Band:	Symphony X
Album:	Underworld
Style:	Symphonic power metal, Progressive metal
Release date:	July 2015

01. Overture
02. Nevermore
03. Underworld
04. Without You
05. Kiss Of Fire
06. Charon
07. To Hell And Back
08. In My Darkest Hour
09. Run With The Devil
10. Swan Song
11. Legend

After 4 years of waiting since the release of Iconoclast, Symphony X return with Underworld, an album that may divide fans of the band depending on the expectations placed on this 9th studio effort. Here we have an album of safe yet solid progressive metal tracks with few risks taken in terms of song structure, and another step away from any neoclassical elements present on earlier albums.

Underworld is a heavy progressive album with an abundance of power metal elements thrown in. "Underworld" clearly demonstrates this and really deserved to be the album opener instead of the mid-tempo and somewhat uninspired "Nevermore". Russell Allen stands out on the former with a powerful soaring chorus mixed with more aggressive vocals towards the end of the track. Despite this mistake in the order of the tracks, Underworld does enough to keep the 65 minutes interesting. Ballads like "Without You" and "Swansong" are placed between heavy tracks and just when things might get a bit samey the band throw an epic like "To Hell And Back" in the mix.

Michael Romeo continues to impress as a quality guitarist with technical yet somehow tasteful guitar solos and the ability to hold back during choruses, allowing Russell Allen to shine instead. It's just a shame that several tracks are carried with uninteresting riffs that seem beneath him. I was pleasantly surprised with the heaviness of "Kiss Of Fire," a track utilising some brief blasts on the drums and a fantastic vocal performance. It is clear from the performance of Russell Allen that he has been influenced by his work in other projects like Adrenaline Mob and Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

Despite describing the album as safe, there are some stand out moments where Symphony X extend beyond concise 5 or 6 minute tracks. "To Hell And Back" has an amazing intro that carries as a theme throughout the entire track. It's a fantastic song and has every band member on top form. Fortunately, this 9 minute track isn't the only one that shows the prowess of each band member. I was very impressed with the keyboards which seemed to always be there in the background and would suddenly appear at the forefront with a solo to stop the guitar dominating each song.

What is clear from Underworld is that Symphony X is capable of writing fine-tuned progressive metal. The album flows pretty well and has enough hooks and emotional moments to stop it simply being a technical demonstration. It is a solid effort with "Run With The Devil" being the only track that could perhaps be described as filler and the lyrics sometimes being a bit inferior to the music. Songs are catchy, riffs are for the most part memorable and do not overstay their welcome. All of this is made possible through excellent production and songwriting from a band that knows how to produce real quality musically even when playing it safe. Underworld may become divisive, but it is a solid effort that deserves your attention.