AMG Review of Symphony X

Robert Taylor
All Music Guide

This is the eponymous debut recording from New Jersey's Symphony X. The obvious debt to Yngwie Malmsteen dominates the session in arrangement, singing, and playing. Founder/leader/guitarist Michael Romeo would eventually go on to develop his own style as well as an identity for the band, but there's not a hint of that here. While this release went largely unnoticed in the U.S., it was popular in Japan, which wasn't too much of a surprise given their large Malmsteen fan base. Humble beginnings for what was to become a very original and influential band.