THE DIVINE WINGS OF TRAGEDY

In the world of prog metal there are the undisputed giants of today: Dream Theater, Opeth, and even Pain of Salvation. Symphony X has a lot of Dream Theater like prog moments, but they have a strong neo-classical influence that is used to such great effect. This is an incredible album. The epic 'The Divine Wings of Tragedy' is perhaps their greatest work. It opens with a vocal mass with four part harmonies followed by an intracate rhythm section, followed by some beautiful clean guitar arpeggios, and enter the verse. This epic builds upon one great moment after another to it's stunning conclusion. Symphony X sure know how to right and epic, and they can expertly conclude it, just as they did with The Odyssey. It is very reminiscent of other prog epics such as Yes's 'The Gates of Delerium' in that it introduces a lot of ideas in it's extended intro before a more readily discernible, structured verse chorus section, and breaks into an extended instrumental section that features a very John Petrucci/Jordan Rudess keyboard duel, followed by a fast, technical unison, then a slower section where the song builds to a dramatic conclusion. Nearly all of the other tracks are stunning aswell. The Accolade contains an amazing section in which the song breaks into very classical inspired vocal harmonies, and a built up in intricate time where each instrumentalist slowly enters forming an overwhelming polyphonic texture. The closer of the album, 'Candlelight Fantasia' is a stunning piece.

5 stars.