The Summary Judgment Reviews:
Title: Live On The Edge Of Forever
Artist: Symphony X
Label: InsideOut Music
Release Date: 2001

Rating: 4 Skulls
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    • Reviewed by Solomon (8/20/02):
    Symphony X is a name well-known to fans of progressive metal. The band have taken advantage of the resurrgence of the genre, mainly due to the success of Dream Theater, and carved their own little niche in the scene. Certainly, comparisons between the two bands can be made in terms of complexity and running-at-the-mouth songwriting habits, but Symphony X lean a bit more towards the power/prog side of things with those Yngwie Malmsteen influences coming through loud and clear. These guys are more of a traditional metal fan's prog band. Anyone who is deep into this style of music will find this double live release to be wraught with superior skill and songs that blend many shades of musical colors to equal approximately two hours of orgasmic bliss.

    Like I stated in my review of the last Tesla album, live records are tough to judge, since you're basically getting something you already have in a slightly different package. Edge of Forever obviously proves Symphony X are competent, professional musicians who can not only pull off tedious, large-scale compositions in the studio but can reproduce them live to a tee, and this is worth a brownie point or two. Russell Allen's rather straight-forward vocal style isn't my favorite, but he is talented and accurate in a live setting, and Michael Romeo may certainly be one of the best guitarists operating in metal at the moment. However, I can't see the average Symphony X fan, or anyone else for that matter, getting much more out of Live than an affirmation of what we all knew in the first place.

    Two full discs of prog "pomp and circumstance" may be hard to digest, especially for the uninitiated, but, in the end, it's hard to walk away unimpressed with the talent found here. I can't say Edge of Forever will find its way into my player on a regular basis. Symphony X have plenty to offer, but I find their style to be strenuous and hard to absorb much of the time. Maybe this is an odd statement to make, especially from someone who is a Dream Theater fan, and you know THOSE guys aren't known for brevity, but Live could use a good dose of "Lie" or "Burning My Soul" here and there. Eh, don't want to knock these guys too bad, 'cause there is plenty to worship here, particularly heavier tracks like "Smoke and Mirrors," "Evolution," and "Of Sins and Shadows." The pseudo-balladry of "Through The Looking Glass" is noteworthy, and "The Divine Wings of Tragedy" has an other-worldly riff that sticks out like a sore thumb (15:46). Yes, that track is almost TWENTY MINUTES LONG. Pack a lunch.
    4 out of 5

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