ICONOCLAST

Symphony X were always and above all, metal. Sure the prog part was always present, as neoclassical or progressive power metal, call it what you want. Actually in V the prog elements were dominant, but 7 years later in Paradise Lost they delivered their heaviest effort...or that 's what we thought.

So now they proove that it can be more power or even thrash, simply more metal. Well some people even accused them of abandoning prog. IMHO, not at all, the prog elements are still here in the usual doses, under the mindblowing heaviness.

I only wish to say that Romeo's guitar and Allen's voice are from another planet! This cannot be human, many steps ahead of all the other guitarists/vocalists of this style of music. Also all the other great musicians that form SX are not drown by the production, they deliver a monstrous performance. You can focus on each one of them.

SX show to us that you don't have to be more crossover, to break the mould, to choose a different path in order to deliver new, fresh and enjoyable music. They still do what they always do. And the technical complexity, virtuosity and performance makes it prog, not in the avant-guarde way but in the "we define the whole genre" way. OK, some parts seem familiar to a fan but let's face it, all the melodies, riffs, rhythms, solos come from an almost unlimited arsenal that every prog metal band yearns to possess.

Unavoidably another 5* album from these guys. I press again the repeat on Children of A Faceless God (or When All Is Lost - depends on the mood) and wonder what more they can do in the future.

By the way, the special edition is a must, no fillers in here.