New Symphony X Song “Without You:” to Power Ballad or Not to Power Ballad?

“Nevermore,” the first song we heard from Symphony X’s forthcoming album Underworld, delivered everything I could’ve hoped for from new Symphony X. I’d list out all those characteristics like music journalists usually do, except if you’ve made it this far you already know what Symphony X sound like. Lettuce be cereal, no one in 2015 sees a Symphony X headline and thinks, “Gee, I’ve HEARD of that band, but I wonder what they sound like?” Even if you’ve never heard a note of their music you probably know what Symphony X sound like.

So: peep this new Underworld jam called “Without You.” This one’s a ballad — although guitarist Michael Romeo might disagree (see below) — and it’s a damn good one; the X have never shied away from a slow number, and “Without You” stands up against their best. It’s a got a big old hook in the chorus that’ll stick with you well after you’re done listening. Here’s Romeo:

“Without You” is a bit mellower than the first single, ‘Nevermore’, with a big chorus and a sweeping feel. I don’t know if I would call the track a ballad, but it’s a little bit softer, not so much about riff, but more the acoustic and electric interplay. Those two are good single choices, if you will, because they represent what the record is: it’s heavy, but at the same time, there are some of these soaring melodic parts.

Underworld comes out on July 24th via Nuclear Blast. Pre-order it here (vinyl) or here (CD).