SYMPHONY X

This is the first Symphony X record. I must say this CD is not as prog as the followers, for example "The Divine Wings of Tragedy" or "The Odyssey". The power metal influence is very notable, if you hear the typical double bass drum pedal (generally used in choruses) combined with fast guitar riffs, that's power metal. You can also see some thrash metal influences. All the choruses are very "catchy" and there are obvious Queen influences in that choirs!! (it's used too much). There is notable the unexperience, especially in the guitar solos that sometimes used "play fast just to play fast" and finishes boring you. The only keyboard - guitar duel (Symphony X classic) is on "Thorns of Sorrow". The guitar - bass duel on "Savage and Notorious" is great as it is tha beggining of the song. I like very much the instrumental part of "Absinthe and Rue", with a very melodic Romeo solo, then a heavier part and explodes with another very fast guitar solo. Also, the intro should be longer... The best song is the last one, "A lesson before dying", really, the only total prog metal song, with excellent instrumentation and intermission and a crazy guitar solo. And this song's chorus is very similar to "The raging season" 's pre-chorus.

It's a good album but not essential because it's not a "full" prog metal album.