Paradise Lost by Symphony X
New Album Surpasses The Odyssey and Divine Wings of Tragedy
Oct 26, 2008
The eighth studio release of American heavy metal act Symphony X, Paradise Lost is based on John Milton's epic poem of the same name. The lyrics' story, like the Renaissance poem, follows the biblical ejection of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, emphasizing the work of the devil Satan. The setting is quite dark, and it serves as an excellent backdrop for a heavy metal album.
The Accolade Legacy
Symphony X is well known for its intricate instrumentation. Carrying deep neoclassical influences, the band's previous work blends sometimes bewildering meter and compositional style with powerful guitar work and deep keyboard orchestration, all centered around a melodic progression. One of the band's most popular songs, "The Accolade" from the album Divine Wings of Tragedy, follows this formula.
Paradise Lost certainly follows the "Accolade" example, but the album doesn't seem content to be another classic piece by Symphony X. Instead, the trademarks of the band are made fiercer and harsher in searing melodies and lush harmonies that refuse to leave the listener in peace.
Epic as The Odyssey, but More Accessible
While previous albums like Divine Wings of Tragedy and The Odyssey are quite melodic, their odd time signatures and nearly as odd guitar melodies, though memorable, are difficult for new listeners do not remain in the listener's mind long after the the first listen. Paradise Lost shows a turn from this pattern.
Intricate rhythms, though certainly in the album, are not overpowering to the listener, and in many places have been replaced by powerful—but simpler—galloping rhythms. Michael Romeo's usual "noodling" style has been replaced by concentrated riffs and sweeping melodies, usually backed by a powerful chord structure. The guitar is backed by a large keyboard arrangement, and Russell Allen's voice leads the ensemble in its usual top form.
In fact, Allen's voice is the gemstone of the entire album, showcased in both its most powerful, brutal tone in such tracks as "Lie of Lies" and "Domination," and in rich harmony and water-clear tones in the ballad-like "Paradise Lost." The singer certainly brings passion to his lyrics, and with the already emotional power of Milton's poem behind them, the words can be truly inspiring.
Symphony X Make Another Classic
Paradise Lost is an astonishing high point in Symphony X's career, representing not only the band's most listener-accessible album, but also its most memorable and musically mature. Thought-provoking lyrics—all too uncommon in heavy metal—combine with technical brilliance and truly artistic songwriting to create a sweeping epic poem of an album, filled with mourning, hatred, love and sometimes evil.
Like the best epic poetry, listeners will find Paradise Lost haunts the memory long after the CD has finished playing.
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