| The Dark Chapter | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | April 1994 | |||
| Recorded | 1992–1994 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 42:49 | |||
| Label | Zero Corporation | |||
| Producer | Michael Romeo | |||
| Michael Romeo chronology | ||||
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The Dark Chapter is the first studio album by Symphony X guitarist Michael Romeo, released in April 1994 through Zero Corporation (Japan) [1] and reissued in 2000 through InsideOut Music (Europe).
Overview
Originally recorded in 1992 as a demo tape which Romeo had sent out to various guitar publications, the album that would eventually become The Dark Chapter garnered the attention of a Japanese record label named Zero Corporation, who expressed an interest in further material. [2] Romeo then joined up with keyboardist Michael Pinnella to re-record the album for a CD release through Zero in 1994, after which both musicians went on to form Symphony X. [3] An entirely instrumental album, it bears many similarities to the progressive metal stylings of Symphony X, and could be considered a direct precursor to their self-titled debut album which was released later in 1994.
Several of the track titles are references to works by Edgar Allan Poe, such as " The Cask of Amontillado", " The Masque of the Red Death" and " The Premature Burial". The cover art portrays a raven, in reference to " The Raven", and a guitar, with its body resembling the shape of a pendulum, referencing " The Pit and the Pendulum". Most of the other track titles bear cryptic meanings: "Sevil Alucard" reads "Dracula Lives" spelled backwards (a possible reference to Dracula Lives!, a short-lived magazine by Marvel Comics); "MJR #13" is an abbreviation of the initials of Romeo's full name, Michael James Romeo; "Noit Al Ever" reads "Revelation" spelled backwards.
Track listing
All music is composed by Michael Romeo, except where noted
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Carpathia" | 2:08 |
| 2. | "Cask of Amontillado" | 5:07 |
| 3. | "Psychotic Episode" | 4:02 |
| 4. | "Masque of the Red Death" | 7:01 |
| 5. | "Sevil Alucard" | 5:10 |
| 6. | "The Premature Burial" | 6:20 |
| 7. | "MJR #13" | 7:15 |
| 8. | "Concerto in B Minor" ( Niccolò Paganini) | 2:38 |
| 9. | "Noit Al Ever" | 3:08 |
| Total length: | 42:49 | |
Personnel
- Michael Romeo – guitar, guitar synthesizer, keyboard (except track 8), drum programming, bass, engineering, mixing, production
- Michael Pinnella – keyboard (track 8)
- Eric Rachel – mastering
References
- ^ Sharpe-Young, Garry (2009). "Symphony X". MusicMight. Archived from the original on May 28, 2012. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
- ^ Edwards, Owen (March 4, 2008). "Michael Romeo Interview – A Perfect Symphony Part One: 1970's to 2000.". All Out Guitar. Retrieved May 22, 2014.
- ^ "Band Info". symphonyx.com. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved December 22, 2013.