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Symphony X - Iconoclast



8.4 | 805 votes |
Release date: 17 June 2011
Style: Symphonic power metal, Progressive metal

Owners:

776 have it
138 want it


Disc I [jewel-case edition]
01. Iconoclast
02. The End Of Innocence
03. Dehumanized
04. Bastards Of The Machine
05. Heretic
06. Children Of A Faceless God
07. Electric Messiah
08. Prometheus (I Am Alive)
09. When All Is Lost

Disc I [special edition Digipak]
01. Iconoclast
02. The End Of Innocence
03. Dehumanized
04. Bastards Of The Machine
05. Heretic
06. Children Of A Faceless God
07. When All Is Lost

Disc II
01. Electric Messiah
02. Prometheus (I Am Alive)
03. Light Up The Night
04. The Lords Of Chaos
05. Reign In Madness

The best Progressive Metal album of 2011

Staff review by
Baz Anderson
Rating:
9.0
After a run of hugely successful albums, Symphony X have the expectations of the world on them for the release of album number eight, a concept album on man's growing reliance on technology; Iconoclast. A trademark crushing Michael Romeo riff opens up the album bravely with the eleven-minute long title track.

Iconoclast is a culmination of elements from the band's history with a harder edge than before. Everything that made the last Symphony X albums so enjoyable can be found on here somewhere; the progressive dynamics, Romeo's masterful guitar riffs, or the voice of one of our generation's greatest metal singers. Russell Allen's singing is once again one of the most enjoyable aspects of Symphony X, although at various points he does emulate Ronnie Dio's mannerisms a little too closely.

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published 12.06.2011 | Comments (113)

Guest review by
AndMetalForAll
Rating:
8.4
Symphony X returns after four years of absence. Iconoclast before the release was regarded as one of the most expected albums of the year. The confirmation of the new direction of the band, in my opinion, was one of my true concerns.

The album is divided in two CDs, the first one a more powerful, progressive, and strong style. For me the band is way better and feels more comfortable in this style. Every performance is really great, combining amazing vocal abilities, strong riffs and fast drum parts. The first CD starts with one of the best songs of the album, the homonymous "Iconoclast" with a great Russell Allen showing that he is one of the best metal singers nowadays. The opening song sets the tone for what comes next, probably the most enraged set of straight songs Symphony X had the talent to compose.

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published 24.11.2011 | Comments (14)

12.07.2011
I usually try to pick less known stuff, but this time it has to be Symphony X. Iconoclast is utterly brilliant. It's the most brilliant release I've heard in 3 years. It's also the best-produced fucking brilliant metal album in history. Oh, did I mention that it's brilliant?

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Comments: 158   Visited by: 1982 users
19.08.2015 - 23:24
Zap
Guest
Written by Danny Thomas on 19.08.2015 at 20:10

I agree with you, which was my point, that's why I'm confused why I can;t get into them more. maybe to me, symphony x sounds like it takes itself a bit more seriously, and therefore comes off more gimmicky? still figuring it out, but i was digging this album, and i'm going to try to keep an open mind when going back over their other stuff.

Oh, I get ya now. Anyways, good luck on your Symphony X journey, I hope you enjoy them more this time around.
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20.08.2015 - 04:59
Danny Thomas

Written by Vikcen on 19.08.2015 at 22:31

Written by Danny Thomas on 19.08.2015 at 12:36

This is one of those bands that seems to be very hit or miss for people. Throughout the years I have attempted to get into them and for whatever reason this is the first of their albums that seemed to catch my attention with any consistency. Perhaps it feels a bit heavier and that's maybe what they needed for me to keep listening? Can anyone here try to sell me on other albums by this band?





that's actually pretty good. there is a certain intensity and heaviness that talks to my soul. some of the other songs from that album seem a tad weak. but that one caught my attention this morning when going through their discography.
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Our children are dead. Burnt in the ruins that were left by war.
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20.08.2015 - 05:04
Danny Thomas

Written by Zap on 19.08.2015 at 23:24

Written by Danny Thomas on 19.08.2015 at 20:10

I agree with you, which was my point, that's why I'm confused why I can;t get into them more. maybe to me, symphony x sounds like it takes itself a bit more seriously, and therefore comes off more gimmicky? still figuring it out, but i was digging this album, and i'm going to try to keep an open mind when going back over their other stuff.

Oh, I get ya now. Anyways, good luck on your Symphony X journey, I hope you enjoy them more this time around.


their newer stuff is hitting the palate a bit better, but at the same time, it almost feels like a different style. as a fan of the band does that bother you? for instance, I am a huge in flames fan, and after clayman, I had to adapt to their new style. come clarity was a struggle, but i found things to like about it. sense of purpose completely lost me, sounds of a playground fading had some moments but overall didnt do it for me. oddly enough siren charms (which everyone seems to completely hate) was a step up for me, and gave me reason to attempt to continue to be a fan again. so from your perspective, what do you feel was their peak sound and what do you feel about them now?
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Our children are dead. Burnt in the ruins that were left by war.
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21.08.2015 - 00:43
Zap
Guest
Written by Danny Thomas on 20.08.2015 at 05:04

their newer stuff is hitting the palate a bit better, but at the same time, it almost feels like a different style. as a fan of the band does that bother you? for instance, I am a huge in flames fan, and after clayman, I had to adapt to their new style. come clarity was a struggle, but i found things to like about it. sense of purpose completely lost me, sounds of a playground fading had some moments but overall didnt do it for me. oddly enough siren charms (which everyone seems to completely hate) was a step up for me, and gave me reason to attempt to continue to be a fan again. so from your perspective, what do you feel was their peak sound and what do you feel about them now?

I don't mind them taking a different approach so much, I prefer it over a band releasing the same album over and over, but I do think they started going downhill quality-wise. Their golden age will probably always be 1997-2002 with V: The New Mythology Suite being their peak as far as I'm concerned. I still really liked Paradise Lost, which was already more in their heavier, modern sound so it's not that the new sound bothers me. However, Iconoclast was significantly weaker than anything they had done before, save for a few tracks. Again, not necessarily the style, but it felt like most of the tracks were fillers, with 2 or 3 really great ones. In general I think the band has been getting less interesting with each release since The Odyssey and chances are I will never revisit their latest album. It wasn't terrible, but just left me extremely indifferent.
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22.08.2015 - 08:37
Danny Thomas

Written by Zap on 21.08.2015 at 00:43

Written by Danny Thomas on 20.08.2015 at 05:04

their newer stuff is hitting the palate a bit better, but at the same time, it almost feels like a different style. as a fan of the band does that bother you? for instance, I am a huge in flames fan, and after clayman, I had to adapt to their new style. come clarity was a struggle, but i found things to like about it. sense of purpose completely lost me, sounds of a playground fading had some moments but overall didnt do it for me. oddly enough siren charms (which everyone seems to completely hate) was a step up for me, and gave me reason to attempt to continue to be a fan again. so from your perspective, what do you feel was their peak sound and what do you feel about them now?

I don't mind them taking a different approach so much, I prefer it over a band releasing the same album over and over, but I do think they started going downhill quality-wise. Their golden age will probably always be 1997-2002 with V: The New Mythology Suite being their peak as far as I'm concerned. I still really liked Paradise Lost, which was already more in their heavier, modern sound so it's not that the new sound bothers me. However, Iconoclast was significantly weaker than anything they had done before, save for a few tracks. Again, not necessarily the style, but it felt like most of the tracks were fillers, with 2 or 3 really great ones. In general I think the band has been getting less interesting with each release since The Odyssey and chances are I will never revisit their latest album. It wasn't terrible, but just left me extremely indifferent.


sometimes a band needs a lineup adjustment to get some inspiration. good example was arch enemy. when the new singer joined, i felt the new album(although a bit more of a mainstream sound) had fresh air pumped into it. i had pretty much stopped listening to them after it seemed every album would sound the same. maybe they need a breath of fresh air. btw, i listening to the newest symphony x album and was much less impressed than iconoclast. a bit bland overall :/
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Our children are dead. Burnt in the ruins that were left by war.
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02.05.2016 - 14:18
Rating: 9
Mountain King
K i K o
The iconoclast track main riff (The fast one) is the best riff ever created in my opinion...
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18.01.2019 - 18:09
Rating: 8
nonZero

Not as strong as the previous 5, but still a highly enjoyable listen. Romeo's songwriting and playing abilities impress me more and more each day! If I could write and play half as good as him I'd be happy.
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22.07.2021 - 15:39
kevindebrajne
Account deleted
Bruh that moment when bonus track is the best track on the album
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