SYMPHONY X — Paradise Lost (review)

SYMPHONY X — Paradise Lost album cover Album · 2007 · Progressive Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3/5 ·
topofsm
Although many claim this to be a substandard release, Paradise Lost is still fairly good, has a couple great songs that will surely pump up the listener. Of course, there are also quite a few straightforward songs that really don't add to the album, ultimately getting shoved to the filler pile. But other than that, Paradise Lost is pretty good.

Symphony X fans will know what to expect from another one of their albums, but the main difference is the better production on the album. It is different from other releases in the sense that the production seems modern. Not only that but when there's a choir, it sounds like a choir. When there's an orchestra, it's an actual orchestra, as opposed to on the Odyssey which, while having great songs, was filled with many symphonic instruments that sounded too synthetic.

Not to mention, there are some great tracks. The two part opener starts with "Oculus ex Inferni", which is bombastic and symphonic, a perfect meld of metal and neo-classical many bands strive to create. The next song is technically the first one since it contains Russel Allen's singing, a bit rougher than he's known for, but it's a killer energetic track, with plenty of energetic aggressive riffs, one of the most pumped up power metal songs you will ever hear.

Most of the tracks seem more similar after this. "Domination" sounds eerily similar to the intro from Dream Theater's "Panic Attack". "Seven" and "Walls of Babylon", while having awesome neo-classical intros and wonderful instrumental interplay, are really again, just songs with a bit more flourish than normal. "The Sacrifice" is a typical ballad with nothing memorable, and "Revelation" is nothing special as a closer as well. But the title track is wonderfully emotional as a softer song and "Eve of Seduction" has an excellent solo and some awesome verses. Despite the album's inconsistency in quality, it manages to keep up the energy and maintain a good standing.

Overall, there are worse albums than Paradise Lost, and there are better albums. You shouldn't really go wrong with getting this one, but many Symphony X's earlier releases would be a better bet, and certainly a better one to start with if you're not familiar with the band.
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