The Damnation Game is the second studio album by American progressive metal band Symphony X, released in 1995 through Zero Corporation (Japan) and Inside Out Music (Europe); a remastered edition was reissued on September 13, 2004, through Inside Out. The album is the band's first to feature current singer Russell Allen, who replaced Rod Tyler after the release of their 1994 self-titled debut album."FAQ". symphonyx.com. Retrieved 2015-01-31.
Musical references The middle section of "Dressed to Kill", after the guitar solo, cites Johann Sebastian Bach's "Prelude in C minor (BWV 847)" from The Well-Tempered Clavier (Book 1, 1722).
The intro of "The Damnation Game" cites Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach's Solfeggietto in C minor (H 220, Wq. 117: 2) (1766).
Critical reception
Robert Taylor at AllMusic gave The Damnation Game two stars out of five, calling it an improvement over the band's debut album while criticizing the many influences taken from guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen's work: "Guitarist Michael Romeo's licks and solos are lifted right off of Malmsteen's Rising Force and Marching Out". Allen's vocals were also likened to that of Mark Boals and Jeff Scott Soto, also from Malmsteen's earlier bands.
Track listing
Personnel Russell Allen – lead vocals, background vocals Michael Romeo – guitar, background vocals Michael Pinnella – keyboard, background vocals Jason Rullo – drums, background vocals Thomas Miller – bass, background vocals Technical personnel Michael Romeo – production Suha Gur – mastering Steve Evetts – production Eric Rachel – production
References
External links The Damnation Game at symphonyx.com Symphony X "The Damnation Game" at Guitar Nine Records