The Odyssey is a Canadian-produced half-hour adventure-fantasy television series for children, originally broadcast 1992-95 on CBC Television. It starred Illya Woloshyn as Jay Ziegler, Ashleigh Aston Moore as Donna/Alpha (credited as Ashley Rogers), Tony Sampson as Keith/Flash, Andrea Nemeth as Medea/Sierra Jones, Mark Hildreth as Finger, Ryan Reynolds as Macro, Janet Hodgkinson as Val Ziegler (Jay's mother), and Devon Sawa as Yudo.

Plot synopsis[link]

In the series pilot, 11-year-old Jay tries to join a tree-fort club, led by the tough Keith. As per the pre-arranged agreement, Jay has brought something of value to contribute to the club: a telescope that belonged to his father (who has been missing several years and is presumed dead). However, Keith double-crosses Jay and takes the telescope, denying him admission into the club. Jay tries to retrieve the telescope with the help of his physically disabled friend Donna, who uses a crutch and a leg brace in order to walk. Jay falls from the tree-fort, however, injuring his head, and lapses into a coma.

In the coma, Jay finds himself in a fantasy world where no one reaches the age of 16. Not having heard of adults, the children here have shaped society in their own ways, forming mostly tribal clans in the form of Clubs, such as the Pool Club and the Library Club. The biggest and most powerful Club, however, is The Tower, a brutal despotic police state run by the oldest kids, with Brad as the absolute ruler because he is 15, and "knows everything". Jay, not knowing how he has got here, embarks on a journey to return home—a place he can't remember. The journey becomes a quest to find his long-lost father, whose name happens to be Brad, who fell overboard from a small boat into a lake whilst they were on a fishing trip together, and has not been seen since.

Meanwhile, Jay's mother and a coma therapist try to get Jay to regain consciousness, with the help of his friends.

A turning point is reached when Jay's father appears to him as he is regaining consciousness, which Jay is forced to keep as a secret from his mother. As Jay struggles to reorient himself in the waking world and the many changes that have occurred, he finds that he is still dealing with issues through the world from his subconscious.

Production and broadcasting[link]

The series, created by Paul Vitols and Warren Easton, was produced in Vancouver by Water Street Pictures. Over the three years of production 39 episodes were made. The show was broadcast in the U.S. by the Sci-Fi Channel, in the UK by Channel 4 in 1995 (repeated in 1998), in France by M6 (first season only) and then by France 3 (whole series), and also in a number of other countries. Awards won by the series include Top Ten World Program at the Cologne Conference, a Canadian Gemini for Best Youth Program, and the WorldFest Gold Award at the Houston International Film Festival.

The pilot episode was originally aired in Canada on March 9, 1992, as "The Jellybean Odyssey".

Home media release[link]

A special edition DVD of the complete series was made in limited quantities and is sold through Omni Film Productions.^[1]

Episodes[link]

Season 1 (1992-1993)[link]

1. The Fall
2. No Fair
3. Out of the Woods
4. By the Book
5. Checkpoint Eagle
6. The Believers
7. A Place Called Nowhere
8. Wanted
9. Galileo & the Gypsies
10. In the Dark
11. The Brad Exchange
12. Welcome to the Tower
13. The One Called Brad

Season 2 (1994)[link]

1. Lands End
2. To the Lighthouse
3. Some place like home
4. Whispers Like Thunder
5. The Hall of Darkness
6. The Prophecy
7. The Greatest Show on Earth
8. But Where Is Here?
9. The Big Picture
10. Tick Tock
11. Run for Your Life
12. Who Do You Believe?
13. You Decide

Season 3 (1994)[link]

1. No Way Out
2. Dart to the Heart
3. Learning Curve
4. Night Life
5. Cry Justice
6. King for a Day
7. The Cauldron
8. Styx and Stones
9. Tug of War
10. Tangled Web
11. No Holds Barred
12. The Plague
13. Time Bomb

See also[link]

• The Tribe (TV series)
• The Sparticle Mystery (2011)

References[link]

External links[link]

• The Odyssey at the Internet Movie Database
• Archive of the SciFi Channel's web site dedicated to the show during its run on the network.
• features The Odyssey's last episode "Time Bomb"

Symphony X
performing live in San Francisco, California, 2007
Background information
Origin	Middletown, New Jersey, United States
Genres	Progressive metal, neo-classical metal, symphonic metal
Years active	1994–present
Labels	Nuclear Blast, Inside Out, Zero Corporation
Website	www.symphonyx.com
Members
Michael Romeo Michael Pinnella Jason Rullo Russell Allen Michael Lepond
Past members
Thomas Miller Rod Tyler Thomas Walling

Symphony X /ˌsɪmfəni ˈɛks/ is an American progressive metal band from Middletown, New Jersey. Founded in 1994 by guitarist Michael Romeo, their albums The Divine Wings of Tragedy and V: The New Mythology Suite have given the band considerable attention within the progressive metal community. They also have achieved more commercial success with the 2007 album Paradise Lost; the band's 2011 album Iconoclast is the highest chart position and the most first-week sales in the band's history.

Biography[link]

[edit] The Dark Chapter, Symphony X and The Damnation Game (1994−1995)

In early 1994 Michael Romeo (ex-Phantom's Opera, ex-Gemini) recorded a studio album entitled The Dark Chapter, which featured himself and keyboard player Michael Pinnella.^[1] The tape attracted a fair share of attention, particularly in Japan.^[1] He then recruited bassist Thomas Miller, drummer Jason Rullo, and vocalist Rod Tyler.^[2] Their self-titled debut album was recorded in the same year, and released to a positive reception in Japan by the now-extinct record company Zero Corporation Label.^[3] The band's second studio album, The Damnation Game, followed six months later. Singer Rod Tyler had left the band by then and was replaced by current singer Russell Allen.^[4]

[edit] The Divine Wings of Tragedy and Twilight in Olympus (1996−1998)

The Divine Wings of Tragedy was the album that first gave Symphony X exposure in metal circles. It took a considerable time to record the album, with the recording sessions beginning in 1996 and concluding in 1997. The positive feedback from the specialized press served to establish Symphony X in Europe; their success in Japan only continued to grow.

At the end of 1997 and for part of the next year, Jason Rullo, their drummer, had to stay away from the band in order to solve personal issues. He was temporarily replaced by Thomas Walling. Even with a temporary drummer, the band recorded Twilight in Olympus, released in early 1998. That year also saw the first live performances from the band, which by then had already gathered many fans from around the globe. Their first official show happened in 1998, in Japan. It was soon followed by a world tour. Bassist Thomas Miller left the band and was replaced by Michael Lepond in that year.

A compilation album, Prelude to the Millennium, was released by the end of 1998. As an extra, it featured a second version of the song "Masquerade" from the first album, with Russell Allen on vocals.

[edit] V: The New Mythology Suite and The Odyssey (1999−2002)

Jason Rullo returned to the drums for the band's fifth album, V: The New Mythology Suite, released in 2000. It was the band's first release on major progressive label InsideOut Music. The album was their first concept album, dealing with the myth of Atlantis. The album features classics such as "Communion and the Oracle," "Egypt" and the mini-suite "Rediscovery," and includes pieces of classical music.

The band went on a European and South American tour shortly after its release and recorded their first live album, Live on the Edge of Forever.

In 2002, the band released The Odyssey, an album prominently featuring a 24-minute long musical interpretation of the Homeric epic, the Odyssey.

Solo albums (2003−2006)[link]

Keyboardist Michael Pinnella released a solo album, entitled Enter By the Twelfth Gate, on October 12, 2004.^[5] Vocalist Russell Allen's solo debut, entitled Atomic Soul, was released in the summer of 2005. With this album, Allen took a different musical direction from that seen in his work with Symphony X. It was considered by many—including Allen himself—to be a hard rock album.^[6] Also in 2005, he recorded an album called The Battle with former Masterplan vocalist Jørn Lande under the moniker "Allen/Lande."^[7] The two would later record a follow-up album entitled The Revenge, released May 11, 2007.^[8] In 2005 Symphony X was featured on Gigantour, a summer festival headlined by Megadeth with Dream Theater and Anthrax. Two Symphony X songs from the tour, "Inferno" and "Of Sins and Shadows," are featured on the Gigantour DVD and CD-set, released in September 2006.^[9][10]

[edit] Paradise Lost (2007-2010)

Lead vocalist Russell Allen performing at a concert in San Juan, Puerto Rico on May 27, 2007.

The band's album Paradise Lost, a concept album loosely inspired by John Milton's epic poem of the same name, was recorded in Romeo's studio and released worldwide on June 26, 2007. The band claimed this work had darker themes musically.^[11] The album included a special DVD of footage shot by the band throughout their history, available in FYE stores.^[12] The release coincided with a 14-month world tour, including a tour through all of Europe with Dream Theater in the fall of 2007.^[13] The band also revealed plans to perform in Japan and other Asian countries, as well as appear for the first time ever in Russia, India, and the Middle East.^[13]

Paradise Lost debuted at number 123 on the Billboard 200 album chart in the United States, selling 6,300 copies in its first week. The record also debuted at number 1 on the Top Heatseekers Chart.^[14][15]

Symphony X released their first music video for the song "Serpent's Kiss" on July 28, 2007.^[16] It was followed by a video for "Set the World on Fire," released on January 11, 2008.^[17] The band toured North and South America from October to November 2008, and toured Asia in February 2009.

[edit] Iconoclast (2011-present)

On March 1, 2010, an update on the Symphony X official website announced that the band had recorded most of their next album and that Romeo and Allen were working on lyrics; Romeo was getting ready to start doing tracking for the album.^[18][19][20] The album's name and lyrical concept were revealed on January 29, 2011 in an interview by DJ JC Green of Metal Messiah Radio's "Heavy Metal Thunder" show with Russell Allen: the follow-up to Paradise Lost will be titled Iconoclast and will have its lyrics centered around "machines taking over everything and all this technology we put our society into pretty much being our demise."^[21] When asked about a release date, Allen said, "We are in post-production, so the album is pretty much almost done. At this point, mixes are being wrapped up and finalized and it's off to mastering and should be ready for release in a few months, definitely first quarter of 2011. We've got the artworks all done, we're taking pictures next week... all that good stuff. So everything's on track for release pretty soon. Allen also commented that "Sonically, it's in the realm of [Paradise Lost] in a way, in terms of the sound of things; the guitar sound is a little different. Basically, the album is pretty intense, probably the most intense record we've ever done... "This album will contain a good body of work that harkens back to a lot of early metal, some early metal, and a lot of Symphony X standards that you guys know already, and a little bit of a newer sound too, here and there, just a newer direction."^[21]

On February 25, 2011, Symphony X played the first show of their 2011 tour in Stuttgart, Germany, where they performed two songs from Iconoclast: "End of Innocence" and "Dehumanized." Some days later, in Antwerp, Belgium, they performed yet another new song, "Heretic." During their show in London, England, the band debuted another new song titled "Prometheus."

On March 25, 2011, it was announced on the Nuclear Blast website and Blabbermouth.net that the new Symphony X album, Iconoclast, would be released in Europe on June 17 and in North America on June 21,^[22] as a Standard Edition as well as a 2-CD Digipack.

Iconoclast debuted at number 76 on the Billboard 200 album chart in the United States, selling more than 7,300 copies in its first week. The record also debuted at number 7 on the Top Hard Rock Chart, number 19 on the Top Rock Chart and number 13 on the Top Independent Chart.^[23][24] The album showcases the highest chart position and the most first-week sales in the band's history.

Sound[link]

Symphony X is often compared to other progressive metal bands such as Dream Theater, Fates Warning and Shadow Gallery.^[25] Their music includes complex timings and odd meters while incorporating elements of symphonic metal and more traditional heavy metal. It also contains strong neo-classical elements reminiscent of Yngwie Malmsteen, Cacophony, Randy Rhoads, and other neo-classical metal artists.^[26]

Recording studio: The Dungeon[link]

The Dungeon is the studio located at the home of Symphony X's guitarist and composer Michael Romeo. The albums The Divine Wings of Tragedy and V: The New Mythology Suite were partly recorded in The Dungeon, while The Odyssey, Paradise Lost and Iconoclast were fully recorded there and produced by Romeo himself. Symphony X spent a sum of money upgrading The Dungeon and buying state of the art orchestration software and tools for the rich symphonic arrangements in their songs.

Line-up[link]

Current members

• Michael Romeo − guitar, backing vocals (1994–present)
• Michael Pinnella − keyboards, backing vocals (1994–present)
• Jason Rullo – drums (1994–1997, 2000–present)
• Russell Allen − lead vocals (1995–present)
• Michael Lepond − bass guitar, backing vocals (1998–present)

Former members

• Thomas Miller − bass guitar (1994−1998)
• Rod Tyler − vocals (1994)
• Thomas Walling − drums (1998−2000)

Timeline

 id:Guitar              value:teal           legend:Guitar
 id:Vocals              value:orange         legend:Lead vocals
 id:Bass                value:blue           legend:Bass
 id:Drums               value:gray(0.45)     legend:Drums
 id:Keyboards           value:purple         legend:Keyboards
 id:Lines               value:black          legend:Studio releases

 at:06/25/1994 color:black layer:back
 at:10/08/1995 color:black layer:back
 at:01/01/1997 color:black layer:back
 at:03/27/1998 color:black layer:back
 at:10/10/2000 color:black layer:back
 at:01/05/2002 color:black layer:back
 at:06/26/2007 color:black layer:back
 at:06/17/2011 color:black layer:back

 bar:Romeo        text:"Michael Romeo"
 bar:Pinnella     text:"Michael Pinnella"
 bar:Rullo        text:"Jason Rullo"
 bar:Walling      text:"Thomas Walling"
 bar:Allen        text:"Russell Allen"
 bar:Tyler        text:"Rod Tyler"
 bar:Lepond       text:"Michael Lepond"
 bar:Miller       text:"Thomas Miller"

 width:14 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)
 bar:Romeo        from:01/01/1994 till:end        color:Guitar
 bar:Pinnella     from:01/01/1994 till:end        color:Keyboards
 bar:Rullo        from:01/01/1994 till:08/01/1997 color:Drums
 bar:Rullo        from:08/01/2000 till:end        color:Drums
 bar:Walling      from:08/01/1997 till:08/01/2000 color:Drums
 bar:Allen        from:08/07/1995 till:end        color:Vocals
 bar:Tyler        from:01/01/1994 till:08/07/1995 color:Vocals
 bar:Lepond       from:05/01/1998 till:end        color:Bass
 bar:Miller       from:01/01/1994 till:04/30/1998 color:Bass

Discography[link]

Music videos[link]

• "The Serpent's Kiss" – 2007
• "Set The World On Fire" – 2008
• "Electric Messiah" - 2011

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Symphony X

• Symphony X's official website
• Symphony X's official MySpace page
• Official French website