It's not like he insults people that likes what he doesn't like. At least I don't remember seeing it. Plus Ronnie Radke is suing him. Seems like Ronnie got a good bit of fans on his side as well as people that hate Fantano
we often have differences in opinion, but I've always found his reviews to be intelligent, articulate, and well-supported, so I respect him as a professional and I find his opinions worth listening to even if I don't share them.
I wasn't aware that too many of them did, although I suppose that makes sense. People are often quick to disagree vehemently with someone who doesn't like a thing they like. I've watched Fantano only casually over the years and
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
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.
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.
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?
This album just doesn't hold up over time compared to their other releases. Some great tracks on here, but also some very, very boring moments. It's way too long for it's own good in my opinion. Not enough variety.
This album just doesn't hold up over time compared to their other releases. Some great tracks on here, but also some very, very boring moments. It's way too long for it's own good in my opinion. Not enough variety.
This album just doesn't hold up over time compared to their other releases. Some great tracks on here, but also some very, very boring moments. It's way too long for it's own good in my opinion. Not enough variety.
You are drunk
xD I wish was! I dunno. The album just gets less interesting the more I listen to it. I just lose more interest the farther I get into the album, then I hear All Is Lost and am like, "Oh cool. I like this one a lot.", and then I put in the second disc, rock out to Electric Messiah... and then am like after a couple more songs and just start listening to something else. I've been listening to Pagan's Mind's latest release... which is prob my favorite power metal album of the year so far.
This album just doesn't hold up over time compared to their other releases. Some great tracks on here, but also some very, very boring moments. It's way too long for it's own good in my opinion. Not enough variety.
You are drunk
xD I wish was! I dunno. The album just gets less interesting the more I listen to it. I just lose more interest the farther I get into the album, then I hear All Is Lost and am like, "Oh cool. I like this one a lot.", and then I put in the second disc, rock out to Electric Messiah... and then am like after a couple more songs and just start listening to something else. I've been listening to Pagan's Mind's latest release... which is prob my favorite power metal album of the year so far.
I like every single song in there, minus some on the second disc, but "Electric Messiah" is definitely the best on that one.
That's it, you've been listening to too much power metal and now your taste digressed
That's it, you've been listening to too much power metal and now your taste digressed
Nah. I still love Symphony X, just not this album in particular. And back off the Pagan's Mind album. It's awesome, and actually reminds me of classic Dream Theater a little bit. If Symphony X went away, there are great bands like them and Circus Maximus to take the progpower reins and ride into metal glory... like FUCKING CHAMPS.
That's it, you've been listening to too much power metal and now your taste digressed
Nah. I still love Symphony X, just not this album in particular. And back off the Pagan's Mind album. It's awesome, and actually reminds me of classic Dream Theater a little bit. If Symphony X went away, there are great bands like them and Circus Maximus to take the progpower reins and ride into metal glory... like FUCKING CHAMPS.
Ok, I MIGHT try it Not too interested at the moment, but I might check it out at some point.
That's it, you've been listening to too much power metal and now your taste digressed
Nah. I still love Symphony X, just not this album in particular. And back off the Pagan's Mind album. It's awesome, and actually reminds me of classic Dream Theater a little bit. If Symphony X went away, there are great bands like them and Circus Maximus to take the progpower reins and ride into metal glory... like FUCKING CHAMPS.
Ok, I MIGHT try it Not too interested at the moment, but I might check it out at some point.
I agree that Pagan's Mind beats Symphony X this year! and that is saying a lot because I love Symphony X and we go WAY back but the album that keeps bringing me back between the two is "Heavenly Ecstasy" and I can't believe that PM keeps evolving and yet never disappointing! Although I do give "Iconoclast" a solid 8.8/10!
Probably the best prog metal record of the year, though my vote is probably going elsewhere on MS awards for the sake of shedding light on some rising band
Written by Milena on 23.11.2011 at 21:29 Probably the best prog metal record of the year, though my vote is probably going elsewhere on MS awards for the sake of shedding light on some rising band
You blasphemer. Vote for who you think is the best even if it's a big-name band.
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
But you're going to vote for a band who you don't think released the best album. Just because a band isn't mainstream doesn't mean they're good.
Well I'm not talking about mainstream-ness, I'm talking about adding precious vote points to a band who won't score as much as SyX and Opeth so people who check out the scores will think 'hmmmm, 150 votes for this, it probably can't be bad, I'll check it out'. And besides, 'the best' and 'the one I like most' are not always interchargeable terms, at least for me.
Nice one, although for me not as good as "Paradise Lost". Of course when it comes to Sy X it's always a matter of top quality, but seems a bit of a step down from previous two, not so much in terms of quality but more of a feeling and emotion it goes with the songs .. but than again it's a bit of a personal feeling and impressions you have when listening to an album. But as always more than solid.
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... For years I have traveled in coldness,
But my heart is warm as the darkened sun above me...
Nothing can never take away
What I've seen with these tired eyes
I just love how the album starts.. so a movie-like slightly symphonic intro, then something like chaotic free jazz(more like the guys asserting their supremacy on their instruments while your brain explodes), then it gets slow and epic, you start to wonder when the actual song will start exactly, and then, out of nowhere, that amazing riff, so dirty, groovy and heavy, yet so Romeo, dammit I could listen to that intro forever.
I rarely vote for stuff, but imo this album really deserves the recognition it has. It's simply so qualitative on so many levels, every guy does his job amazingly and the whole album must have something like 200 riffs at least(with undoubtedly some of Romeo's best), the lyrics are stupendous, the production is amazing too. Definitely my album of the year 2011.
This is a great album if vocal shut the mouth
he bothers me when i listen to this album
his voice and singing style is so countrified
it smells like Senior's House in countryside
SUCKING OLD MAN, put down the mic, put up hiking stick, and shout in park plz.
I have a strange history with this album. First time I listened to it it didn't impress me in the slightest, on the second try I really enjoyed it and now, when I listened to it again attentively... It sounds pretty boring to me. Yes, the production is great and so is the musicianship but... It sounds too mechanical to me, just like an album artwork. And when I can't find a single daring move on progressive album it ends up being boring for me.
Or maybe I'm just not into Symphony X anymore.
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"And we are not who we think we are
We are who we're afraid to be"
- Lux Occulta "The Opening of Eleventh Sephirah"
This is the first album I've heard from them, just listened to it, and I'm really impressed by their talent. I knew R. Allen from other projects tho, so it was time to discover his "home". Some songs, or some parts of a few songs seem to be forced, like they are there only to make a long album. This could have been a 10/10 solid nine or ten song album, but they sacrificed it for the sake of progressiveness. At least this is what my ears are telling me. It was great to have a taste of what this band is about, and now I'm really looking forward to hear their earlier releases.
The upcoming new release has led me to return to SymX for the first time in what feels like potentially years. I have to say, whilst I was extremely keen on Iconoclast when it first came out (it arrived just as I was hitting the peak of my SymX passion, which has substantially dwindled since), upon revisiting it does feel quite dry and a bit bereft of real emotion for the most part. The songs are fine, the vocals are typically strong and pretty catchy, riffs are generally good, but aside from being heavy, technically adept and quite hooky it lacks some of the charisma of Paradise Lost and previous stuff. Having said that, When All Is Lost is just as good as I remembered it to be, and is clearly the standout cut from the album. It's generally good, but I do hope some of the 'macho' feel of this one is diminshed on Underworld.
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?
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Our children are dead. Burnt in the ruins that were left by war.
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?
The last three albums are probably the 'heaviest' ones, so it might be interesting to work your way backwards through their discography, starting with this album. I personally think the latest one is their weakest yet, but it might also be worth a spin if you really dig this one.
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?
The last three albums are probably the 'heaviest' ones, so it might be interesting to work your way backwards through their discography, starting with this album. I personally think the latest one is their weakest yet, but it might also be worth a spin if you really dig this one.
I appreciate the feedback! back in 2003 I picked up a copy of V: The New Mythology Suite, and it came off as really cheesy (which is weird considering I love a lot of power metal I.e blind guardian, rhapsody, sonata arctica, even hammerfall and things like manowar) but just a second ago i went on youtube and put on the paradise lost album, I suppose I will see where that takes me. (I've been listening to things like the new Disharmonia mundi, Born of Osiris, even job for a cowboy's suneater, so i thought perhaps it was just a timing thing, but no, i just played nightfall in middleearth by guardian and was like "fuck yea, still love this" so i dunno *shrugs shoulders*)
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Our children are dead. Burnt in the ruins that were left by war.
I appreciate the feedback! back in 2003 I picked up a copy of V: The New Mythology Suite, and it came off as really cheesy (which is weird considering I love a lot of power metal I.e blind guardian, rhapsody, sonata arctica, even hammerfall and things like manowar) but just a second ago i went on youtube and put on the paradise lost album, I suppose I will see where that takes me. (I've been listening to things like the new Disharmonia mundi, Born of Osiris, even job for a cowboy's suneater, so i thought perhaps it was just a timing thing, but no, i just played nightfall in middleearth by guardian and was like "fuck yea, still love this" so i dunno *shrugs shoulders*)
You're welcome.
I don't see how Symphony X is cheesier than those bands you mentioned though To me it's one of the least cheesy power-ish metal bands I can think of.
I appreciate the feedback! back in 2003 I picked up a copy of V: The New Mythology Suite, and it came off as really cheesy (which is weird considering I love a lot of power metal I.e blind guardian, rhapsody, sonata arctica, even hammerfall and things like manowar) but just a second ago i went on youtube and put on the paradise lost album, I suppose I will see where that takes me. (I've been listening to things like the new Disharmonia mundi, Born of Osiris, even job for a cowboy's suneater, so i thought perhaps it was just a timing thing, but no, i just played nightfall in middleearth by guardian and was like "fuck yea, still love this" so i dunno *shrugs shoulders*)
You're welcome.
I don't see how Symphony X is cheesier than those bands you mentioned though To me it's one of the least cheesy power-ish metal bands I can think of.
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.
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Our children are dead. Burnt in the ruins that were left by war.
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?