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88 are you fucking kidding me this deserves to be in the very high 90's the album of THE FUCKING YEAR here

I agree with MetalStorm but that shouldn't be surprising i guess.

A solid 95 from me. A fucking killer album it is

Unfortunately this band's appeal for me is lost with each album. Paradise Lost was the best sounding and best produced album and it had enough good songs to make it worth a purchase. Its just unfortunate that now every single song just sounds like Set the World Afire or Domination. The Odyssey will remain my favorite for another few years it looks like.

I still haven't gotten around to getting Paradise Lost but after reading that first sentence maybe it's time I did.

... same here, and I feel really sorry about it because I remember having extensively enjoyed their music a few years ago. Had they released this eight years ago, I would have fainted overwhelmed by joy.
But now it's like that part of me is dead.

This, plus that "hit the switch you son a bitch" line which is a serious "WTF??!" moment.

Less progressive overall as far as length of songs and use of keys; much more guitar oriented and straight forward metal. I like it!

I like them very much, but they always struck me as a second rate Shadow Gallery when SG writes those 8 minute long groovefest meets speed metal songs.

I agree with what some of the others said. I think this band is a bit too much of a one trick pony as well.

Russell is a great singer but is a bit one dimensional and a bit rangeless at times. He does the quiet reflective kind of voice and the angry voice. I'd just like to hear something different from the guy. I don't hear a lot of emotion in his singing the way you can tell how a lot of guys are feeling singing the lyrics.

That said, their albums are always 85-90 efforts. The lack of diversity hurts them a lot though.

Another good SX release but for me V The New Mythology Suite is still their best.

Divine Wings of Tragedy for me. I gave the album a spin, sounds good, but, like Jeff said, it's less prog and more guitar oriented, and unlike him, I don't appreciate this change in sound since Paradise Lost. And the Hit the Switch thing... shit, SX was a classy band, what happened?

Absolutely brilliant!



I have to disagree with Russells singing. I think he has an amazing range and is quite verstatile. But especially I think he puts a lot of emotion into his singing. At least I'm feeling it

Anyway I'm loving this a lot. Perfect mix of agression and prog.

Oh forgot the hit the switch thing... That has to be a joke! At least it made me laugh

Wow, I am behind on this year's music. I need to get this one. The Odyssey is still my favorite, but this band always puts out quality.

As you (and I) get older, you become harder to impress. Fuckin' sucks sometimes...
SX is an awesome band, and I'm going to spin the album at least 5 times before a make another thought. So far it's like an 80 for me (which is really good in my book).

I know I know...if Dehumanized and Heretic had just been better tunes, I'd certainly go above 90. But by our scales I still went for the high end of "outstanding", maybe cut me a little slack?

Otherwise looking at some of the comments I'm clearly not getting my meds from the same stash as some of you. All songs sound like Set The World On Fire or Domination, less proggy than say, Paradise Lost? Really don't hear where those and coming from.

And jumping jehosephat, Allen is one of the currently best metal singers this side of Barlow and Dane at emoting any song he touches and has some crazy range, even though it does come off as more subdued on the latest records due to the more aggro style. You sure your doctor isn't providing bad material, Adverser

But I will agree that "hit the switch you son a bitch" came outta nowhere, made me rewind and check that I actually heard correctly. Just makes me chuckle, though.

Sorry. I think they've been more or less re-recording "Absinthe and Rue" for a long time now.

Put things into perspective guys. Yes, he hasa great range, but he can't touch Tribuzy, Falaschi or any of the Italians range wise. I'm just tired of that raspy singing style. He doesn't absolutely have to sing like that all the time. Graham Bonnet was one of the gruffest and loudest singers ever in his prime. Allen could take a lesson from him. Let's hear some dynamics and versitility out of the guy. Again, don't get me wrong. I think he's really great, I am just extremely tough on singers.

Well of course you are, it's because you're such a great singer yourself, nobody expects anything less.

This I mean he makes Heiman look like William Hung so it's natural he's going to think everyone is inferior

Really, this bullshit again?

Have some of you guys tried being hipsters? I hear it takes less effort than metal and it prides itself on it's ignorance.