (1994-1998, 2000-present)
Former members
- Rod Tyler - vocals (1994)
- Thomas Miller - bass guitar (1994-2000)
- Thomas Walling - drums (1998-2000)
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
|
Music videos
- The Serpent's Kiss - 2007
- Set The World On Fire - 2008
References
- Fates Warning: Awaken the Guardian (Expanded Edition) - PopMatters Music Review
- Official Symphony X FAQ: Who influenced each of the band members?
- Symphony X
- Symphony X Band Info: Members: Michael Romeo
- Official Symphony X FAQ: Why did Rod and Jason, and Tom Walling leave the band? How did you find Russell?
- Enter By the Twelfth Gate: Michael Pinella
- A Little Bit O' (Atomic) Soul - An Interview With Russell Allen
- Russell Allen of Allen/Lande
- Allen/Lande - The Revenge (Release Year - 2007)
- DVD Review: Gigantour 2005
- Gigantour: Various Artists
- 10 Questions with Symphony X
- Bonus dvd, tour dates, and sales figures, oh my!
- Official ''Paradise Lost'' Press Release
- ''Paradise Lost'' reaches 1 on Billboard Heatseekers Chart
- ''Paradise Lost'' Sales
- Watch Symphony X's 'Serpent's Kiss' Video Online
- Video Premiere: Symphony X’s ‘Set the World on Fire’
- Symphony X Plans North East Shows In Support Of 5.1 Special Edition of "Paradise Lost"
- Symphony X Announces South American Tour Dates
- Symphony X: More Asian Tour Details Revealed
- Recherche pour: Symphony X