The Odyssey (song)
Encyclopedia
The Odyssey is a song by progressive metal
band Symphony X
released on their 2002 album The Odyssey
. It is 24 minutes. The song contains seven parts :
The first orchestral segment of the song. The first four minutes of the section were created by Michael Romeo
and includes numerous brass, string, woodwind, and percussion instruments.
The acoustic section of the song. The first portion of this section is acoustic and features smooth vocals by Russell Allen
. The rhythm section enters for the second verse, and soon the keyboard enters and the song transitions abruptly into a heavier phase. The next part of the section is instrumental and features many solos from Romeo and Michael Pinnella
. Allen comes back to sing and the song segues into the next section.
The heaviest section of the song. Allen turns to his trademark gruff vocal style for the entire segment, and Romeo's guitar riff at this part is a favorite amongst fans. This leads into an instrumental section where Michael Lepond
(bass) and Jason Rullo
(drums) synchronize their instruments under a polyrhythmic guitar line. The instrumentation becomes lighter and more melodic towards the end, providing a good transition into the next section.
This section is among the most varied in the song, starting with a light piano verse. The guitar comes in, followed by the bass and drums. Allen, however, continues to sing over the keyboards in a soft voice. After two verses, Romeo solos for roughly a minute and jumps into the next part.
The shortest part of the song. It starts with a Romeo riff in Em that continues through most of the section.
The second orchestral instrumental in the song. In contrast to the Overture, it stays in a minor key throughout the section, ending with a piano version of the main theme.
The last section of the song is considered the climax due to Allen's high-pitched singing during the chorus. The song ends with a reprise of the main verse from "Journey to Ithaca."
Progressive metal
Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal originating in the United Kingdom and North America in the late 1980s...
band Symphony X
Symphony X
Symphony X is an American progressive metal band from Middletown, New Jersey.Founded in 1994 by guitarist Michael Romeo, their albums The Divine Wings of Tragedy and V: The New Mythology Suite have given the band considerable attention within the progressive metal community...
released on their 2002 album The Odyssey
The Odyssey (album)
The Odyssey is the sixth studio album by progressive metal band Symphony X. It was the first to be recorded entirely at guitarist Michael Romeo's home studio. The fourth track, "Accolade II," is a sequel to "The Accolade" from The Divine Wings of Tragedy. The album is heavily influenced by the...
. It is 24 minutes. The song contains seven parts :
Composition
- Odysseus Theme/Overture
The first orchestral segment of the song. The first four minutes of the section were created by Michael Romeo
Michael Romeo
Since 2005, Romeo has taken advantage of a new custom model, Caparison Dellinger II - Michael Romeo Custom, which he used to record the Symphony X album Paradise Lost...
and includes numerous brass, string, woodwind, and percussion instruments.
- Journey to Ithaca
The acoustic section of the song. The first portion of this section is acoustic and features smooth vocals by Russell Allen
Russell Allen
Russell Allen is the singer of the American progressive metal band Symphony X.-Biography:Before working with a rock band, he was a jouster at a Medieval Times Dinner Theater. He was introduced to the band Symphony X by former singer Rod Tyler...
. The rhythm section enters for the second verse, and soon the keyboard enters and the song transitions abruptly into a heavier phase. The next part of the section is instrumental and features many solos from Romeo and Michael Pinnella
Michael Pinnella
Michael Pinnella is a keyboard player, most notably for the band Symphony X. He has also released a solo album, a mixture of classical and progressive-styled music titled Enter By the Twelfth Gate on the InsideOut Music label in 2004...
. Allen comes back to sing and the song segues into the next section.
- The Eye
The heaviest section of the song. Allen turns to his trademark gruff vocal style for the entire segment, and Romeo's guitar riff at this part is a favorite amongst fans. This leads into an instrumental section where Michael Lepond
Michael Lepond
Michael Anthony LePond III is the bass guitar player of the North American progressive metal band Symphony X, and also is the bassist for Dead on Arrival, a heavy metal band from New York. The group issued an album - Alive and Kickin’ - on the independent Polo label in 1996...
(bass) and Jason Rullo
Jason Rullo
Jason Rullo is the drummer for the progressive metal band Symphony X. He has been featured in the Modern Drummer readers' polls. He also performed on the 2003 self-titled album by Redemption, a super group including members of Prymary and Fates Warning...
(drums) synchronize their instruments under a polyrhythmic guitar line. The instrumentation becomes lighter and more melodic towards the end, providing a good transition into the next section.
- Circe (Daughter of the Sun)
This section is among the most varied in the song, starting with a light piano verse. The guitar comes in, followed by the bass and drums. Allen, however, continues to sing over the keyboards in a soft voice. After two verses, Romeo solos for roughly a minute and jumps into the next part.
- Sirens
The shortest part of the song. It starts with a Romeo riff in Em that continues through most of the section.
- Scylla and Charybdis
The second orchestral instrumental in the song. In contrast to the Overture, it stays in a minor key throughout the section, ending with a piano version of the main theme.
- Champion of Ithaca
The last section of the song is considered the climax due to Allen's high-pitched singing during the chorus. The song ends with a reprise of the main verse from "Journey to Ithaca."