Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email
Answers.com

Twilight in Olympus

 
Album Review: Twilight in Olympus

  • Artist: Symphony X
  • Rating: StarStarHalf Star
  • Release Date: 1998
  • Type: Lyrics are included with the album, Enhanced CD-ROM
  • Genre: Rock

Review

By the time Symphony X recorded Twilight in Olympus, the progressive metal landscape had not only been changed, but defined by Dream Theater. Every genre has a Beatles, and as silly a comparison as it is, Dream Theater has had an equal, albeit smaller-scale impact on almost every progressive metal band that existed before or since their arrival. In this case, the influence on Symphony X is exactly what the band needed after reaching their neo-classical pinnacle on The Divine Wings of Tragedy. The band is as tight as ever and their sound is still predominantly neo-classical, but there is more diversity and originality here than ever before. Michael Romeo finally carved out his own style with an unmistakable thick, heavy sound and his strong sense of rhythm is what sets him apart from his contemporaries and contributes to the many memorable riffs herein. Of the selections, "Through the Looking Glass" is the session's epic piece and compares favorably to "The Divine Wings of Tragedy," while "Sonata" and "Lady of the Snow" showcase the band's more reflective side. While not as historically important as The Divine Wings of Tragedy, Twilight in Olympus is musically equivalent. ~ Robert Taylor, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track TitleComposersPerformersTime
Smoke and Mirrors Michael Romeo, Thomas Miller, Russell Allen Symphony X (6:08)
Church of the Machine Symphony X Symphony X (8:58)
Sonata [Instrumental] Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony X (1:25)
In the Dragon's Den Michael Romeo, Thomas Miller, Symphony X, Michael Pinnella Symphony X (3:59)
Through the Looking Glass (Pts. 1, 2, 3) Michael Romeo, Thomas Miller, Michael Pinnella Symphony X (13:07)
The Relic Michael Romeo, Thomas Miller, Russell Allen, Michael Pinnella Symphony X (5:03)
Orion - The Hunter Michael Romeo, Thomas Miller, Russell Allen Symphony X (6:57)
Lady of the Snow Michael Romeo, Thomas Miller, Russell Allen, Michael Pinnella Symphony X (7:09)

Credits

Steve Evetts (Producer), Eric Rachel (Producer), Michael Romeo (Guitar (Acoustic)), Michael Romeo (Guitar (Electric)), Michael Romeo (Harp), Michael Romeo (Sitar), Michael Romeo (Vocals (Background)), Michael Romeo (Producer), Michael Romeo (Guitar (Classical)), Michael Romeo (Mini Harp), Michael Romeo (Group Member), Thomas Miller (Bass), Thomas Miller (Vocals (Background)), Thomas Miller (Group Member), William Hames (Photography), Dan Muro (Cover Art), Symphony X (Group), Symphony X (Main Performer), Thomas Ewerhard (Layout Design), Vassago (Editing), Vassago (Camera Operator), Russell Allen (Vocals), Russell Allen (Group Member), Michael Pinnella (Keyboards), Michael Pinnella (Sound Effects), Michael Pinnella (Vocals (Background)), Michael Pinnella (Chainsaw), Michael Pinnella (Group Member), Thomas Walling (Drums), Thomas Walling (Group Member), Mark Coatsworth (Photography)
Search unanswered questions...
Enter a question here...
Search: All sources Community Q&A Reference topics
Wikipedia: Twilight in Olympus
Top
Twilight in Olympus
Studio album by Symphony X
Released March 1998
Recorded Trax Studios, South River, NJ
Genre Progressive metal, Neo-classical Metal, Power Metal
Length 52:47
Label Zero Corporation
Producer Steve Evetts, Eric Rachel, Michael Romeo
Professional reviews
Symphony X chronology
The Divine Wings of Tragedy
(1997)
Twilight in Olympus
(1998)
Prelude to the Millennium (1999)

Twilight in Olympus is the fourth studio album by progressive metal band Symphony X, which was released in 1998. It features eight tracks, two of which have become classics: Smoke and Mirrors and Through the Looking Glass, the latter an epic based on Through the Looking-Glass, the sequel to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

The drums on this album were played by Tom Walling, due to Jason Rullo temporarily leaving the band for personal reasons.

It's also the last album with longtime bassist Thomas Miller, who left the band during the album tour for personal and health problems.

Track Listing

  1. "Smoke and Mirrors" – 6:09 (Allen, Miller, Romeo)
  2. "Church of the Machine" – 8:57 (Symphony X)
  3. "Sonata" – 1:25 (Beethoven)
  4. "In the Dragon's Den" – 4:00 (Symphony X)
  5. "Through the Looking Glass" (Part I, II, III) – 13:05 (Miller, Pinnella, Romeo)
  6. "The Relic" – 5:03 (Allen, Miller, Pinnella, Romeo)
  7. "Orion - The Hunter" – 6:56 (Allen, Miller, Romeo)
  8. "Lady of the Snow" – 7:09 (Allen, Miller, Pinnella, Romeo)

Notes

Smoke and Mirrors cites J.S. Bach's Mass in B Minor (Kýrie eléison) in the instrumental interlude after the second chorus.

Sonata contains parts of the second movement of Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 8 ("Pathétique").

Orion - The Hunter contains lyrics from Symphony X's debut album.

According to Thomas Miller, Lady of the Snow was inspired by the popular Japanese mythological figure, Yuki Onna. According to Michael Romeo, "the band was looking for a musical and lyrical theme to represent tonalities and scale ideas for a new song, and Tom suggested the Lady of the Snow story, [so] the music was written to reflect the lyrics."

Also notable is the absence of a title track, which appeared on Symphony X's previous two efforts. Michael Romeo confirmed that the track was originally intended to be a long, epic song similar to The Divine Wings of Tragedy, but was not finished in time due to deadlines. Rumors would later emerge saying the track would be included on one of their future releases. Instead, the song's riffs and melodies were broken up and used in the next album, V: The New Mythology Suite, scattered throughout the songs.

Personnel


 
 
Learn More
Symphony X (Rock Band, '90s, 2000s)
Live On the Edge Of Forever (2001 Album by Symphony X)
Thomas Walling

What is the blade of Olympus? Read answer...
What lives on mount Olympus? Read answer...
Is olympus pandoras husband? Read answer...

Help us answer these
History of the olympus?
Who is queen of olympus?
Who is the ruler of olympus?

Post a question - any question - to the WikiAnswers community:

 

Copyrights:

Album Review. Copyright © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Twilight in Olympus" Read more