Symphony X

Infobox musical artist
Name = Symphony X

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Img_capt = Symphony X performing live in San Francisco, California, 2007
Img_size = 250
Landscape = Yes
Background = group_or_band
Years_active = 1993-present
Genre = Progressive metal [http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2003/03/22/Rock_News_Two_The_week_in_pop/UPI-52221048320000/] [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1573877/20071108/lamb_of_god.jhtml] [http://www.tampabay.com/features/events/article478985.ece]
Power metal [http://www.metal-observer.com/articles.php?lid=1&sid=1&id=5234] [http://www.metal-observer.com/articles.php?lid=1&sid=1&id=2070]
Neo-classical metal [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:3jfuxqthldje]
Origin = Middletown, New Jersey, United States
Label = InsideOut
Current_members = Russell Allen
Michael Romeo
Michael Pinnella
Michael Lepond
Jason Rullo
Past_members = Thomas Walling
Thomas Miller
Rod Tyler
URL = [http://www.symphonyx.com www.symphonyx.com]

Symphony X is an American heavy metal band from New Jersey founded in 1994 by guitarist Michael Romeo. Their 1997 album "The Divine Wings of Tragedy" and their 2000 release "" have given the band considerable attention within the progressive metal community. Musically, Symphony X is often compared to other progressive metal bands such as Dream Theater and Fates Warning. They play in complex timings and odd meters while incorporating elements of symphonic metal and more traditional heavy metal into their sound. Their music also contains strong neo-classical elements reminiscent of Yngwie Malmsteen, Cacophony, Randy Rhoads, and other neo-classical metal artists. [ [http://www.symphonyx.com/faq_band.html#1 Official Symphony X FAQ] ]

Biography

Debut album and "The Damnation Game" (1994−1995)

In early 1994 Michael Romeo (ex-Phantom's Opera, ex-Gemini) recorded a demo tape entitled "The Dark Chapter" . The tape attracted a fair share of attention. He then recruited bassist Thomas Miller, drummer Jason Rullo, vocalist Rod Tyler, and finally keyboard player Michael Pinnella. Their self-titled debut album was recorded in the same year, and released in Japan by the now-extinct record company Zero Corporation Label. The album was positively received in Japan and in some European markets. The second album, "The Damnation Game", followed six months later. Singer Rod Tyler had left the band by then and was substituted by Russell Allen, who influenced the band's style in a noticeable way, emphasizing the classical side of Symphony X.

"The Divine Wings of Tragedy" and "Twilight in Olympus" (1996−1998)

"The Divine Wings of Tragedy" was the album that first gave Symphony X exposure in metal circles. It took a considerable time to record the album, with the recording sessions beginning in 1996 and concluding in 1997. The positive feedback from the specialized press served to establish Symphony X in Europe; their success in Japan only continued to grow.

At the end of 1997 and for part of the next year, Jason Rullo, their drummer, had to stay away from the band in order to solve personal issues. He was temporarily replaced by Thomas Walling. Even with a temporary drummer, the band recorded "Twilight in Olympus", released in early 1998. That year also saw the first live performances from the band, which by then had already gathered many fans from around the globe. Their first official show happened in 1998, in Japan. It was soon followed by a world tour. Bassist Thomas Miller left the band and was replaced by Michael Lepond in that year.

A compilation album, "Prelude to the Millennium", was released by the end of 1998. As an extra, it featured a second version of the song "Masquerade" from the first album, with Russell Allen on vocals.

"V: The New Mythology Suite" and "The Odyssey" (1999−2002)

Jason Rullo returned to the drums for the band's fifth album, "", released in 2000. It was the band's first release on major progressive label InsideOut Music. The album was their first concept album, dealing with the myth of Atlantis. The album features classics such as "Communion and the Oracle", "Egypt" and the mini-suite "Rediscovery", and includes pieces of classical music.

The band went on a European tour shortly after its release and recorded their first live album, "Live on the Edge of Forever".

In 2002, the band released "The Odyssey", an album prominently featuring a 24-minute long musical interpretation of the Greek tale The Odyssey.

Solo albums (2003−2006)

2004 saw their keyboardist Michael Pinnella release a solo album, entitled "Enter By the Twelfth Gate". Vocalist Russell Allen's solo debut, entitled "Atomic Soul", was released in summer 2005. With this album, Allen took a different musical direction from his work with Symphony X. It was considered by many—including Allen himself—a hard rock album. Also in 2005, he went on to record the album called "The Battle" with former Masterplan vocalist Jørn Lande under the Allen/Lande moniker. The two recorded a follow-up album entitled "The Revenge", released May 11, 2007. In 2005 Symphony X was featured on Gigantour, a summer festival headlined by Megadeth with Dream Theater and Anthrax. Two Symphony X songs from the tour are featured on the Gigantour DVD and CD-set, released in September 2006.

"Paradise Lost" (2007−present)

The band's album "Paradise Lost", a concept album inspired by John Milton's epic poem of the same name, was recorded in Romeo's studio and released worldwide on June 26. The band claimed this work had darker themes musically.Fact|date=July 2008 The album included a special DVD of footage shot by the band throughout their history, available in FYE stores. [ [http://www.fye.com/Paradise-Lost--F-Y-E--Exclusive-Bonus-Disc--Music_stcVVproductId18548586VVcatId458211VVviewprod.htm Exclusive Symphony X footage available at FYE] ] This release coincided with a 14-month world tour. Territories include a tour through all of Europe with Dream Theater in fall 2007. The band will also play Japan, Australia, and other southeast Asia territories as well as the first ever appearances in Russia, India, and the Middle East.

"Paradise Lost" debuted at number 123 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart in the United States selling 6,300 copies in its first week. The record also debuted at number 1 on the Top Heatseekers Chart. [ [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history.do?model.chartFormatGroupName=Albums&model.vnuArtistId=266094&model.vnuAlbumId=801027 "Paradise Lost" reaches 1 on Billboard Heatseekers Chart] ]

Symphony X released a music video for "The Serpent's Kiss," which is their first music video. It was followed by their second music video for "Set the World on Fire" released on November 11, 2007.

Recording Studio : The Dungeon

The Dungeon is the studio located at the home of Symphony X's guitarist and composer Michael Romeo. The albums "The Divine Wings of Tragedy" and "" were partly recorded in The Dungeon, while "The Odyssey" was fully recorded there and produced by Romeo himself. Symphony X spent a sum of money upgrading The Dungeon and buying state of the art orchestration software and tools for the rich symphonic arrangements in their songs.

Line-up

Current members

* Russell Allen − vocals (1994-present)
* Michael Romeo − guitar (1994-present)
* Michael Pinnella − keyboards (1994-present)
* Michael Lepond − bass guitar (2000-present)
* Jason Rullo − drums (1994-1998, 2000-present)

Former members

* Rod Tyler − vocals (1994)
* Thomas Miller − bass guitar (1994−2000)
* Thomas Walling − drums (1998−2000)

Discography

References

External links

* [http://www.symphonyx.com Symphony X's official website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/officialsymphonyx Symphony X's official MySpace page]