Live on the Edge of Forever [Live]

Live on the Edge of Forever [Live]

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
New 2 CD live set recorded at various locations in France & Germany on Inside Out Records.

Tracks:

Prelude
Evolution (The Grand Design)
Fallen/Transcendence
Communion And The Oracle
The Bird-Serpent War
On The Breath Of Poseidon
Egypt
The Death Of Balance/Candlelight Fantasia
The Eyes Of Medusa

Tracks:

Smoke And Mirrors
Church Of The Machine
Through The Looking Glass
Of Sins And Shadows
Sea Of Lies
The Divine Wings Of Tragedy

Album Description

New 2 CD live set recorded at various locations in France & Germany on Inside Out Records.

Customer Reviews:

Worth picking up.......2005-06-25

I do like this album. They basically play all of V, and a few songs from Divine Wings and Twilight live.

I dont care for the mix on this though, hence not getting 5 stars. The drums are kinda up in the mix and guitars and too quiet. Thats just my taste though, others may prefer that.

I'm not going to go into attempts to sell potential new fans on Symphony X. Its your loss if you dont check them out.

you don't like music if you don't own this double album.......2004-11-05

I don't know what these other people were talking about, when they were complaining about the faster tempo on some of the tracks, first of all just because you heard them do it on a studio album doesn't mean that is how they're supposed to play the song. If they want to up the tempo it's their perogative. the vocals sound a little strained on the second disc. i think he's got a little problem focusing the pitch with his voice on that disc. my only other problem with the cd is them hacking apart candlelight fantasia, but then again, that was their performance of it. i really would've liked a 7 disc box set version instead of just a double cd (in case they're reading this.) but finally it's a shame bands like symphony X don't get any media attention at all, and they're forced to play 45 minute opening sets because i don't think they got the fan base to support a headlining tour so... everybody who buys this album, play it for 5 people.. and we'll see if we can remedy that

Good live album just shy of perfect........2004-06-24

I decided to get this after being impressed with V and Twilight in Olympus. Every one of the guys in Symphony X is very talented and can really play. The first CD is excellent from start to finish; songs like 'Evolution' and 'The Eyes of Medusa' are awesome along with Michael Romeos guitar solo in 'On the breath of Poseidon'. The guy is a really amazing guitarist and although many people think he sounds like yngwie, I think he is a lot more controlled and has a more melodic sense.
I also like the way S X get the crowd involved, unlike most other progressive bands. My theory on live performances is that a band is on stage to put a show on and not just to play their music. S X are really good entertainers as well as musicians and they also play their songs differently live to what's on the studio recordings, which is great because similar bands such as Dream Theater usually just stand there playing their songs live exactly the same way as they do on the record. Even though DT are an amazing band, they can be so boring to watch and listen to live sometimes, unlike S X.
The second CD however is where I found some minor problems. Some of the songs are played far faster than those on the record. Many people complain about progressive bands doing this live and I'm sorry to say in most cases; it is true! Listen to Dream Theater playing 'The Mirror' live for example; it is far faster than that on the record. The other thing that bugs me on CD2 is that the keyboards are too low on the mix. S X has always been a symphonic band and without the keyboards being in the shot they just do not sound the same. Russels vocals do not sound as strong on CD2, this is because I think those particular songs were recorded 6 months after CD1 so his voice is probably a bit worn from constant touring.
However I can't complain too much because `The divine wings of tragedy' at the end of CD2 is amazing, I think the live performance of that song is absolutely stunning. Overall I really enjoyed this album and I love their music. I highly recommend it to any Power or Prog metal fans, Keep up the good work guys!!!!

The heart of power progressive...............2003-09-26

Hace un par de meses atràs, SYMPHONY X estuvo en concierto con STRATOVARIUS y a la verdad que tengo que decir que SYMPHONY X està a la altura de las grandes megabandas. Ellos pueden tocar mùsica de conservatorio lo mismo que les puede arrebatar la vena del power metal en toda su dimensiòn. Catalogar a SYMPHONY como una banda orientada al power metal serìa pecar de inocente. Sòlo basta escuchar este doble CD que incluye uno de los mejores discos de la banda en directo. Me refiero a V: The new mythology suite. Pero los mejores momentos de este "collage" de conciertos efectuados en Europa lo encontramos en el CD 2 con la interpretaciòn de Church of the Machine y Through the looking glass....Le aseguro que concurrirà conmigo que la guitarra de Romeo, los teclados de Pinnella, la bateria de Rullo, el magnìfico fondo que imprime Lepond con su bajo y la tremenda voz de Allen hacen de SYMPHONY X una megabanda sensacional......Los que escuchamos a este grupo en directo quedamos atònitos.....añàdale Oddesey en directo y saque usted sus propias conclusiones.......

Two months ago, SYMPHONT X played live with Stratovarius at Polìgono Anoeta in San Sebastian, Spain. The live perfoming of SYMPHONY X proves that we are in the presence of one of one of the best megagroups today. They can play pure classical music or easily change to a powerful power metal. To consider SYMPHONY X as a megagroup oriented to power metal is being inocent. Just listen to this double CD: CD 1 include one of their best studio works, V: the new mythology suite. Nevertheless, the best of this live album is CD 2. Church of the Machine and Through the Looking Glass (from the album Twlight at the Olympus are simply amazing. Romeo at the lead guitar, Pinnella playing the magestic keyboards, Rullo at the drums, the suberb Lepond at bass guitar and the incredible voice of Allen configures this megagroup..If you add the live vertion of Oddesey you can imagine what we are talking about...

No Absinthe And Rue?! 5 STAR ESSENTIAL RATING! *****.......2003-03-12

Absinthe And Rue is one of my favorite songs from this band, and I couldn't believe they left it off of here, but If I had to name every song I wanted on this live release, it would be their entire catalog! I knew from the beginning that this was going to get 5 stars from me, the first disc, playing out almost the entire Mythology Suite album, with the exception of something like four tracks, and then blazing through some amazing playing on disc two. These guys know how to play live. Not too much talking with the audience, just kicking a** and taking names. I had only two complaints among this masterpiece, for any fan of Symphony X or progressive/power metal: one, I couldn't believe that there were no 'real' solos as far as Michael Romeo and Jason Rullo? A guitar and drum solo would have made this 2 disc set even more unbelievable sounding; my second gripe: I couldn't belive there were no songs of The Damnation Game or their 1st self-titled CD??? The 1st one had so many great songs on it and Damnation Game wasn't anything to laugh at either? I would have gone for a full three disc blowout, more songs off those two and the guitar and drum solos. So what if it seemed like the Dream Theater, Scenes set? Compared to the last Dream Theater release, I think Symphony X's Odyssey, blew away any and all progressive metal bands for a long time. With all my complaining done, you get a solid 2 disc live set of songs that will amaze, shock, and stun you into listening to these guys even more! Don't miss this one!! ***** 5 STAR ESSENTIAL X-RATING FROM SCRAGGY'S TOMB OF POWER METAL, USA. Cheers!

Average customer rating:

Close your eyes on the edge of forever...

Live On The Edge Of Forever
Symphony X
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock & Metal | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00005Q8VB
Release Date: 2001-10-22

Tracks:

Prelude
Evolution (The Grand Design)
Fallen/Transcendence
Communion and the Oracle
Bird-Serpent War
On the Breath of Poseidon
Egypt
Death of Balance/Candlelight Fantasia
Eyes of Medusa

Tracks:

Smoke and Mirrors
Church of the Machine
Through the Looking Glass
Of Sins and Shadows
Sea of Lies
Divine Wings of Tragedy

Album Description

New 2 CD live set recorded at various locations in France & Germany on Inside Out Records.

Customer Reviews:

Close your eyes on the edge of forever..........2001-11-26

Symphony X is one of the few progressive metal bands whose music I enjoy. Thus, my respect for them has been boosted considerably with the release of this 2CD live album. For one thing, V - The New Mythology Suite is one of my favorite albums, and the band performs a good portion of it on disc 1 (all the way up to "The Death of Balance," at which point it segues into "Candlelight Fantasia"). V is my favorite SymX album, but in the studio the album seemed a bit more "tame" than their earlier stuff. Live, Symphony X's trademark aggression is thrust back into V. (Fanfare!)

For a relatively inexperienced live band, they put on a great show, performing their highly sophisticated music with explosive energy. I am particularly in awe of vocalist Russell Allen, who is an astonishingly good live performer. Although he is not an extremely technical singer (by his own admission), his voice fares very well, he's a spirited & lively performer, and he often improves the delivery over the original studio recordings. On "Candlelight Fantasia," he hits every note of the beautiful song with perfect, controlled pain. On others, he injects a great deal more aggression into the lyrics. On "Fallen," he sings, "My Serpents plot the overthrow of your temples and shrines" with a growl so evil it makes the hairs on the back of my neck rise. On "The Divine Wings of Tragedy - The Prophets Cry" he sounds utterly demonic. Nothing is worse than a great singer who can't perform live...Symphony X doesn't disappoint in that regard!

If you're wondering how the band recreates their majestic vocal harmonies in the live setting...well, they don't. Still, they do what they can. When possible, Michael Romeo and Michael Pinnella sing backing vocals (which work well). On "Of Sins and Shadows," Pinnella runs the choral sample from his keyboards. The massive, complex a capella counterpoint choral work that opens "The Divine Wings of Tragedy" is cut entirely. While it's difficult to recreate some of their richly textured symphonic music live, the band fares very well in other regards. Even though keyboardist Pinnella can't support a full MIDI orchestra live, the symphonic cuts ("Prelude," "Transcendence," "On the Breath of Poseidon") still possess a big sounding quality. Michael Romeo helps out by filling some of the missing textures with awesome guitar licks. For example, on the symphonic speed metal cut "On the Breath of Poseidon" he plays neoclassical runs to round out the symphonic weaves throughout the song. It's different, and very cool. Romeo = guitar master!

Many songs are altered to keep things fresh, as well. "Candlelight Fantasia," which is shortened, is performed with nothing but Allen's ghostly voice and pianos. Believe it or not, the song is even more ethereal and beautiful when done live. Pinnella adds a number of lovely little piano tags throughout (like at the end of "Egypt" (yes, I know there was piano there before, but this is different) and the end of "Communion and the Oracle." Even when the songs aren't altered in any way, the sheer energy gripping the performances makes everything sound new and more exciting. The frenzied Romeo/Pinnella soloing duels sound more wild and exhilarating than before. Romeo's hair-pin metal riffing is burning with energy, which makes the sometimes mucky guitar tone less regrettable. It's also great to hear Allen's interaction with the crowd, like when he basically teases the audience before the beginning of "Smoke and Mirrors." Good fun! Speaking of the crowd, they sure get rockin' to the music (that makes it more exciting!). European audiences sure love their Symphony X.

Rarely is anyone 100% satisfied with a live album (especially if you're a jerk like me), so obviously I'm disappointed in a few respects. The album is called Live on the Edge of Forever, but where is the song "The Edge of Forever"? It's such a beautiful song, and I would have loved to hear it live with the band's thundering energy (since The Damnation Game's production was pretty bad). In fact, there are no songs from The Damnation Game, or the debut. That's too bad. I think it also would have been incredible to hear "The Relic" live, because it has an awesome, heroic chorus that would rock live.

But no big deal. These complaints are really just what they call "small potatoes." Live on the Edge of Forever is awesome anyway you take it. There's been a lot of great live releases this year, but this is one of the best. The performances catch fire, and Symphony X rocks n' stuff. If you don't buy this, I must question your sanity.

Average customer rating:

Quite a phenomenon

Live on the Edge of Forever
Symphony X
Manufacturer: Toshiba EMI
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music
Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music
General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
Hard Rock & Metal | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000641QN
Release Date: 2002-05-29

Tracks:

Prelude
Evolution (The Grand Design)
Fallen/Transcendence
Communion and the Oracle
Bird-Serpent War
On the Breath of Poseidon
Egypt
Death of Balance/Candlelight Fantasia
Eyes of Medusa
Smoke and Mirrors
Church of the Machine
Through the Looking Glass
Of Sins and Shadows
Sea of Lies
Divine Wings of Tragedy

Customer Reviews:

Quite a phenomenon.......2005-01-10

This album is amazing.

It contains 100% excellence and virtuosity. In my opinion, it would make great fantasy music.

Personally I beleive that the best song on here is 'Of Sins and Shadows'. This one poses great vocals, great guitar and GREAT music.

Just get it!

This is some of the best music I've ever heard, and this is up with Metallica and Iron Maiden in my view.

Some of the songs beat Metallica, too.

You will not reagret the purchase!

Thank you

Matt