Symphony X Song Tournament: Vote for the Best

[Prismatic Sphere]

I like Death of Balance better than Egypt too (not just Lacrymosa). Really interesting tension and rhythmic complexity. And then the way it crescendos into that beautiful Mozart with standard rhythm, it's just a perfect moment after all that tension. It's like life man, work hard and get through all the drama all day, then moments of happiness when you get home to the family..

To people giving me Mozart lessons... I know. I know it's not the full movement, I know it sounds better with a symphony and choir and I know he died around the time of writing it, etc. To the guy calling me a kid? really? Who do you think you are?

I think SX's interpretation fits wonderfully into that song. If they did something like Evanescence did at that point in the music, it would seem out of place. And I never said anything bad about their version, I like that too.

Alright, and Egypt. The 'Egyptness' of it seems very forced to me. I know they need to go to Egypt for the lore of the album, but I dunno, man. The vocals seem cheesier than usual, the weird rhythm kills any kind of groove or tension for me. It doesn't really have a moment that stands out to me for the majority of the song. I usually skip over that track when listening to the V album.

That's the last I'll say on last round, since it doesn't matter. Though I'm sure 10 more people will quote me and tell me how I'm wrong after the fact, and Egypt is better because it's popular (wasn't there a fallacy about this?).

Whataya know, you do get a gif after all.

 

[Marwen]

^

To the guy calling me a kid? really? Who do you think you are?

The "my child" comment was merely a playful reference to the song's lyrics (and you not getting it shows how much you know the song and further proves my point). Calling you a kid was not my intention. Sheesh...

 

[Detective Clarence Beauregard]

The crazy guitar/key solo in the intro seems a bit misplaced to me.

I think it's great. It's as if they're saying "We're so bad ass that we're gonna have solos before the vocals even start." Thankfully, this is something they've continued throughout their career.

 

[Prismatic Sphere]

I think it's great. It's as if they're saying "We're so bad ass that we're gonna have solos before the vocals even start." Thankfully, this is something they've continued throughout their career.

I agree. I think the solos fit perfectly. Reminds me of how Beethoven begins the Emperor Concerto. With a cadenza right on top of the orchestra. Nobody ever did that before and my, how it works.

 

[metalxmetalx]

I won't lie, I thought that way too when I first heard V. To me, it was originally the weakest track on the album (I still thought it was good though!). It's one of those songs that grows on you after a few listens. Nowadays, I would certainly say it's one of my favorites (though to be fair, every song on V may as well be my favorite ).

Egypt was the first song by Symphony X I heard, and to be honest it didn't impress me that much either. However, these days I have a totally different perception of it.

Reminds me of how Beethoven begins the Emperor Concerto. With a cadenza right on top of the orchestra. Nobody ever did that before and my, how it works.

Funny, I listened to it today. Daniel Barenboim on piano. What a masterpiece!

 

[Islandstone]

1. Paradise Lost. The song which really got me into SX, and still one of my favourites to this day.


2. Divine Wings. Easy. One of, if not THE best song from Symphony X. A neo-classical masterpiece which makes you feel like you go on a journey through hell and end up in heaven.

WAIL is good, one of the better from IC, but still, no chance.


3. Communion. No fucking contest. Definitely my favourite "non-epic" song, and the SX song I've listened to the most. It flows perfectly from start to finish, has lots of great melodies, and as I've said before; that polyrhytmic ending is the best thing I've ever heard in my entire life. Out of this world.


4. A Winter's Dream Pt.II. The toughest choice on this round, as I rate them nearly the same. Winter's Dream has a better chorus though, and it( Pt. I+II) has always been one of my favourites from TDG.

 

[Detective Clarence Beauregard]

that polyrhytmic ending is the best thing I've ever heard in my entire life.

If I had to pick one section from the band's entire catalog that defines what the Symphony X "sound" is to me, Communion's outro would be it. It's so simple yet so complex.

 

[Prismatic Sphere]

If I had to pick one section from the band's entire catalog that defines what the Symphony X "sound" is to me, Communion's outro would be it. It's so simple yet so complex.

That, or that sick keyboard and guitar riffage that follows the ..."make my dream come true...." in Pt. II of The Odyssey.

Awesome stuff. :hotjump:

 

[ElvenShadow]

This round has some tough ones...

Paradise Lost - I think A Lesson Before Dying is a really nice song but Rod just ruins it for me. If it was re-recorded with the current line up I would probably change my vote.

Divine Wings - I actually am torn on this one. I really like WAIL and lately I feel like listening to WAIL more than DW, but I guess that is just because I have heard DW way more times and it is kind of played out for me, and the fact that it is so long makes listening to it a chore sometimes. If it comes up randomly on my mp3 player I often just skip it, especially since I have the live version on there too so it comes up a lot actually. If I am in the mood to listen to it though, it is always a great listen. When I really think about it though, I know that DW is the better song... was close to voting for WAIL though...

Communion - Easy. Eyes is a good song but Communion is top tier.

Winters Dream II - Nothing against Lady but this one seemed easy for some reason.

 

[Postulate]

A Lesson Before Dying - both are a bit awkward, but Lesson has that amazing instrumental section. PL is a bit stilted in a lot of places, though I like the rhythm in the beginning and the chorus (which also now reminds me of 2007, when times were simpler, yuk yuk).

Divine Wings - yeah...

Communion - yeah...

A Winter's Dream Pt. II - Not really fair without the first part - with it, there's no contest. Even just the second I think edges out Lady of the Snow, though. Lady is pretty, but it doesn't have quite the same oomph.

 

[Isaac_de_Moorea]

1. A Lesson Before Dying. The song with most potential of the debut album, versus a song that isn´t as memorable at all. I think I´ve may understand the meaning of "cheesy" with the chorus of PL.
2. Divine Wings of Tragedy.
3. Communion and the Oracle. All that I love of SX can be found there.
4. Winter´s Dream pt. II.

A Winter's Dream Pt. II - goddammit for having to make me vote against lovely Lady Of The Snow. This one was the hardest to vote on yet and it only wins for that goosebump-inducing magical middle section that I alluded to earlier.

Amen.

 

[Krondor]

Paradise Lost
Divine Wings
Communion
Winter's Dream pt. II

 

[iceandfire84]

A Lesson Before Dying - Agree with everyone else who voted for this tune as it has the most potential off of the debut and has some excellent instrumental sections.

Divine Wings of Tragedy - One of the masterpieces. I really enjoy When All is Lost but this was still an easy pick.

Communion and the Oracle - Easy choice. Although I don't think I share the same enthusiasm about this song as most others on the forum compared to other songs on V.

Lady of the Snow - Also an easy choice for me. This song has a lot more soul to it than Winters Dream II in my opinion.

 

[Halberd]

Results are up.

Paradise Lost beats A Lesson before Dying 7-9
The Divine Wings of Tragedy beats When All is Lost 16-0
Communion and the Oracle beats The Eyes of Medusa 16-0
A Winter's Dream pt. II beats Lady of the Snow 10-5

Wow, two unanimous victories in a row. Almost covers up the fact that my choices lost the other two...

Anyway, next four.


Vs.

Vs.



Vs.


The Lords of Chaos
Vs.


My votes:

Rediscovery pt.2. While Awakenings is amazing and powerful, Rediscovery is my favorite SX song of all time, and I'm voting for it no matter what.

The Edge of Forever. No contest, especially when it's opposed by such a Malmsteen-esque power metal song.

Accolade II. Frontiers has some interesting stuff, but Accolade's sequel is just beautiful and somehow manages to almost measure up to the original. Also, the solo rules.

Orion- The Hunter. Another easy choice. Superior in every way, including the solo section, which I feel is the perfect length.

 

[UnholyCrusada]

1. Rediscovery Pt. 2 (My all-time favorite SX tune. It's literally perfect. Great guitar, fantastic keys (Pinella at his best here), a powerful vocal performance, and even some neat bass stuff. No other song has come so close to bringing a tear to my eyes. I'm sure Awakenings will ultimately triumph, since that appears to be a favorite around these parts, but this will always be the real winner in my eyes, even above Divine Wings and the Odyssey.)

2. The Edge of Forever (Smoke and Mirrors is great if you ask me, but EOF is just beautiful.)

3. Accolade II (Frontiers is quite nice, however against this beautiful piece it simply stands no chance.)

4. Orion (Talk about a song that's grown on me big time.)

 

[EyeballKid]

See, now it's getting hard

AWAKENINGS
The Edge of Forever
Accolade II (I love Frontiers, but there's no contest)
Orion (The fact that Lords of Chaos made it to a second round is sad)

 

[Phanto]

Pretty easy choices for me.

Rediscovery pt 2
Edge of Forever
The Accolade II
Orion the Hunter

I don't like Orion very much though.

 

[Liampie]

Rediscovery pt 2
Edge of Forever
The Accolade II
Orion the Hunter

 

[iceandfire84]

Rediscovery Pt II - Closest match of the tournament for me but Rediscovery barely edges Awakenings. Although I do feel the same way about the 10+ minute tracks as I do about Intro's. They should basically have their own category because they are all so darn great compared to normal length songs.

The Edge of Forever - No contest

Accolade II - No contest

Orion - No contest

 

[Marwen]

Rediscovery pt. 2 - Awakenings is an excellent song but not enough to beat Rediscovery.

The Edge of Forever - No contest. Smoke and Mirrors is not particularly great IMO. EoF is.

Accolade II - Easily beats Frontiers.

Orion The Hunter - Lords of Chaos is a meh song IMO. I'll take anything from TiO over it.