THE ODYSSEY

Who is more fit to tackle The Odyssey in their music? The answer to that riddle is no one. Symphony X is practically made up of the descendents of Olympians. Look at them! Listen to them! They effuse epic. Russell Allen: other than my buddy Douggy Doug, I can think of no one else who I can directly correlate to the voice of Zeus. Michael Romeo: If Apollo played guitar, he would play like that guy. Everyone else in the band: some other comparison to Greek Mythology.

This is definitely the heaviest album in the bands catalog, and right now it stands as my clear favorite. Sure, there isn't a lot of variety in the sound, and it's pretty darn heavy metal, but I'll be darned if it's not some of the best not a lot of variety and pretty darn heavy metal I've ever heard. That title in quotes sounds like it belongs to Meshuggah as well, but I don't need to tell you that Symphony X and Meshuggah are like strawberries and watermelon in that they are both fruits, but they are nothing alike. It's only partially a comparison, because I've seen pictures of those guys, and their overtly metal appearance and actions, and I find that quite fruity. I'm just kidding guys, you're awesome and extremely intimidating, please take that previous sentence as a joke!!! Moving on...

It's technical, melodic, rhythmic, and conceptual. Despite only the title track having anything to do with The Odyssey, every song sounds like it belongs under that title. All of the songs are great, but the clear highlight is the title track. Opening with a very appropriate symphony orchestra, closing with one of the most epic melodies and riffs the band has created, and filling the middle with the best material the band has to offer, this piece is a giant, like that cyclops from the story only not at all because Odysseus and Co. totally took out his eye when he was sleeping, meaning he wasn't triumphant, and this song is very triumphant.

Excellent album. Most won't recommend this one first, but it was my first experience and I loved it. The novelty starts to wear off after a little while, but, if you must own one Symphony X album, this is still the one as far as I'm concerned.