Maybe you were being sarcastic, but it isn't even technically possible to record a Symphony X album (or most albums!) with only 8 tracks. I mean, you certainly could try. But considering that the drum-set alone takes 8 channels at least (EVERY drum gets a mic, plus 2 overheads, and a room mic, and possibly mics for hi-hats and ride cymbal too), it just isn't feasible to assume that they could do a "less is more" approach. 8 track recorders are great for demos or rehearsal recording, but to do a market ready album the way SX does, it's impossible.
Distorted guitars, in metal, are usually multi-layered too. Which means you take 4 or more different takes of the same performance and stack them on top of each other with each one tweaked or panned slightly. Opeth is probably the easiest band to spot this with - listen to how "fat" the guitars sound. Yeah, that isn't a single track but probably more like 4 or 5 that provide that overwhelming "wall of sound."
Also, keep in mind that sometimes the tiniest of song features demand a new track. Like a guitar with a certain special effect. Or the vocals getting run through a filter (Rediscovery pt.2) - all that requires it's own track with it's own effects. A band like SX has everything from guitar harmonies, to vocal harmonies, to orchestral arrangements (each MIDI sound gets its own track). Pretty much, they are the "perfect storm" of what makes recording difficult and strenuous.
PL was not even close to my favorite album, but the production was top notch. On the other side of the spectrum though, I never feel like a lack of quality production gets in the way of their music. The Odyssey doesn't technically sound that great, but I freakin' love the album to death.
Let's hope that the high-quality production of this new album is just the icing on some already amazing songs.
