Fantasy Lyrics

[Amirite]

Sorry to start 2 new threads right away, but they're kinda unrelated.
I was just wondering what all of you thought about the fairly unabashed fantasy lyrics in Symphony X's songs. Personally, I've never seen the appeal of them; they just seem to be an excuse to use some cool riff you just thought of. I mean, is there really nothing that they care about enough to write a song about? Dunno, I've just always seen fictional lyrics as a cop out.

 

[Iced Dog]

fiction is fun, reality is boring

 

[DoomsdayZach]

The only time i care about a bands lyrics are when they are folk/viking metal lyrics based on history and/or mythology. Other than that, lyrics can eat a dick or two.

 

[Iced Dog]

that too...while they can enhance a song, lyrics are entirely secondary to the music...that said, I like Symph X lyrics

 

[DoomsdayZach]

I don't. Generally. They have a few good songs, but mostly they're just lyrics. I don't particularly like or dislike them. however, i would prefer they write about the stuff they do over "real life experience" or "reflections of society". Fuck that noise.

 

[reidie]

Yep, a good lyrical hook is a nice touch, but im more interested in the music than the lyrics to be honest.

Edit: That being said, if a band gets too "dungeons and dragons" on me, they can fuck off

 

[Eternal Dragon]

Sorry to start 2 new threads right away, but they're kinda unrelated.
I was just wondering what all of you thought about the fairly unabashed fantasy lyrics in Symphony X's songs. Personally, I've never seen the appeal of them; they just seem to be an excuse to use some cool riff you just thought of. I mean, is there really nothing that they care about enough to write a song about? Dunno, I've just always seen fictional lyrics as a cop out.

I don't think you realise how hard it is to tell a story with music. The Odyssey is a perfect example of a great story portrayed perfectly. Its build on a whole lot more than just one emotion. Having said that I like emotional stuff like pain of salvation just as much as symphony x.

 

[AutumnGust]

I think fantasy/fiction lyrics are a great medium to communicate things to the listener, and i actually dont see them as less real or important than normal lyrics. It's just a different medium.

 

[CttN]

Fantasy pwns. Seriously though, I'm quite drawn in by the lyrics. How boring SymX would be if they didn't have fantasy lyrics, it suits the mood of the music. Though badly singing it in the street at 1 in the morning while embarrassing your friend is another story.

 

[Horus]

Fantasy lyrics = the Lord of the Rings, elves, unicorns and Rhapsody of Fire.
Fictional Lyrics = Everything else

Fantasy Lyrics are corny and played out. If a song is good with them, that's totally cool, but as said before, the music reflects the lyrics, and if the sound I like in my music is one that people think is stupid and not serious just because of the lyrics, I don't like that association. I like my music to be able to be taken seriously, which is why I don't like the 80's at all. It's too ridiculous.

Fictional lyrics are cool, but if you're a band that does them all the time, you just gotta learn to write about something else. Personally, I've never really had a problem with Symphony X's lyrics, but I'd really like to see them do something like a War song or two, kinda like Iron Maiden or something.

Literature on the other hand, can go either way. If you do it right and really capture the atmosphere of the story in the music, then it works really well. But alot of bands have tried doing songs that are about something, but it doesn't capture the full gravity of the subject at hand. For example, this band has a song that's about the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur, but alot of the song doesn't really capture the feel of being locked within a stone maze with a giant half bull half man. It doesn't work very well at all.

 

[EyeballKid]

I think Horus just clinched it.

Fictional lyrics are fine as long as your music is specifically geared towards capturing the feel of those lyrics musically. Otherwise, it seems cheesy and forced. Symphony X, I feel, is very good at marrying the feel and words of a song to create great stories.

I do generally prefer lyrics that speak about normal/emotional topics (and find new ways to express rehashed sentiment), but really, imagine Symphony X playing the style of music that they play...and hearing Russell bellow out a chorus of "I can't get over you...Cause I loooooooooove you...There goes myyyyyyyyy heart....".

(Apparently they would be a much more musically inclined Winger)

 

[Entropiastrife]

I think a lot of symphony x's lyrics are relateable despite being fantasy themed, they still speak about feelings we all have. and considering the neo-classical tinge to symphony x, it kind of calls for those sort of lyrics.. and anyway, russell allen could sing linkin park lyrics and it would still sound amazing

 

[CantoX]

imagine Symphony X playing the style of music that they play...and hearing Russell bellow out a chorus of "I can't get over you...Cause I loooooooooove you...There goes myyyyyyyyy heart....".
(Apparently they would be a much more musically inclined Winger)

Hahahahaha, gold !
Imagine Symphony X's new album be a concept album about a boy and girl who grew up together and got married and were married for 30 years and then divorce. That would be epic, the would completely own that. And they would probably have a huge song that would be a love song from that album.

 

[EyeballKid]

Imagine Symphony X's new album be a concept album about a boy and girl who grew up together and got married and were married for 30 years and then divorce. That would be epic, the would completely own that. And they would probably have a huge song that would be a love song from that album.

And somewhere in the middle, the youngest daughter starts dating a metal kid who owns a Harley! He would be the blue collar equivalent of the Deus Ex Machina! The song would be really angry, and possibly contain the word "gutter-trash" or "leather bitch".

Oh, I can't wait! This would be such a step up for Symphony X!

 

[CantoX]

And somewhere in the middle, the youngest daughter starts dating a metal kid who owns a Harley! He would be the blue collar equivalent of the Deus Ex Machina! The song would be really angry, and possibly contain the word "gutter-trash" or "leather bitch".

Oh, I can't wait! This would be such a step up for Symphony X!

And then the daughter gets pregnant, which starts problems in the house, and oh so young Timmy starts playing with drugs and starts coming home high, which leads to the Parents fighting until they finally decide to divorce ! But it doesn't end there, oh no. The wife decides to attempt to take all of the husbands money and belongings ! Curse him for not pre-nuping, which makes him angry and it drags on and on for years until finally he goes to her house one day and strangles her to death.
EPIC !

 

[DoomsdayZach]

I still think a song about optimus prime would be in order.

 

[OfSinsAndShred]

What's the problem with lyrics based on fiction? If you take everything at absolutely face value, then it'll seem lame... but then you're missing what music is all about. The reason people actually still read fiction is because the settings might be outlandish, but it's still about the human condition. You could say, "Paradise Lost... this CD is about Lucifer, God, Adam, and Eve." Or you could say: "Paradise Lost... this CD is about betrayal, sin, redemption, etc."

 

[Lorem Ipsum]

I don't mind fantasy lyrics, particularly when they have a literary base like on this album. I prefer abstract/philosophical/fictional lyrical themes in general. I usually don't want to listen to lyrics about the trials and tribulations of real life, especially not in metal. That sort of thing leads to nu-metal and/or unraveling a formerly awesome prog band with a lengthy and boring saga about how you used to be an alcoholic.

 

[EyeballKid]

And then the daughter gets pregnant, which starts problems in the house, and oh so young Timmy starts playing with drugs and starts coming home high, which leads to the Parents fighting until they finally decide to divorce ! But it doesn't end there, oh no. The wife decides to attempt to take all of the husbands money and belongings ! Curse him for not pre-nuping, which makes him angry and it drags on and on for years until finally he goes to her house one day and strangles her to death.
EPIC !

I would add an epilogue track to that...but, man, I think you covered it all. Or actually, let's go Iced Earth style and make this a three-album trilogy! Timmy is the tragic hero who dies in the end after he grows up, as his own kid who starts dating a freak, leading him to divorce his wife and, in recognition that he has become his parents: takes his own life! It even leaves it open ended for ANOTHER album based on the child of the child's son! PUNISHING!

I still think a song about optimus prime would be in order.

Speaking of Iced Earth, they did Spawn...why not Transformers?! But only if they rehire Matt Barlow, because I'm pretty sure his voice could work perfectly for old Optimus.

What's the problem with lyrics based on fiction? If you take everything at absolutely face value, then it'll seem lame... but then you're missing what music is all about. The reason people actually still read fiction is because the settings might be outlandish, but it's still about the human condition. You could say, "Paradise Lost... this CD is about Lucifer, God, Adam, and Eve." Or you could say: "Paradise Lost... this CD is about betrayal, sin, redemption, etc."

I agree completely. Fiction is a metaphor, thus giving all songs an added dimension. I do love literal songs that are originally penned and don't sound cliche, but metal is not the place for it.

I usually don't want to listen to lyrics about the trials and tribulations of real life, especially not in metal. That sort of thing leads to nu-metal and/or unraveling a formerly awesome prog band with a lengthy and boring saga about how you used to be an alcoholic.

HAH!...and this takes us to a whole 'nuther thread entirely...

 

[DoomsdayZach]

I usually don't want to listen to lyrics about the trials and tribulations of real life, especially not in metal. That sort of thing leads to nu-metal and/or unraveling a formerly awesome prog band with a lengthy and boring saga about how you used to be an alcoholic.

agreed 100%. no one gives a shit. If they do, then you should write a book, not music.

I still think that the only lyrics worth reading are those of battle, bloodshed, and vikings.

Also, "Raped" by Destroyer 666 is pretty ace.