Saturday, 9/26 marked the 4th time I have brought Symphony X to Minnesota. Symphony X actually was on the very first metal show I ever promoted -- Blind Guardian & Symphony X in December of 2002. So as you can imagine, this was a very special show as it marked essentially 13 years of doing business with the band.
Like many progressive-power metal bands that have spanned long careers, Symphony X has shed most of the neo-classical symphonic elements that marked their earlier work for a more straight-ahead classic heavy metal sound. While Michael Romeo is obviously more than up to the challenge, having perfected power-smashing riffs since 2007's Paradise Lost (the album that truly marked an aural turning point for the band), few singers have the range and vocal dynamic to pull it off to the degree that Russell Allen can. UNDERWORLD is yet another prime example of how perfected the new SymX sound is and what a true powerhouse Allen is on the mic.
To that end, SYMPHONY X opened their set with the first SIX tracks off of the Underworld disc -- a truly gloriously thundering assault on the mind and senses. The band has never been tighter on stage. Romeo is cool as ice, playing with zen-like precision; LePond strums away, one knee bent while Allen storms around the stage in his trademark silver shades - sight and sound to behold. Allen possesses a physical presence equal to his vocal prowess and within seconds of setting foot on stage, he had the crowd eating out of his hand. In the meantime, Rullo destroys the large kit towering above the stage while Pinnella's chords unify the instruments into a face-melting, sonic detonation.
Allen also added some theatrics to the set, performing TO HELL AND BACK wearing a mask reminiscent of their album cover artwork. (It also reminded me a little of Crimson Glory.) Allen is easily one of the best frontmen currently working and his ability to build rapport with an audience while being a powerhouse performer is undeniably brilliant.
I'm not the world's biggest OVERKILL fan - I didn't actually get into them until the Killbox 13 album. However after seeing them live 4 times, I'm now definitively a fan. Bobby is also an incredible frontmen and is completely outrageous - both as a performer and with his between-song banter. He's so genuinely funny - he cracked me and the audience up with his one-liners: "I told you all at the beginning of this sh*t, I am in charge!" "It's about to get dangerous in here, so you better listen up -- because I am a professional, goddammit!" If thrash metal could be measured in weapons, then Overkill is like the Ion Cannon from Star Wars.
I'd love to hear your reviews -- post please
Like many progressive-power metal bands that have spanned long careers, Symphony X has shed most of the neo-classical symphonic elements that marked their earlier work for a more straight-ahead classic heavy metal sound. While Michael Romeo is obviously more than up to the challenge, having perfected power-smashing riffs since 2007's Paradise Lost (the album that truly marked an aural turning point for the band), few singers have the range and vocal dynamic to pull it off to the degree that Russell Allen can. UNDERWORLD is yet another prime example of how perfected the new SymX sound is and what a true powerhouse Allen is on the mic.
To that end, SYMPHONY X opened their set with the first SIX tracks off of the Underworld disc -- a truly gloriously thundering assault on the mind and senses. The band has never been tighter on stage. Romeo is cool as ice, playing with zen-like precision; LePond strums away, one knee bent while Allen storms around the stage in his trademark silver shades - sight and sound to behold. Allen possesses a physical presence equal to his vocal prowess and within seconds of setting foot on stage, he had the crowd eating out of his hand. In the meantime, Rullo destroys the large kit towering above the stage while Pinnella's chords unify the instruments into a face-melting, sonic detonation.
Allen also added some theatrics to the set, performing TO HELL AND BACK wearing a mask reminiscent of their album cover artwork. (It also reminded me a little of Crimson Glory.) Allen is easily one of the best frontmen currently working and his ability to build rapport with an audience while being a powerhouse performer is undeniably brilliant.
I'm not the world's biggest OVERKILL fan - I didn't actually get into them until the Killbox 13 album. However after seeing them live 4 times, I'm now definitively a fan. Bobby is also an incredible frontmen and is completely outrageous - both as a performer and with his between-song banter. He's so genuinely funny - he cracked me and the audience up with his one-liners: "I told you all at the beginning of this sh*t, I am in charge!" "It's about to get dangerous in here, so you better listen up -- because I am a professional, goddammit!" If thrash metal could be measured in weapons, then Overkill is like the Ion Cannon from Star Wars.
I'd love to hear your reviews -- post please
