Stratovarius / Symphony X
31 March 2003
Electric Ballroom, London


Tonight is a great indication that power metal is alive and well in the UK, even if it seems to slip under the radar of the UK metal press. The Electric Ballroom apparently holds a capacity of 1,900 and, although not sold out, it`s very busy in here tonight. It`s also apparent that a number of people have travelled significant distances with a particularly strong Scottish contingent evident.

It`s a brave band that has Symphony X as their support. Over the course of six studio albums this New Jersey outfit have built a loyal cult following for their prog-power metal sounds. New album The Odyssey is getting rightfully good reviews and with the re-emergence of metal has set Symphony X up to reach the next level. They`re even planning on touring their own country, something that they`ve amazingly not properly done to date.

The sound in the Electric Ballroom is notoriously bad and there`s no change tonight. Opening with the first two tracks from The Odyssey Inferno (Unleash The Fire) and Wicked, from the response it`s apparent a lot of people are specifically here to see Symphony X.

Similarly to Stratovarius` Timmo Tolkki, it`s guitarist Michael Romeo who is the driving force behind the band. Extending those similarities both men cut large figures and remain routed to the same spot of stage for the duration of the set. In Romeo`s case, his static performance certainly does not apply to his fingers, which race across the fret board with jaw-dropping dexterity.

Romeo is not the single focal point of the band, as vocalist Russell Allen shares those honours. Allen possess a very strong range, at times reminiscent of Dio, one of his major influences apparently as demonstrated on the more mid-paced Accolade II.

Symphony X are given a fair length set tonight and use it to their full advantage managing to fit in eight of their lengthy songs. The closing run takes us back to the late 90s albums Twilight In Olympus and Divine Wings Of Tragedy for fan pleasing favourites Out Of The Ashes, Smoke & Mirrors and Of Sins & Shadows. The band seemed overwhelmed by the response and on this reception a return headline visit would not be out of the question. Follow that!

Symphony X Set List:
Inferno (Unleash The Fire) / Wicked / Communion & The Oracle / Accolade II / Evolution (The Grand Design) / Out Of The Ashes / Smoke & Mirrors / Of Sins & Shadows


Stratovarius have been regularly headlining European tours for a number of years now, however this is only their second visit to the UK and the first with their full stage production. Coming closely after the Great White Rhode Island tragedy, Stratovarius had been keen to point out that their use of pyrotechnics was under professional supervision and light flashes are visible as warnings to where explosions will next go off. Vocalist Timmo Kotipelto is probably most glad of this, having nearly had his hand blown off when I previously saw the band at Wacken 2000.

Said explosions greet opener Eagleheart, which works much better live for me as I previously found this song a bit cheesy and Strato-by-numbers. Kotipelto`s range is tested early by the aptly titled Find Your Own Voice and he proves himself up to the challenge. Kiss Of Judas sees the impressive lighting rig and projections in full effect, swathed in Jens Johanssen`s keyboards.

In fact it was a very strong opening and it appeared Stratovarius where well up to the challenge set by their openers, but after Soul Of A Vagabond the set suddenly lost it`s momentum. Destiny is by no means one of Stratovarius` stronger moments and to melt it in to the, frankly god-awful Fantasia was tedious to say the least. Father Time briefly rescued things before the dreaded medley arrived. Let it be known I loathe medleys. Play the whole song or don`t bother. This particular medley is made up of a lot of earlier material the majority of which is visibly lost on this audience.

There`s a lot of people heading to the bar at this point and in fact I overheard a number of people already having to leave to catch last trains. This trend continues as following the medley is ballad Forever followed by Stratofortress which sounds like a children`s TV show theme and surreally is accompanied by roadies dressed as elks dancing around the stage. The laborious Elements concludes a section of just about everything I don`t like about Stratovarius.

Thankfully it`s back to the best material to close the show and the audience is visibly uplifted by the likes of Will The Sun Rise? and Paradise. Hunting High & Low is surprisingly the only track from previous album Infinite aired tonight, but it`s no surprise that Black Diamond finishes the set.

So a great start and a strong finish, but unfortunately a very weak middle section and odd set selection took all the wind out of the performance. My enduring memory or this gig will be of Symphony X.

Stratovarius Set List:
Eagleheart / Find Your Own Voice / Kiss Of Judas / Speed Of Light / Soul Of A Vagabond / Destiny - Fantasia / Father Time / Medley (Fright Night, Hands Of Time, We Are The Future, Tears Of Ice, Eyes Of The World, We Hold The Key) / Forever / Stratofortress / Elements / Will The Sun Rise? / Season Of Change / Paradise / Hunting High & Low / Black Diamond