| Iconoclast | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | June 17, 2011 | |||
| Recorded | September 2010 – January 2011 | |||
| Studio | The Dungeon | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length |
| |||
| Label | Nuclear Blast | |||
| Producer | Michael Romeo | |||
| Symphony X chronology | ||||
| ||||
Iconoclast is the eighth studio album by the progressive metal band Symphony X, released in June 2011. [2]
When interviewed, vocalist Russell Allen said that the lyrical concept of the album is based on "The idea of machines taking over everything, and all this technology we put our society into pretty much being our demise." Allen said on Heavy Metal Thunder that "it isn't a story, but rather a theme, like Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd." [3]
Illustrator and film concept artist Warren Flanagan ( Watchmen , The Incredible Hulk , 2012 ), who designed the cover of Paradise Lost , returned as art director for Iconoclast. Sharing his creative process on the album's artwork: "The idea was to create imagery that was a little darker in tone to previous Symphony X albums and to represent the overall theme of Iconoclast into the artwork. The whole concept came from Michael Romeo, who had a strong idea of what the cover should represent based on the music. I just ran with it. When the album's title was decided on, I focused the image based on the meaning of it. I also wanted to use the band's signature 'masks' but present them in a way that connected to the new album." [4]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |  [1] |
| Jukebox:Metal |  [5] |
| Metal Assault |  [6] |
| Metal Storm | [7] |
| Metal Temple | [8] |
| Metalholic |   [9] |
| Prog Sphere | [10] |
| Thrash Hits | [11] |
Iconoclast debuted at number 76 on the Billboard 200 album chart in the United States, selling more than 7,300 copies in its first week. The record also debuted at number 7 on the Top Hard Rock Chart, number 19 on the Top Rock Chart and number 13 on the Top Independent Chart. [12] [13] The album showcases the highest chart position and the most first-week sales in the band's history.
Iconoclast was released in two editions: a single disc version, and a double-CD special edition hardcover digipak. Guitarist Michael Romeo has stated that the special edition contains the track order that the band originally intended to release, but their label (Nuclear Blast) wanted a single-disc version as well. According to Romeo, the track "Reign in Madness" is the proper closing to the album.[ citation needed ]
All lyrics are written by Russell Allen and Michael Romeo, except where noted; all music is composed by Romeo
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Iconoclast" | 10:53 |
| 2. | "The End of Innocence" | 5:29 |
| 3. | "Dehumanized" | 6:49 |
| 4. | "Bastards of the Machine" | 4:58 |
| 5. | "Heretic" | 6:26 |
| 6. | "Children of a Faceless God" | 6:22 |
| 7. | "Electric Messiah" (lyrics: Allen) | 6:15 |
| 8. | "Prometheus (I Am Alive)" | 6:48 |
| 9. | "When All Is Lost" | 9:10 |
| Total length: | 63:10 | |
All lyrics are written by Russell Allen and Michael Romeo; all music is composed by Romeo
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Iconoclast" | 10:51 |
| 2. | "The End of Innocence" | 5:27 |
| 3. | "Dehumanized" | 6:47 |
| 4. | "Bastards of the Machine" | 4:56 |
| 5. | "Heretic" | 6:24 |
| 6. | "Children of a Faceless God" | 6:20 |
| 7. | "When All Is Lost" | 9:10 |
| Total length: | 49:55 | |
All music is composed by Romeo
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Electric Messiah" | Allen | 6:13 |
| 2. | "Prometheus (I Am Alive)" | Allen, Romeo | 6:46 |
| 3. | "Light Up the Night" | Allen | 5:03 |
| 4. | "The Lords of Chaos" | Allen | 6:09 |
| 5. | "Reign in Madness" | Allen, Romeo | 8:37 |
| Total length: | 32:48 | ||
Technical personnel
Symphony X is an American progressive metal band from Middletown, New Jersey. Founded in 1994, the band consists of guitarist Michael Romeo, keyboardist Michael Pinnella, drummer Jason Rullo, lead vocalist Russell Allen and bassist Michael LePond.
Symphony X is the first studio album by progressive metal band Symphony X, originally released in 1994 through Zero Corporation in Japan, and reissued in 1996 through Inside Out Music in Europe; a remastered edition was reissued on January 13, 2004 through Inside Out Music. The album's release came about as a result of band guitarist Michael Romeo's 1994 solo album, The Dark Chapter, achieving success in Japan. It is the only Symphony X album to feature singer Rod Tyler, who would be replaced by Russell Allen on all subsequent works.
The Divine Wings of Tragedy is the third studio album by progressive metal band Symphony X, released in November 1996 through Zero Corporation (Japan) and March 1997 through Inside Out Music (Europe). A remastered edition was reissued on September 13, 2004, through Inside Out, and again in September 17, 2012, as part of a double-LP vinyl release.
Twilight in Olympus is the fourth studio album by progressive metal band Symphony X, released in 1998 through Zero Corporation (Japan) and Inside Out Music (Europe); a remastered special edition was reissued on January 13, 2004 through Inside Out. The album features drums played by Thomas Walling, who filled in for regular drummer Jason Rullo after he temporarily left the band for personal reasons. It is also the last Symphony X album with longtime bassist Thomas Miller, who left the band during the album's tour.
V: The New Mythology Suite is the fifth studio album by progressive metal band Symphony X, released on October 10, 2000, through Inside Out Music. It is a concept album dealing with the story of Atlantis, ancient Egyptian mythology, and astrology. The album is the band's first to feature its current and longest lineup, following the arrival of bassist Michael LePond and the return of drummer Jason Rullo.
The Odyssey is the sixth studio album by progressive metal band Symphony X, released on November 5, 2002 through Inside Out Music. The album is the band's first to be recorded entirely at guitarist Michael Romeo's home studio, The Dungeon. "Accolade II" is a sequel to "The Accolade" from The Divine Wings of Tragedy (1996). The title track is the album's grand finale: a 24-minute musical interpretation of Homer's Odyssey, an epic poem about the journey of ancient Greek hero Odysseus.
Michael James Romeo is an American musician, best known as the guitarist, founding member, and main songwriter of the progressive metal group Symphony X. He is one of two members to appear on every Symphony X release.
Michael Pinnella is an American keyboard player, most notably for the band Symphony X. Michael is one of two Symphony X members to appear on all nine of the band's albums.
Russell Allen is an American singer best known as the vocalist of the progressive metal band Symphony X. He has also worked with the supergroups Star One, Allen-Lande, Adrenaline Mob, Level 10, and as one of fourteen vocalists in the progressive symphonic metal band Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
Michael Anthony LePond III, is an American musician from Newark, New Jersey. LePond has recorded over 40 albums with various bands and has appeared on over 20 other albums in a guest capacity.
Paradise Lost is the seventh studio album by progressive metal band Symphony X, released on June 26, 2007 through Inside Out Music. It is a concept album loosely inspired by John Milton's 1667 epic poem Paradise Lost. The album was the band's first to chart on the U.S. Billboard 200, reaching No. 123 and remaining on that chart for a week, as well as reaching No. 1 on Billboard's Heatseekers and the top 100 in five other countries.
Backstreet Symphony is the debut studio album by English hard rock band Thunder. Recorded in 1989 at Great Linford Manor Studios in Milton Keynes, it was produced by former Duran Duran and The Power Station guitarist Andy Taylor, then mixed by Mike Fraser at AIR Studios in London. The album was initially released on 5 March 1990 by EMI Records in the UK and Capitol Records in the US, and was later re-released the following year in the US by Geffen Records.
Dark Matter Dimensions is the fourth studio album by Swedish melodic death metal band Scar Symmetry. It is the first album to feature new vocalists Roberth Karlsson and Lars Palmqvist after Christian Älvestam's departure. It was released on 2 October 2009 in Europe and on 20 October 2009 in North America.
Abrahadabra is the eighth studio album by Norwegian symphonic black metal band Dimmu Borgir, released in 2010. The first single from the album, "Gateways", was released on 20 August in Europe and 24 August in North America. On 14 September a video for "Gateways" was released featuring Djerv front-woman, Agnete Kjølsrud. On 17 September the song "Born Treacherous" was released on Dimmu Borgir's official Myspace for streaming. On 24 September the band announced they would stream Abrahadabra in its entirety, until 7 p.m. EST that evening. This would mark the first official release of all the tracks on the album. The album features drummer Daray and additional keyboards by Gerlioz.
Adrenaline Mob is an American heavy metal supergroup formed in early 2011 by singer Russell Allen, guitarist Mike Orlando and drummer Mike Portnoy. The band's current lineup consists of Allen, Orlando, and drummer Jordan Cannata.
The Land of New Hope is the first full-length album by Timo Tolkki's Finnish metal opera project Avalon. The album was released on May 17, 2013 in Europe and May 21, 2013 in the US.
Plagues of Babylon is the eleventh studio album by American heavy metal band Iced Earth. Released in January 2014, the album is the group's first studio release with bassist Luke Appleton and the only with drummer Raphael Saini, who was a guest on the album. According to rhythm guitarist and band leader Jon Schaffer, half of the album is focused on his "Something Wicked" concept, while the other half are stand-alone songs.
Underworld is the ninth studio album by American progressive metal band Symphony X. It was released on July 24, 2015 through Nuclear Blast, and released in Japan on August 24. The album's first single, "Nevermore", premiered on May 22, 2015, followed by the second single "Without You" on June 19. They were both officially released on July 22, 2015. The band's guitarist, founder and main songwriter, Michael Romeo, said he was against releasing separated tracks of the album, since it was written to be "a whole".
War of the Worlds, Pt. 1 is the second solo album by Symphony X guitarist Michael Romeo, released on 27 July 2018. It is his first solo album in over two decades and his first release since 2015's Underworld with Symphony X.
War of the Worlds, Pt. 2 is the third solo album by Symphony X guitarist Michael Romeo, released on 25 March 2022 via Inside Out Music. It is a sequel to his previous album released in 2018, War of the Worlds, Pt. 1. It was originally scheduled for a February 4, 2022 release.
