Symphony X is a North American progressive metal band from New Jersey, which was founded in 1994 by guitarist Michael Romeo.

Biography

In early 1994, Michael Romeo (ex-Gemini ) recorded a demo tape entitled The Dark Chapter, which featured a few songs composed and performed by him. The tape attracted a fair share of attention. He then proceeded to invite bassist Thomas Miller, drummer Jason Rullo, vocalist Rod Tyler and finally keyboard player Michael Pínella.

Their debut album was recorded in the same year. Self-titled Symphony X, it was released in Japan by now-extinct Zero Corporation Label. The album was positively received in said country and in some European markets.

The second album, The Damnation Game soon followed, six months later. Singer Rod Tyler left the band and was substituted by Russel Allen, who - not surprisingly - influenced the band's style in a noticeable way, placing the classical side of Symphony X more in evidence.

Considered by many their masterpiece, The Divine Wings of Tragedy took a considerable time to record. Recording sessions started in 1996 and were finished in 1997. The positive feedback from the specialized press served to establish Symphony X in Europe; their success in Japan only continued to grow.

In the end of that year and for part of the next, Jason Rullo 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 proceeded to record Twilight in Olympus, released in early 1998. That year also saw the first live performaces 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.

A compilation album - named Prelude to the Millennium - was released by the end of that year. In special, it featured a second version of the song Masquerade, with Russell Allen on the vocals.

Sumphony X's fifth album - The New Mythology Suite, from 2000 - saw the return of Jason Rullo to the drums. The band went on an European tour shortly after and recorded their first live album during a show in Paris: Live on the Edge of Forever.

In 2002, the band released The Odyssey, an album featuring - most prominently - a 24-minutes long track of eponymous name which is a musical interpretation of the greek tale The Odyssey.

Line-up

• Russell Allen - Vocals
• Michael Romeo - Guitar
• Michael Pinnella - Keyboard
• Michael Lepond - Bass
• Jason Rullo - Drums

Former members

• Rod Tyler - Vocals
• Thomas Miller - Bass
• Thomas Walling - Drums

Discography

• Symphony X - (1994)
• The Damnation Game - (1995)
• The Divine Wings of Tragedy - (1997)
• Twilight in Olympus - (1998)
• Prelude to the Millennium - (1998)
• V: The New Mythology Suite - (2000)
• Live on the Edge of Forever - (Live CD, 2001)
• The Odyssey - (2002)

External links

• Symphony X's official website