Symphony X - V: The New Mythology Suite (2000)
Flac (seperate files) - 462 Mb | MP3 @ 320 - 143 Mb | Covers - 15 Mb
Genre: Progressive Metal
Symphony X is a band that is always mistakenly compared with other bands like Dream Theater or Queensryche. SX always has moved “in between” genres but I think they are mostly a metal band. Too progresive for the metalheads and too metal for the prog- fans, this has always been the issue with them. If we can just forget for a minute the existence of genres and only focus in the musicians’ marksmanship then we will find out how great a band Symphony X is. V is a conceptual album about the existence of an ancient and lost civilization. Very advanced for their time, the album tells you the story of this mythical land from its pinnacle to its inevitable destruction.

Symphony X is a band that is always mistakenly compared with other bands like Dream Theater or Queensryche. SX always has moved “in between” genres but I think they are mostly a metal band. Too progressive for the metalheads and too metal for the prog- fans, this has always been the issue with them. If we can just forget for a minute the existence of genres and only focus in the musicians’ marksmanship then we will find out how great a band Symphony X is.

V: The New Mythology Suite is an excellent album. I still can´t decide if its their best if you compare it with other masterpieces like The Divine Wings of Tragedy. Many people qualify the songs’ lyrics as cheesy, but I guess sometimes it’s good to just sit down, relax, listen to great music and be moved to this epic fantasy world.

V is a conceptual album about the existence of an ancient and lost civilization. Very advanced for their time, the album tells you the story of this mythical land from its pinnacle to its inevitable destruction.

The concept of the album is very fictional, in someway remembering Ayreon, in which it tells a story of the lost civilization of Atlantis, created by superior beings from cosmic space who started to create creatures. But something went wrong and several beasts were created. Among their creator, they (Dark side) were banished from Atlantis, till the day they went back and fought with the Good side in Atlantis, winning the war and affecting mankind beyond that, with dark forces surpassing the balance with good forces. But there is still hope and mankind will have an important play on that matter.

I don’t find any weak tracks at all, from the beginning to the end the tracks have the same high quality with all the factors I described. But still, I would like to emphasize some tracks. Evolution is one of those, with a good melody with very complex guitar work. To appreciate also is the rhythm of Fallen and the progressive subtleness and beauty of Communication and The Oracle. I find in The Dance of Balance/Lacrymosa a memorable track, with psychedelic complex drumming creating a wonderful tense atmosphere leading to a soft organ crescendo followed by emotional chorus taken by Mozart. Mozart presence in the album is also patented in the great A Fool’s Paradise, another highlight, with the classical composer’s musical arrangements making the final bridge of the track and preceded by great and strong melody reinforced tremendously by a well-orchestrated chorus and with the powerful paced drumming. The final track, the great suite of the album, The New Mythology, has also its great moments, many transitions remembering Dream Theater but a la Symphony X, with its great chorus leading once again the emotion accomplished by the instrumental power.

This is one of those albums that kind of sneaks up on you, and while my earlier inclination was to give it 4 stars, I’ve come to realize over time that if any Symphony X belongs in the collection of fans and non-fans alike, it’s this one. While I certainly would not have this album compete against The Human Equation or The Dark Side of the Moon, the kinds of albums that one rarely ever finds, there is definitely enough here to keep the listener entertained. There are a surprising number of moments where I find myself backing up my CD player to hear a particularly cool riff or effect again. This band is certainly not lacking in talent; all of the musicians and vocalists are precise almost to a fault. At times, the technical prowess can make the album sound a bit mechanical, but if you can approach it without expecting the kind of emotional involvement you might get from an album with a more personal story to tell, you should manage well. ~ Review compiled from several reviews @ Prog Archives

Tracklisting:
1. Prelude (1:07)
2. Evolution (The Grand Design) (5:20)
3. Fallen (5:51)
4. Transcendence (0:38)
5. Communion and the Oracle (7:45)
6. The Bird-Serpent War / Cataclysm (3:59)
7. On the Breath of Poseidon (3:04)
8. Egypt (7:04)
9. Death of Balance / Lacrymosa (3:42)
10. Absence of Light (4:58)
11. A Fool’s Paradise (5:48)
12. Rediscovery (1:24)
13. Rediscovery pt. II - The New Mythology (11:57)

Total Time: 63:01

Listen to samples

Line-Up:
- Michael Romeo / guitars
- Michael Pinnella / keyboards
- Jason Rullo / drums
- Russell Allen / vocals
- Michael LePond / bass

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