THE ODYSSEY

Well i am new to Symphony X. The Dream Theater comparisons seem some what out of place on the basis of this release. Its very guitar heavy in parts but not in the math-metal leanings of Petrucci-Rudess riffing. Its well interesteing. The cheese of the lyrics was a suprise. But it carries through. Some truly inspired arrangements and the vocals which go from a Dioesque rasp to sounding exactly like that guy from Rainbow's later albums works for the main. Its all very impressive and the melodic section in the final track is well just brilliant. I am always tempted back to this album. I know more informative X fans have differing opinions but this an album that seems to blend prog with its intellectualism with surely some lyrical cheese and that is fine.

The bass player is also amazing and i can see that given the right circumstances he can out Myung most certainly.

I simply just dig this hybrid prog/power metal feast.

A real grower for me.