In order for SX to go further, it would certainly help to play larger, um, "nicer" venues. I've seen them every time they've come to the southeastern US and it's always been a hot, dirty venue with no seating and bathrooms you would never let your children use. I'd be willing to bet some folks won't come to see them because they are familiar with the ratty venues. A side note here; so hot at Tremont Music Hall in May, paramedics had to come get a lady who couldn't stand the overwhelming heat. How can a rocking band like SX do a show in those conditions? I guess they are used to it, but they were all soaked with sweat in five minutes. Horrible. THAT will help, better venues. I think PL would have sold many more copies had there not been so many people complaining that it was not as good as previous albums. Thank goodness I don't listen to reviews by others. PL has been my favorite since it released, but Iconoclast is going to give it a run for its money. I'm with MJR and RA, in that I like the heavier stuff. Sure I like V. With the exception of the first album (because RA wasn't there), I think ALL their albums are better than anyone else's in this genre. They continually reinvent their sound, but they still remain true to their past, and this album alludes to TIO and PL very obviously. We are all entitled to our opinions. I love whatever Symphony X does, I don't care about heavy or proggy or anything else. I will buy whatever they record and I will LOVE it. There is no other band out there like them. Yes, I've heard a lot of them, and still I say it. I will never complain about this album compared to that one, etc. That only hurts the band and their album sales. And if they don't make money, they can't make more albums. Not ragging anyone, so don't shoot me. Let's just bask in the glow of our new SX release, and hope it's not so long of a wait next time. Peace, out..............
