Band:	Symphonia Melonia
Album:	A New Beginning
Style:	Neoclassical power metal
Website:	http://www.symphoniaworld.com/
Release date:	2003
A review by:	Undercraft

01. The Silent Man
02. Under The Spell / Prelude
03. Dungeon Of The Silver Serpent
04. Of Lust And Faith
05. Dragonforce
06. Hybrid Creation
07. Open Your Eyes
08. Avicenna's Touch
09. This Scepter In My Hand
10. Nine Saints

Think Yngwie Malmsteen, now think of Malaysia, then create a connection of any kind between them, you can't right? Well, let me help you with this issue by introducing Symphonia Melonia, a Heavy Metal from Malaysia heavily influenced by Yngwie Malmsteen and other classical composers.

This obscure and rare jewel is a hard find, even in the internet, so we're lucky to have a review of this band in our pages, and god knows it was hard to get this Cd!
So, Symphonia Melonia sings in English (even if they're from Asia) and like I said before most of their compositions could be compared to Yngwie Malmsteen, because the formula is quite the same, Heavy metal with speedy arrangements and classical music influences, of course, the presence of a guitar virtuoso is a must-have in a band like this, and for this matter they have not one but 3 axemen on the line up, quite impressive if you ask me.

I love the music that Symphonia Melonia displays on this, their debut album entitled "A New Beginning", ok, maybe the music is a little out of date, I mean, in the eighties this kind of mix was very popular but I fear that not anymore?

But don't be worried by that, because this is a great album and contain great tunes like "This Sceptre In My Hand", in this song they use a very known excerpt of the Caprice of Paganini, used too much in Metal I think?
"Of Lust And Faith" is another excellent song that starts very moody and slow, and then becomes this excellent speed piece of epic proportions with an excellent classical interlude taken from the Violin Concerto of Vivaldi.

Is not strange to find some excerpts from the work of Paganini, Bach, Vivaldi among others in the songs of Symphonia Melonia, they take very seriously their work as musical virtuosos, and it really shows in the quality of the musicianship and songwriting.

A must have for those fans of virtuoso musicians, guitar solos with classical scales and overall good production, and don't forget the rarity value to have a Metal Cd from Malaysia! Yngwie Malmsteen: eat your pride and retire!!