Symphony X - Awakenings (Reaction)

[@Bryan-T]

Wow, this is your first SX video? Damn dude, they have a ton of great songs. Check out Rediscovery from their album V.

[@MandalaOfThe7]

Or.... listen to that whole album all the way through and prepare to have your brain explode.

[@Totenkopfzwerg]

Indeed. V: The New Mythology Suite is like one composition, you can't possibly listen to it as separate tracks whatsoever. And as that sort of entity, it's more brilliant than most of what's been done in modern popular music.

[@SyX512]

Best band ever !!

[@rafaelsantti714]

Michael Romeo is a God, everytime I see them live is just crazy how good he can be.

[@orphydianmusic9529]

Check "When all is lost" from them. Far more cohesive song, one of the best vocal performance of Russel Allen and much of the Symphony X good stuff still there.

[@kevinkuypers]

Did not expect to see Symphony X on this channel! Haven't listened to this in a long time, really awesome track and album. The good ol days.. I think there was a little skip during the song, though, right in the jazzy piano section in the middle. Nevertheless, great video! :)

[@Bryan-T]

yeah, something strange with the cut in the middle.

[@neils123]

With regard to your comments about the vocals, Russel Allen has a wide range of capabilities, and he's improved over the years as well. Even on that same album, if you want to take a listen to "Inferno (Unleash the Fire)", you'll hear a more growling (not death metal growls), aggressive vocal which carries through to the next couple albums. Definitely worth your time to check out more from them!

[@JimNewstead]

I kinda regret saying that, his vocals weren't bad at all, and on reflection and second listen, actually pretty good. Ah well, I suppose that's the risk of immediate reactions to something that get better with multiple listens.

[@neils123]

@@JimNewstead Oh, no worries. I didn't make my comment to in any way invalidate your reaction - it was honest and that's the most important thing. I was only trying to share, since you're new to the band, that there were other vocal styles in different parts of the album and over the course of their discography, in the hopes of coaxing you to listen to them more ;-)

[@ProjectGamingNation]

Nevermore is another song where he really shows his range

[@hcpiano]

08:20 WHat happened here? Several seconds are missing

[@erikrevier4053]

its a bad youtube video of the song, i've found it on here before and it cuts there every time. Shame, it's such a good part there as well.

[@KalvinStrange]

Yes this was very disappointing, such an essential part of the song. Who would upload the song like that

[@Opranius]

Control Denied - "Expect the Unexpected" ! :-)

[@semih7y]

You must do the “24 minutes long song” :) it’s a masterpiece!!

[@Totenkopfzwerg]

I second this. If you haven't heard "The Odyssey" by Symphony X, you haven't heard nothing, and that's not a subjective matter. Listen & react to it, now. I mean, you've already done "Octavarium" by Dream Theater, so you can't possibly argue with the length of the composition!

[@michel9928]

Theeeeeeeee best ever I love

[@DiegoDeschain]

Very nice to see you finally getting to SX, and thanks for the shout-out! One of the ways SX, like DT, is interesting, is in how their sound kinda organically shifts from album to album, making songs from earlier ones and latter ones sound so different from one another. The shifts can feel more or less drastic depending on which 2 consecutive albums you're comparing. So I would try to eventually check a tiny bit from each album so you can see the difference. To make things interesting I would first go back to their trademark original sound and listen something from The Divine Wings of Tragedy (title song being a strong candidate), Twilight in Olympus or V: The New Mythology Suite, then go to their more recent works Underworld and Iconoclast. On your remarks on the sound, I'm afraid the problem lies in the actual album mix, it is not my favorite one either. Iconoclast and Underworld have muuuuuch better mixes. Anyway, I'm the one rambling now. Hope to see more familiar bands being reacted to again soon! Have a great one, Jim!

[@dregnar85]

My fave band for the last 15 years, saw SX live in 2015 for the first and last time here in Australia. You do however need to hear The Odyssey although its 24 mins it doesnt feel like it as its one of the most epic pieces of music ever written.

[@thecheif00]

One of my favorites from SX!

[@alexfilma16]

Check out Unleash The Archers - Awakening (Full Band Playthrough)

[@bobbymothershaw]

Yup definitely agree!

[@stevefromlondon4949]

Yeah! Awakening, or the title track Apex. Such a great album.

[@taup184]

Great video Jim! Why not 24 minutes though? You've done The Greatest Show on Earth after all! 😀 While not hard rock, you should definitely check out a band from Finland, called Amorphis. Either "The Bee," of "Amongst Stars!" You won't be disappointed!

[@JimNewstead]

Ah.... But not on my first listen to a band! That might have been 24 minutes of hell!

[@taup184]

@@JimNewstead 😆

[@trevorclarke355]

Symphony x inferno unleash the fire

[@juanchibrossa8569]

Unleash The Archers - Awakening (Full Band Playthrough) Symphony X - The Divine Wings Of Tragedy

[@mvunit3]

"Awakening" made me a fan :). I have NO idea why I never gravitated to them. "Divine Wings" is just that! \m/

[@thecheif00]

YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

[@paolino5706]

Russell Allen Is GOD!!!

[@Mazen39]

what happened on 8:22? There's more of the instrumental part that was just cut off somehow

[@JimNewstead]

Was there? Well I wouldn't know, I came to this without knowledge so sorry! Hope it didn't spoil it too much for you!

[@Mazen39]

@@JimNewstead Well there was some more virtuoso stuff and it kinda feels weird cz it there's some orchestration that leads to the part where the keyboard solo starts so you feel it as a smooth and swift transition BTW I think I'm the one who suggested the the 24 mins song Just a huge fan of their work

[@WardenOfSouls]

And i think you meant Ayreon from Arjen Lcuassen when you compared symphony x to similar bands right? :) Symphony X is a bit closer to Dream Theater than Ayreon i think. Dream Theater and Symphony X are kinda like 2 sides of progressive music that are nice to hear for both fanbases. Symhony x being a little bit heavier and more direct and Dream Theater is the long, melodic instrumental god-music. There are hundreds of awesome bands between them but i like to think of those 2 being the pillars of prog metal :D they keep it all together

[@JimNewstead]

Err, yes! My mistake! Thanks for picking me up on that 😁

[@WardenOfSouls]

@@JimNewstead xD no Problem

[@mvunit3]

Well (imho) I'd go as far as saying that SX are "closer" to (Symphonic) Powermetal than Dream Theater. Maybe SX is "heavier" _now_ than DT, who have a traditional Progressive "Rock" influence, and Jazz/Fusion tropes (Think "Dixie Dregs" or "Mahavishnu Orchestra" jamming, etc.). But the 1st 4 Dream Theater albums are, or can be very heavy, then you have "Train of Thought" ;). There was a time that I'd seen them called "Neo-Classical Prog Metal/Powermetal" (that's a mouthful). SymphX gets heavier it seems with each album, and as Jim exclaimed, they have a bit more of that "Musical Theatre". Allen has a very diverse vocal range, if its with SX or; "Allen/Lande", his contribution to "Ayreon/Star One" or "Adrenaline Mob". His voice gets more "metal-ish" with the later SymphX albums. So you may prefer that era Jim. If you checkout my Blog/essay Jim; Symphony X debuted in 1994, and Dream Theater in 1989. For some reason I didn't get into buying SX albums till "V", but became an instant fan. So Jim, you may have to go for the 24min. track "The Odyssey", or, the more Metal, rougher vocals of Allen on the next album, and the track "Set the World on Fire". But ironically, it seems that most fans prefer his more "melodic" cleaner vocal style. I like his diverse vocal styles. But come on, who IS like "Gillan" than Gillan (maybe David Byron of Uriah Heep)? ;). But then again, you have "Jorn Lande" who is like David Coverdale & Dio, and has sang with Russell Allen and Ayreon. The Prog Metal band "Ark" only had 2 albums but Jorn is excellent on the 2, was my 1st exposure to him. And the musicians on the albums are exceptional! Felidrummer1, have you heard them (from Norway)? "Mundanus Imperium" and "Beyond Twilight" also features Jorn, as well as his solo efforts these days :).

[@WardenOfSouls]

@@mvunit3 true. Especially allen/lande is just pure art. Allen has, as you mentioned, an insane vocal range and Lande is my favourit hard rock vocalist ever. I know all albums of SX and DT and yup. I agree. Dt has insane amounts of different influences. I mean just look at Portnoy. Sons of Apollo, Adrenalin Mob, the whinery dogs, liquid tension and flying colors. So many genres and he is insane at every single one. All of DT's musicians are like that. Sadly i liked DT with Portnoy way more. Now i prefer SX over DT and Sons of Apollo over both :) but respect them all

[@mvunit3]

@@WardenOfSouls Portnoy is a workhorse :D Have you seen this video? Morse pretty much sums it up: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYjFgmuLisydabc We need to get Jim to hear some of Jorn Land's material ;).

[@SkepticShay]

Great song. Check out this song too please; SX- The Edge of Forever

[@rhaast3162]

Glad you hold Ian Gillan in such high regard for vocalists, he's in my top 5 for sure, the number 1 spot which is currently occupied by Russell Allen himself. He can be pretty Gillan-ish, you don't have to react to this song on video, just a listen so you can see what I mean. Cheers! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmmld6WvfrB1ps0

[@frankloz4635]

SX is the best Band 🎉

[@steftones1]

Orphaned Land - disciples of the sacred oath II. bonus info: Steven Wilson mixed the album, and here i quote Steven" the Israelish version of Opeth

[@williamrussell873]

Just as a heads up Jim -- Michael Romeo is considered among the top lead guitarists in the rock world. He's off the chart good. And Russell Allen is a superstar and works with Portnoy among others on his "sabbaticals". The guys you're "sampling" are all in the stratosphere when it comes to musicianship. I love your work Mr. Simon Pegg. :)

[@dregnar85]

WEEN - Your Party.

[@mvunit3]

Well, because I hadn't clicked on that "Bell", I haven't gotten word that you were back! :/ Missed 5 videos from you, will be watching all 5 in a few minutes. Good to see you back! Hope you get around to Kings X, District 97 ("Snow Country"), and another go with Fates Warning (try "White Flag" - The Guitar playthrough, or Drum playthrough videos). Hopefully it will expose new music to new fans :D. Take care Jim :).

[@JimNewstead]

Oops! Well, you got there in the end :)

[@PharaohsCurseUponYou]

You need to listen too the odyssey.. Its 24 minutes of pure brilliance. Im gonna subscribes in case you do :)

[@JimNewstead]

Thanks Tomas - remind me again if I don't get it done soon!

[@PharaohsCurseUponYou]

@@JimNewstead Will do sir, looking forward too it ^^

[@mightyUFO]

The time on this is definetely due ;)

[@R.Nashoba]

Hello Jim, SX are a great outfit, Love this reaction channel, 👍 Oh while im here....The Butterfly Effect: Always. Just a recommendation again lol, Hope all is well my friend, Reece.

[@dregnar85]

Hell yeah dude Aussie legends, please do this song these guys need more recognition outside AUS.

[@alsimms8003]

they were very progressive until the last 3 albums which are more strict melody oriented with emphasis on great base work. Paradise lost is superb and so is iconoclast, with underworld coming in close behind

[@Verdant_Eternity]

Nice this connects to the title track ‘The Odyssey’. The Magnum Opus!

[@ianarras3226]

You should listen to Thank you scientist - feed the horses I think you would love it

[@HeikkiHeiskanen]

This here! Thank you scientist is fantastic!

[@kremel44]

Russell Allen is God ❤.....Romeo❤

[@_Lizz_]

Check out city of destruction by the neal morse band

[@IDerpinstein]

If you want great rock and roll, how about Shy Boy by David Lee Roth? It's a killer track!

[@nubington]

the video you used skips a small section of the song (at around 8:20 in the reaction). i wonder how many people have only listened to that version and don't realize it's wrong (the real song has a way better transition there)

[@JimNewstead]

It does? That’s why I’ve moved on to using almost exclusively vinyl. I don’t own any Symphony X on record. I should remedy that!

[@WardenOfSouls]

Niiice! i was wondering when you would put a SX song on here :) Its not my favourite one but a pretty good one

[@JimNewstead]

That vintage caravan album is pretty darn fine, eh? Listened in the car today. Very very good. Love a bit of filthy dirty rock n roll!

[@WardenOfSouls]

@@JimNewstead yup. I love it a lot :) Im Listening a lot to Mr. Big, Prophets of Rage and Sons of Apollo too tho. I love Billy Sheehan on bass a lot. Prophets have the 2nd coolstes bass/drum duo. But the best is in Sons of Apollo, Whinery dogs etc.. Mike Portnoy and Billy Sheehan.. that might be the most awesome rhytm duo i have seen in a loooong time.

[@pasit1738]

"24 minutes. I'm not doing that!" Well, it isn't Frost* anyway. :oD When's the time for Transatlantic, Jim? I saw Symphony X once live here in Finland. They were supporting Dream Theater and they were actually pretty good, as I can remember for it's been a few years now.

[@JimNewstead]

Haha, I'm not adverse to listening to long tracks at all, just last night want to really in the mood for it, and on a first listen to a band might have been setting myself up for 24 minutes of hell!

[@jcrosato]

@@JimNewstead Please do lol! :)

[@mightyUFO]

If you liked this you would absolutely love the song "The odyssey". A true masterpiece. Shame that the audio sample in this video was kind of low quality soundwise. Also it has a weird skip at 8:20 that isn't there in the real recording. Great reaction video otherwise :)

[@estevaosaloto2732]

Came here to say the same thing...

[@estevaosaloto2732]

About the cut

[@alejandrocarrillo3485]

The Winery Dogs - Elevate

[@HeikkiHeiskanen]

Symphony x - the odyssey (24min song) and slower songs such as the Accolade I & II.

[@Bryan-T]

Oh yeah, some SX.

[@sequentialscott]

I've been curious about Symphony X but hadn't gotten around to listening, so thanks for doing the reaction. You should try this new band I've been into lately - the greatest rock band in the multiverse. I'd suggest the Majesty of Rock, by Spinal Tap. Or any of the other thousands of fan favorites. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKK6ZGuubraofdU ;)

[@JimNewstead]

Haha, love a bit of Spinal Tap. Been a massive fan of the film for 35 years!

[@frankloz4635]

Iconoclast Please lml.

[@wladimirfroes3220]

React to: While Heaven Wept "The drowning years"

[@Hartsai]

sounds like the original music track is super low quality.

[@juliangrenon-grekin5954]

Hey jimmy. Instead of asking you to try another band ill just recommend another song from isis. I gave you the last song off their last album , im Curious for you thoughts on the last dong off their first album.

[@Alex_Alx]

I'm sorry, but Gillan is much worse than Russell as a singer, especially nowadays... The song choice is very good though. One of my favourites..

[@mvunit3]

Alex . . . Ian has been singing on albums since 1965, and he's "73" years old. Everyone gets old man ;) but he is still putting out his heart and soul out there on stage and living the life. Sir Allen is 47, he's a youngster, but I bet you he worships at Ian (and Dio's) altar :). I love both!

[@Alex_Alx]

@@mvunit3 Not everybody gets old. Klaus Maine lamost have the same voice he had on his young days, Coverdale is still very good, and I'm sure, Russell will be good at his 70th... Its really about Gillan - as I know, he cannot sing "child in time" already since early 90s. Gillan was great, but the fact that his voice was good so many years ago makes me protesting from putting hem so much above Russell, as the Jim Newstead did.

[@JimNewstead]

Ahhh, the rich vein of "who's the best, who's better...." debate. I didn't even mean Gillan now, when he was at the absolute height of his powers in the 70s. No one, NO ONE, could touch him.

[@mvunit3]

@@JimNewstead -agreed!

[@Alex_Alx]

@@JimNewstead Well, everybody has his own opinion... I beleive, that Russell at his peak AT LEAST not worse than Gillan at his peak. Russell has highs, lows, can sing very warm voice, very tenderly, and at the same time can sing agressively, with nice raspy voice, and even can growl. Gillan is not so versatile at least. I would compare Russell to DIO, and DIO is better than Gillan, IMHO. I like Gillan very much though.

[@hughjahst765]

uneXtraordinary, uneXciting, uneXceptional