UMUR "The Damnation Game" is the 2nd full-length studio album by US, New Jersey based power/progressive metal act Symphony X. The album was released through Zero Corporation (Japan)/InsideOut Music (Europe) in November 1995. There´s been one lineup change since the 1994 eponymously titled debut album as lead vocalist Rod Tyler has been replaced by Russel Allen.

While Tyler was a decent enough singer, the addition of Allen definitely boosted the vocal part of Symphony X and took that part of the band´s music to new heights. Allen is an incredibly versatile singer, able to sing both high pitched clean vocals and go to deep range raw vocals. His voice is powerful and his delivery commanding. The Queen influenced choirs and harmonies are still a part of the band´s sound.

Stylistically the material on "The Damnation Game" continues the combination of neo-classical influenced European power metal and the more raw thrash metal influenced US power metal style of the debut album. This time the progressive metal leanings of the debut are much more in focus though, and while I wouldn´t call "The Damnation Game" a pure progressive metal album, a combined US power/progressive metal tag isn´t all wrong. The many neo-classical guitar/keyboard parts (strongly influenced by Yngwie Malmsteen) of course bring the European power metal style to the table, and that´s what´s so interesting about this early era output by Symphony X. How they manage to combine elements from all three styles into something of their own.

The musicianship is high on all posts and the musical performances are one of the great assets of "The Damnation Game". Allen´s vocals have already been mentioned, but the instrumental part of the music is also very accomplished. The drumming is powerful and driving the music forward with great skill and conviction. The bass has an intriguing place in the soundscape and is audible, but it´s the keyboards and especially the guitars which steal the picture (when Allen´s vocals don´t). Great harmony guitar/keyboard runs, and some blistering solo work, which is both shredding and melodic. Both Michael Pinella (keyboards) and Michael Romeo (guitars) are virtuosos on their respective instruments.

Highlights include the opening title track, "Dressed To Kill", "The Edge of Forever" (the opening trio of tracks), and the closing "A Winter's Dream" suite. While some of the material on "The Damnation Game" may still be a little rough around the edges compared to subsequent releaess by Symphony X (a track like "Secrets" for example leaves a bit to be desired), the album is a highly professional affair, featuring a well sounding production job, well composed tracks, and brilliant musicianship. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

martindavey87 Symphony X are back with their second album and a sound that will quickly distinguish them as one of the top prog metal bands in the world.

The differences between this and their self-titled debut are noticeable immediately. Besides the addition of powerhouse vocalist Russell Allen, who's incredible voice can easily switch between both melodic and aggressive styles, the production has been vastly improved and the songwriting is a lot more confident and refined.

The songs on 'The Damnation Game' flow so much fluidly than before. Michael Romeo's intense riffs and exotic solos are much more tasteful, and Michael Pinella's keyboards never sounded this beautiful on 'Symphony X'. While this is far from the bands most ambitious work, it's still a solid blueprint which the New Jersey quintet would build upon with future releases.

Featuring highlights such as 'The Edge of Forever', 'A Winter's Dream', 'The Haunting' and the title track, the reason this only gets a three-star rating is because, despite being a really good record, honestly, it just pales in comparison to what's to come. Such is the strength of the bands later output that I find myself very rarely listening to this one. Still, if you're a fan of Symphony X, then this is definitely an album worth owning!

J-Man Although 1997's The Divine Wings of Tragedy is where most fans see American progressive metal act Symphony X hitting their stride, I think the band also had a major success with their previous album, The Damnation Game. Released in late 1995, Symphony X's sophomore observation may often get ignored by more casual fans of the band, but some of the tracks here rival their best material. Whether its the hard-edged neoclassical power metal in the title track, the progressive nuances in "The Edge of Forever", or the anthemic chorus in "Whispers", everything about The Damnation Game just reeks of sophistication and class.

The result is an album that is a vast improvement over their somewhat underwhelming debut, in terms of both songwriting and aesthetics. With a strong production, a powerful new vocalist in the form of Russel Allen (just listen to some of the notes he belts out and tell me he's not one of the most commanding voices in metal!), and songs that overflow with both memorability and sophistication, it's hard not to be impressed with what The Damnation Game has to offer. This is an album that I have been frequently enjoying for the past year or so, and even after quite a few listens, I'm still blown away. If you like progressive power metal, this isn't one to forget about!

The Angry Scotsman Symphony X's second album, "The Damnation Game" is miles ahead of its predecessor.

First, famed Russell Allen appears on this album, (and of course every one to come) and it is a vast improvement over Rod Tyler. His voice is good, first of all, very powerful, and has one hell of a range. Also, I always found his vocals tasteful, they fit perfectly and are not too over the top, which is the case with far too many power metal bands. The production is also much better than the previous album, as is the overall songwriting. Much tighter and just better composed all around.

This album features Romeo's shred like riffing, spaced with syncopated, often angular and heavy riffs. Keyboards play a very prominent role, sometimes matching the guitar work harmonically, sometimes standing out like a rhythm guitar, and of course is often placed at the forefront. Here we also saw another Symphony X classic, trade off guitar/keyboard solos. Romeo's solo's are of course in mind blowing neo classical shred style.

The bass is not very high on the album, when you do hear bass it is often in a quick break either playing the main rhythm or a high speed scale run. Rullo's drumming is effective. He is a great drummer but on this album his work is quite restrained, often playing simple rhythms over long chains of double bass, or simple beats.

Allen's vocals are again superb, ranging from clean to operatic and always spot on.

The songwriting is good, and progressive in nature. My only knock on is the lack of a standout song. Every one is good, none that weak but none really blow you away. Also, while much improved I just still don't feel the band is fully "there" though these are without doubt some great songs.

Really good album, a must for any Symphony X fan and one that prog/power metal fans should enjoy.

Three and a Half Stars

Phonebook Eater With "The Damnation Game", Symphony X replace their old singer with Russell Allen, one of the best Power Metal vocalists out there. Here the band represents the same themes that were present in the debut; the opera, the theatrical melodies, the love for medieval legends and courts. Although this time the songs are generally better, as well as the production and the performances from each member. Here we finally find some really good moments that would have never happened with the previous vocalists(Now I promise you I won't bug you about this guy anymore), like in "The Edge Of Forever", or "Whispers". Actually, many songs here are quite good, it's just that some, like in the debut, just aren't, and in this case the album rating has to be lowered quite a bit.

I'm sorry to give this 3.5, but again, I know that with the band's following album, "The Divine Wings Of Tragedy", will a huge success and go down in metal history.