Track Listing

1. Oculus Ex Inferni
2. Set The World On Fire
3. Domination
4. Serpent's Kiss
5. Paradise Lost
6. Eve Of Seduction
7. Walls Of Babylon
8. Seven
9. Sacrifice
10. Revelation (Divus Pennae Ex Tragoedia)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13455 in Music
• Released on: 2007-06-25
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .17 pounds

CD Description
New Jersey prog-metal stalwarts Symphony X return with PARADISE LOST, their first outing since 2002's THE ODYSSEY. Their literary aspirations remain intact--the album is inspired by the John Milton epic poem of the same name--and per usual, Michael Romeo's Byzantine tablature and Russell Allen's vocals are the main attractions. Throughout PARADISE LOST the band fantasizes that all '80s thrash and '90s doom metal didnot happen, and that they are picking up right where Randy Rhodes and Yngwie Malmsteem left off in the early 1980s. In their vision, technical dexterity and neo-classicism--note the inclusion of a string section and piano balladry--trump mathy angst, satanic sludge, and stoner riffage.

Customer Reviews

Back with a vengeance!
It's been a long four years since the last masterful offering from prog-metal masters Symphony X and I'm pleased to say that it's been well worth the wait! Paradise Lost is a mixture of old and new styles that should keep loyal devotees happy and hopefully will be a powerful introduction to new fans.

This new offering is bristling with power, emotion and enough techno-riffs to last a lifetime. And it's delivered by a band who individually not only have astonishingly become even more proficient but are playing in perfect unity and focus. Guitar virtuoso Michael Romeo delivers the goods, as always, as the master of the power riff and sublimely-technical solos, much of which is played in spine-tingling off-beat timing. Vocalist Russell Allen continues a trend set on The Odyssey and uses his "grunge" voice to magnificent effect on much of the dark, pounding songs on the album. The title track, however features a softer side to the band and follows along from earlier offerings such as The Accolade and The Accolade II, and gives Allen the chance to wax musical and deliver a fine vocal performance, confirming to me that he's the best in the business.

As previously mentioned the band has gone up a notch in terms of technical brilliance; drummer Jason Rullo delivers an outstanding high-octane performance that places him alongside the recognised masters (such as Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater.) Keyboardist Michael Pinnella shines throughout, especially in the racy counter-solos with Michael Romeo, and bassist Michael Lepond is on splendid form. Couple all this with a modern "in yer face" production and the usual dark, thought-provoking lyrics that are the trademark of an intelligent band and you have a truly magnificent album.

At this early stage my favourite songs are "Set the World on Fire" and "Domination" but I always find with Symphony X that the more I listen to their new albums the more I come to appreciate the subtlety and cleverness of the songs throughout.


Is it the album of the decade? It is for me. Play it on an amplifier with a volume control that goes up to number 12! More a case of paradise regained!

Metalprog meistros are back!
The previous reviewer hit things spot on and I would just like to add my congratultions to a band that never fails to amaze. "Sir" Russell Allan is a god amongs vocalists and is the true successor to Ronnie James Dio.

For those unititiated imagine an adrenaline charged Rainbow or a metal Rhino at full pelt. Truly shock and Awe.

Buy this album.

Don't bother with the DVD Though
Only reviewingt the CD as the DVD is a bit dodgy and only for the committed. I am not committed as this is the first album I've heard by Symphony X and it won't be my last. I have been a fan of Dream Theater for some time but for some reason have missed this band, but having read the positive reviews on here, I can only say what took me so long? Heavy, melodic and intricate all on one album, and often all at the same time - easily one of the albums of the year. Great singing and musicianship, looks like I'll be getting the other albums now.