Symphony X
Underworld

I recall a time when a new album by Symphony X was a real highlight, nowadays though it is mostly lacklustre stuff – the great stuff was more than a decade ago and that is despite the fact that the band has taken a lot more time to write new albums than when they were really good. I think Paradise Lost from 2007 was bad and Iconoclast from 2011 was lacklustre, what has always been good has been the handiwork of Michael Romeo and his merry men – it is the blueprints that has failed them. For this album the ratings and opinions have fluctuated but the poor or lacklustre opinions have certainly been around but there have also been some very good ratings for this album – not that such things mean anything but you might want a counterweight to what I am writing.

It is epic, majestic metal with progressive and neoclassical tones, majestically heavy riffs and powerful charismatic vocals. And of course the symphonic additions, the atmospheric keyboards and the choirs are there – the classic touches that have always been a part of the Symphony X albums. Inspired by Dante´s Inferno and Orpheus Underworld it takes a path that is a little bit dark on the thematic side. The production is impressive, sound is excellent but I think the album fails to convey any theatrical sense and the lyrics seem to be rather nonsensical. I also think that it is a very long album, for a progressive album a playing time of little over the hour doesn’t have to be a problem but it is definitely a handicap on Underworld – and that is probably because of the lack of variation through the album, it is often a massive wall of sound rather than something nuanced and really dynamic.

Tired! If there is one word that can summarise this album it is tired, it is a tired effort with no heart and no soul. Perhaps Symphony X should have been put on ice following Odyssey since that was the last time they did something worthwhile. This album feels like a waste of time, another lacklustre project that is a good handiwork but certainly not a good artwork. It feels like an album that is made for economic reasons because musically it offers absolutely nothing of consequence. It is sad to that this once majestic and exciting, innovative and great band has turned into a pointless band. They are strong musical craftsmen but they are certainly not artists anymore, I would say that a poor caricature of what they once were is a better description of Symphony X today.

To say that Underworld is a disappointment is wrong as expectations can’t be that high considering Paradise Lost and Iconoclast, but at the same time I know that they have the capacity and was once again hoping that they might have found some new inspiration - but I was wrong. So I can only once and for all stop calling myself a fan of this band, they were once great and I am a fan of those albums but Symphony X should have made an exit from the scene long ago when they still were relevant.

I have certainly tried to think of something redeeming to write about this album but beside excellent musicianship and great production it has nothing to offer. Symphony X’s members are craftsmen, not artists and this is great handiwork drawn by a very poor architect. So, my friends in Symphony X, find yourselves deleted, this album is recommended to no one  - sorry for the late review in case you have already bought the album.

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