Symphony X - The Odyssey

Year of Release: 2002
Label: InsideOut
Catalog Number: IOMCD 109
Format: CD
Total Time: 65:10:00

What can I possibly say about Symphony X's 6th and latest studio album? Buy it! But that would be a very short review. Since this is the first time I review an album, I would like to make an effort to say a bit more. I have had the privilege to meet Russell Allen during the Star One featuring Ayreon tour. At that occasion, he already treated us with a few songs from the new album.

Musically The Odyssey is much heavier and crunchier than the previous albums and this already shows in the first track "Inferno (Unleash The Fire)." Even though being a rock solid song, it still misses a sparkle sound-wise. It sounds like the band is playing the songs in a room. But after comparing it to the sound of their second album The Damnation Game (1995), it sounds almost the same, so I guess it's just the way it is meant to sound. Russell Allen proves his voice has an incredible range and really goes over the top. Although most songs are dominated by Russell's powerful voice and Michael Romeo's guitar, there is room for some orchestration, like in the songs "Accolade II" and "Awakenings." And then there is this fantastic epic of a little over 24 minutes: "The Odyssey," which consists of 7 parts. This once again shows the bands' interest in mythology, as predecessor V dealt with the legend of Atlantis and this album the The Iliad by the Greek writer Homerus. [Well, it'd be The Odyssey, actually ?PW ed.] This epic song is worth the purchase of the album alone!! Not to mention the great artwork ...

In closing: The Odyssey truly is a masterpiece. It really shows the progression the band has made. It is a rawer, crunchier and heavier album, which after a few spins has become one of my favorite albums. I'm certain it will be one of yours too...

Similar bands: Dream Theater, Star One

[This review originally appeared November 2002 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]

Tracklisting:
Inferno (Unleash The Fire) (5:32) / Wicked (5:30) / Incantations Of The Apprentice (4:19) / Accolade II (7:04) / King Of Terrors (6:16) / The Turning (4:42) / Awakenings (8:18) / The Odyssey (24:09): Part I: Odysseus' Theme/Overture - Part II: Journey To Ithaca - Part III: The Eye - Part IV: Circe (Daughter Of The Sun) - Part V: Sirens - Part VI: Scylla And Charybdis - Part VII: The Face Of The Suitors/Champion Of Ithaca (Masquerade '98 - bonus track taken from the "Prelude To The Millennium" will appear on the limited edition release which will also include an extended booklet)

Musicians:
Michael Romeo - guitar
Russell Allen - vocals
Michael Pinnella - keyboards
Jason Rullo - drums
Michael Lepond - bass

Discography:
Symphony X (1994)
The Damnation Game (1995)
The Divine Wings Of Tragedy (1997)
Twilight In Olympus (1998)
V - The New Mythology Suite (2000)
Live On The Edge Of Forever (2001)
The Odyssey (2002)
Paradise Lost (2007)
Iconoclast (2011)
Underworld (2015)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin US

Added: June 2nd 2005
Reviewer: Marcel Haster
Score:
Artist website: www.symphonyx.com
Hits: 1893
Language: english