My friend, Michael Romeo can solo in any key he wishes to.

If you’re not a guitarist, you’ll never understand how crazy Romeo’s bits are. He’s amazing.

The album 'V' from Symphony X is one of my desert island discs....A masterpiece to my ears.

Doug theoritically and insightfully breaks this song into pieces that we less classical people can digest. I don't think that Doug is giving enough recognizion for Russell. He can literally sing pretty much anything (compare songs of Trans Siberian Orchestra, Adrenaline Mob, SymphonyX). To me, he's one of the greatests singers of the modern era of metal and deserves the prefix of Sir in a musical perspective.

This album saved my life as a child. I was very bullied and made fun of in school and I found my calm in this album. I would love to see you react to this whole thing, Candelight Fantasia is a cool track, and I think you would appreciate The Accolade. :)

"They went to E minor so the guitarist can play a solo" Ahh, except Symphony X tune to D standard instead of E. Also Michael Romeo can play pretty much anything

Ah, Symphony X, where a 20 minute song feels too short lol. Truly a masterclass band.

You should try to do an interview with Michael Romeo, you guys could nerd out for hours.

Sir Russell Allen's performance here is for the ages.

Mike Romeo (guitarist) is a huge classical music fan and loves to reference his favourite pieces in his music.

Symphony X - Candlelight Fantasia is my favourite song from that album. The melodies are absolutely fenomenal.

I mean... Who is so cool he can drink Bourbon while getting chords progressions and patterns, getting the different irregular measures and polyrythms, and same time analyse the lyrics and even make influences connections between bands like Kansas and Opeth ?? Serisouly ?? Best channel

Please do Symphony X, Through the Looking Glass. It has a fascinating premise

Doug, try a brazilian band called Angra. They incorporated brazilian folk music with their heavy metal. I think you'll love the songs Carolina IV, Holy Land, Never Understand, Stand Away, Silence and distance. Also their deceased former singer, Andre Matos, was a maestro. I know I have said this before, but I dont know if Doug is reading all the comments, so I keep asking ;)

Should we all just start a petition for a Doug Helvering TV show where he analyzes songs? Not kidding, would pay to watch it.

This album saved my life as a bullied 12 year old, it gave me power when I had none.. Also thanks for the mention of the bass player! One of my favourite things with this band is that they leave room for the bass to shine.

Simphony X Through The Looking Glass (Part I, II, III) is another masterpiece youl'd like to react to! I'm sure.

Now i wanna hear him analyze candlelight fantasia and masquerade. I think those are some of their other great orchestral sounding songs

Symphony X is great!! The musicians are awesome! Michael Romeo is not just a great and well accomplished guitarrist but a great composer!! AND MANY PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT because the band is not on spotlight. They're such an underrated band. They deserve more credit and recognition!

This album kicked me in the guts when I got this CD back in the days, it was so new and powerfull ! The opening with Of Sins and Shadows and Sea of Lies, left me numb...

The Divine Wings of Tragedy, is based on John Milton's epic poem Paradise Lost

We need a new Symphony X reaction Doug!

Next song must be "Accolade"

I recommend Duel With The Devil by prog supergroup Transatlantic. It is one of the best modern prog epics.

Yes!! New Jersey's finest Progressive Metal band! Doug, your reaction, breakdown and commentary are really cool. Not too many reactors out there that do this. Really glad you are digging this band as well as Dream Theater. Lots of great music from both of those bands. Another great track to do from Symphony X would be "Through The Looking Glass". Symphony X are: Michael Romeo − guitars, backing vocals Michael Pinnella − keyboards, backing vocals Russell Allen − lead vocals Jason Rullo - drums Michael Lepond − bass, backing vocals

I bought this cd when it came out. Symphony X has been around for over 25 years. You have barely scratched the surface of what they can do. You mentioned the bass player, yes... Thomas Miller was amazing. He left the band before the "V" album was released, and Michael Lupond took the bass spot. Miller was also a poet, and he wrote the lyrics. Michael Romeo is the guitar player, and he also writes most of the music. I am sure the keyboard player, Michael Pinnella, also adds his touch as well. Symphony X is a super-group of top-talent. The singer, Russel Allen, has gone on to contribute his vocals to many projects over the years, including singing and touring with Trans Siberian Orchestra. These guys are all legends. And YOU are just discovering them. Don't stop... keep going. The rabbit-hole is deep!

Check out The Death of Balance / Lacrymosa by Symphony X as well!

Epic songs: A change of seasons by Dream Theater or Six degrees of inner turbulance.

Russell Allen, the singer, sang all the harmonies in the Bach choir piece in the beginning.

I can't believe this day has come! I don't want to click on play cause I dont want it ends. Its gonna be nice for me, thanks Doug!

Found this video after a sudden urge of wanting to listen to Symphony X. Thank you for the amazing content, and also for making me realize that Symphony X were drawing so much from classical music, and Gustav Holtz in particular! Great stuff.

More Symphony X!!!!

Okay, so the significance of the I-V-bV progression to heavy metal goes much, much deeper than that. Black Sabbath's "Black Sabbath" (from the album "Black Sabbath" 😂), one of the very first heavy metal songs ever considered part of the genre... guess what three notes it opens with! You could almost say "Mars" itself is the true genesis of heavy metal. I play string bass in a local concert band myself, but I'm also clearly a big metalhead, and I've had the chance to perform "Mars" and it takes every ounce of self-control I have not to start headbanging every time 🤘🤘

Symphony x the edge of forever

Just gonna keep posting Haken... H A K E N ! Visions, Crystallized, Falling Back to Earth, The Architect. The Cockroach King. All of it is fantastic.

Welcome 25 years later to the one of the BEST masterpiece made ever...

I'd never heard much of symphony X, even though I had that common knowledge that they were pretty good as a metalhead. Thank you for forcing me to listen to this, I literally have a new favorite band now

I have listened to this song for 20+ years. I have learned so much today. Thank you.

You need to seriously check out Blotted Science. Jarzombek will blow your mind with his 12 tone series applied to extreme instrumental metal \m/

My first Symphony X album. Great local band. Much love from New Jersey! Their keyboard player was my salesperson when I bought my keyboard back in 2003 at Guitar Center in Edison, NJ. :)

Another lesser-known prog epic to check out: Spock's Beard - "The Great Nothing"

Blind Guardians "and then there was silence"

Absolute fan of your content and your outstanding music appreciation, Doug. Discovered you by a glance of a causality looking recently for some Dream Theater random videos. Your ear training skills at first try are out of the charts! What a world class listener you are 👏🏿👏🏿 I must admit I played the very firsts 4 minutes staring at your physical reactions because it happened the same to me. Heard a lot by Symphony X ages ago when I was a teenager. My elder brother introduced me to progressive rock music at a time when I was trained as a youngster classical pianist. I will never forget when my music history teacher played Bach B minor Mass and that “EXPECTO RESURRECTIONEM MORTUORUM” melodic line rang me an automatic bell of that particular choir track of these guys that I listened for years before. Master connection! Glad that I found you around and I can recommend an impressive musician as you as well as your wonderful online content. Cheers from Spain! 🥃

I can see glimpses of Doug's mind being blown as this exquisite masterpiece unfolds. I SEE it because I've experienced it. He wants so badly for the song to make more sense in terms of logical theory, but Symphony X doesn't break the rules until they have mastered them. I am very aware, as I watch him listening to S-X, that one must hear some of these songs MANY times before truly grasping what has been done. The first listen simply is too much...absolutely the most outstanding prog gods on the planet. I used to think no one could touch DT. I was wrong.

"Here we are - Children of Sun and Stars The first to know and to understand Living by the Law of the Ages Prophets and sages - forging Utopia" THE BEST LYRICS EVER IN THE MANKIND

Symphony X and Whisky - super stuff. I currently have a dram of Ardbeg 10 as I watch/listen. I came to find Symphony X from more of a power metal background, so I was always more into Out Of The Ashes and Of Sins and Shadows from this album. I very rarely had the patience for this track as it didn't have the double kick drum and catchy chorus that I wanted from them. But listening again now after all these years, and I suppose to an extent appreciating it for what it is rather than what it isn't; I have a lot more time for it. I can definitely see me revisiting the album/track in the near future.

A few more epic suggestions :) The 1st chapter - circus maximus Jäästä syntynyt varjojen virta - moonsorrow Mei - echolyn The visitor - arena The truth will set you free - flower kings Devil's playground - flower kings Stardust we are - flower kings Love is the only answer - flower kings Humanizzimo - Roine Stolt A change of seasons - dream theater A place in the queue - the tangent The crucible - motorpsycho Karn evil 9 - Emerson lake and palmer Atom heart mother - pink floyd Scheherezade - renaissance

Never thought to see a reaction to The Divine Wings of Tragedy - one of the most incredible pieces of classical music-infused power/prog metal with Michael Romeo's astonishing creativity and guitar technique (as the guitar wizard who inspired me on two-hand tapping arpeggios - who just like me also struggled on classical guitar for the first few years but found his real self on the electric guitar). The first five albums, including The New Mythology Suite, basically shaped my musical understanding and transformed me into a metalhead! :)) Thanks Doug, you the man!

You HAVE to do A Change of Seasons or Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence (Score 20th Anniversary w/ an Orchestra) by Dream Theater!

I love Symphony x! Their third album including this song was released in Japan 25 years ago and I listened to it every day at that time.Thanks to your analysis , I could enjoy this song again. I really appreciate it. I look forward to watching your next video.

Gotta check out "The Accolade" or "The Edge of Forever"

What a great great great composition. Michael Romeo is one of the best musicians for me, top 10 of the world.

Yeahhhhhhh Finally!!! I'm waiting more Symphony X here 😁😁😁

Thank you for reviewing this one! I was one of the guys who asked for it. Michael Romeo and Russell Allen (guitar player and singer) are the best there are in my opinion and the piece "Paradise Regained" is THE most profound composition ever made, to me. Great video, Doug!

Epic song. This album was their second album I've heard, and I consider it one of the best.

They often add these known classical excerpts into their music. Check out V:The New Mythology Suite, plenty of Bach, Mozart, Bartok, etc... in that one.

I've never clicked on a thumbnail so fast.

Loving your exploration of symphonic/prog metal, Doug. Suggestions for future bands to explore: HAKEN and NE OBLIVISCARIS. Both are bands that are pushing the bounds of composition and prog in the wake of Dream Theater revitalizing prog as a metal genre in the 90s.

Gustav Holst... his one of my favs and also one of MJR's favs

for the long friday song I suggest: Milliontown by Frost*, Crossroads by Southern Empire, Ocean Cloud by Marillion, The Narrow Margin by IQ

re: Holst's Planets 69 King Crimson performed Mars live, but when they wanted to record it they were denied permission so they reworked it and called it "The Devil's Triangle". Manfred Mann's Earth Band made Jupiter into a song called "Joybringer". ELPowell did a straight adaptation of Mars in the '80s.

OK Doug, I've thought about it a bit, did a quick search through your videos, and I have decided you need another Ayreon song recommended: Ayreon - Isis and Osiris It's the 11 minute 11 second 2nd track to their INTO THE ELECTRIC CASTLE album, which is still today an incredible prog metal outing from 1998. If you want the full intro, you could also listen to the 3-minute intro track, too, which really sets the story for you actually so maybe you do wanna listen to it! I've only been listening to Ayreon for a few years now, but this album is truly, to me, their "most electric" album, but it also has some of my favorite vocals too. Hope you have a great one!

I have seen these guys live and have been following them since 1998.. Russell is incredible. He sings all this stuff with ease and fully relaxed. Of course Micheal is badass! This is nothing short of a masterpiece. I would love to see Symphony X with a full Symphony behind them doing this song and many others. It would be the most epic concert of all!

As a (unfortunately, former) bassist, I was initially taken aback by the distraction at that 15:25 delightful bass solo. However, I soon realized how perfectly the bourbon tasting complemented it. Well done. I enjoy your videos.

Nice, I've been waiting for this song since you reacted to The Odyssey. And this is not their only classical music direct reference, more of their songs do this. I'm glad you caught them, as expected from your classical trained ears. 🙂

They are so good, easily one of the frontrunners in progressive metal alongside DreamTheater and Threshold.

a masterpiece my friend, a piece of art in this time.

Doug is a Titan who calls Mount Olympus home.

It does sound like a 90s era synth. However, that most definitely is NOT a "pad sound." Pad sounds have a very slow attack and release. Think of a "pad" as the soft droning choir or string section in the background. Kinda like the constant drone of a Tanpura that accompanies an Indian Sitarist. That is definitely a 90s synth "POLYPHONIC Square wave Lead" patch though. Considering the era, it was most likely a Korg Triton or Trinity. POssibly a Kurzweil K-2500.

Like Centaurus said, I'm too all for a whole "V - The New Mythology Suite" album reaction, since it has plenty of classical references I think you'd enjoy. Great reaction. :)

Symphony X - Through the Looking Glass ... it's another masterpiece!!

If you want another long one, try Symphony X's V: The New Mythology album from start to finish.

About the song, I don't drink but I still sit back and enjoy it! Also, always saw it as lucifer's fall from paradise, mostly from his point of view, ending with him being banished to earth, and realizing the conflict and "sin" that takes place there is his paradise. Next symphony x song: when all is lost ?

Thanks for reacting to this one Doug. I've always loved Symphony X, and this song in particular. I'm looking forward to seeing you react to more Symphony X!

Michael Romeo, the greatest underrated guitar gods!!

"This is lifted from Bach" LMFAOOOOO Yup. They incorporate tons of segments from classical pieces into their tunes. EPIC

BLIND GUARDIAN-The Bard Song/Valhalla (Live at Wacken) as a choir director, wouldn't you like to hear what a 75,000 person choir sounds like?

For a prog rock epic with an orchestra, you should try Sheherazzade by Renaissance

Thanks a lot! I've been asking for this one for a long time.

From the same album: Of Sins and Shadows! Super Power heavy!

Symphony X is the last stage of metal music (you starts with classic rock, jumps to heavy metal then thrash m. and finally you mix the techinic with a great composers). Romeo is a genius

Man, Since I have subbed to this channel, I have been geeking out on Music Theory again. Thanks Doug for doing what you do!

I love your analysis ♥ Thanks !

Wow! Prog rock lives. This is the first time I’ve heard this group. Thank you so much for sharing.

Recommending Symphony X's Accolade II

Doug please check out Wintersun! Couple of songs to check out would be Sons of Winter and Stars, or perhaps Time. Great symphonic and classical elements incorporated into melodic power metal with clean and harsh vocals, plus choral parts!

this is the reaction I have been waiting for a veeeeeeery long time :D thank you soooo much doug

Excellent Doug, that was extremely interesting, thanks much! Keep on keeping on...its great privilege to hear your insights!

Love this song!! Thanks Doug!

You should check Rediscovery part 2. It's like a condensed Symphony X epic in "just" 12 minutes or so.

Came up as soon as I got stuck in traffic. Thanks! Awesome thing to listen to

knew you would love this =) thx for reacting. you have the best reaction videos out there, very insightful for musicians! I too take a single ice cube in my single malt =)

Woo hoo BG next week I really hope it’s sacred worlds full length but thinking it’ll likely be and then there was silence since most have been asking for it. Just too many great songs by them to choose from! You’re an absolute legend Doug! 🤟🇨🇦🤟

You will grow to love Symphony X. They are one of a kind. For a change, I would suggest you listen to one of their shorter ones, like Egypt or Smoke and Mirrors

And again...well done, Doug! Thank you for doing another one from my favourite band!

Thanks for another amazing song and analysis. I never knew that this song takes from classical pieces. You've now reacted to both of Symphony X's main epics, and I look forward to seeing what's coming next Friday!

Very funny how you said "they had to go to Em so the guitarplayer could solo...". That is hilarious. The "guitar player" is MICHAEL ROMEO... and HE is the one that writes the MUSIC. He can solo in any key or mode he wants to, anytime he feels like it. ROMEO is #1 for a reason.

I think you should try Bruce Dickinson's solo albums. I would definitely love to see you review Jerusalem, I have a feeling you would like that one a lot

YES!!! FINALLY ! Thanks Doug, one of my favorite songs EVER. Give me chills every time

This is so awesome. You, sir, have just taken me to a fantastic journey to my youth. 25 years ago! Sheesh, time just passes by. Thank you, thank, you!