THE ODYSSEY

Known mostly over the years for their grand technical and symphonic concept albums, Symphony X decided that a more straight forward back to metal basics approach was in order for The Odyssey. Crunchy riff driven songs with a more aggressive vocal style, just what the progressive symphonic metal fan was looking for. Well, that's maybe not quite right. Although there is plenty of keyboards that still bear the trademark Symphony X sound, lets just say The Odyssey is more guitar and less keyboard oriented than past releases.

The Odyssey does not begin with an instrumental piece but with a furious opening track entitled "Inferno (Unleash the Fire)"...the listener is immediately assaulted with a blistering guitar lick which leads into a very intense musical moment. In fact, the whole track maintains much of the intensity that is created in the first 30 seconds of the song. Russel Allen's voice has never sounded better and his performance throughout the album is simply brilliant.

The tale continues where "Inferno" left off with more mind blowing speedy guitar riffs, some beautiful relaxed piano passages, frantic pounding drums with complimenting bass lines that all comes together in a most magnificent kind of way. Let me say this one last time, The Odyssey is heavier than past releases and simply a formidable guitar driven album.

Every track tells a story from the opening song to the final Odyssey. This epic title track is divided into seven coherent and seamless parts that deals with the poem "The Iliad" by Greek writer Homerus.

Still thinking of holding out for something better in this genre? I think you should reconsider, especially if you like complex song structures, fluid keyboard lines, crunchy/aggressive guitar riffs, superb solos with some excellent vocals to boot, then The Odyssey is just perfect for you!

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