Symphony X – Iconoclast (2011) – Review by Logan Lee
Sunday, 04 September 2011
Symphony X – Iconoclast (2011) – Review by Logan Lee
What to say about Symphony X that hasn’t been said before? Absolutely nothing. Russell Allen and Company are a reality of the prog metal scene for more than an decade and I will limit myself to talk about Iconoclast, their last release.
It was brought to my attention by Fred Colombo (from Spheric Universe Experiment and GhostFather) during a chat on the net and after less than 2 minutes I had already ordered it. Needless to say that it was a wise purchase since Symphony X has habituated us to great albums
Iconoclast was printed in two editions and the Special Edition comes with 3 extra tracks (see lists below) and if you have the possibility I strongly recommend this edition since, believe me, you won’t want to miss “Light up the night”, “The Lord of Chaos” and “Reign of Madness”.
Symphony X has been among my favorites at least since “The Divine Wings of Tragedy” and since then there has never been a bad album. On Iconoclast we will find traces of their past and also the result of the continuous growth process the band has passed: all we have to do is listen to this album once to discover again that prog music is still alive and Symphony X is one of the icons on this genre.
Talking about Iconoclast: Russell Allen and Michael Romeo are a quality guarantee for the band (both are among my favorites singers and guitarists) but also the other members gave their best after a four years waiting period since their previous work, Paradise Lost, specially drummer Jason Rullo with might be defined as a “like so many others” drummers but if you listen to Iconoclast you will understand that he is growing technically album after album (good for Symphony X and good for us). Another remarkable thing about Iconoclast is the songwriting focused on the struggle of mankind against dehumanizing machines who are trying to reduce men as system appendices sounding like a concept album (not confirmed anywhere by the band as far as I know).
Tracks are very linear and concentrated in less than 7 minutes each which does not mean they are not complex, on the contrary it is very hard to insert in less minutes all that quality and lyrics complexity and this is another great Symphony X feature they developed through the years.
You know I am no musician and I don’t dare to talk about musicians’ technique but even for me it is not difficult to understand, by just comparing with other bands or with their previous albums, that this is a band that is willing to maintain their main role on prog scene by showing their fans some new ideas and musical features CD after CD.
Iconoclast is until now the best 2011 album on prog metal scenario and my vote cannot be lower than 9. Strongly suggested to all and really hope to see Symphony X live again (last time I saw them here in Rome with Dream Theater in a fantastic concert).
Standard Edition:
1. Iconoclast
2. The End of Innocence
3. Dehumanized
4. Bastards of the Machine
5. Heretic
6. Children of a Faceless God
7 Electric Messiah
8 Prometheus (I am Alive)
9. When All is Lost
Special Edition:
Disc 1:
1. Iconoclast
2. The End of Innocence
3. Dehumanized
4. Bastards of the Machine
5. Heretic
6. Children of a Faceless God
7. When All is Lost
Disc 2:
1. Electric Messiah
2. Prometheus (I am Alive)
3. Light Up the Night
4. The Lords of Chaos
5. Reign in Madness
