Four years after War of the Worlds, Symphony X mastermind, guitarist, and composer Michael Romeo returns with Part Two, this time switching out vocalist Rick Castellano with the red-hot flavor of the moment Dino Jelusick, and bringing back John Macaluso on drums and John ‘JD’ DeServio on bass, for what is arguably an even stronger platter of symphonic, cinematic progressive/power metal mayhem than the first.
With Dino on board with his potent, Ronnie James Dio/David Coverdale inspired vocal range, which, at times also approaches Russell Allen levels, it's not hard to think you are listening to the latest Symphony X record here. "Metamorphosis" is a monster of a track, melodic & soaring at one point, crushing and venomous at another, with Romeo shredding up a storm and matching Dino's roar at every step. "Divide & Conquer" is another winner, riffs aplenty over Macaluso's intricate drumming, and "Just Before the Dawn" is a wonderful, melodic, hard rock track with a stellar guitar solo from Romeo. Toss in a couple of lengthy prog-metal epics like "Maschinenmensch" and "The Perfect Weapon", plus the occasional synth driven prog interlude, and you have a well rounded, enjoyable, and often times quite heavy second part to Romeo's War of the Worlds project.
Symphony X fans, don't hesitate to get this one, and hopefully we have an album from the X'ers in the not too distant future as well.
Track Listing
1. Introduction �" Part II (2:37)
2. Divide & Conquer (4:46)
3. Destroyer (5:34)
4. Metamorphosis (5:53)
5. Mothership (2:23)
6. Just Before the Dawn (5:01)
7. Hybrids (6:14)
8. Hunted (4:32)
9. Maschinenmensch (9:03)
10. Parasite (4:33)
11. Brave New World (Outro) (3:36) Bonus tracks:
12. The Perfect Weapon (7:41)
13. Alien DeathRay (4:31)
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