Symphony X To Embark on First-Ever Headlining North American Tour
By
Sefany Jones,
Contributing Editor
Thursday, October 23, 2003 @ 10:24 AM
Symphony X To Embark on First
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For Immediate Release:
New Jersey’s Symphony X Embarks on Headline North American Tour in Support of Vibrant Epic The Odyssey
Prolific Canadian Act Devin Townsend Band Confirmed as Opener
New Jersey’s premiere symphonic metal act Symphony X has made major waves around the world since the release of their grandiose magnum opus The Odyssey. Upon its release, the band performed a solid sold-out North American tour opening for Germany’s Blind Guardian, have performed a modicum of additional shows (with Halford and others), and most recently achieved a spotlight appearance at this year’s sold-out Prog Power IV Festival in Atlanta. On November 12th, Symphony X embarks on their first-ever full North American headline tour, with Canada’s Devin Townsend Band in tow.
The Odyssey, an 8-track masterwork of intelligent, classically-influenced heavy metal music unlike anything America has ever produced, quickly became the best-selling SoundScanned release in the history of InsideOut Music. Sweeping melodies and technical prowess define Symphony X’s grandiose approach, while the dexterous and emotive vocals of (Sir) Russell Allen complement each composition immaculately. While previous efforts progressively became more complex and flamboyant, The Odyssey sees the band refocusing their efforts towards lush songwriting and vivid expression. The Odyssey also features an adventurous 24-minute, seven-part epic that shares the album’s namesake, a dynamic piece based on Homer’s heroic poem depicting man’s undying will despite all tribulations – an ideal paralleling Symphony X’s own history. Fans will be pleased to note that on this tour, Symphony X plans to perform the track in its entirety each night! Following the tour, Symphony X will head back to the studio to craft their next sonic sculpture for the New Year.
Opening the tour is The Devin Townsend Band, named for its brilliant/eccentric frontman, the musical madman Devin Townsend, and are also first-timers for the North American tour circuit. Throughout the years, Devin has concocted scores of mind-twisting albums, both solo and with his alter ego Strapping Young Lad. The new album, Accelerated Evolution, also released through InsideOut Music America (consequently the first Devin Townsend ‘solo’ release made available in the US), continues Devin’s masterful prowess as a songwriting technician, as well as a proficient producer. Accelerated Evolution is packed with sweeping choruses, intense rhythmic mechanics, and enough tempo shifts & progressive craftiness to make your head spin – all unified in clockwork harmony and retaining Devin’s own cardinal rule – HEAVY! Devin is an extraordinary frontman in the live setting, and frequently instigates physical mania in his fans. This is definitely a tour not to miss!
Tour dates include:
11/12/03 Farmingdale, NY Downtown
11/13/03 Worcester, MA The Palladium
11/14/03 Asbury Park, NJ Paramount Theater
11/15/03 Montreal, QC, Can. Les Foufounes
11/16/03 Toronto, ON, Can. Club Rocket
11/17/03 New Haven, CT Toads Place
11/21/03 W. Springfield, VA Jaxx
11/22/03 Cleveland, OH Agora Theater
11/23/03 Milwaukee, WI The Rave
11/24/03 Chicago, IL Metro
11/25/03 Omaha, NB Ranch Bowl
11/26/03 Colorado Springs, CO 32 Blue
11/28/03 Santa Ana, CA Galaxy
11/29/03 Hollywood, CA Key Club
11/30/03 Phoenix, AZ Mason Jar
12/01/03 Albuquerque, NM Launch Pad
12/02/03 Denver, CO Bluebird
12/04/03 St. Paul, MN The Lab
12/05/03 Davenport, IA GC Live
12/06/03 Cincinnati, OH Bogart’s
12/07/03 Detroit, MI Shelter
12/08/03 Pittsburgh, PA Hard Rock Café
12/10/03 Allentown, PA Crocodile Rock
12/11/03 Baltimore, MD Fletchers
12/12/03 Providence, RI Ultra
12/13/03 Brooklyn, NY L’Amours
