THE DIVINE WINGS OF TRAGEDY

I have just started with Symphony X and I decided to begin with this album because of the reviews. It's an excellent work. This band has many power metal influences if you listen "Out of the ashes" you will realise. But it's a prog metal band, in my opinion not as prog as Dream Theater.

"Of sins and shadows" is a fast tempo song with a nice chorus and high voice register. It has a very good duel between guitar and keyboards that shows the high musicians skills. The choir on this song shows an evident Queen influence (Bohemian Rhapsody) and on the rest of the record too. 10/10

"Sea of lies" is a medium/fast tempo song with nice solos. 9/10

"Out of the ashes" has a classical intro but it's too much power metal.If you just listen this song you can say it's a power metal band with classical influences. 6.5/10

"The accolade" is a very prog song with tempo changes and excellent intro. Listen it!! The keyboards is the star on this song. 10/10

"Pharaoh", very heavy song with a super headbanging chorus. 9.5/10

"The eyes of medusa": I don't know what happens with this song. It goes good but the Instrumental part "The isle of Deadly Shores" is poor and boring. 7/10

"The witching hour" has a good intro in which stands out the bass. Nice solos. 9.5/10

"The divine wings of Tragedy" is a masaterpiece epic of 20 minutes and seven parts. Starts with a (church?) choir. On the part II starts a short soloing. The part III is more quiet and melodic. The crazy keyboard solo between parts IV and V has an evident Wakeman influence. Part V is the most heavy part of the album. Keep headbanging, yeah!!!!! The part VI is instrumental and has many tempo changes just like a super-prog track. The bass solo is nice. Part VII is quiet and emotive. Excellent song!! The best of the album. 10/10

"Candlelight fantasia" is the ballad with great melody and excellent chorus. Very emotive. Nice to finish an album. 10/10

I think Romeo's guitar playing is repetitive when soloing, is the only thing I can criticize. This is a masterpiece of prog metal. If you like Dream Theater, Fates Warning, Queensryche and many other prog metal bands, go and buy this masterpiece.