Symphony X Celebrates 25 Years of Metal Mayhem in Baltimore

Pop Break Live: Symphony X 25th Anniversary Show with Haken and Trope at The Baltimore Sound Stage — Baltimore, Maryland on June 11, 2022

Words + Photos by David Weaver

Trope, who just released an acoustic treat of a debut album, entitled Eleutheromania, last year, opened for Symphony X’s concert at Baltimore Soundstage. The band’s unique sound, led by the talented vocals of Diana Studenberg, and the guitar stylings of Dave Thompson were a perfect choice for setting the tone for the evening. Diana’s smooth, almost sonorous, vocals immediately caused a still over the audience, enrapturing them before breaking out into some truly awesome rocking vocals. Her dynamic range, combined with her vocal control when changing pitch and holding notes, was an absolute treat to hear and see in person. Combined with Dave’s engaging guitar playing, the two made for a talented pair, painting a musical soundscape rich with colors and tones.

Seeing Trope live is quite an experience, and I’m looking forward to seeing them live, again, someday soon. Their music excels at setting a vivid tone, with smooth transitions and shifting undertones, and taking the audience on an effortless audio excursion into the freest forms of imagination. Give their latest album Eleutheromania a listen. You can find the set list from their show below:

Lambs
Plateau
Privateer
Surrogate
Planes
Breach
Pareidolia

Trope

1 of 10

Haken’s concert hit hard from the get-go and never stopped. Their live set is less of a performance you witness and more one that you’re pulled into. Ross Jennings, the vocalist, is a talented performer, expertly engaging the crowd, and the band is a veritable virtuoso in their art, playing with the cool confidence of one who has honed their craft, fully focused on their delivery.

The set opened with the instrumental-heavy “Prosthetic” before immediately launching into “Invasion”–both tracks off of their aggressive 2020 album Virus. They paused, as Invasion closed, and told the audience they’d play something new, something difficult–their latest single, released just this year, “Nightingale.” Haken’s songs are already musically complex, so to hear them say they’re going to play something difficult intrigued me.

Haken excelled, making the delivery of the song look as natural and effortless as walking. Haken has certainly increased their musical skill as a band, evolving their sound even further with the both melodic and discordant, clear yet convoluted and intricately layered “Nightingale.” Despite there being so much going on, all of which was expertly executed, you never felt overwhelmed. The tones and pace shifted so rapidly that “Nightingale,” at over seven minutes long, reminds me of the storytelling intensity of a movie score. It’s an absolutely fantastically polished piece.

Whether you want to be inspired by the multitude of emotions and images that “Nightingale” evokes or simply want to appreciate a musical masterpiece, check out their latest release. You can find the set list from Haken’s concert below:

Prosthetic
Invasion
Nightingale
Cockroach King
Nil by Mouth
1985
Carousel

Haken

1 of 7

Symphony X has established themselves as the name in neoclassical metal. As a metal fan, I’ve been wanting to photograph this band for a long time. Unfortunately, the pandemic put a severe damper on tours, as well as any chance to see them live anytime soon. At least, that’s what I thought until Symphony X announced an absolutely sweeping 25th anniversary North American tour. The tour features 28 concert dates, one of which is not only in my own backyard but also at one of my favorite venues–Baltimore Soundstage.

I wasn’t the only one excited for an absolutely insane night of metal mayhem either. Before a band goes on, there’s a quiet moment that settles over the crowd. As a concert photographer, I usually spend this time checking camera settings or analyzing the stage design. The stillness came and, within it, I heard a single fan ask, as if challenging the crowd, “Are you ready to go absolutely insane?!”

The crowd roared in reply, energized with anticipation. As if in response, Symphony X took the stage a moment later and, following an overture, mercilessly ripped into “Nevermore” off their 2015 album “Underworld.” To add to the awesomeness of the evening, they played “Without You” which, to those who are unfamiliar with neoclassical metal, is a fantastic example of what the genre offers–and what Symphony X does best–electric and acoustic guitars riffing together, accented by crystal clear piano chords, and emphasized by Russell Allen’s iconic rock vocals.

It was a fantastic concert. However, the real treat for the evening was the encore. Whether you’re new to the genre of neoclassical metal or a long-time Symphony X fan, seeing the band play “The Odyssey”–a musical monster over 24 minutes long–was insane. Symphony X didn’t just do an encore, after a nine-song set, they practically held a second concert for their encore. To play such a long, eclectic song, whose breaks and instrumentals require deft musical tenacity and precision, and whose vocals require a solid understanding of pacing and stamina, after a concert, just goes to show you not only how talented, but how dedicated Symphony X is to their craft. Go see them on their tour. I guarantee you it will be a night you won’t forget.

You can find the set list from their mind-bendingly epic concert below: