Symphony X have established themselves as a power progressive band that knows how to create an almost perfect balance of progressive prowess and power metal bombast without ever becoming dated, bloated or monotonous. The band’s last album “The Odyssey” was a clear example of this, combining enough neo-classical metal elements, topped off with lots of intricate and chugging guitar riffs. But don’t be mistaken, Symphony X are not copycats or a cheesy Dream Theater version (like most progressive bands get labeled as). Instead, these guys know how to create their own unique sound in a field crowded by wannabes and so-called virtuoso players.

The band’s new album, entitled “Paradise Lost” (a concept album based on John Milton’s epic poem), is one of the most aggressive prog-power albums I’ve heard and definitely Symphony X’s heaviest album ever. You can expect a completely different sound than previous releases like “The Odyssey” or “Divine Wings of Tragedy”. Instead of having an album where an orchestral part or a certain melody would carry pretty much every song and the band adding some of their fantastic playing, here we have a different formula. Michael Romeo’s brilliant guitar work is thrown at the forefront where it belongs to give listeners some face melting riffs and plenty of crazy solos. Michael Leopold’s bass lines have never sounded as heavy as they here, where they take a whole new personality that seems even more menacing after he connects perfectly with drummer Jason Rullo and his percussion acrobatics that make it seem as if he has a couple of extra arms. To those who might be a bit uncomfortable with a “heavier” Symphony X, I suggest you listen to “Set the World on Fire (The Lie of Lies) which is the second track of the album, preceded by the symphonic intro of “Oculus Ex Inferni”. This song jumpstarts the record with a great riff and some furious drumming that give a simple statement and that is that things are going to jam this time around. As always, Russell Allen gives a great performance after another displaying a wide arrange of vocals. The digipak version of the album has very interesting packaging and I recommend you check it out.

I don’t know if Symphony X will continue this path of making heavier albums, I sure hope they do, but as always bands tend to leave these little experiments alone, which is perfectly fine because this band has proven more than enough what they are capable of and thankfully they have graced us with an excellent album in “Paradise Lost”.