ICONOCLAST

Symphony X's 'Iconoclast' is an album which sees the prodigious American metal band continue with the style established on 'Paradise Lost' and move further away from their earlier symphonic sound. I commend any band which seeks to evolve and try out new approaches to their music but unfortunately, for me, this new direction Symphony X have taken is the exact opposite of what I wanted to hear from them. They have become a bit more straight-forward in their compositions, and a bit more hard edged.

What I have always loved about this band is their utterly bombastic melding of progressive metal with symphonic classical music. That style has been largely replaced on this album with a far more aggressive style and reduced classical influence. For me they have lost a little bit of what made them such a special band for their earlier career.

But focusing on the music and songs on this album there can be no doubt that this is fantastic quality, both in composition and musicality. Michael Romeo and Russell Allen get better and better with each album. The pair of them are an absolute force to be reckoned with. The songs are exciting and varied, but they don't carry the same weight as previous efforts. Some of the riffs and drumming on this album could easily be found in a melodic death metal band rather than Symphony X, such is the ferocity on display here.

What really fills me with fear is that we may never hear another 'The Odyssey' or 'Divine Wings Of Tragedy' from this band. I keep hoping with each new Symphony X release that they will re-discover their epic song writing style - but if anything they are moving further away from that.

Final thoughts are that the music on 'Iconoclast' is extremely talented and well composed, but when I compare this album to 'V: The New Mythology Suite', 'Twilight In Olympus' or 'The Odyssey' I find it less enjoyable. Fans of progressive metal will still enjoy this album though, myself included. 3-stars.