So, if the new album is due out in June, the US tour that goes from April through May is not exactly one that can be in support of the new album, save maybe a single released early. Other than that, you can't just go out and play songs people don't know. But it's also far too close to the release of the next album to continue to think of it as a promotion of Paradise Lost. So what are we going to get on this tour?
Personally, I would love if the band would take this opportunity to mix in some older/rarer material to the set list. I'm sure with a new album being released the band will have a hectic schedule around the time of the tour and probably won't have the time to prepare to perform any outrageously never-before-performed-live type material. But I've seen Symphony X every time they have come through the Boston area, and I for one have heard quite enough of Inferno, Evolution, and Of Sins and Shadows.
Look, it's a weird time for a tour anyway; at best it can be rationalized as a "let's remind the world that Symphony X is around since we've been in a cave writing the new album for what feels like centuries" sort of endeavor. That sort of thing is accomplished no matter WHAT you play live; if a person has committed to come see the band, the "I shouldn't forget to buy the new album" refresher that comes with it is wholly independent of the set list. Other than that, what are you going to do? Bring on new fans? You're not going to get too many new fans at a show not in support of a new album. I'd say you're looking at 98% fully committed, well established Symphony X fans attending this leg (unless you want to make the argument that you're still trying to win over the Nevermore fanbase, which I think has already been accomplished as much as it ever would be via Gigantour).
In that respect, come on guys, let's hear Damnation Game, Dressed to Kill, Church of the Machine... or go even rarer for all I care. Just don't make this one another: First three tracks from Paradise Lost, Inferno, Evolution, Smoke and Mirrors, Sea of Lies, Sins and Shadows, g'nite. Been there, heard that, ready for something new.
Personally, I would love if the band would take this opportunity to mix in some older/rarer material to the set list. I'm sure with a new album being released the band will have a hectic schedule around the time of the tour and probably won't have the time to prepare to perform any outrageously never-before-performed-live type material. But I've seen Symphony X every time they have come through the Boston area, and I for one have heard quite enough of Inferno, Evolution, and Of Sins and Shadows.
Look, it's a weird time for a tour anyway; at best it can be rationalized as a "let's remind the world that Symphony X is around since we've been in a cave writing the new album for what feels like centuries" sort of endeavor. That sort of thing is accomplished no matter WHAT you play live; if a person has committed to come see the band, the "I shouldn't forget to buy the new album" refresher that comes with it is wholly independent of the set list. Other than that, what are you going to do? Bring on new fans? You're not going to get too many new fans at a show not in support of a new album. I'd say you're looking at 98% fully committed, well established Symphony X fans attending this leg (unless you want to make the argument that you're still trying to win over the Nevermore fanbase, which I think has already been accomplished as much as it ever would be via Gigantour).
In that respect, come on guys, let's hear Damnation Game, Dressed to Kill, Church of the Machine... or go even rarer for all I care. Just don't make this one another: First three tracks from Paradise Lost, Inferno, Evolution, Smoke and Mirrors, Sea of Lies, Sins and Shadows, g'nite. Been there, heard that, ready for something new.
And I should probably count myself lucky, because there are a ton of fans out there that have never seen them live, simply because they don't visit those countries (yet!). I get the point of this thread, don't get me wrong, but I just envy anyone who can say they have seen them so many times that some of the songs actually bore them... But I'll come back to the UK in the fall for the Iconoclast tour! Maybe two or three shows then as well:Spin: I'm still living in the hope that one day I'll hear them play the odyssey live.
