Symphony X - Iconoclast - guest review
Symphony X - Iconoclast - guest review
Tracklist
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
Guest review by
AndMetalForAll November 24, 2011
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.
Both singles that were released before the album came out are real great contenders for any upcoming tour: both songs are very progressive and heavy, the second track the most powerful with a very inspired Michael Romeo, the third track more melodic with more sinister composed lyrics, adds great excitement to live shows. Another feature that really comes up in the first CD of Iconoclast is the amazingly well written songs and fast paced tracks accompanied by fast and "skull-crushing" solos. Although I think this first CD combines the progressive metal rather than the symphonic-power metal, it closes with "When All Is Lost" that relaxes and brings to the table a little bit of what the fans should expect of the second CD.
The second CD is, in my opinion, a more symphonic-power metal style combining amazingly and better than ever without being too "flashy", the melodic choruses with solid instrumental parts by Romeo and Rullo. The main events in this CD are definitely "Electric Messiah" and "Prometheus (I Am Alive)" both songs really well written with solid drumming style and great riffs. In spite of being more melodic, the tracks are really heavy and sometimes melancholic in terms of concept, like the "Reign In Madness" or "The Lord Of Chaos". The second half of the album is more like the last album Paradise Lost; although having great instrumental parts, most of the songs were based more in the talent of Russell Allen.
All in all, Iconoclast is a very good album that sets the bar higher. Symphony X saw that they are better heavy and progressive rather than more symphonic or power metal oriented. The band performance is a 9/10. I really enjoyed Allen's performance solidifying his position as one of the true greats of metal. Symphony X changed their direction, like I said in the beginning of this paragraph. In my opinion it's maybe the best work since V: The New Mythology Suite
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 9 |
| Songwriting: | 8 |
| Originality: | 8 |
| Production: | 8 |
Written by AndMetalForAll | November 24, 2011
Guest review disclaimer:
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
Rating:
9.0
9.0
|
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. Read more ›› |
Comments
Comments:
14
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167 users
 Posts: 2311 |
Posts: 2311
Been a long time since I don't listen to the album. I have to give it a spin again. I liked most songs, but the album didn't keep me stoked for more listens. I felt good with almost 5 listens or so. BTW, I agree the new direction suits them much better, even thou "The Divine Wings of Tragedy" is one of my fav songs ever.
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Posts: 4603
I read through some of my posts from six months ago yesterday, and I saw saying that 'although DT is my favorite prog band, they probably won't be able to top this'... boy, now I feel like putting a curse to them. I expected the new DT album to be decent (and it failed to meet even the 'average' standard), and the new SyX to be one of those boring lengthy albums - and it totally kills, I gave it a 10. It's among their top three albums for sure.
---- 7.0 means the album is good
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Posts: 21306 Written by Milena on 24.11.2011 at 10:23 It's amazing how much can change in so little time. At the beginning of the year I was thinking Mitochondrion's Parasignosis would be the album of the year for me, and now it's barely sitting inside my top 25.
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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Posts: 4603 Written by Troy Killjoy on 24.11.2011 at 10:25 Yeah, and also amazing how low my predicting skills are at the moment.
---- 7.0 means the album is good
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Posts: 9
Why are you Discussing? Go and listen to it over and over until you're dead! 
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Posts: 314
Lol...it's definitely a excellent album. Glad to see that you all agree with me... greets, AndMetalForAll
---- greets, kual21
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Posts: 314 Written by -Mayhem- on 24.11.2011 at 15:05 Don't you agree?
---- greets, kual21
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Posts: 60
Partly agree with Mayhem. great Russell Allen, always. His voice is perfect although he is using way too much its tougher side. Inspired MJR? i would say inspired for 2 or 3 songs tops. Great album though, not their best by any means.
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Posts: 189  |
Posts: 189
This album really rocks, it easily beats dream theater's new album in my opinion. All bandmembers did a great job on this one, but I would prefer the keyboards had a little bit less impact. They are to present if you ask me. Russell Allen shines as always, man he is a great singer! I agree with your rating, 8+ seems very appropriate for this album
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Posts: 1342 Written by Hollberr on 26.11.2011 at 17:56 Amen
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