Symphony X / Shadowkeep

Symphony X / Shadowkeep
18 October 2003
Mean Fiddler, London

An unbelievably early 6.10pm doors tonight caused us to miss the start of Shadowkeep`s set tonight. Apparently the band hit the stage at 6.20pm and it seems to becoming a habit that I only catch the last half of their set.

The band was obviously going down well judging by the reaction to vocalist Ronnie Stixx`s Yeah-eah!! crowd sing-back. This was Ronnie`s last night in the country before heading back to the States and I met Ronnie after who told me his flight was at 7am the next morning! Ronnie was keen to start work and have some input on new material with Shadowkeep and I think this is the important area for the band as they could do with a few more memorable tunes to go along with the likes of Dark Tower and Corruption Within.

The band benefit from a very good sound tonight, allowing us to hear the interplay of both guitars. Although they have two albums to date, this is still a very fresh line-up and their on stage presence will continue to improve with more gigs under their collective (bullet) belt.

There are not many bands about playing this 80s style Queensryche/Fates Warning/Crimson Glory power metal, and certainly not many with the potential of Shadowkeep`s current line-up. Fingers crossed that guitarist Nicki Robson and Chris Allen can hold this line up together as they certainly seem to be developing as a unit and hopefully will see the pay-off with album number three.

Although hardly packed, it was a very respectable turn-out for Symphony X tonight and the band seemed delighted at this their first headline performance in London. Opening, like their latest album The Odyssey, with back to back performances of Inferno and Wicked, it was immediately apparent that the sound was going to be a lot better than at their support slot to Stratovarius earlier in the year. Vocalist Russell Allen baited the crowd with three takes at the middle "She said!" during Wicked giving him an early opportunity to prove how good a singer he is.

A pair of tracks from V followed, admittedly one of my least favourite Symphony X albums due mainly it would seem to the muddy production, as live Evolution (The Grand Design) and Communion & The Oracle really shone. It was also at this point that the keyboards of Michael Pinella began to settle in the mix.

Back to The Odyssey and King Of Terrors showed off the heavier style of the band. Michael Romeo looked to be enjoying himself and his fret work, which he performed seemingly effortlessly, was jaw dropping. One of Symphony X`s shortest, yet most catchy tunes Out Of The Ashes followed, the reaction to which demonstrating a good portion of the crowd`s knowledge of the band stretched back beyond the latest album. The pace of this song showed off the talents of rhythm section Jason Rullo on drums and Mike LePond on bass who remained as tight as the proverbial all night.

Russell Allen announced that the next two songs shared a linked theme about a knight`s crusade which of course heralded the Accolades. Accolade II, being a particular favourite of mine, highlighted the more progressive side to the band and saw some wonderful interplay between Romeo and Pinella.

There seemed to be a lull of the crowd`s energy level as the band raced through Smoke & Mirrors and Sea Of Lies, so Russell Allen woke us all up with the old split the crowd in two and see who cheers loudest routine. This included a request for those behind the glass in the upstairs bar to wave their hands and open their mouths to a least give the impression that they were cheering.

Of Sins & Shadows was announced as the last song of the evening, following which the band left the stage, but the crowd weren`t going anywhere. Returning to the stage Russell Allen commented what a beautiful city London was and one we should be proud of, the band having been sightseeing earlier in the day.

Cries of The Odyssey came from the crowd, met by a puzzled look from Allen, which reminded me of comedian Bill Bailey, without the receding hair. "The Odyssey?" mouthed Allen, before putting us out of our misery and announcing it was time to go back to ancient Greece. All 24 minutes of The Odyssey followed wrapping up an excellent set and I had to double take when I checked my watch to see it was still only 9.30pm! Still, on to the pub….

Symphony X Set List:
Inferno / Wicked / Evolution (The Grand Design) / Communion & The Oracle / King of Terrors / Out of the Ashes / Accolade / Accolade II / Smoke and Mirrors / Sea of Lies / Of Sins and Shadows / The Odyssey