ICONOCLAST

Symphony X is getting tired of the symphony. They have been stripping away classical influences in recent albums so all that remains is basically a thrashy power metal with some keyboards. There is nothing wrong with this approach (not original but at least a change) , as long as the riffs are good. And they are. But everything else is perfunctionary. The same old overpowering gruff bellowing gets tired after many songs (Russell Allen seems to be reserving his melodic side for his side projects), the lyrics are bad, the obligatory ballad is a carbon copy of their previous ballads, and don't even get me started about the concept. Rule of the machines. Come on. Guys, you remain a talented and often imitated band, but if you want to stay relevant, you gotta try better, in my opinion.