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Sunday Old School: Symphony X

For all the stereotypes that exist about heavy metal fans being mindless head bangers, who just want music that’s loud, fast and full of shouting, there is also a full awareness that heavy metal has a long history of complex arrangements and a penchant for storytelling. Many bands over the years have become highly skilled at this, many of which in the progressive metal genre, which is an area we’ll be looking at today as we examine American prog metallers, Symphony X.

The seeds of Symphony X were sown in 1994 when guitarist, Michael Romeo released his instrumental solo album, "The Dark Chapter," on which he was joined by keyboard player, Michael Pinnella. The album was something of a success in Japan and the two decided to expand their partnership by bringing in vocalist, Rod Tyler, drummer Jason Rullo and bass player, Thomas Miller and christened their new outfit, Symphony X, which was also the name of their first album released later the same year. It was another well received release in Japan, leading to a sophomore full length only six months later, though in this short time, the group had parted company with Rod Tyler and recruited singer, Russell Allen.

This resulting album, "The Damnation Game," was received better by North Americans, who seemed less than impressed by their debut, although it still wasn’t considered as a great album. However, their status was to grow considerably when they released their third record, "The Divine Wings of Tragedy" in 1997. They recorded the album in Europe over quite a long period of time, but it seemed to be worth it, increasing their popularity in Japan even further and bringing them significant European recognition, as well as garnering the best reviews in their career up to that point.

By the end of the year, the constant work seemed to take its toll on Rullo, who requested some time away from the group so he could solve some personal problems. He was temporarily replaced by Thomas Walling, who performed drums on the fourth Symphony X album, "Twilight in Olympus," released at the beginning of 1998. The record didn’t receive the same praise as its predecessor, but critics still found much to like including songs such as, "Through the Looking Glass" and "Lady of the Snow," the latter inspired by the Japanese figure, Yuki-onna.

Surprisingly, it was only after their fourth album did Symphony X begin performing live shows. Quite naturally, their first show took place in Japan, before they embarked upon a world tour. Following these live shows, bassist Thomas Miller left and was replaced by Michael Lepond, however they welcomed Jason Rullo back to the fold following the release of a compilation album, "Prelude to the Millennium." His first release upon returning was the concept album, "V – The New Mythology Suite," based upon the story of the lost city of Atlantis. The record also expanded upon their classical influences, bringing in excerpts from composers such as Mozart and Verdi amongst others, in addition to their established progressive metal sound.

Touring for, "V..." took them across Europe and South America, where they recorded their first live album, "Live on the Edge of Forever," which was released in November 2001, one year before their sixth album, "The Odyssey." As the title suggests, the focus of the album was on the Greek epic poem, Homer’s Odyssey, with a nearly twenty five minute long title track exploring the tale of Homer. The band’s increasing ability to tell long, fantastical stories earned them favourable comparisons to the likes of Iron Maiden and Queensryche and they soon found themselves on the lips of many metal fans in North America, especially when they were invited to take part in the Gigantour, headlined by Megadeth and featuring other such renowned bands like Anthrax.

The next year, Symphony X took their time on their seventh album, another effort inspired by an epic poem, this time John Milton's, Paradise Lost, the title of which the band also used for the record. When it was finally released in June 2007, along with a bonus DVD showcasing footage from throughout their career, it debuted on the Billboard album charts at number 123 and topping the Heatseekers charts. The group embarked on a world tour which lasted over a year, including a thorough tour of Europe with fellow progressive metal act, Dream Theater and returned to Asia for shows, including previously unvisited areas such as the Middle East. The album also spawned the band’s first music videos, firstly for, "Serpent’s Kiss," then for, "Set the World on Fire."

A four year wait followed between "Paradise Lost" and the group’s next studio album, "Iconoclast," where Symphony X stepped in Fear Factory’s territory and based the lyrics around the idea of machines taking over the world and proving to be the downfall of mankind. It was released in June 2011 and debuted at 76 on the Billboard albums chart, which is presently their highest chart position in their native United States. In 2013, the band revealed that Jason Rullo had been admitted to hospital after suffering a heart failure and would be undertaking a rehab programme which could last up to six months.

Once again, his place in the band was reserved, but a temporary replacement, John Macaluso, would be filling in for upcoming tour dates. Rullo has since returned to the fold once more and the band are once again on the minds, and hopefully soon in the hands, of progressive metal fans as their ninth album, "Underworld," will be hitting the shelves this week. Where it fits in the Symphony X catalogue remains to be known, but what is known as that the band have secured their place in progressive metal history with their ambitious music and epic story telling. Long may their creativity flow.

Symphony X - "Rapture or Pain"

Symphony X - "The Damnation Game"

Symphony X - "Of Sins and Shadows"

Symphony X - "Smoke and Mirrors"

Symphony X - "Evolution (The Grand Design)"

Symphony X - "The Odyssey"

Symphony X - "Set the World On Fire"

Symphony X - "Dehumanized"