SYMPHONY X — Iconoclast (review)

Album · 2011 · Progressive Metal

4/5 · 2011-06-21
The Angry Scotsman

Symphony X has done it again!

The New Jersey prog metal masters have proven that the key to continual success is progression. They continue moving in the direction from "Paradise Lost", a more metal direction. "Iconoclast" is the heaviest, darkest album Symphony X has ever put out, continuing to shed it's symphonic, neo classical elements. Indeed, the power metal style riffing, present on all their albums, is largely absent here, replaced with a mechanical style: heavy, angular, often groovy, sometimes disjointed and wild. There is some serious groove on this album. Adding to the mechanical feel is increased use of off tempo stuff, and more cold keyboard sound. The fantasy, mythological and epic lyrics are also gone, replaced with the grim theme of technology being our downfall.

"Iconoclast" is more straightforward and less outright progressive, though it is still there. Instead of varied sections, (though that does still happen here) the progressiveness is more subtle, mainly in the riffing and overall texture. It does take some time to really sink in, since at first it can sound a bit samey. "Iconoclast" really ups Rullo's drumming in the mix, it is loud and you can hear every hit. Thank goodness! His drumming is great as always, featuring more off tempo playing then ever. This may be Rullo's finest effort yet actually. Allen's vocals are also perfect as always. He maintains the lower, hard edged tone from "Paradise Lost". Needless to say: the riffing is awesome, the solos mindblowing and the song structures are subtle and well composed. Note: While a bit different this is clearly Symphony X, the sound is there and unmistakable.

The album begins with an 11 minute epic featuring some old Symphony x standards, including epic choirs. The title track pretty much contains it all. "The End of Innocence" contrasts the new mechanical feel with mid tempo thrash and soaring vocals, with some melodic and extreme groove sections thrown in and some synth sprinkling the background.

"Dehumanized" is perhaps the most brutal song on the album, complete with riffing and drumming to die for. Also, one of the best performances by Russell Allen. Really, there is no bad song on the album, and there's not even a weak one. "When All is Lost" is the Symph X ballad, and "Reign in Madness" is a synth laden song that really moves. When it first hits you the keyboard is odd (almost 80's sound), but damn it works perfectly. The parts with synth over crushing power chords, and Allen singing out to the heavens "Bow your heads and abandon hope, we're the gods of pain. Raise your hands if you'll join with us, and let the madness reign" can only be described as EPIC.

With "Iconoclast" Symphony X continues to move in incremental steps, producing a sound pretty different from their older albums, yet still identifiable as them. No doubt this is Symphony X. It is heavy, groovy, mechanical, sometimes very moving, sometimes soaring epically. Besides retaining their sound while moving forward, there are few weak moments from start to finish. At first it could sound a bit samey but every song is different, and there is more subtlety and texture than outright progressiveness. The guitar work is epic, drumming perfect, synth has its role, Allen's vocals are flawless, going where needed and never over doing it. Every member of this band is immensely talented, and they each can showcase it though rarely in virtuoso style, they also each know their place and every thing fits together perfectly. It's why I regard Symphony X as one the top metal acts of it's time, and hope with this album more will come to think so.

Superb Album

FOUR AND A HALF STARS

Oh and buy the 2 CD edition. It's not just leftover tracks and remixes, or some behind the scenes DVD, this version is the true album as Symphony X wanted. A greedy move by the label, but it is worth the little extra to get the whole CD! You'll be missing out otherwise.

more than 2 years ago
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J-Man wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I really love this album as well - I can't get enough of it lately! Nice review too, btw!

Time Signature wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Yeah, "Paradise Lost" has a slight edge over this one, but this one is still awesome.

Coffin Joe wrote:

more than 2 years ago

It's an awesome album - perhaps I have grown to accustomed to the PL-sound. It really is nitpicking, it is, as you say, near perfect! Actually my appreciation grows with each listen - Hell, I went overboard and bought the limited white vinyl edition, so that's gotta say something :-)

The Angry Scotsman wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Yes CJ I agree, I do miss the classic sound which is pretty much gone now, but this is still a great album. Even if I rank it 5 out of their discog...its near perfect so that should say something lol

Coffin Joe wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Ok. sharing the love so far, but miss some of the power metal-ish/progressive parts from Paradise Lost. I think Paradise Lost is the better of the two, but Iconoclast is still an awesome record, and will perhaps be remembered as album of the year - it's a strong contender

adg211288 wrote:

more than 2 years ago

2011 just seems to keep getting better for metal. My wallet is in trouble.

Coffin Joe wrote:

more than 2 years ago

On vinyl and also via ITunes, 'cause I couldn't wait :-) Goddamn great music, you are ruining me!

Time Signature wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Everybody who's ordered this album is in for a treat - that's for sure.

Coffin Joe wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Epic album & good review. Ordered the album after reading the review. Looking forward to a more metalized style - although I love Paradise Lost

The Angry Scotsman wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Why hello Conor

Conor Fynes wrote:

more than 2 years ago

hey brian!

The Angry Scotsman wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Thanks!
They had a major challenge following The Odyssey and Paradise Lost but damn they did it
*bows*

Time Signature wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Superb album.
Superb review.

The Angry Scotsman wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Also major kudos to my record store for getting it early, so I can get this out before the actual US release!

The Angry Scotsman wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Thanks Max! I'm very tired so hope it came out well enough.
I've known Symph X was largely relegated to the prog metal world, but supposedly they have been very big in Europe, starting to crack the US recently. I'd love for them to make it big with this release, and hopefully new fans will find their other material. Maybe this local band can finally get its due credit!