Last night fun
Well it was a great idea on my R13 colleagues part to go and see Dream Theater for the 2nd time on this tour. The venue was new to us, Blackburn's King George's Hall and it turned out to be excellent. Balcony seats (well I am now 40, and I'm still bolloxed after standing up for 12 hours at Firefest the other week!) were perfect. The stage was set (at 6' off the ground made for excellent viewing for all) for the final night of the tour.
Was there to be any shenanigans (of course), but more of that later. After the gig at the Apollo I was more than happy for a second opportunity. Symphony X took to the stage to a more than half empty hall for the first 2-3 numbers. This was not down to apathy, but whoever organised the out-house pain in the arse security who apparently insisted on checking every standing punter for cameras etc. By the time this was done the SX set was almost half way through.
Intro tape 'Oculus Ex Inferni' kicked off proceedings for an expectant crowd. Dream Theater have always picked excellent support and in Symphony X they have the best support band I've seen. You have 5 guys brought up on the classics, Bach, Beethoven, Dio, Malmsteen, Iommi and all are at the top of their game.
The set is very much in favour of the new album 'Paradise Lost' with 5 out of the 7 songs played in order they appear on the cd. Anywho, in Russell Allen (vox), Michael Romeo(guitar), Michael Pinnella (keys), Jason Russo (drums) and Michael Lepond (bass) they are guys who can compete with the best in the business. 'Set the world on fire' is a roaring riff based number and Russell Allen excels with some soaring roaring vocals. The crowd is well warmed up for 'Domination' (next song and not some S&M), and this is where the fun begins – from stage left the band are bombarded with food? To the point where Russell Allen chases the culprit off the stage only for food to appear from stage right. The culprit (in full length hooded robe) is Mike Portnoy. Later on in the set he appears with pan and brush, excellent and hilarious. It's like a Metal Pantomime (oh no it isn't). Also Symphony X are out to enjoy themselves. We get treated to a ballady/disco number, apologies for not knowing the song as I only like Metal. With some 'suck my balls' vocals to boot and disco dancing from RA. This continues throughout the set and didn't detract from the music on offer.
Highlights are the scintillating 'Serpents Kiss' and title track 'Paradise Lost' a personal fave as RA just does what he does best – sings. The song has everything, part ballad, part metal with more than a hint of keyboard throughout. One of my friends and colleagues thinks keyboards should be drummed out of metal, but how can you when you're as good as Michael Pinnella or Jordan Rudess!
The audience responded to SX like a headlining act such is the quality of their work. Thanks to the excellent support of us Brits the likelihood is a return to these shores mid 08. And if they are not headlining their own tour, I expect to show my arse in Woolies window.