PARADISE LOST

I had heard most of the album before I bought it, and the reason I actually DID buy it was for "Set the World on Fire." After a bunch of complete album listens, I found out the whole album was awesome, with few exceptions.

Oculus ex Inferni: One of the lesser highlights, in my opinion. Time and again, I listen to it, but it just doesn't hold very much appeal to me. I for one, love Symphony X's instrumentals, but this one simply isn't at par with any their others.

Set The World On Fire (The lie of lies): What could very well be a successor to "Inferno (Unleash the fire)" in more than one way. For one, the song is as awesome, if not more catchy than Inferno, and features the same kind of chorus (STWA: "Fly with me..." and Interno: "The endless nights...") and structure (two regular choruses then bridge, solo, chorus).

Domination: The only thing I didn't like about this song is the beginning bass riff and guitar riff; they sounded like a rehash of "Sea of lies". Once he goes into the regular riff and whatnot, it's an entirely different song... Until after the chorus. If hadn't heard "Sea of Lies," I'd probably find this one better. It DOES have an short and sweet riff in the middle of the song, though.

Serpent's Kiss: I'm not sure why, but this song just doesn't hold that much appeal to me. It sounds too compressed, like it should have been at least 3 or four minutes longer. The riffs and vocals are good, yes, but the band just speeds through them too quickly for my taste.

Paradise Lost: What? A softer song being the highlight of a metal album? Yes. This song is simply beautiful. You'd have to hear to know what I mean.

Eve of Seduction: The song has a je-ne-sais-quoi flair to it. A good song, yes, but not an attraction to the album.

The Walls of Babylon: Symphony X as we know them have always been known to incorporate at least 2 long songs in each of their albums. One under 10 minutes, the other over. This one is the one under 10 minutes (dur) so expect it to be epic, because it is.

Seven & The Sacrifice: These two are probably the songs I listen to the least on the album. One straight-up metal, the other melodic. Both of which are simply overshadowed by better songs on the album, which probably why I don't listen to them.

Revelation (Divus ex Pennae Tragodea): The longer epic song of the album. It is but 2 seconds shy of 10 minutes, so we'll let that part slide, because this song is indeed one of the best on the album. Similar to "Divine Wings of tragedy" (I'm fairly certain the latin in the title is "Divine wings of tragedy") Like their other epics, they layered many parts to the song, each of which I found fantastic. At the end of the song, they semi-use the acoustic riff from TDWOT. A must-listen.

OVERALL: With great guitar, varied vocals, incredible keyboards, awesome bass, this album is one of Symphony X's best and a must-buy. 4 stars.