SYMPHONY X
www.myspace.com/officialsymphonyx
1994 - 1995: The First Two Albums
In early 1994 Michael Romeo (ex-Phantom's Opera, ex-Gemini) recorded a demo tape entitled The Dark Chapter, which featured himself and keyboard player Michael Pinnella. The tape attracted a fair share of attention. He then recruited bassist Thomas Miller, drummer Jason Rullo, vocalist Rod Tyler, and finally keyboard player Michael Pinnella. Their self-titled debut album was recorded in the same year, and released in Japan by now-extinct Zero Corporation Label. The album was positively received in Japan and in some European markets. The second album, The Damnation Game, followed six months later. Singer Rod Tyler had left the band by then and was substituted by Russell Allen, who influenced the band's style in a noticeable way, emphasizing the classical side of Symphony X.
1997: The Divine Wings of Tragedy
The Divine Wings of Tragedy was the album that first gave Symphony X exposure in metal circles. It took a considerable time to record the album, with the recording sessions beginning in 1996 and concluding in 1997. The positive feedback from the specialized press served to establish Symphony X in Europe; their success in Japan only continued to grow.
1998: Twilight in Olympus
At the end of 1997 and for part of the next year, Jason Rullo, their drummer, had to stay away from the band in order to solve personal issues. He was temporarily replaced by Thomas Walling. Even with a temporary drummer, the band recorded Twilight in Olympus, released in early 1998. That year also saw the first live performances from the band, which by then had already gathered many fans from around the globe. Their first official show happened in 1998, in Japan. It was soon followed by a world tour. Bassist Thomas Miller left the band and was replaced by Michael Lepond in that year.
A compilation album, Prelude to the Millennium, was released by the end of 1998. As an extra, it featured a second version of the song "Masquerade" from the first album, with Russell Allen on vocals.
2000: V: The New Mythology Suite
Jason Rullo returned to the drums for the band's fifth album, V: The New Mythology Suite, released in 2000. It was the band's first release on major progressive label InsideOut Music. The album was their first concept album, dealing with the myth of Atlantis. The album features classics such as "Communion and the Oracle", "Egypt" and the mini-suite "Rediscovery", and includes pieces of classical music.
The band went on a European tour shortly after its release and recorded their first live album, Live on the Edge of Forever.
2002: The Odyssey
In 2002, the band released The Odyssey, an album prominently featuring a 24-minute long musical interpretation of the Greek tale The Odyssey.
2004 saw their keyboardist Michael Pinnella release a solo album, entitled Enter By the Twelfth Gate. Vocalist Russell Allen's solo debut, entitled Atomic Soul, was released in summer 2005. With this album, Allen took a different musical direction from his work with Symphony X. It was considered by many—including Allen himself—a hard rock album. Also in 2005, he went on to record the album called The Battle with former Masterplan vocalist Jørn Lande under the Allen/Lande moniker. The two recorded a follow-up album entitled The Revenge, released May 11th, 2007. In 2005 Symphony X was featured on Gigantour, a summer festival headlined by Megadeth with Dream Theater and Anthrax. Two Symphony X songs from the tour are featured on the Gigantour DVD and CD-set, released in September 2006.
2007: Paradise Lost
The band's new album Paradise Lost, a concept album inspired by John Milton's epic poem of the same name, was recorded in Romeo's studio and released worldwide on June 26th. The band claimed this work had darker themes musically. In a first for the band, the album included a special DVD of footage shot by the band throughout their history, exclusively available in FYE stores. [1] This release coincided with a 14-month world tour, giving an opportunity for fans the world over to see them live. Territories include a tour through all of Europe with Dream Theater in fall 2007. The band will also play Japan, Australia, and other southeast Asia territories as well as the first ever jaunt to Russia, India, and the Middle East.
Paradise Lost debuted at number 123 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart in the United States selling 6,300 copies in its first week. The record also debuted at number 1 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart.[citation needed]
The band released a music video for "Serpent's Kiss," which is their first music video.
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Current members
Russell Allen - vocals
Michael Romeo - guitar
Michael Pinnella - keyboards
Michael Lepond - bass guitar
Jason Rullo - drums
Former members
Rod Tyler - Vocals (1994)
Thomas Miller - Bass guitar (1994-2000)
Thomas Walling - Drums (1998-2000)
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Discography
1994 Symphony X
1995 The Damnation Game
1997 The Divine Wings of Tragedy
1998 Twilight in Olympus Studio
2000 V: The New Mythology Suite -
2001 Live on the Edge of Forever Live -
2002 The Odyssey
2007 Paradise Lost
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