Symphony X

Symphony X is a North American progressive metal band from New Jersey founded in 1994 by guitarist Michael Romeo. Their 1997 album The Divine Wings of Tragedy and their 2000 release The New Mythology Suite brought the band atop the mainstream progressive metal field. Musically Symphony X is similar although heavier than most other progressive metal bands to which they are commonly compared to: Dream Theater, Fates Warning and Pain of Salvation. They play in a style similar to that of power metal acts DragonForce and Rhapsody, however in a very syncopated, progressive fashion, also incorporating elements of symphonic metal into their sound. Their music contains strong neo-classical elements in line with the music of Yngwie Malmsteen, Randy Rhoads and other influential neo-classical metal artists.

Biography

In early 1994 Michael Romeo (ex-Gemini) recorded a demo tape entitled The Dark Chapter, which featured himself and keyboard player Michael Pinella. The tape attracted a fair share of attention. He then recruited bassist Thomas Miller, drummer Jason Rullo, vocalist Rod Tyler and finally keyboard player Michael Pínella.

Their self-titled debut album was recorded in the same year, and released in Japan by now-extinct Zero Corporation Label. The album was positively received in Japan and in some European markets.

The second album, The Damnation Game followed six months later. Singer Rod Tyler left the band and was substituted by Russell Allen, who - not surprisingly - influenced the band's style in a noticeable way, emphasizing the classical side of Symphony X.

The Divine Wings of Tragedy is considered by many to be their masterpiece. It took a considerable time to record. Recording sessions started in 1996 and were finished in 1997. The positive feedback from the specialized press served to establish Symphony X in Europe; their success in Japan only continued to grow.

In the end of that year and for part of the next, Jason Rullo had to stay away from the band in order to solve personal issues. He was temporarily replaced by Thomas Walling. Even with a temporary drummer, the band recorded Twilight in Olympus, released in early 1998. That year also saw the first live performances from the band, which by then had already gathered many fans from around the globe. Their first official show happened in 1998, in Japan. It was soon followed by a world tour. Bassist Thomas Miller was also replaced by Michael Lepond in that year.

A compilation album, Prelude to the Millennium, was released by the end of 1998. As an extra, it featured a second version of the song Masquerade, from the first album, with Russell Allen on vocals.

Jason Rullo returned to the drums for the band's fifth album, V: The New Mythology Suite, released in 2000. The band went on a European tour shortly after its release and recorded their first live album during a show in Paris: Live on the Edge of Forever.

In 2002, the band released The Odyssey, an album prominently featuring a 24-minute long musical interpretation of the Greek tale The Odyssey.

Vocalist Russel Allen's solo debut was released in summer 2005. It was titled Russel Allen's Atomic Soul. This took a different musical direction from his work with Symphony X. It was considered by many including Allen himself a hard rock album. He went on to record the album called The Battle later with Masterplan vocalist Jorn Lande. The pairing went under the title Allen/Lande.

Symphony X was featured on Gigantour, a summer festival headlined by Megadeth with Dream Theater and Anthrax. Their next album is set for release in late 2006/early 2007, presumably followed by extensive touring. The band claims this work will have darker themes musically, though the style of vocals will not change.

Line-up

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Biography

Line-up

Current members

Former members

Discography

External links