MICHAEL ROMEO: War Of The Worlds / Pt. 1 (MELODIC METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

One of the reasons why we had no news from Symphony X, three years after the delightful "Underworld", is maybe coming from Michael Romeo, busy writing and recording his second solo album. It's been twenty-four years since the virtuoso had written music under his own name, so we understand the priority he has given to the sequel of "Dark Chapter". And it is not one but two albums that are on the program with "War Of The Worlds" with a concept nourished by the work of H.G. Wells whose first part is released in the middle of the summer.

"Dark Chapter" and this new album differs radically in their contents because if the first one is all instrumental "War Of The Worlds / Pt. 1" has more to do with what the American composes for Symphony X. Indeed, the fan of Symphony X's last records, namely more metal and less progressive compositions, will be here in conquered ground and will be able to sustain himself with a collection of titles that could have been stamped Symphony X. To carry out his project, Romeo has surrounded himself with a solid and experienced band with a rhythm section made up of John Macaluso, who is no longer featured, and John "JD" DeServio (Black Label Society), Romeo's childhood friend on bass. For the vocals, Romeo has found the still little known voice of Rick Castellano, but we bet that she will quickly make a name for herself in view of the performances he delivers in this album.

As Michael Romeo admits, this record is the pure result of his creative affinities, metal and symphony. With its brilliant melodic developments and subtle mix of orchestrations and sharp guitar phrasing, "War Of The Worlds / Pt. 1" is the ultimate demonstration that Romeo is a master of epic metal with a strong cinematic connotation. Romeo balances his first chapter with pure metallic fireworks in which irresistible riffs and choruses are legion, as in 'Fear Of The Unknown', the dense instrumental part of 'Black' thrash, the percussive 'Oblivion' that overwhelms everything with its heady vocals and 'Difference' with its surprising piano break. Interspersed with short but dense sequences of highly orchestrated music, 'Introduction' and the instrumental 'War Machine', which allows Romeo to express his talents as a symphonic composer, color the disc with a strong epic dimension.

The other highlights of the album are those in which the two main components are intertwined. They form the heart of this War of the Worlds soundtrack and begin with the most daring piece Romeo has written on this record: 'F*cking Robots' is a success in this mix of heavy electronic textures to stick to the title, Homeric orchestrations and a cover of the vocal melodic theme from the previous title. This surprising 'F*cking Robots' paves the way for a devastating 'Djinn' that accentuates the oriental and ancient tonality (in the chorus) of the work before allowing the power-ballad 'Believe' to develop, probably the closest piece of Symphony X, which particularly highlights Castellano's emotional interpretation. "War Of The Worlds / Pt. 1" ends with a synthetic 'Constellations' which perfectly plays its role of conclusion of the first episode while maintaining the evocative suspense of the next suite.

With the first part of his diptych 'War Of The Worlds', Michael Romeo remains in the line of what he composed for Symphony X in 'Underworld', but in a more digestible formulation with short and very melodious formats and wide symphonic ranges to link the whole. We will wait for the second part to judge the whole work, but this first chapter is already a success that arouses impatience to listen to the rest. - Official website

MICHAEL ROMEO

WAR OF THE WORLDS / PT. 1

MASCOT LABEL GROUP

MELODIC METAL