Here is a band that has finally gotten progressive metal right. They've reached that elusive point where muscle and melody intertwine, without one overwhelming the other. They create lengthy tracks full of epic grandeur but manage to stop short of being overbearing and pompous. This is not easy to do, and a lot of bands have fallen flat trying to perfect the progressive metal sound.

"The Odyssey" is an album with a lot of depth and character to it, each song having its own flavor. There's no "soundalike" syndrome here. The metal quotient is high, energized by the sizzling guitar solos and crunchy riffing of Michael Romeo. This dude must need asbestos gloves when he plays, that's how fast his fingers fly over the strings! Michael Pinella's exquisite keyboard work gives Symphony X its progressive character, adding melodies and atmosphere. But it's the vocals of Sir Russell Allen that boost this band to the stratosphere. What range this guy has! He's got Dio's snarl, Ray Gillen's soaring high end and the huskiness of Steve Walsh all rolled up into one total package. There were times during "The Turning" where I had to check the credits to make sure Ronnie James Dio wasn't guesting on the track. He wasn't...it was all Sir Russell! Allen and Romeo will attract most of the limelight but every member of the band excels at their roles.

The standout tune here is the 24-minute plus title track, an ambitious musical adaptation of Homer's classic legend. That prospect will have many groaning and fearing a pretentious, overblown mess. But such is not the case. The track moves around a lot, but never loses focus or heaviness. It's a true metal soundtrack. Breaking into 7 easy to digest parts, it never becomes dull and it reaches some very grandiose heights. Without doubt, it's a great achievement and worth picking this CD up just to hear by itself. Add to that other outstanding tracks like the very heavy "Wicked", the highly melodic "Accolade II" and the aggressive "The Turning" and you have a record which is not just superb but an example of everything progressive metal should aspire to. Very well done and I hope Symphony X can reach the acclaim in the States that they have already gotten in Europe and Japan.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2002 Year Book Volume 2 at  garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2001-and-2002.