THE ODYSSEY

"The Odyssey" is the sixth full-length studio album by US, New Jersey based power/progressive metal act Symphony X. The album was released through InsideOut Music in November 2002. It´s the successor to the concept album release "V: The New Mythology Suite" from 2000 and it features the same quintet lineup who recorded the predecessor. Unlike "V: The New Mythology Suite", "The Odyssey" is not a concept release, but instead an album featuring eight individual tracks. Seven tracks with running times between 5 and 8 minutes and the closing title track which is a 24:13 minutes long progressive power metal epic.

The latter is quite the impressive track featuring both classical orchestrated sections, progressive metal sections, and epic power metal moments. It tells Homer's tale of Greek hero Odysseus and his long and adventure packed journey home to the Greek island of Ithaka after being away for 10 years fighting in the Trojan war (it took him another 10 years to travel home). The story features his encounters with among others The Cyclop and the Sirens.

The remaining tracks are as mentioned individual songs, but they are no less impressive. Up until then including "The Odyssey", this album was arguably the heaviest, most guitar driven release in Symphony X´s discography and guitarist Michael Romeo plays one sharp, heavy groove laden riff after another and combines the heavy parts with beautiful neo-classical influenced lead work and blistering intense soloing. The rhythm section deliver what they should and they are a solid playing unit. keyboardist Michael Pinella adds texture and neo-classical influenced lead work. While there´s absolutely nothing wrong with his skills or playing style, his choice of keyboard sounds have also been a little off to my ears. Especially his solos lack power and could have been much better with a more powerful and intense lead keyboard sound. It´s a minor issue but I have to mention it because it´s not a positive either.

Lead vocalist Russell Allen deserves his own chapter of this review as his performance here is incredibly strong and commanding. Everyone knew at this point that he was a skilled and versatile singer, but on "The Odyssey" he adds a more gruff and even angry singing style to his arsenal, which provides the music with an aggressive edge seldom heard on the preceding releases from Symphony X (but frequently on the successing releases). Just take a listen to his vocal performance on tracks like "Inferno (Unleash The Fire)" and "The Turning" to see what I mean. When that is said Allen can still sing beautiful cleans and hit the high notes when that is called for...no problem.

"The Odyssey" features a powerful, guitar heavy, and detailed sounding production job. It´s the first Symphony X album recorded and produced entirely at Romeo´s home studio (named "The Dungeon"), with Romeo handling production, recording, engineering, and the mixing of the album. It´s not a perfect sound production, and for example the drums could have prospered from a more massive and organic tone, and the keyboards aren´t always placed perfect in the mix either, but for a first try, "The Odyssey" is overall a very well produced release.

Higlights other than the brilliant title track include "Inferno (Unleash The Fire)" and "Accolade II". The latter being a great hero themed epic power ballad and the sequel to "The Accolade" from "The Divine Wings of Tragedy" (1997). But as mentioned all material on "The Odyssey" is of a high quality and to my ears it´s a standout album in their discography. A 4.5 star (90%) rating is deserved.

(Originally posted on Metal Music Archives).