SYMPHONY X — Iconoclast (review)

Album · 2011 · Progressive Metal

4.5/5 · 2011-06-08
Time Signature

Electric guitar messiah...

Genre: progressive power metal

Okay, let's make no buts about it. If you are into Symphony X's grandiose and epic, but at the same time progressive and incredibly groovy, power metal, then you are in for a treat. The band carry on where they left of on 2007's "Paradise Lost", and that's fine by me because I think that was one of the best metal releases of that year.

There are goodies for both progressive metal fans and power metal fans on this album. Power metal fans can look forward to epic, melodic and catchy choruses as well as grandiose atmospheres with symphonic elements and all that stuff. And power metal fans can look forward to odd time signatures, complex guitar riffage and at time unconventional song structures. And, on top of that you can add Symphony X's trademark awesomely groovy guitar riffs, which might also be of interest to fans of Pantera-pioneered groove metal.

The band's vocalist, Russell Allen belongs to the group of power metal vocalists whose voices are more raw and potent than the typical European power metal vocalists and his awesome singing can be compared to that of rock and metal icons like Ronnie James Dio, Graham Bonnet, Apollo Papathanasio, and Tom Schluchter. Allen's raw and potent voice fits Symphony X's brand of power metal perfectly.

Virtually all of the tracks are awesome, but if I had to pick a handfuld of favorites, it would be the epic opener (and title track) which contains all the trademark elements of Symphony X's style) and the more straightforward "Bastards of the Machine" as well as "Heretic" with its old school midtempo thrash breakdown, and "Electric Messiah" with its Megadeth-inspired elements and epitomic American power metal chorus.

"Iconoclast" delivers prog power metal at its best. There are plenty of twists and turns and challenging stuff, but there is still an obvious catchiness and epicness to the music, and then there is all the groovy riffage which also makes this very headbanging-friendly. Fans of progressive metal and power metal should check out this release.

If they do not already hold the title of kings of power prog metal, then Symphony X surely will be enthroned with this release.

more than 2 years ago
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Time Signature wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Yes, this is indeed an instant classic.

adg211288 wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Personally I don't think you can go wrong with any Symphony X release, debut aside (No Russell Allen :( ). Only heard this new one once so far but it's very clear to me that this is yet another great Symphony X album.

Time Signature wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I really like how rough Russell Allen sounds on "Paradise Lost" and how dark and heavy it is - I think it's one of the best prog power releases ever, hence my recommendation.

UMUR wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Depends on your preferences IMO. The early Symphony X releases ( the first three in particular) have dominant neo-classical power metal influences. Actually I find them closer to power metal than to progressive metal while from Twilight...and onwards the neo-classical influences have decreased while the progressive and harder edged elements of the band´s sound have increased. All for the better if you ask me. I´d leave the first two albums alone until you´ve listened to the rest but you really can´t go wrong with any of the other albums. Kim mentions Paradise Lost, but beware that it´s the band´s most heavy and dark release and some people don´t appreciate how rough Russel Allen sounds on the album.

Time Signature wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Yes, this one or "Paradise Lost", I'd say.

Xaxaar wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I haven't heard much of this band, but it does look interesting. If I did pick up an album, this one a good place to start?

The Angry Scotsman wrote:

more than 2 years ago

So glad my record store got this album early, (joy for living in New Jersey) I have fully digested it and this album is brilliant, and a great review for it Time Sig!

Time Signature wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I agree :-D

m@x wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Oh Man !!!! Just listened to a promo copy and it's an awesome album: production quality, vocals, riffs. The track Prometheus (I am alive) is a highly addictive one. Highly recommended.

m@x wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I just sampled the tracks on Amazon MP3 and this sounds very very very great ! I am looking forward to this release.

UMUR wrote:

more than 2 years ago

This is a must have for 2011. I´m looking forward to listening to the album.

cannon wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Great review. You've convinced me to pick up the album. It's been, what...four years after thier last release Paradice Lost which was the first album I heard from the band and within a relative short time added three more of thier albums. The Divine Wings Of Tragedy is my fav of all the band's albums.