''Iconoclast'' is the eighth studio album by the
progressive metal band
Symphony X, released in June 2011.
Theme
When interviewed, vocalist
Russell Allen said that the lyrical concept of the album is based on ''"The idea of machines taking over everything, and all this technology we put our society into pretty much being our demise."'' Allen said on Heavy Metal Thunder that "it isn't a story, but rather a theme, like ''
Dark Side of the Moon'' by
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd are an English rock band formed in London in 1965. Gaining an early following as one of the first British psychedelic music, psychedelic groups, they were distinguished by their extended compositions, sonic experimentation, philo ...
."
Album art
Illustrator and film concept artist Warren Flanagan (''
Watchmen'', ''
The Incredible Hulk'', ''
2012
File:2012 Events Collage V3.png, From left, clockwise: The passenger cruise ship Costa Concordia lies capsized after the Costa Concordia disaster; Damage to Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, New Jersey as a result of Hurricane Sandy; People gather ...
''), who designed the cover of ''
Paradise Lost
''Paradise Lost'' is an epic poem in blank verse by the 17th-century English poet John Milton (1608–1674). The first version, published in 1667, consists of ten books with over ten thousand lines of verse (poetry), verse. A second edition fo ...
'', returned as art director for ''Iconoclast''. Sharing his creative process on the album's artwork: ''"The idea was to create imagery that was a little darker in tone to previous Symphony X albums and to represent the overall theme of Iconoclast into the artwork. The whole concept came from
Michael Romeo, who had a strong idea of what the cover should represent based on the music. I just ran with it. When the album's title was decided on, I focused the image based on the meaning of it. I also wanted to use the band's signature 'masks' but present them in a way that connected to the new album."''
Reception
''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.
The album showcases the highest chart position and the most first-week sales in the band's history.
Track listing
''Iconoclast'' was released in two editions: a single disc version, and a double-CD special edition
hardcover
A hardcover, hard cover, or hardback (also known as hardbound, and sometimes as case-bound) book is one bound with rigid protective covers (typically of binder's board or heavy paperboard covered with buckram or other cloth, heavy paper, or occa ...
digipak. Guitarist
Michael Romeo has stated that the special edition contains the track order that the band originally intended to release, but their label (Nuclear Blast) wanted a single-disc version as well. According to Romeo, the track "Reign in Madness" is the proper closing to the album.
Regular edition
Special edition
Disc one
Disc two
Personnel
*
Russell Allen - vocals
*
Michael Romeo - guitar
*
Michael Pinnella - keyboards
*
Michael LePond - bass
*
Jason Rullo - drums
* Warren Flanagan - artwork
Notes
{{Authority control
2011 albums
Concept albums
Symphony X albums
Nuclear Blast albums