It is not very often a support band is afforded a standing ovation. In fact, in more than 25 years of gig going I can probably count the occasions I have witnessed such a response on two hands. But Symphony X achieved precisely this in Wolverhampton, at the end of a 50 minute set that doubtless saw them win over many new friends. Some similarities with the headline act are apparent, although the New Jersey quintet are less focused on the technical side and boast more up front metal aggression.

Starting the set with ‘Oculus Ex Inferni’ the majority of what followed was given over to current album ‘Paradise Lost’. Rightly so, as it is something of a classic. Even with little room on stage, Russell Allen was at his most menacing throughout, feeding off the audience and clearly delighted by their response. ‘Set The World On Fire’, complete with its battery of percussion, was a particular strong point as was the epic ‘Paradise Lost’ itself. Whilst Allen was the dominant force the rest of the band were similarly fired up, Michael Romeo effortlessly reeling off solos aplenty.

Symphony X are planning a return to Europe in the spring, this time as the headline act; and I, for one, can hardly wait.

Dream Theater took the stage to their variation on the ‘2001 A Space Odyssey’ theme, complete with background visuals of the bands history, together with the all-new ‘Ant’ themed animation. With Mike Portney resplendent behind his ever growing kit they began with ‘Constant Motion’. Not one of my favourites from ‘Systematic Chaos’ it nevertheless served its purpose of giving the set a frantic start. Last time DT played Wolverhampton we got very little from ‘Scenes From A Memory’ but that was put right this time around as they launched into the ominous ’Strange Déjà vu’. Having had a glance at set lists from earlier shows I was pretty much expecting the next song, ‘Endless Sacrifice’ from the bloated ‘Train of Thought’. Not one of their strongest numbers it was perhaps the one misstep in an otherwise flawless display.

The updated version of ‘Surrounded’ came with the coda of Marillion’s ‘Sugar Mice’, although I’m not sure all of the crowd recognised it…The show really got going with the striking ‘The Dark Eternal Night’ which came with some tongue in cheek band animation (including Jordon Rudess as a Wizard) and the momentum was carried through from here on in. One thing that strikes you about DT is how often James LaBrie is off stage, probably around half of the entire performance; during this time it is hard to look elsewhere apart from at Portney who is such a dominant figure. That said, Rudess’ mobile keyboard allows him some time centre stage, trading solo’s with Petrucci at regular intervals.

After another new song, ‘The Ministry Of Lost Souls’ the crowning glory of the show came with a majestic version of ‘The Spirit Carries On’ and if the set had ended there I would have gone away more than happy. But more was to follow in the form of the prodigious ‘In The Presence Of Enemies’, very much the sort of song where you can only watch in amazement at the outstanding display of musicianship.

For the encore it was a medley drawing on the bands vast back catalogue, and it all came to a colossal conclusion with a segment from ‘Octavarium’. A stunning spectacle and proof that Dream Theater remain a remarkable live proposition.

Setlist:-

Intro / An Ant Odyssey
Constant Motion
Strange Deja Vu
Endless Sacrifice
Surrounded '07
The Dark Eternal Night
The Ministry of Lost Souls
The Spirit Carries On
In the Presence of Enemies Pts 1-2
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Medley:-
Trial of Tears
Finally Free
Learning to Live
In the Name of God
Octavarium