Symphony X is a modern metal band with a penchant for Greek
Epos. In 2002, they released an album entitled The Odyssey, which features an
epic 24 minute track, The Odyssey. This song follows Odysseus' journey in an
epic fashion. This song consists of 5 parts, which serve to highlight different
emotional aspects of Odysseus' plight. I will talk about the first 3 parts,
which relate to chapters 1-9. Part one is purely instrumental, and lasts for
around three and a half minutes. It serves to set the emotional grandeur for
the rest of the song. It has great highs and lows, and ultimately succeeds in feeling
grand. In this ways it mirrors an epic poem, as the emotions evoked are grand.
The second part of the song is initially calmer in its instrumentation. This
slowly peaks as the song continue, ultimately evolving into an complex,
fast-paced metal song. This section features a large amount of orchestral
instrumentation, in addition to the metal band, which serves to increase the grandiose
of the song. The lyrics in part two speak of Odysseus' desire to return home.
They highlight several important parts of the epic, such as Odysseus' common
crying, which shows his grief. Part two ends with in a heavy metal section,
with the lyrics "we are coming home," which shows Odysseus'
determination to reach Ithaca again. Part three speaks of the contact between the
Achaeans and the Cyclops. It opens with what may be seen as formulaic verse,
"Awaked at dawn", much the way that Homer starts many a verse
speaking of dawn. This section speaks directly to the encounter with the Cyclops,
by referencing the Cave of Woe (Cyclops' cave), and the Eye of Hate (the Cyclops).
This section also uses epic features, when it refers to the Cyclops by using a
metaphor. Part 3 continues to describe the encounter between Odysseus and the Cyclops,
and ends with a description of an eye flowing with blood, much as the Cyclops'
eye did in the Odyssey. I believe that this genre of music is apt to portray an
epic poem such as the Odyssey. Progressive metal allows for the complexity and
use of orchestral instruments necessary to highlight the grand characteristics
of the poem, while it simultaneously allows for the use of grisly images, much
like the Greeks did in their epic poems.
Thanks, what a great find! I'd never in a million years have expected to see a Heavy Metal band inspired by the Odyssey! Great stuff. I like the cover image with the depiction of the Siren episode too although these Sirens look more the way I'd have imagined Harpies, certainly not very seductive.
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