V - THE NEW MYTHOLOGY SUITE

This is my absolute favorite Symphony X album. The boys from New Jersey really outdid themselves with this one. It is the most creative album that SYX have ever released. It doesn't have as much of a raw edge as Odyssey or Paradise Lost, but it features other qualities like lush orchestrations and an imaginative storyline. This album is so great to me because of songs like A Fool's Paradise and Rediscovery, pt. II. Fool's Paradise features great moments like a Baroque chord progression in the chorus, and even a rendition of a Brandenburg Concerto (no. 5 I think) gone metal. This is the only SYX album with a drum solo also, Death of Balance, with another great rendition at the end; this time it's Mozart's Lacrymosa. This is the defining album for this band that best combines the symphony aspect with metal. This also makes it the most neoclassical/baroque album in the band's discography. The guitars are a little held back in this cd to enable more keyboard orchestrations, but I love the finished product. Russell's voice is also quite polished. If you are looking for a more "in-your-face" metal sound, Paradise Lost is for you (and also spectacular!). But if you love the lush orchestrations and classical moments gone metal, this gem is for you!