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| again? -
They've just been here last spring on an european trip. But it seems to
have got to a certain routine. Every Year this ProgRock band from New
Jersey, USA keep retourning to good old Europe, though they say, that they
are doing very well in the States as well. Well never mind. We for our
part, are pleased and happy, when Symphony X come back another time. This
time is package of 3 acts, whereby the support is handled by Norwegian
rockers Pagan's Mind and italien metalheads DGM. Symphony X have to go for three more years to celebrate their 20th anniversary. Within this time the band made seven studioalbums and one compilation and one live record and one rarity /demo CD. - the latest release came out this summer. And with 'Iconoclast' the band has created yet another milestone what's up to progressive Rockmusic. One more reason to come back to Europe to introduces this new longplayer. The place to play is once more our Backstage Halle, where aprox. 350 - 400 guests have gathered... Starting off are DGM, who are on the scene also since 1994.
Although there ain't much left of the original line up exept drummer Fabio Constantino, and even that one came in in 1998. However the figure 7 seems to be a magic one because just like Symphony X - DGM have seven albums out. Currently they haven't got a new release. Let's put it that way, DGM have been probably pretty happy to get this chance to get out of homely Italy supporting Symphony X, To collect some points and win new fans. Here in Munich the share the fade of every opener 1) that not all of the audiance is inside the building and 2)almost no light. And it is as usual very difficult to judge such an opening act under such given circumstances. Let's put it that
way, I wouldn't describe DGM not quite as progrock, but on the other hand
still providing a certain level of musical art. And it's worth while to
lend them an ear. In addition to that, singer Mark Basile (since 2007) is
a visual focus with his bold head, catching the eye of the spectator. - 30
minutes are of course much to short again, to get a decent impression.
That's why I give em' 5 out of 10 points, and let's see what the Seniores
from the country where the lemons grow, do for their future. |
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| Now it's
getting a bit complicated, because this band is playing without their
singer Nils K.Rue, who, out of whatever for reasons, is missing for 3
shows on this tour. And one of these events is this here in Munich. He
does get replaced by norwegian friends Michael and Truls from Circus
Maximus. And that had not been known until this very day, so some people
in here are a little irritiated thanks to these circumstances. But don'd
worry, it's not going to last forever and meanwhile both guys are back
in their own band and Nils is back again. The fifth album of Pagan's
Mind named 'Heavenly Ecstasy' has been released this year and this one
gets promoted here on this tour. Well the band's style is situated
somewhere between DGM and Symphony X but tends much more to the
progressive side, as the opener for instance. They are trying
hard despite the lack of their own frontman to convince the audiance of
their skills. And prinicpally they can manage as far as the generell
interest of all Symphony X fans in here allow it. Because meanwhile
everybody is waiting for the headliner... But that again is nothing new
and pretty normal... |
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I've got say - Symphony X are first of all - very loud tonight... very
loud indeed. Apart from that there is not much to criticice on their
show here. They are doing a good job as always, mainly what's up to the
dominant presence of singer Russel Allen and the excellent guitar
playing of Michael Romeo. That one is a 150% perfectionist, which you
can realize from miles away. And works himself off in delicate sound
games, which compared to a 100 year old DNA structure is a true
miracle of complicated sound structur. Well, loosing a little bit
weight would suit both guys even a bit better, as the eye eats also some
of the cake, as we say so in german, but fortunately that's not
important really.
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The current
release gets honoured with 8 performed tracks and in addition to this we
get some diamonds from the album before 'Paradise Lost'. Only two older
songs find their way onto the setlist. View this below....
It's a fact, that
Symphony X celebrate yet another victory. This is due to all the talents
on one hand, but also thanks to the fact, that in here are only Die Hard
fans anyway, who don't accept any critics on their favorite band. |
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| Apart
from that in the end their is only this above mentioned weak spot and
that's the sound level. I for my part is curious, how long it will take
until Symphony X have conquered the next higher size of venues. Though
it's questionable, whether they will ever reach the status of Dream
Theater for example. But that again is rather a matter of luck than lost
talents or anything like that. In this sense - let's wait and see until next years - same town, same time and maybe a bigger crowd. They'd deserve it in any case.. http://www.symphonyx.com/ |
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