Symphony X fans have waited five long years for a follow up to the brilliant 2002 release "The Odyssey". It was difficult to predict what the band would do next. They'd already released an excellent concept album, "V: The New Mythology Suite" and numerous other great progressive metal albums so what was in store for us?
Well, they have done it again: "Paradise Lost" is a masterpiece.
The adjectives that came to mind when I first heard the album were "tight", "confident" and "complex".
"Tight" because the musicianship is superb, not one note out of place, not one beat off. The old expression "well oiled machine" suggests itself but in this case the machine is a Ferrari.
"Confident" because the musicianship is such that you just know these guys are at the top of their form. They are so good they don't have to think about it. They just play and the fact that they are sure of themselves and what they are doing comes across as confidence.
"Complex" because the rhythms are intricate, the music is intricate, the emotional content is varied and the interplay of music, rhythm and emotion is phenomenal.
I've listened to the album a few times now and there are still new things I'm discovering. I look forward to listening again and again.
So I give this album a 5 out of 5 and I highly recommend it. You can get it here: Symphony X: Paradise Lost
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