Yea I think I was not being fair in my judgement. Altought I didnt really like Nevermore or Without You that much, how you've described the album certainly gives me hope it will be a good one.
I just don't want to leak it. I want to say one thing too. This is not going to be everyone's favorite. In fact, I'd say most of the hardcore critics on here will simply like it average. I don't want to overhype it, but I wanted people to know there exists an old school sx fan who prefers this sound even to the older stuff. But it won't be the norm. By the way, there are blast beats, Russell screams in one song multiple times... There is some new ground being covered by the band that some will not enjoy. I found it all tasteful, though, and I HATE screaming.
I dont need anyone's review. I just need a link to listen myself. I will receive my CD only in september. Sad that I still dont have opportunity to listen to it
Listening to this cd for the first time on YouTube is like a sin anyways, as with any good band's work. You just miss so much.
Someone uploaded Hell and Back to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1OzVkL80rk Truly a revolutionary piece of progressive music by Symphony X. I was not expecting this level of innovation.
Symphony X's official Facebook page lists them as progressive metal. I haven't posted in eons but returned as, by chance, Underworld is releasing on my birthday. Feeling it was meant to be, I took a leap of faith and ordered it to arrive on its release date. This will be my thirtieth birthday. When I started listening to Symphony X, I was a pimply-faced derpy teenager. Practically single-handedly, SX exploded my appreciation for musical composition. I listened to The Odyssey, Accolade I/II, Communion and the Oracle, and especially the entire live album so many times I probably had a mental illness lol. When I fell on tough times, the fact that I could always listen to this band was like a security blanket. It also expanded my horizons and allowed me to enjoy many other musical experiences I would otherwise have ignored. Even though I don't listen to them very much anymore, it's hard to imagine Symphony X ever being topped as my favorite band ever. These guys have my utmost appreciation. But alas, all things change in time. Paradise Lost isn't what I expected after such a long hiatus. I gave it a chance, and learned to like it -but I didn't love it. It was the CD to go for when you just wanted the sheer metal effect (that is, if your ears could survive the audio mastering for the entire CD). It still had the signature SX "special sauce". It was just slathered over a Burger King patty instead of a steak. Sometimes you like the sauce and don't give a shit. I listened to Iconoclast exactly once. Not out of spite or disgust -I simply didn't like it that much and kept walking. But when that CD came out, I knew for sure my favorite band had gone by the wayside. And you know what? That's OK. As I approach "the big 30", I find myself shedding a lot of useless shit. Pointless attachments to possessions, habits, thought patterns, long gone relationships, or whatever else might be pointless. What better time to stop bitching and moaning over SX? Let it go guys. Damn. I don't expect Underworld to be a masterpiece, but I'll enjoy the ride as what it is. Newer SX is not bad as long as you don't compare it to their older work. That may seem hard to do, but you could be missing out on what you'd call a decent CD had it been made by another band. The band is human. They worked their asses off making that music, for our benefit. I don't think they ever got rich doing that. Let's be glad that for a LONG time, SX was about pushing the envelope. If you had the option of working far less hard and suddenly making more money, would you take it? Maybe you would choose to do so after doing us all a favor and roughing it out. That's what they did, and I don't feel we're in a position of authority to question it. They owe us nothing, in fact, for many on this forum they've given us far more than any other band. I'm still thankful for the fucking pieces of art they cranked out. Yes, I know, we should live in a perfect world where SX will always be there to take all our problems away with impossibly good music lol. To risk sounding a bit cliche, something is not beautiful because it lasts forever. Let's face it, everybody, including Romeo himself, knows there was a change. I respect change, but I can't help but feel like he's alienating his oldest fans by not only admitting it, but also backpedaling to try to make it seem like this was always the bands ethos. No it wasn't man cut that shit out lol. It's on your facebook page dude. And the old CD liners. For my 30th birthday, I will be either pleasantly surprised with a good dose of Symphony X, or find a good opportunity to let go and move on in life without selfishly judging what they do. They are, after all, a lot more popular now. Even if it's not your birthday, I think many of the forums most stalwart members would do well to have the same mindset on July 24.
That is exactly what he meant! That is probably Romeo singing! That's when wishes come true...you wanted progressive and now you got it
Why not get Iconoclast back and start listening to it, then, to enjoy it as the ride that it is (and IMHO it is a fantastic ride!)?
I also have the new album and it's great. More melodic and diverse than the last 2 albums. I think it sounds like a combination between Paradise Lost and older Symphony X whilst leaning towards PL. That might be because the production is similar to the last 2 albums. Russel Allen is again singing in a more varied way and this time isn't just using those rougher heavy metal vocals. That is definitely improvement over PL and Iconoclast. Creates more dynamic listening experience as well. It is very consistent album and keeps that high level throughout. In my opinion it lacks the absolute highlights (and lows) and that one really long epic track but it is great album nevertheless. Musically it fits between The Odyssey and PL. This being Symphony X, I reserve my final opinion for a later date.
I've been telling people that it's DWOT plus PL with the "gothic" tone of V plus new stuff. I do have to disagree that it lacks great highlights. There are some just purely awesome parts for me.
That's too bad for all the fans that have been supporting the Iconoclast coaster these past few weeks...
Samples are up on the Japanese ITunes store seeing as the album is out over there now. I had a quick listen to a few of them but I don't want to ruin my first listen of the album, I'll wait for the CD now..
I am not finding anything with that link? Just old stuff and the two new singles. I even tried searching for the new album and couldn't find anything.
Oh, my bad that link is your normal sig lol. I need to actually search for the jp itunes store myself.
Well, this is a case in which a link would have been helpful. I finally found the japanese itunes site but when I search symphony x nothing comes up...
Sorry, I don't know exactly how to link to it. I just downloaded the ITunes program onto my PC and changed the location in the iTunes Store to Japan. I hope this helps.
