John Petrucci VS. Michael Romeo

We are just 2 fan guys and john petrucci is your god and michael romeo is mine, and I think nothing will change this, especially not this discussion here.
No Dream Theater don't repeat often but in some songs I know. And Symphony X songs are also complex structured.
Candlellight Fantasia, for example. First an arpeggio section by the guitar and the piano then a fantastic emotional solo, the vocals begin, then chorus, a harder verse and a fast stunning solo. Of course there are shorter songs by Symphony X, reminding a bit of power metal, for example OUT OF THE ASHES, one of the most straight Symphony X song, but length is no sign for more creativity. You can have more themes in a 5 minutes song than in a 10 minute song. It depends on speed and how often you repeat it etc. but I think the aim of both bands is different. Symphony X orientate on power metal bands and often have the system of a verse, pre-chorus and a chorus, a prelude and some interludes and outro.
The best example is the album "V", I've heard so often that people didn't like it at the beginning, Symphony X's music really grows on you, especially "V" and "The Odyssey", and yes you are right, I don't know if you have listened often to Michael Romeo's stuff, it was just a guess. So it doesn't really matter who you like but please don't say things that are actually wrong. I think these were the release for my guess that you haven't listened to it enough, but I still think you do not know all of his work, do you? I think "The Odyssey" is far more original than "Octavarium", except Wicked. Inferno is a typical Symphony X track, the guitar work during the verse is new, more like typical metal (same with wicked)and the vocals but besides that very typical for Symphony X. Incantations of the Apprentice is an incredible song I last noticed. The beginning is totally stunning and the rest is very atmospheric, but I think the heavyness is a bit exaggerated. Accolade II sounds much less like Kansas than the first Accolade. King of Terrors is a strange song, very atmospheric but very very hard and the solo is too fast. The Turning, well fine Speed-Metal, Awakenings, I hope you share my attitude is genious. At the beginning a piano (bass line and a normal line), another bass line is added and the guitar joins and this wonderful piano sequence with amazing vocals. Afterwards it gets harder not too much but very catchy with lots of nice solos and Michael Pinnella shows off his Jazz talents. And the Odyssey is a milestone, what don't you like about it?
(sry if I bored you ) And what I heard about Octavarium reminds me of U2, Muse and Pink Floyd and not really about the old innovative genious Dream Theater.
What I don't like is their development, both are getting harder with every album, although I think Octavarium is less harder than Train of Thought and earlier both bands were more original and more melodical, just better...
Especially Michael Romeo and John Petrucci. I think their great moments are past.
And I still think Romeo is a better Composer!
Romeo wrote so many songs alone and sometimes got help of Michael Pinnella with the keyboard line, but his classical pieces and his ability to compose immortal music is just incredible, as well as his ability to express every mood he wants, you can see this in THE ODYSSEY, and Symphony X have no mathematical precision?
They have! Furthermore I've the impression that Michael Romeo's rhythm work is far more complex. Just listen to songs like Fallen or Incantations of the Apprentice.
The variety...Symphony X have so many different songs: Whispers, Winter's Dream, Of Sins and Shadows, Accolade,
Orion the Hunter, Fallen, Trascendence, On the Breath of Poseidon, Egypt, Rediscovery ("V" is extremly varied! You have power metal songs, like Evolution/A Fool's Paradise,
different classical pieces, Prelude/Trasendence/the Lacrymosa Part, the solos, math prog metal songs, Fallen/Bird-Serpent War, harmonic soft songs like Comunion and the Oracle, amazing instrumentals, On the Breath of Poseidon/The Death of Balance, and top prog-metal songs like Egypt and rediscovery) and then you have the different tracks on The Odyssey and the long tracks are so varied! So I think they are both very varied on their kind.
Symphony X is not pure power metal...
They have an enormous complexity in their rhythm work
(e.g. Fallen), are very varied and often very original and even far more original than Dream theater, YES, PINK FLOYD!

I don't really see that A Fool's paradise and dressed to kill have the same riff, explain it please.
Smoke and Mirrors has a sweeping solo and?
What's worse about it? If you say that, you could also argue, that EVERY SONG HAS A SOLO, SO THEY ARE UNCREATIVE...
Furthermore there are also Dream Theater songs sounding the same, and Symphony X uses their best songs and create something new, why not if it was successfull.









Edited by dysrhytm

Bottom line: Both Petrucci and Romeo should take some lessons in slowing
down and conveying emotions from Clapton, Hendrix, and Scofield.

I'm not saying you can't get emotion out of playing fast but both Romeo and
Petrucci sometimes lose emotion when playing a lot of notes. I am not one
to think that Dream Theater has no emotions (I think they are emotional) but
Petrucci's playing isn't always emotional. I think that Petrucci is much more
emotional than Romeo though, especially in "an evening with..." He also
does a better job with LTE.

I just have one question for you. Do you think that the emotions of Romeo
and Petrucci compare to that of Clapton (early Cream/Bluesbreakers days) or
Hendrix (or in the prog world Steve Hackett or Gilmour)?

Edited by FragileDT

FragileDT wrote: Bottom line: Both Petrucci and Romeo should take some lessons in slowing down and conveying emotions from Clapton, Hendrix, and Scofield.

Have you heard "An Evening with John Petrucci and Jordan Rudess"?

Clapton and Scofield have alot to learn from Petrucci, trust me. If you disagree, just listen to the album ^

Hey I wasn't comparing Clapton to Petrucci. I do think that Petrucci can have just as much influence on Clapton as Clapton did on Petrucci, Only because Petrucci did some things that Clapton didn't think of, it has nothing to do with who I think is a better player. Clapton isn't perfect, he has alot to learn from lots of people and its ridiculous if you say otherwise.

As for Scofield... I have not yet heard anything of his that blew my mind and made me consider him as a "Guitar God". I can't say the same about Petrucci. (and of course Clapton and Hendrix.. It's pretty obvious that they are gods though, isnt it? :P)

John Petrucci by far!

M.r PETRUCCI is peerless !!!

He is a MONSTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sleeper wrote: FragileDT wrote: I'm not saying you can't get emotion out of playing fast but both Romeo and Petrucci sometimes lose emotion when playing a lot of notes. I am not one to think that Dream Theater has no emotions (I think they are emotional) but Petrucci's playing isn't always emotional. I think that Petrucci is much more emotional than Romeo though, especially in "an evening with..." He also does a better job with LTE. I just have one question for you. Do you think that the emotions of Romeo and Petrucci compare to that of Clapton (early Cream/Bluesbreakers days) or Hendrix (or in the prog world Steve Hackett or Gilmour)? To Gilmour and Hackett, probably not, but hes not as far away from them as some people would have you believe. Havnt heard enough Clapton or Hendrix to say.

Your right he isn't as far as some people would say. Many people say that
Petrucci is emotionless and that is far from the truth.

To the Lamb: I'm sorry I guess I misunderstood you. Simple
misconception.