Symphony X Song Tournament: Vote for the Best

[Prismatic Sphere]

Definitely. Hell, I think almost every song SX has sounds better live. The only exceptions I think are the more complex, ornamented songs on V such as Communion, or some of the segues like Death of Balance.

After seeing them about a year ago, I couldn't believe just how much I liked some of the stuff from PL and IC that I never cared for on the album. And when I went back to listen to the albums again after the fact, I just thought to myself "Man, the raw energy just isn't there."

Yeah, and the production on those two albums just doesn't have a well-rounded out mix either. It's just like one big wall of sound as opposed to the earlier albums where you could hear every instrument more prominently and more dynamics.

 

[Detective Clarence Beauregard]

Yeah, and the production on those two albums just doesn't have a well-rounded out mix either. It's just like one big wall of sound as opposed to the earlier albums where you could hear every instrument more prominently and more dynamics.

True, but at least the bass is more audible on the last few albums (more so PL). On V and Odyssey it was one big compressed mess.

 

[Marwen]

Yeah, and the production on those two albums just doesn't have a well-rounded out mix either. It's just like one big wall of sound as opposed to the earlier albums where you could hear every instrument more prominently and more dynamics.

That's more your taste talking man, because purely technically speaking the production on PL and IC is by far better (as in more correctly and professionally done) than any of their other albums. That doesn't mean those are necessarily my favorite albums musically, or heck, even in terms of tones and timbres etc. It's just an objective statement.

The guitar-dominated wall of sound thing and lack of dynamics in the music (etc) is not the producer's choice. It's a choice made by the people who wrote the music. The producer just made it sound great and right (for that style).

After factoring in the means they had available at the time of each album, if you want an album that IMO isn't as well-produced as it could have been, I'd say it's definitely The Odyssey.

 

[Wander]

The best dynamics of any Symphony X album are actually on The Damnation Game. Anything since has been pretty much average for modern metal (V included).

 

[Phanto]

PL production sucks because of the thud.

 

[Prismatic Sphere]

I vehemently agree 100% with the last two posts^.

 

[LittleTortillaBoy]

Candlelight Fantasia
Wicked
Sea of Lies
The Odyssey

 

[Detective Clarence Beauregard]

PL production sucks because of the thud.

 

[Prismatic Sphere]

 

[EyeballKid]

This will forever be known as the thread that started out with a clever concept, and became a battle of clever gifs.

 

[ElvenShadow]

I've been busy with lots of stuff lately and haven't been checking this board at all. Just saw this thread. Might as well vote!

Candlelight Fantasia
A Fools Paradise
Sea of Lies
The Odyssey

all of your GIFs are blocked at work for me

 

[Phanto]

This will forever be known as the thread that started out with a clever concept, and became a battle of clever gifs.

I'm all for no more gifs ever.

 

[EyeballKid]

Amen to that.

 

[Wander]

I like gifs.

But I have never used gifs

 

[Detective Clarence Beauregard]

I like gifs.

But I have never used gifs

I was a gif virgin until yesterday. But I'll try not to abuse it.

 

[Prismatic Sphere]

I'm showing no mercy on those who vote for weaker songs and conversely am more than willing to reward those who vote correctly.

Those who don't like it can sit and :Spin:.

 

[Halberd]

I'm all for no more gifs ever.

I fully agree. They've gotten quite irritating, and they clutter up the page, making it harder for me to count votes.

Anyway, results.

Candlelight Fantasia beats Set the World on Fire 17-2
A Fool's Paradise beats Wicked 14-4
Sea of Lies beats Prelude 12-6
The Odyssey beats In the Dragon's Den 18-1

Well, for being the first part of a brand new round, this was quite boring- each round had a victor before it even began. Also, I've accepted that even the most one-sided contests will have some contrarian voting for the clear loser just for the hell of it.

Now for the next four.


Vs.



Vs.



Vs.

Vs.


My votes:

The Accolade- One of my favorite SX songs of all time against a thoroughly mediocre track from Iconoclast? No contest.
Rediscovery pt.1- Yes, I know it's only a minute long, but I have a bit of a personal grudge against Domination. It was the first SX song I ever heard, and Russell's atrocious vocals on that track turned me off the band for quite a while until I discovered that he could actually sing.
Of Sins and Shadows- Though it is somewhat overrated, it easily beats an instrumental intro that only won because it was up against Shades of Grey.
Egypt- Toughest decision of the round. Death of Balance has excellent parts, but Egypt is better as a whole. Still, I wouldn't mind it too much if Death of Balance won.

 

[Prismatic Sphere]

^To be fair to the thread starter, just to explain a lil', the .gifs I've pretty much reserved for those whose opinions I usually respect and/or agree with. The .gifs I've used to portray my surprise more than anything. So I'll keep it to those instances that blare out at me.

But yes, no mercy after that.

As for the choices:

The Accolade
Rediscovery Pt. 1 - One of the most beautiful uses of guitar I have ever heard from Romeo and at first listen was the highlight of the V album for me.
Into The Dementia - because the overplayed and overrated Sins will win.
Egypt

 

[iceandfire84]

The Accolade - I do think Promtheus is one of the best tracks on Iconoclast, but it's pretty hard to beat this classic.

Rediscovery Pt 1 - Rediscovery is just awesome even being just a minute and a half long. I'm not a big fan of Domination at all except the keyboard section in the middle.

Of Sins and Shadows - Not overrated at all but definitely overplayed

Egypt - One of my favorite all time tracks by the band and one of the first I ever heard by them. Death of Balance/Lacrymosa is also an amazing track and really to me showcases the bands instrumental talent. Very close call!

 

[ElvenShadow]

Accolade - awsome, classic song. Prometheus isn't bad but can't compare
Rediscovery p1 - Not hating on Domination. Rediscovery is my favorite Symphony X song so I have to vote for it even if it is just the intro to that song...
Of Sins and Shadows - Still one of their best. Not over rated. It deserves your respect! Into the Dementia is a nice little intro though.
Egypt - Overall more of a complete and solid song I guess but I could sorta go either way on this one...