The Divine Wings of Tragedy

by

Symphony X

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It wasn't until the New Jersey progressive metal band released their third album that they would build a substantial fan base. After their first two albums, Symphony X and The Damnation Game went by relatively unnoticed, the band replaced their lead singer with California-born Russell Allen and wrote the best album of their career. Fusing progressive and neoclassical movements with aggressive and fast power-metal, guitarist/songwriter Michael Romeo established the band with a sound unlike any other. The songs do not have the predictable quality of everyday power-metal outfits, but instead have surprise turns and unexpected notes.

The opening track, "Of Sins and Shadows" would not be the masterpiece it is without the juxtaposed chorus of voices that follows the second chorus (a delightful surprise). Neither would the 20-minute giant "The Divine Wings of Tragedy" have its tremendous appeal if the entire song were a predictable journey through mundane and overdone chord arrangements. The twists and turns through which listeners navigate as they listen to each song are what separate both the album and the band from everyday metal fanfare. The keyboard/guitar solo on "Sea of Lies" is delightful and indicative of things to come; the triumphant energy of "Out of the Ashes" is as close to "regular" (yet exceptional) power-metal as the band will ever get; and the real treasure of the album is "The Accolade", a 9-minute woeful power-ballad that is destined to be unforgettable.

The album is powerful, beautiful and (after a few listens) very catchy and accessible. Progressive power-metal is a difficult combination to execute, but thankfully for the classically-oriented Michael Romeo, this band pulls it off perfectly. Except for a few lackluster tracks ("The Eyes of Medusa" and "Pharaoh"), the album is monumental.

See also: Symphony X - Twilight in Olympus, Symphony X - V: The New Mythology Suite, Symphony X - The Odyssey