For those of you who did not enjoy the heavier, more aggressive side Symphony X showed on Paradise Lost, Iconoclast is going to be a rough ride. Iconoclast is even heavier and darker than their previous disc.  But this time, there are more progressive hysterics to keep the band’s fans firmly in tow.

Without an intro or overture, Iconoclast blasts off with some serious weight. Right from the start, the title tracks unloads a dizzying display of undulant riffing that quickly morphs into a marching groove beneath some bombastic keys. When “Iconoclast” finally gets settled, Russel Allen’s vocals are a bit more gruff than usual and Michael Pinnella’s synths dominate some key moments of a hefty song that continues the trail blazed by Paradise Lost. 

The intensity does not let up with the “The End of Innocence.”  Pinnella’s digitally melodic hooks soar over Romeo’s chugging riffs.  The track digs in with a collection of intense grooves that allow Allen to show off some very Dio-equse moments, even on the bombastic chorus. “Dehumanized” somehow gets things even heavier with some crushing moments from Romeo and Allen’s aggressive performance.  Drummer Jason Rullo delivers some tribal moments while Pinnella’s keys seem to be the only source of melody on the pounding, mid-paced track.
The pace picks up with the tremendous “Bastards of the Machine.”  Varieties of hasty tempos are employed and drive the song along smoothly but it is the chaotic duel between Romeo and Pinnella that steals the show. “Heretic” makes for some of the most aggressive and heaviest moments of the album.  The tone and weight of Romeo’s riffs rumble over Rullo’s pace while Allen almost growls a few lyrics.  Pinnella’s keys have a great grind on equally aggressive “Children of a Faceless God.”  Employing more of a bellicose beat, the track does display a few lighter moments with some nice hooks and splendid melodic chorus.

“Electric Messiah” will turn heads with its crushing riffs and Pinnella-driven melodies.  Even with the faster pace and oppressive riffs, the soaring chorus gives the song plenty of breathing room.  But where things get explosive is when Romeo decides to unload riff after riff in a mechanical fashion. But just when it seems the band has gone to their heaviest extremes, Romeo and Pinnella unveil some seriously tremendous solos.  “Prometheus (I Am Alive)” initially starts with digital-sounding riffs and keys before returning the band to their usual Progressive nature. Romeo tears off complex riff after complex riff while Allen again explores a more aggressive than usual delivery, but mellows out nicely on the chorus.  The track’s mid-section explores some slight neoclassical soloing moments while still retaining the overall heaviness of the album as a whole.  The nine-minute masterpiece “When All is Lost” closes out the album in a tremendous fashion.  Starting off subtly and softly before continuing to slowly build majestic metallic momentum shows that even with the previous heaviness, Symphony X are still progressive masters.

Iconoclast is stunning.  Beefed up and massively energetic, Symphony X show they can incorporate a lot more aggression into their music and not skimp on their progressive brilliance.  In fact, Iconoclast is even more complex than the equally heavy Paradise Lost.  Tracks like “Electric Messiah” and “When All is Lost” are too complex for that album, but are almost too subtle (at times) for this one. Iconoclast is easily one of the best albums of 2011.  Highly recommend.  Even to those that don’t necessarily risk trying out Progressive Metal.

Note: The 2-disc Special Edition has three additional tracks, coughing up nearly 20 more minutes of additional music released in the order intended by the band.  According to Romeo, the label requested the single disc edition. 

TRACK LISTING

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*Comments:

1.  Iconoclast
2.  The End of Innocence
3.  Dehumanized
4.  Bastards of the Machine
5.  Heretic
6.  Children of a Faceless God
7.  Electric Messiah
8.  Prometheus (I Am Alive)
9.  When All Is Lost

Total playing time:  62:04

Release Date: June 21, 2011
Label: Nuclear Blast Records

Symphony X - Iconoclast

Reviewer: Rottenbucher

June 24, 2011