Vocal ANALYSIS of Symphony X "The Odyssey" 24 minute song! WHY?!!!
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- čas přidán 21. 04. 2022
- You all wanted Russell Allen, so Symphony X became a thing I NEEDED on this channel. Then I put up a poll of which song. Overwhelmingly you selected "The Odyssey" without me checking how long the song was. What a wild ride! Not only have I fallen in love with Russell's voice beyond what I've heard in Star One and Ayreon, but I also learned to check how long songs were before putting them in a poll!
Join professional opera singer Elizabeth Zharoff, as she listens to Symphony X for the very first time, performing "The Odyssey” from the studio album.
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Performed by Symphony X - Words and Music by Michael Romeo, Russell Allen
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I definitely recommend watching the original video without interruptions. Here's the link: • The Odyssey
Show Symphony X some love: / @symphonyx
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Elizabeth Zharoff is an international opera singer and voice coach, with 3 degrees in voice, opera, and music production. She's performed in 18 languages throughout major venues in Europe, America, and Asia. Currently based somewhere between Los Angeles and Tucson, Arizona, Elizabeth spends her days researching voice, singing, teaching, writing music, and recording TONS. She also plays Diablo and Dungeons & Dragons.
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I'd bet you'd like the Finnish rock band H.I.M. aka "love metal" music genre .
Welcome to the world of Progressive Metal music. The epitome of highly technical music in the same level as Classical and Jazz.
Hello Elizabeth, long time fan of your reactions. I'd like to suggest you: Project Aegis - "And the Rest is Mistery"... Neal Morse, Daniel Heimann, Matt Smith and Leah singing together...can't get better than that, and I'm sure that your professional point of view you won't be disappointed. Thank you for your great channel.
it was sooo worth it, pleeeeeease do one on Blind Guardian's "And then there was silence", it's about the war of troy, and it's as epic (if not as virtuoso) and more symphonyc than the odyssey.
pleeeeeeease
Liquid tensión experiment 2
Gracias.
Symphony X is a criminally underrated metal band, and this song is a masterpiece. The entire band is crazy talented, Russell Allen being one of if not my favorite male vocalists in metal, and Michael Romeo is an actual guitar god.
The production sounds bad to me really puts me off. Very nice singer
@@Heatwave9000 Sorry for your loss
I'm a progressive drummer and Jason Rullo is one of my favorite drummers and inspirations....plus his name is the same as mine, Jason 😊 I've been into Symphony X since 2001/2002. This album is one of there best ever. This song is one of the many great epic songs in all of prog!!!! I love all the time signatures in this song and of course different temp changes and key changes 🥰😊
@@Heatwave9000 Symphony X was/is a very niche band. This album is recorded in the guitarists house studio. It was later upgraded with more up to date/better equipment etc but back in 2002 I have to think this was still on older equipment/lower quality samples etc. Still doesn't sound that bad imo.
Symphony X is truly one of the best metal bands.
I would pay a lot of money to see Symphony X play "The Odyssey" with a real orchestra!! Oh. My. God.
Totally agree. I'd even enjoy them re-recording it with an actual orchestra as opposed to, as Elizabeth noted, the samples horns, strings and such.
This has to happen. But sadly if it happens it won't be near me so I would be limited to a recording because I don't think I'll have the money or time to fly for a concert. Being an adult is not as good as it seemed when I was a kid.
Edit: well they are coming to my city on August 6 (3.5 months away) so we are not as forgotten but still, they traveling here with an orchestra I don't know, hopefully they would consider using the local one which is quite good.
No kidding. I wonder if they've ever done it.
Funny you mention that as Doug Helvering was kinda disappointed that it wasn't a real orchestra either. Either re-record with an orchestra or perform the song live at Plovdiv or something like that.
Album is 20 years old this year so it would be a grand opportunity...
@@FVD Yes, i also watch Doug's channel and of course watched that one :-) Even modern samples sound much better nowadays, they could try that route but it wouldn't beat the real thing, obviously.
Russell is great, but Michael Romeo comes from another planet. Every SX album is a true Masterpiece
I’d say another universe lol
their only bad album is the first one, the first singer sucks and production on this album is bad
You forgot to put Lord in there.. It's Lord Romeo
The next SX tune should be "The Accolade." His range is just unreal.
Yes!! One of the best Symphony X songs.
the pre-chorus in walls of babylon is also impressive go that high to then get into a really agressive chorus...russell's control of his voice is truly amazing
This just might be the best SX song ever.
Both Accolade and Accolade II in one video?
Is my favorite song!!!!
I've never seen another reaction channel do a 1 hr 16 min analysis of SX's The Odyssey. Elizabeth, you are the true champ and deserve a gold medal for this. This was fantastic.
Also, Russell Allen has been analyzed, deconstructed, and verified by Elizabeth, so he is officially the best prog metal singer ever.
👉👂🏆🧠👈
Fantastic
Um.........just no
She is a Champion of Ithaca 🤘
I had tears in my eyes when Russel hit those last few bars. This is one of the most underrated bands on the planet!
Totally agree!!
😂😂 its just a song, chill bruh
@@YonOtto you have no idea what music does for some people your probably someone who could give a shit so idk why I’m even entertaining you but music is one of the only reasons I’m still alive so no you chill… BRUH 🥴
@@hank35682 triggered. Baba want bottle of milk?
@@YonOtto do you always act like an immature teenager or only online where you can hide behind a keyboard
absolute peak vocals of russell allen is the divine wings of tragedy.
Fax
The vocal harmonies in the intro of TDWOT are absolutely hair raising, I really hope she gets to this one day.
My favorite SX album. And it’s really hard to pick a favorite because I love them all. Something about that entire album just convinces me it’s the best. I love every song. Even the “filler” songs are superb.
I agree, Divine Wings of Tragedy is certainly one of my favorites.
I just play that song when I'm lost to be reminded of the beauty humanity can bring
You need to interview Russell! I met him after a show once, and he was just so happy to take pictures and hang out with the fans. Great singer, great band.
(0:28) I - Overture
(11:30) II - Journey to Ithaca
(35:02) III - The Eye
(44:17) IV - Daughter of the Sun
(52:30) V - Sirens
(57:39) VI - Scylla and Charybdis
(1:05:32) VII - Champion of Ithaca
Thank you bro. What a song. Going to see Symphony X May 31st here in LA
Thank you for this, MetalForTheMasses. ❤️
@@TheCharismaticVoice Could we get this pinned?
legend
Elizabeth is literally a goddess to all music loving nerds. An absolute gift to humanity. Totally made my day. I would suggest "Divine wings of tragedy" for the next Symphony X.
I absoluetly second that suggestion.
Yes, yes I want this!
@@KeberFlores As would I, or Candlelight Fantasia, or even Through the Looking Glass.
Yeah, totally, or Accolade / Candlelight in fantasia
Accolade 1 & 2, Candlelight fantasia yeah
This is probably the GOAT reaction video of all time. Elizabeth is amazing, she breaks down the vocal technique as well or better than Rebecca Vocal Athlete and she breaks down the composition as well as Doug Helvering. What a wonderful, talented lady.
Yes, all what u said is incredibly right...but you realize you just said, this is probably the greatest of all time reaction video of all time
@@michaelsmoak6267
Was about to say the same thing.
Your named two of my favorite reviewers,
I've heard of Rebecca I need to check her out more.
You realize you said "of all time" twice, there?
@@YaoEspirito yes I do now, as several other people have already pointed out. Congratulations on your sharp eye
for anyone that enjoyed this journey of a song i CANT recommend enough for you to listen to the album "V - The New Mythology Suite" by Symphony X, that whole album is one epic trip c:
My favorite Symphony-X album.
What a beautiful and underrated album.
I might have turned a corner on the 'Rock Opera' thing with this. Might be worth a trip down the Rabbit Hole ...
@@jamesbell8861 V:The New Mythology is a game changer…. You have to listen to it lol
My man
Russell Allen is so versatile. He built a heavier, nastier distortion as the albums progressed, but still manages to keep a beautiful warm tone where needed. Just compare "The Sacrifice" with "Domination", they are even from the same album. It's mind blowing.
Yeah he's got the power but also soul and a bluesy vibe...easily one of the best
@@DiosGuardian by your username pretty sure you know who was the best
Exactly right... When he sang in The Damnation Game or Divine Wings, he sounded almost like a soul singer at times. Clean, articulate, almost bluesy. From The Odissey onward he put some more grit into his voice in some songs and sounded more like a modern metal vocalist, while keeping his signature rock tone, which for me sounds a lot like Dio's (and I mean this in the most positive way possible). It is mind blowing.
@@markyouwishyouknew6211 while Dio is a legend and one of the best, let's be real here. in terms of overall technique and versatility Allen takes the cake. but that's no biggie. I don't know any vocalist that's as good and as well rounded as Allen. it's almost unfair
I agree with you completely, Russell Allen has a beast within him when he sings. BEAST referring to something of a Lion, not a demon. He is remarkable.
Been anticipating this since the poll. Of course people were gonna pick The Odyssey, it lives up to the name. It's like 6-7 songs in one.
It's not even that long.
@@evacody1249 Well considering the song has 7 distinct movements, one could easily say it's 7 songs.
Actually, this song is 24 minutes long in reference to Homer's Odyssey which is composed of 24 "books", or chapter if you prefer.
Brilliant
really? i never made that connection. nice job there
I remember attending to one of their live shows, and Russell Allen said to the crowd if they wanted them to play any song of their repertoire. All the crowd, me included, shouted “The Oddyssey!!!!”. Then Russell said “FUCK YOU!!!”… and proceed to play the song. I guess they knew our response even before the question was ended. 😀😀
hahaha that rules!
thats russ for ya! this last tour it is/was their encore. hes like "you want more? we got one for ya, its long tho. no one can leave till we're done"
I'm under the impression Metallica felt the same way often when asked to play And Justice For All. I remember reading an interview with Hetfield years ago where he mentions how bored the crowd starts to get after the first 5 minutes of AJFA, but they still ask for it every time.
i also went to a live show, and everyone was chanting "ODYSSEY" after they went off stage. couple minutes of chanting and they arrived back on stage and everyone cheered. he said something along the lines of "you want us to play this almost half an hour song" and we all cheered, and then when the intro came in everybody went absolutely ballistic.
to top it all off, haken opened, and it was one of the best shows of my life.
😂😂 You know this is all predeterimned right? live bands don't just peform songs requested by the audience, this tune is their ''magnum opus'' and guess what, they play it at every show. Sorry to burst your bubble. You did nothing. But its funny that people in the crowd still believe they have that power. NYEH NYEH. Reality. Wake up.
I got to see Symphony X perform this full song live twice, and it was chilling to see. Russell Allen is even better live than he is on the album. He puts so much emotion into his performance.
Indeed! That´s what I thought when I saw them live for the first time. "This is the guy from the albums? Thechnologie can´t catch the emoitions he delivers live on a studio recording!"
I was lucky enough to see them on this tour on Friendship st in RI and it was a super small club. We were right up front against the stage. Met them afterwards across the street in the parking lot by their bus and got autographs! All cool guys. Great show.
Samesies :P I saw them opening for Stratovarius and then on their own headlining tour. Then I did the same with Paradise Lost, first supporting Dream Theater and then on their own. Until I had to miss a tour due to being poor, I had gone and seen them live every time they had set foot on my country, starting with the V tour.
This was my first show with them at the Jaxx in Virginia
Yup I have watched them perform this once in Houston back in 2015 and it was a dream come true, been a fan of SX since 2002, hey right when this album released!
Finally a Symphony X reaction! Been waiting for this, Russell Allen is a beast. One of the best vocalists out there for sure
Several years ago, I got to see Iced Earth and Symphony X play in Austin, and even though they both said they weren't doing their two long songs, iced earth ended the concert with Dantes Inferno, and then Symphony X came back on stage and played Odyssey. It was a magical night.
What an incredible combo. That's so awesome.
I saw Symphony X do The Odyssey the other night. Second time I've heard it live and it's just mind blowing.
I remember that tour. I saw them in Massachusetts they were incredible live and still are now.
Symphony X is definitely one of the most underrated bands out there, I can't think of a single bad album they really are in a world of their own.
Oh yeah, this will be so good. Symphony X is amazing and their songs are breathtaking. Enjoy
The Divine Wings of Tragedy is another beatifull master piece!
“Egypt” is one of their songs that showcases Russel’s vocal prowess. Very underrated but SX fans will agree on this. And oh, odd-time signatures included.
I"ve seen SX twice in Montreal, we drove 10 hours each time to go see them. One time they ended the show with The Odyssey. I was so, god damn happy to hear this song live I had tears in my eyes. During the shwo Russell Allen grabbed my hand in a buddy handshake and its my fondest memory from all the shows I attended in my life. Russell is the one that inspired me to start singing and this band is my absolute favorite of time. To get to talk to Ruseell Allen for 5 minutes would be a dream
When they were in my town, during the Odyssey finale, Russell looked right at me and pointed at me smiling TWICE (he probably noticed I was air-drumming for the entire concert), what a memory. Mr. Allen is not only goddamn legend singer, he engages well with audience.
Russell Allen is phenomenal.
But all credits here go to Michael Romeo
All donuts go to Michael Romeo.
@@u.v.s.5583 Romeo is not Yngwie. LoL!
🤣
hey Yngwie, you want a donut?
@@seventhplace Come on, Yngwie is a meme, but Romeo is the real donut king!
I always tear up happily at that final resolution where he's finally home
It's just the most beautiful way to end it.
As much as I adore Russell Allen's vocals... Michael Romeo is a freakin guitar GOD! SymX has always been one of my favorite bands. Like many here, I am eternally hopeful that we'll see an orchestra collaboration with them some day.
(12:38) Elizabeth tells us about her pregnancy. (I didn't know! Congrats!)
(11:50) The moment Elizabeth got pregnant.
It genuinely does look like that when she listens to that part. …stop sullying my mind!
Pro tip, if you're running a 10K, you can listen to the entire The Odyssey Album (skipping Accolade II and Masquerade at the end) in order...right as you hit the home stretch for the end of your race, Odysseus returns home. It hits the dopamine HARD and really moves your ass for the last little bit of the race.
Hey man, all the last symx albums are workout material. I almost always put on either Iconoclast, underworld or paradise lost when working out. However, I will now, RIGHT NOW, make a odyssey playlist! Thank you for the tip 🤘
@@spaceoilguitars Don't forget Romeo's solo albums! Super heavy. Great for workouts.
holy shit this is good advice!
I couldn't skip Accolade II, however. I love that song!
10K feet or 10K miles?
Love this. Symphony X is like Dream Theater, Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force and Dio combined. Has Liz done any David Coverdale? I don't think she has, and if she hasn't she definitely should. "Still of the Night"!!! ;)
Oh man David Coverdale. Elizabeth would love him.
Yngwie 🤘
Suggestion: Angra - Carolina IV. It's a massive Brazilian rhythm song with brilliant André Matos's (RIP) vocal performance .
UP
UP
UP
UP
up
Micheal Romeo is a modern day composer.
At last!! Can't wait for this Elizabeth!
"Seems like forever that my eyes have been denied...."
"Triumphant, Champion of Ithaca!"
The whole Story is true Metal! 🦾⚔
If there's a more powerful or anthemic sing-along than Russell shouting "Triumphant champion of Ithaca" I haven't heard it.
You've really only scratched the surface with Russell Allen. This next Christmas season, you really must check out his live performance of "For the Sake of Our Brother/Oh Come All Ye Faithful" with Transiberian Orchestra in Albany back in 2017. I'm not even religious, but that performance brings tears to my eyes and goosebumps to my arms. Russell can belt not just from his heart, not just from his soul, but with every cell in his body.
Absolutely!!
Omg you are right. That performance is unreal. Allen is best singer I ever heard.
That one from Russell Allen is OUTSTANDING. I don't know if links will work here, but here is one of those presentations czcams.com/video/o_TIR_Lq3rk/video.html
Symphony X is incredible; orchestral metal at its best. I would suggest: "The Damnation Game," "Egypt," and "The Divine Wings of Tragedy."
Russ wasnt really involved in DG, so it doesnt really show what he can do as they were still learning about each other. DWoT however, he had much more influence & boom. exploded out of the gate
You have to admire the fact that the band literally takes you on a journey…musically and makes you envision all the twists and turns and truly induces emotional responses with how clear and beautiful the whole album is…this is the pinnacle of music as it should be
Hi Elizabeth, this is my first time listening to this band/song, and the performance was outstanding. The Odyssey was full of excellent vocals, amazing solos, and the album artwork really does depict, "The Odyssey." Thank you, Elizabeth!!! 💙
next time you do a 20 minute symphony x song it should be the divine wings of tragedy tho - starts with choral arrangement, plus it's paradise lost, plus Holst's Mars in one. what's not to like?
The intro to that song is part of a Bach Mass .
Excellent review and song! I would love to see you breakdown "The Accolade." It shows off the amazing range of Allen and the brilliant musicianship of Symphony X.
The Odyssey from Symphony X is a master class in many aspects of music including, instrumental and vocal virtuosity, composition, musicality and production.
You should check Russell Allen on Ayreon's "Dawn of a million souls" in Star One's "Live on Earth". Oh, and "The two gates" from same cd, you'll love his presentation to band members for sure! 😉
Ooh, Symphony X. A great band that im sure you'll enjoy!
This is absolutely a Symphony X masterpiece ... Russ Allen at the top
This song is hitting so close to home, and I'm only a ⅓ of the way through your video. 1st time hearing it for me. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.
YESSSSS!!!! I subliminally told you to do this. :). it's so sad they didn't get the recognition of Dream Theater. Such incredible writing and talent. It's as if Vivaldi, Grieg, Bach, Mozart et al collaborated together... PSA: You have to do King's X Goldilox or Out of the Silent Planet. 3 guys in the band and 3 part harmonies that are MASSIVE. dissonance in the chords. Beautifully written songs, Beatlesque and prog. Dug Pinnick has that "whistle note" vocal that kills Mariah. PLEASE!!!! (and congrats? on the new one.)
Symphony X is criminaly underrated and Both Michael Romeo and Russel Allen should be recognized way much more than they are imo. hell all of the members. Pinnella too, Rullo and Lepond as well.
@@JeffreyBezeau hold not agree more. I have loved Symphony X for YEARS and have always thought that Dream Theater has way more recognition, but to me, these guys have such an amazing sound that I often am myself “how?” Russel Allen and Michael Romeo…ugh…perfection.
KING'S X!!! KING'S X!!! KING'S X!!!
For vocals and a good groove, I would say "We Are Finding Who We Are". Doug lets go a bit in that one on top of all the great harmonies.
In this reaction we see how Elizabeth is tackling the herculean task of a 24 minute symphonic progressive multipart song
and going on an Odyssey of epic proportions. Will she make it home back to Kirk or will the Sirens lure her to death?!
Let's all watch this reaction to find out!
Elizabeth you always will be an heroine for taking on this song. You could have just turned it down and made 2 song polls for other stuff instead or something -
but no, you buckled up and went for it- 24 minutes song x 5 = 2 hours reaction (probably since this is written before the the premiere).
Side note Elizabeth gained 2000XP in this wild journey and leveled up to demigod vocal expert level after this!
I think Elizabeth needn't be scared of the sirens and get tied to the mast...rather tie the sirens to their rock! 😂
Sirens lure men though. Also where do you get 24 x 5 and 2 hours from?
@@mikebarnes7441 jup, this guy needs to play less games and read up some more on greek mythology lol
They are playing the entire song as their encore on their current tour. Just saw them in Chicago on 5/19. Simply amazing.
I grew up in the 80s. My dad would play the classical greats Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, and others. As a teen I grew to appreciate these masters. Meanwhile I listened to 80s metal and loved it. When I heard the likes of Yngwie and others who were inspired by classical music I was so intrigued. Fast forward to the first times I listened to Dream Theater, Symphony x and other progressive metal. I felt like metal and really become complete. I call this "cerebral metal" because the orchestration, lyrics and power is so brilliant. I am sure Mozart and the boys are applauding in their graves.
It says a lot about how much this song means to me that it's one of the few Prog Power Metal songs that I can still listen to now, having long since drifted away from the genre.
There's just something so cinematically powerful about it. Like it's what would happen if John Williams formed a prog metal band.
This was, without any doubt the most enjoyable reaction video I´ve ever seen. That was magnificent, as the song is (a complete masterpiece). Thank you so much for that. Your knowledge about the strory, dedication and wisdom is amazing. Symphony X is one of my favourite bands ever (together with Epica most likely). Hope you enjoyed!
You should try The Divine Wings of Tragedy, also from Sympony X.
I legit laughed out loud at your initial reaction to Russel's voice, don't worry we all feel that way LOL. Just incredible.
I'm so happy to see this video, Symphony X is the greatest there is at what they do.
I really can't find the words to express how amazing this band is. you close your eyes and you are transported to another time and place. Love your analysis.
Such a great reaction. This song is a masterpiece. I relived my memories of the concert I was honored to witness. Seeing the band perform and Russell Allan sing was just magnificent. I teared up several times watching you being intrigued so often while being in my memories simultaniously.
This song was the ADDITION to an already full show. This was amazing.
So thank you for doing this reaction! Thank you! ❤
Must hear “Paradise Lost”, “Without You” or “When All is Lost”!
Everybody always sleeps on "Swansong" from Underworld, but that's just as beautiful a ballad as the others you mentioned. Their ballads are definitely underappreciated as a whole though.
Definitely have to second Paradise Lost.
Dude... I totally second that. In special Paradise Lost and When All is Lost, my two go-cry Symphony X songs. Theres a bittersweet beauty in both that never ceases to make me emotional
All of these
I second the motion. Paradise Lost is a tragically beautiful song.
seeing someone appreciating this masterpiece for the first time moved me just as much to tears as seeing it live after 15 years of waiting time
"A lesson before dying" Is my FAVORITE song by x.
Much shorter, much sweeter, and it's one of their earlier works. Absolute journey to partake in.
Probably my favorite concert going experience was when Symphony X encored The Odyssey during their show at the House of Blues in LA. Everyone is in for a fantastic treat with this one.
They did it in Dallas too and it was amazing!
I was at that LA show too! Definitely one of my best concert experiences.
Stepping into the world of Alice in Wonderland with Through The Looking Glass Part I II & III by Symphony X should be a sonically satisfying experience.
Elizabeth, I know you are very correct and educated and you would never say this but... This song deserves to be used as an example when looking for the word "EARGASM" in a dictionary 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I was lucky enough to hear it live, on the tour of that album, about twenty years ago, here in Madrid (Spain).
I had forgotten how amazing this piece of music is. Composition and execution. Unbelievable.
Elizabeth! Oh, if only I had no conscience and could call in "sick" to work tomorrow.....you're going to put in a full morning breaking this song down! I predict a 90-minute video in full (and that might be short a few minutes)..... 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
Next up for Symphony X: Please review "Paradise Lost" (title track) - you will LOOOOOVE that one!
@wheeerYT, Good estimation, At 76 minutes, you weren't too far off.
That's unfortunately where I completely lost interest in Symphony X. To me, that album represented their abandonment of the proggy, epic and symphonic for pretty standard thrash metal, and one of my favorite singers largely forsook singing for shouting...
A very different type of prog metal suggestion: "The Czar" by Mastodon. It also tells an epic story, but it is a lot shorter than this. But trust me when I say that you will love it.
Great reaction to this song, Elizabeth!
Great suggestion.
Ugh Mastadons vocalists both suck at their job.
The one time I've seen this band they played this as an encore.....at the end of the set after they had been playing for like an hr already lol it was epic and I cried. It was a spiritual moment for me 😅
This song is so expressive, so epic, that it might be adapted into a ballet. I would definitely watch that
Elizabeth I love your channel and your ability to make us understand what makes the songs special to us. I was wondering if you would consider doing this also with some of the amazing music put out by Journey and singer Steve Perry. I didn’t see any in your list. Thank you for any consideration.
I love Journey and Steve Perry, so it would have to be an analysis video. That said, maybe later this year?!
Can’t wait!!! Teach on dear!!!
I dragged my dad to Into Eternity, Epica, and Symphony X's concert and he was blown away by Symphony X. His hobby for the last 30+ years has been audio engineering. It was fun to watch his reactions to a genre he hasn't heard before.
I saw them at the tour as well, played at a small venue, it was awesome. I really got in Epica after that. Be cool if they toured together again.
@@asafjalfin5828 I totally agree!!!
They’re awesome live as well. Love them!
I was lucky enough to see them play this live 20 years ago. Incredible. Michael Romeo's love for John Williams really shines through.
You should definitely check out Allen Lande, its Russell Allen and vocalist Jorn Lande doing a collaboration and its honestly insane.
The entire first album would be a trip for Elizabeth, for sure. EVERY SONG STICKS FOREVER IN YOUR MIND hahahaha props to Magnus Karlsson
Those guys have more pipes than a pipe organ!
Russell Allen and Jorn Lande are a great duo.
First Kamelot, now Symphony X? Whats next...Jorn Lande (with Ark)? Arch-Matheos? DC Cooper with Royal Hunt?
Nice to see we covered much (hallowed) ground in her journey into the land of Symphonic / Prog Metal but there is so much left to experience!
Maybe Allen/Lande? Then she can hear both singers, great band aswell
Lande's Dracula is awesome.
I can't imagine the reaction when she hears that coin drop 😅😅😅
Ark’s Burn the Sun album is a masterpiece.
Ohhh yeahh, I would love to hear Elizabeth's reaction on Beyond Twilight's Shadowlands. Jorn's vocals are amazing on that, the growly voice in the beginning gives me goosebumps everytime. And that amazing chorus...
This song is their indisputable epic masterpiece! It is without a doubt my favorite Symphony X song! Unreal
I've had the pleasure of seeing Symphony X perform this song live on three separate occasions. The entire band is amazing, and Michael Romeo is true virtuoso, but Russell Allen is a different sort of singer. He doesn't just sing songs, he fully performs them. The way he sings with his whole body makes his words feel like they have a physicality to them beyond just sound. It makes for a truly memorable experience. Also, just a cool little note, one of those times was at ProgPower USA in 2012 where they opened with Divine Wings of Tragedy and closed with The Odyssey. One of the best sets I've seen from any band. Ever.
Wow man, what a setlist, I’m pretty jealous tbh, you were pretty damn lucky to experience that!
same here. all three times in Seattle and all three times it was the encore.
Saw 'em twice on their Paradise Lost tour. First time this was the encore. Second time was final show of the tour, and they and Epica (who opened) had Nerf gun fights throughout their sets, and Russell didn't miss a note even as he was firing his Nerf gun off stage at Epica.
Russel Allen has it all! One of the most complete singers out there... As a Duo fan you should listen to his version of The Mob Rules with his other band Adrenaline Mob.
I really love these long songs that builds an entire storyline.Songs like Octavarum and A Change of Seasons (Dream Theater), Stranger In Your Soul, The Whirlwind (Transatlantic), Anesthetize (Porcupine Tree)... But there are a couple of songs that do this is a shorter time span, like Drive Home, Luminol, Routine, The Watchmaker (All By Steven Wilson)... But there's a couple of guys that have this storytelling ability outside of prog, like Divers and Submarines (by Passenger) or Nie Mehr Wie Vorher (by Niels Frevert).. both this last guys have entire albums in this storytelling style... Sometimes they build all the stories from small details in life...Nie Mehr Wie Vorher starts during a shower and goes along this succession of moments to tell a story of a fading relationship...
Check out 'The Great Escape' by Seventh Wonder. Based on a swedish poem wrote in the early 60's, also made into a movie called 'Aniara' (you can rent it here on CZcams). 30 minutes, all fantastic, here's a link to a lyric video:
czcams.com/video/UMjO7y-98Ak/video.html
@@senditkevin I'm checking it out tomorrow morning!! It's already saved! Thanks!!
@@rockonileva All 3 albums including that one and the 2 before that (Waiting In The Wings, Mercy Falls) and the one after that (Tiara) are awesome.
There is a new one coming out June 10th (The Testement). Really excited for it.
Moonsorrow's V - Hävitetty is also an entire epic journey as an album.
I love that on the back of the CD is just written 'Playing Time: 56min'.
Cheers from France! 🍻
Michael Romeo is a fucking genius. He's Yngwie Malmsteen's right hand man. Mike Pinnella is a great dude too. Brilliant keyboardist. Give him a Starbucks gift card when my wife and I saw them live a few years back.
I do prefer Michael Romeo to Malmsteen, just in term of compositions and riffs in general, but both guys are top class virtuosos for sure.
@@bellybutthole69 The only thing that keeps Malmsteen "on top" on Romeo is his name and the fact that he was one of the very first neo-classical musician and the only one to really perform that well in his era.
But honestly, i think Romeo is way much better in almost every points than Malmsteen. The only obvious thing that come to mind, for me, as where Malmsteen is way better than Romeo is charisma and stage performance. Malmsteen is way more comfortable and better and showcasing his virtuosity than Romeo...but Romeo is a beast himself...much more of an humble beast tho, doing what he does best without trying to shine like a star, as Malmsteen is known for.
Malmsteen can play the harmonic minor quickly. Romeo has mastered the instrument. And, on top of that, his compositional skill puts Malmsteen in the dirt.
Jason Rullo doesn't get enough credit.
@@gordy3714 the whole band doesn't get enough credit. They're all great.
I’ve never clicked a video faster. This is one of my all time favorite songs and bands, they performed it live in NYC once as the final song and it was amazing. Glad you reacted to this masterpiece
I know this song in every second and every beat since years and years now: you really have moved me to tears, really! Thanks a lot Elizabeth
I am so glad to see a reaction of this from you! First Kamelot's "Elizabeth", now this, then all that would be left to crown out the top 3 for the magna opera of my favorite bands would be "And Then There Was Silence" from Blind Guardian.
from all the BG songs you could choose, you chose that one, really?
I see you're a man of culture as well.
Oh yes, I have been waiting for this! Truly a song that lives up to its name!
This song will always be a progressive metal masterpiece!🤘
Fact
Hi. I didn't know your channel, I found this video while I was looking for some Mickael Romeo videos (Symphony X's guitarist). Just a message to say that I have been listening to this (master)piece for about 20 years and don't feel tired of it. Thank you for your great analysis, I think I understand now the piece better than before. I now understand that there are even more details than I thought in it.
About Symphony X, I have seen them in France (I'm french btw) in 2003, I was literally blown out away: a long and virtuosic concert, and they played The Odyssea as a recall (24 minutes as a recall in a metal concert: unbelievable!). So, they played I don't know, maybe 1h30! They had played two days before 200 miles away. And Russel's voice went loud, gutural, clear without any problem. These guys really enjoyed playing, they were clearly loving what they were doing and loving the public. Maybe my favorite concert of all time.
I never expected to see this on the channel, given the length, but I'm so glad you got a chance to listen to it. I've been lucky enough to see them perform this live a few times. It's absolutely one of my favorite songs/pieces of music ever.
Symphony X - A Fool's Paradise !!
Shorter song, more and great vocals !!
And that amazing adaptation of Bach in the solo.
That Song is amazing!
Also 'the accolade 1'.
I actually sailed to Ithaca with this song in my ears. Standing on the bow of a boat.
Love the way you mix your knowledge of The Odyssey with your analysis and interpretation… it definitely gives this masterpiece a further sense of appreciation! I’ve enjoyed it as much as listening to the song itself 🤘🏼
I saw them live once, and they closed the show with this masterpiece. And yes, the entire crowd sang their lungs out during the "triumphant champion of Ithaca" part. It was absolutely glorious.
This song saved my life as a young kid.. finally it gets the recognition it deserves
I didn't expect that my favorite Symphony X song would ever be analyzed on this channel.
Thank you, I enjoyed it 🙂
Sir Russell Allan and Floor Jansen are my 2 favorite singers for at least 20 years now
Please check out Jorn Lande next. If you love Dio and Russell, you’ll DEFINITELY love Jorn!
OMG YES! Anything to be honest, but he's especially magnificent with Ark and Beyond Twilight
@@jessicamonstans he SHOULD have taken over for Dio in Sabbath/ Heaven and Hell
She has kinda reacted to him, as he was a guest singer on the Avantasia song that she reacted to, "The Scarecrow":
czcams.com/video/Htmjnhjax2g/video.html
I kept saying that! Did you see the clip of Jorn singing “ Heaven and Hell” with Sabbath?
I hope we can hear more Symphony X in the future, perhaps something from a more recent album in their newer, harder style? One of my favorite bands for sure.
Have you heard Michael Romeo's new solo album: "War of the Worlds Part 2" ? He got Dino Jelusick on vocals. It literally sounds like it could be a new Symphony-X album. It just released last month.
@@TheCyberMantis You know I haven't listened to any of the band members' solo material. I really should.
@@nimbulan2020 Check out the new Romeo album. Songs are here on CZcams. Seek, and ye shall find.
wow, spending this much time with Elizabeth, with a masterpiece of a song, that is, for me, part Dream Theater, part Iron Maiden, with some Megadeth and some Styx mixed into this... I just LOVED this analysis! Great job as usual :)
Symphony X are sensational and Russell Allen is a certifiable beast. So so good.
Good job in suggesting this! Next Goal: "The Divine Wings of Tragedy"!!!
Also, please someone suggest her Project Aegis' "And the Rest is Mistery"... Neal Morse, Daniel Heimann, Matt Smith and Leah singing together...can't get better than that!
Pretty sure you just made that wondurful recomendation.
Some of the greatest musicianship/composition in music! Love me some Symphony X - thank you for your exquisite analysis of the woefully underrated band!
underrated? so tell me, who that knows of this band does not rate them highly? i don't know a single person.
how it hate this word. if anything they are very very highly rated. not being well known is not being underrated. think before you type
@@hazardeur Wow, so sad. I am only sadder for actually giving you the 3 minutes to read and respond to your unnecessary comment. Oh, check your word choice before clicking 'REPLY.' Be well.
@@hazardeur The oxford definition of underrated is "not rated OR valued highly enough." I think an argument can be made that if something is unpopular it is not being valued highly enough. Even if you disagree, it was obvious what John Pullman meant to say given the context of the rest of his comment.
Your comment, on the other hand, is completely worthless. This guy is just trying to share his joy of music and you come in here needlessly aggressive over semantics...
Love this song and album, I have listened to it legitimately hundreds of times since it was released.
I’VE BEEN RECOMMENDING THIS FOR AGES!!!!! THANK YOU 🙏🏼 This is one of the greatest, most under-known-about and under appreciated songs ever recorded IMNSHO 😉
Nobody on earth beats the Michael Romeo/Russell Allen guitar/vocals combo.
I KNEW you'd LOVE Russell Allen!!!!!!
First time hearing Symphony X, WOW! The first vocal section with its vocal and guitar combo reminded me of the band KANSAS. Anyone else get that kind of vibe? Cannot wait to see Elizabeth's break down of the instrumentals as well as the vocals, an epic odyssey?
Kansas and Wishbone Ash Argus... A real classic prog album.
Michael Romeo, the guitarist, listed kansas as one of his influences.
KANSAS is one of Romeo(songwriter of SX)'s favorite bands!
I was thinking that,but completely did not expect anyone to share that point of view! This song sounds like an entire Kansas album rolled into one song.
@@lupita132 Didn't know that, this makes a ton of sense now that I think about it.
The two are some of my favorite bands.
Kansas' Leftoverture is just amazing.
Cheers from France! 🍻
Hot take... I always thought what if Russell traded places with James Labrie in Dream Theater ? Russell's voice in DT would be so freaking epic
Elizabeth you have no idea how much I'm enjoying your analysis!
When I was in high school and into college in the mid 2000s I used to listen to this album NON STOP I have it engraved in my brain and it brings back a ton of memories listening to this CD on my way to classes, it got me pumped for sure!
Agreed...I've too always thought of Russell & James traded places...only in dreams...and would be very epic 🤘
thank god that didn't happen. DT was a shitshow right after Metropolis Part 2 and La Brie got nothing on Allen. I do love his performance on the 90's DT albums though, specifically I&W. But Allen was way up there already and got better and better and also way more versatile and creative
I’d rather clone russel and have him in both bands
Hey, this is probably my favorite song of all time and this video had me feeling such joy and confirmation about how it's made me feel throughout the years... Thank You!
OMG SYMPHONY X IS MY FAVORITE BAND !!!!!!!! THANK YOU FOR THIS!!!!! My one favorite song of there's is actually the other crazy long one Divine Wings of Tragedy. I fell in LOVE with this band when I heard the theme from Mars Bringer of War in it. I super recommend that piece as well as On the Edge of Forever and Paradise Lost