Fantastic show, as usual. Did I expect anything less? Did I expect anything more? The Odyssey, perhaps.. but we can’t always have what we ask for. Plus, they have performed that live more times than most minds/hearts can handle, so it’s fine.

For starters, the openers were surprisingly tolerable – especially since Starland Ballroom likes to throw a bunch of young kids on the stage, lacking talent and experience. The first band to go on was Dystrophy, who I had seen open up for Sonata Arctica before – nothing too spectacular. The guitarist is fantastic, but the rest of the band & the singer we could do without. Next was Devil’s Island (from Brooklyn, NY!) who did an impeccable job. I was unfamiliar with them, but very impressed – especially with the ease with which the bass player played. They’re definitely worth looking deeper into. Ethereality was up next – and I have no words! Beauty, maybe? Perfection. They played some fresh songs who most people were unfamiliar with, along with one of my favorites, Renaissance. They’ll be coming out with a new CD (EP? Promo? I don’t know music industry lingo) soon, which I believe they said you can obtain on their website – and I suggest looking into that! Lastly were Exxplorer, who were just so odd. They were the typical middle-aged man band who never made it big. My opinion is biased, however, because the brain-dead roadie decided to use my friend’s sweater which had fallen behind the barrier as a mop for the spilled beverage on stage. Moron. Plus, the “frontman” kept making disgusting sexual references to his guitarist’s “tight white ass” – which both confused and disturbed me. Besides that last one, the openers were very enjoyable to listen to, and not too loud. Which was great.

Symphony X opened the set with Set the World on Fire (surprise..? No) Then continued on to Domination, Evolution, Inferno, Serpent’s Kiss, Paradise Lost – with a long break in between thanking everyone for being present that night, mostly their families, since we were in New Jersey – their backyard! Went on to King of Terrors, Smoke & Mirrors, Revelation (which they mis-spelled on the setlist as “Revolation”, I guess all the battling other knights on horses will do that to you?). After that, followed the usual brief goodbye with the sound-check guy pretending to be doing something efficient, then a return with Eve of Seduction, Of Sins and Shadows, and Sea of Lies. It was beautiful! The whole set as a whole was, for my taste, a bit too similar to the previous ones – but they really delivered!

What was different about this particular show? Well, for starters, Thomas Miller made a grand “guest appearance”, received with warm embraces from the rest of the band (except for Michael LePond, who stood in his corner rather awkwardly.. looking more adorable than words can describe, but that’s for a new blog), and plenty of cheers from the crowd. Second of all, Russell was, to the best of my knowledge, more sober than I have ever seen him at any show – which is probably accountable for his family being in the crowd. No jug of Jack Daniel’s! Lastly, but certainly not least – it helped that he shook my hand after stepping on stage. Why? I have no idea. I could say it’s because my face will stick in your head, since I’m at every show in the tri-state area, but that would just be the hopeful fan-girl in me coming out

This was back at Metal Masters 08 - I guess you can call it a very lucky bathroom break

In conclusion, this concert was definitely worth the money. It was also worth the two or so hours waiting outside in the freezing cold to get inside the place (with Star Parking), and not being able to feel my poor, frozen fingers until a good hour into the show. Farewell.