Guitarist 'Michael Romeo' of band 'Symphony X' continues his solo adventure with the second chapter of 'War Of The Worlds' whose first part was released in 2018 (see here). No surprise for this new opus, he continues to offer us epic and powerful symphonic metal with grandiose orchestrations.
From the first title, we are embarked on an orchestral instrumental piece which lays the groundwork for this new album, like the most epic pieces of 'Hans Zimmer', then, without transition, the first title tumbles 'Divide & Conquer' (see video above) which offers a memorable first chorus in a powerful heavy metal and which makes us discover a remarkable first performance of the Croatian singer 'Dino Jelusick' who has quite the vocal power necessary for this kind of title. And we continue in the same energy with a new explosive title, 'Destroyer', with oriental scents and in which 'Michael Romeo' splits with a masterful guitar solo. After an introduction again highlighting the American's guitar playing, 'Metamorphosis' (see video here) brings a good dose of progressive with alternating tempos and intensity throughout the title, while keeping catchy melodic lines. Instrumental break with the short 'Mothership' which returns to the orchestral atmosphere of the beginning, a process that will be found in 'Hunted' and the outro 'Brave New World' allowing a ventilation of the whole which avoids a possible saturation overheated atmosphere of metal. Follows 'Just before the Dawn' which, despite its rather fast tempo, serves as the ballad of the album with a new memorable melody in an AOR atmosphere, then, 'Hybrids' picks up again with a mid-tempo with sharp riffs with a very original central instrumental section embellished by a new eminent guitar solo and which has a grandiose finale. After the orchestral instrumental 'Hunted', 'Maschinenmensch' deploys its 9 minutes with an epic new title with many twists which reveal a masterful rhythm section and which leaves a good place for inventive instrumental sections, the guitar of 'Michael Romeo' still doing wonders, then 'Parasite' ends the metal part with a last energetic and melodic gem that sums up the epic atmosphere of this album, the instrumental 'Brave New World' outro having the last word to conclude this very beautiful album . Note that two bonuses have been added with 'The Perfect Weapon', and 'Alien DeathRay' which have nothing to envy to previous compositions.
In summary, in the momentum of part 1 of 'War Of the Worlds', 'Michael Romeo' offers us a remarkable second part in line with what is expected of the American and with an original construction alternating powerful and epic metal with grandiose orchestral instrumentals which should appeal to an audience that likes to mix powerful symphonic metal and film music... | |
